Adorned by one of the greatest, if not the greatest player to don Azzurri colors. Let's not exaggerate. They were a very good team, but the best? Really?
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Roberto Baggio (36 Viewers)
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Adorned by one of the greatest, if not the greatest player to don Azzurri colors. Let's not exaggerate. They were a very good team, but the best? Really?
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Adorned by one of the greatest, if not the greatest player to don Azzurri colors. Let's not exaggerate. They were a very good team, but the best? Really?
Del Piero, Totti, Vieri, Maldini, Cannavaro, C. Zanetti, etc.
first ever footballing memory was watching WC'94 as a nine year old and being transfixed by a guy wearing #10, had a ponytail and played for a team that played in all-blue, my favourite color.
still remember bawling my eyes out when he missed the PK in the final, was absolutely distraught that of all people he was the one who had missed.
still remember bawling my eyes out when he missed the PK in the final, was absolutely distraught that of all people he was the one who had missed.
Italy 2002 was better imo, the only problem was Trapattoni and the absence of Pirlo(still emerging at the time) and the refs. Baggio should also have been selected.
Del Piero, Totti, Vieri, Maldini, Cannavaro, C. Zanetti, etc.
Del Piero, Totti, Vieri, Maldini, Cannavaro, C. Zanetti, etc.
Funny enough my memories are exactly the same as yours, only I was two years younger, but was in awe of thhis man with a ponytail running riot (must have been the Bulgaria game looking back on it now).
In my view the 98 side was better than the 2002, you had ADP in his absolute prime (even if he under performed and was injured), Baggio in great form and Vieri coming into his peak, aswell as the likes of Pippo, Chiesa and a backline of Maldini, Nesta, Canna. Di Livio in midfield with Albertini and whoever else. Maldini was just an awful coach who didn't utilise the team he had at his disposal properly.
In my view the 98 side was better than the 2002, you had ADP in his absolute prime (even if he under performed and was injured), Baggio in great form and Vieri coming into his peak, aswell as the likes of Pippo, Chiesa and a backline of Maldini, Nesta, Canna. Di Livio in midfield with Albertini and whoever else. Maldini was just an awful coach who didn't utilise the team he had at his disposal properly.
I was heartbroken for 2 months. Absolutely heartbroken. Especially after having witnessed him in person in Foxoborugh carrying that team on his back against Nigeria and Spain. And I didn't even mention his performace against Bulgaria in the Semi-Finals.
Point Blank, they don't get to the Finals without him.
Point Blank, they don't get to the Finals without him.
100% 
Italy's squad in 1998 was insane. The Italian football was so strong back then, that even when Zola was the hottest player in England, he didn't get call-ups cause the EPL was a joke comparing to the Serie A. Look even at the GK. Pagliuca, Toldo, Buffon. Amazing GK like Perruzzi and Marchegiani were left home. Ale, Roby, Pippo and Vieri in the attack, Maldini, Nesta, Canna and Di Livio, with Costacurta, Bergomi, Pessotto and Torricelli backing them. The MF wasn't the best, but Maldini had an amazing squad that should have won the cup. The best squad Italy ever had IMO, definitely better than the squad that did won the WC in 2006...but they had Lippi, and that's all the difference.
Italy's squad in 1998 was insane. The Italian football was so strong back then, that even when Zola was the hottest player in England, he didn't get call-ups cause the EPL was a joke comparing to the Serie A. Look even at the GK. Pagliuca, Toldo, Buffon. Amazing GK like Perruzzi and Marchegiani were left home. Ale, Roby, Pippo and Vieri in the attack, Maldini, Nesta, Canna and Di Livio, with Costacurta, Bergomi, Pessotto and Torricelli backing them. The MF wasn't the best, but Maldini had an amazing squad that should have won the cup. The best squad Italy ever had IMO, definitely better than the squad that did won the WC in 2006...but they had Lippi, and that's all the difference.
