Dino Baggio

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Dino Baggio (born July 24, 1971 in Camposampiero) is an Italian football defensive midfielder. He has been capped at international level.

Contents 1 Clubs and Achievements 2 Biography 2.1 Club 2.2 International

[edit] Clubs and Achievements

In his club career, Baggio played for Torino (1989-91), Inter (1991-92), Juventus (1992-94), Parma A.C. (1994-2000), Lazio (2000-03 and 2004-05), Blackburn Rovers (2003-04), Ancona (2004). After having joined Triestina of Italian Serie B in the summer of 2005, he rescinded the contract because of personal issues with coach Pietro Vierchowod, playing just three times for the giuliani. He won the UEFA Cup three times, twice with Parma and once with Juventus.

[edit] Biography

[edit] Club

Baggio was spotted by AC Torino scouts when he was young and taken into the Torino youth squad. He made his debut as a 19 year old in the match Torino vs. Lazio. Ironically, he would later go on to play for Lazio. He then became a Torino regular and was a promising youngster. He was a defensive midfielder with strength, pace, and even could go up and score a goal or two. He was sold to Inter at the age of 20 in 1991 for the 1991-92 season.

At the end of the 91-92 season, Juventus bought the promising youngster. He played with city rivals Torino, and at first the fans did not like the move. His solid play won the fans over, and quickly became a mainstay in the Juventus midfield, winning a UEFA Cup in 1993.

After playing in the 1994 World Cup, Parma wanted to buy Dino Baggio. At first, Dino Baggio rejected the offer by Parma and wanted to stay at Juventus. Juventus were ready to offer Parma a youngster named Alessandro Del Piero instead of Baggio; Parma accepted, and with Del Piero all ready to go to Parma, Dino Baggio changed his mind on his decision and decided he would make the move to Parma. Del Piero stayed at Juve and became a legend at the club.

He moved to Parma for the 1994-95 season and even won the UEFA Cup in '95 for a second time. Baggio stayed with Parma until the end of the 2000-2001 season. In the summer of 2001, he was sold to Lazio. He was utilized very little in 2001-2002 and the following season. In 2003-2004, he was in talks with English club Wolverhampton Wanderers, who were newly promoted to the Premier League, over a possible loan deal but was eventually loaned to Blackburn Rovers in England for the season. He was somewhat of a flop, only making 9 appearances. Soon, Lazio loaned him out to newly promoted Serie A side Ancona. He made 15 appearances and scored 2 goals, but Ancona finished dead last. He remained with Lazio for this season, but has not played a game yet in any competition.

[edit] International

Dino made his international debut against Cyprus. That was the same game Gianluca Pagliuca and Demetrio Albertini made their debuts. He also won the 1992 European U-21 Championship with the "Azzurrini", and palyed in the '92 Olympic games.

During 1994, he was called for Italy to play in the 1994 World Cup, he would prove to be a key player fo them. In this tournament he combined with teammate Roberto Baggio (of whom he is no relation) to lead the team in goalscoring and carry Italy all the way to the final match, where they lost to Brazil. He scored two goals in the tournament, including the winning goal in a first-round victory over Norway. He also played for Italy in other major tournaments, such as Euro '96, the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and he played in every game for Italy in the 1998 World Cup, which would prove to be his last major tournament with the Azzurri.

Baggio has amassed 60 caps and scored seven goals for the Italian national team. He is remembered as a great player by the fans of Italian football, not just because he was on the national team but because he fought for that national team sport with players like Roberto Donadoni, Demetrio Albertini, and Gianfranco Zola and many other players in their prime.

	Italy squad - 1998 FIFA World Cup Quarter-finalists
1 Toldo | 2 Bergomi | 3 P. Maldini | 4 Cannavaro | 5 Costacurta | 6 Nesta | 7 Pessotto | 8 Torricelli | 9 Albertini | 10 Del Piero | 11 D. Baggio | 12 Pagliuca | 13 Cois | 14 Di Biagio | 15 Di Livio | 16 Di Matteo | 17 Moriero | 18 R. Baggio | 19 Inzaghi | 20 Chiesa | 21 Vieri | 22 Buffon | Coach: C. Maldini

	Italy squad - 1994 World Cup Runners-up
1 Pagliuca | 2 Apolloni | 3 Benarrivo | 4 Costacurta | 5 Maldini | 6 Baresi | 7 Minotti | 8 Mussi | 9 Tassotti | 10 R. Baggio | 11 Albertini | 12 Marchegiani | 13 D. Baggio | 14 Berti | 15 Conte | 16 Donadoni | 17 Evani | 18 Casiraghi | 19 Massaro | 20 Signori | 21 Zola | 22 Bucci | Coach: Sacchi