1armedboxer

Corriere dello Sport
Wednesday 11th August, 2004

OLD FRIENDS REUNION FOR BAGGIO

Vicenza Calcio manager Roberto Baggio last night unveiled what he claims are the final pieces in his Serie B jigsaw. Baggio appointed less than a month ago, has already spent £500k on two players and brought in a young midfielder on loan. Surrounded by a famous trio of stars from his past, Baggio beamed with delight, obviously revelling in the media spotlight that he had brought to the club. ToIl Codino’sleft sat a relaxed-looking former Argentine international and Champions’ League winner, Fernando Carlos Neri Redondo, at thirty-five still eager for first team football. On the manager’s rright, however, were Antonio Benarrivo, with whom Baggio played in the 1994 World Cup, and his former Juventus captain Antonio Conte.

The first thought of those journalists at the press conference was that Baggio had added to his coaching staff. The fact is, as the manager was quick to point out, that in Serie B experience is a valuable commodity. Vicenza have certainly acquired that this week. Hundreds of international caps and a plethora of winners’ medals are now locked inside the club’s dressing room ready for Baggio to unleash them on the opening day of the season, at home to AlbinoLeffe. You get the impression that players will leave the Romeo Monte this season, but that there are unlikely to be too many more arrivals. A relaxed Baggio apparently has all he will need.

1armedboxer

Diary Entry
Thursday 2nd September, 2004

Well, pre-season is over and the transfer window is closed until Christmas. I’m not convinced we have the players to mount a serious challenge yet, and the squad is far too big at the moment. I hope to cut the squad down and fine tune the team I have in place. We’ve had difficulty scoring goals in the matches we’ve played so far – it’s certainly a worry.

On the positive side, the new lads have bedded in well. Antonio [ed. Conte] has led the midfield well and, before his injury, Fernando [Redondo] looked very sharp. The age of the side isn’t a concern, but whether or not we go up this season I’ll have a lot to change in the summer.

As things stand, we’re looking at a team something like…

GK Giorgio Sterchele Ex-Roma keeper, in the twilight of his career but still looking worthy of a place in the side.

DR Antonio Benrrivo Former Parma full back who has played at the highest level.
DL Carlo Cherubini
DC Massimo Paganin Veteran of the same Inter Milan side as Giuseppe Bergomi. Solid and dependable.
DC Simone Padoin Excellent-looking young defender. Big things expected from him.
DC David Mendes da Silva New signing, settling in well.

MC Antonio Conte Juventus legend and leader from midfield.
MC Fernando Redondo Has won just about everything in the game and will be very valuable to us.

AMC Gianpietro Zecchin On-loan attacking midfielder. Expected to create.

SC Massimo Margiotta Quality Colombian forward.
SC Julio Gonzalez Paraguayan forward. Expected to get goals this season.

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Friday 3rd September

Pre-season has gone already! We’ve had difficulty scoring at times, but at least I’ve been able to get a good look at the players. We lost a really good game at home to Sampdoria 3-2 before a run-out against the reserves that we won 3-0. In our last friendly before the Italian Cup we lost 1-0 to Roma Reserves.

The Cup didn’t go too well. Failing to score in the first two games (1-0 to Catania and a 0-0 at Perugia) didn’t help. The 2-0 win against Viterbese was nice to see a the end, though. We’re out, but then it wasn’t a priority.

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Saturday 4th September, 2004

AlbinoLeffe visit this time next week. I think we’re the favourites for that match. The bookies have rated us at 33-1 for the title, so I suppose it’s time I looked at where we’ll finish. Silvano wants a safe mid-table finish. That’s nice because I think we can do better. I’m hoping for a top-eight finish. If things go our way and the goals arrive we could push for the play-offs, but I’m not looking at that just yet.

The national team beat Norway 1-0 this afternoon. Had to rely on a Simone Perrotta penalty, but I suppose it’s nothing to do with me anymore. Have to get used to that!

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Wednesday 8th September, 2004

Stefano Fiore scored two tonight as Italy beat Moldova 2-0 in Chisinau.

1armedboxer

Folks, how sorry I am to have wasted your time. What a build-up and then no result - literally. I've just been sacked for the first time ever. At the end of October, over two months into the season, I had scored 2 goals in 13 games and was firmly rooted to the bottom of the table. Beaten 5-0 by Catania was the final straw. I think I'll have a break from here. Thanks for reading anyway!