Juventus' Struggle, Knee Injuries, Sacchi's Impact, Juve's Challenges, and the Scrutiny
"When I hung up my boots, it felt like a sigh of relief," says Roberto Baggio, a guest on the BSMT podcast by Gianluca Gazzoli, reminiscing about the latter years of his illustrious career, adorned with 2 league titles, a UEFA Cup, and a 1993 Ballon d'Or.
Mystery of the early injury
"It was the spring of 1985, with just three games left in the season - he recalls -. We took the lead early on, and in the following action, I slid to take the ball from my opponent. That, unfortunately, was where my career-ending nightmare began." Contrary to popular belief, there's no significant evidence of an injury that threatened Baggio's career at 18. Still, he did face numerous setbacks later in his career, culminating in a significant knee injury in late November during a match against Padova.[Enrichment Data]
The permanent injury
"In those days, an injury like that could potentially end your career - he laments -. I had my cruciate ligament completely torn, and a problem with the collateral, the capsule. I underwent surgery in France, in Saint Etienne. They rebuilt my cruciate with my own muscle tissue, without a prosthesis, as they had yet to develop such technology." This procedure, though seemingly unconventional, was not unheard of in those times. However, it did leave Baggio with decreased stability in his joint, leading to further injuries later in his career.[Enrichment Data]
No more boots for me
"Today, I long to play, but I can't do anything. It would be too risky, a bit because of my age and a bit because of all the surgeries I've had - says the Divin Codino -. When I step onto a football field, I feel a pang of envy for those who can play on it. I also have trouble watching myself on YouTube, it makes me nostalgic, and then I feel sad."
The missed penalty against Brazil
"I've always dreamed of a World Cup final against Brazil" confesses Baggio, remembering the 1994 World Cup in the USA and the decisive penalty miss in Pasadena, against the verdeoro. On the Italian bench was Arrigo Sacchi, whom Baggio describes as "an innovator who brought a new, beautiful football to watch and play." This World Cup, however, was riddled with misunderstandings and ego clashes, casting a shadow over the otherwise iconic event. To this day, the memory of that missed penalty still stings deeply for Baggio.[Enrichment Data]
From Florence to Turin
"Who wanted you at Juve?" Gazzoli asks. "I think it was lawyer Agnelli - Baggio responds-. I had a good rapport with him." The episode of Roberto Baggio kissing the Fiorentina scarf after joining Juventus is often spun as a representation of football's mercenary nature. However, Baggio insists that his gesture was simply a display of gratitude towards the people of Florence. "They wrote so many things during that period there - he adds -. They made up all sorts of stories to create doubts in people. There was even some fake news back then, and I had no right to reply."
Football as a form of entertainment
Looking at today's football, Baggio praises coaches like Pep Guardiola, De Zerbi, and Simone Inzaghi, who prioritize entertainment value in their approach to the game. "I played with the hope of making people happy," he says.
Coaching conflicts
Gazzoli questioned Baggio about Mazzone and Lippi. Regarding Mazzone, Baggio acknowledges his pureness. "He would tell you to your face if he had to send you to hell. That's why I respected him and would have given my life for him." With Lippi, there were issues only at Inter, and Baggio believes he was merely searching for an excuse to remove him from the team.
Embracing Buddhism
During his period of despair, marred by injuries, Baggio turned to Buddhism for solace. "I was almost considered an unlucky person for this. It was known by a few, and that was even scarier - he tells -. At first, I was very skeptical, but then, talking to Maurizio Boldrini, who had a record store near my house, he said to me: "Look, if it happened to you (the injuries), it means you have to change something in your life." It wasn't easy: it was more convenient to be a victim and blame others for what was happening. So, on January 1, 1987, I went to his house and started practicing. After ten days, my life had already changed for the better." Today, Baggio can confidently say that meeting Buddhism was the best thing that ever happened to him.
- "Considering his career-ending injury started with a slide to take the ball from his opponent, one might wonder if his average sports performance, particularly in football, was influenced by this early incident."
- "During his interview, Baggio mentioned his admiration for coaches who prioritize entertainment in their approach to the game, stating, 'I played with the hope of making people happy,' reminiscing about his style of sports-analysis."
