WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FINALS : Italy Might Be Left Hamstrung by Injuries to Baggio, Donadoni
Injuries might leave the Italian team without the services of midfielder Roberto Donadoni and star forward Roberto Baggio in the World Cup championship game Sunday at the Rose Bowl. Each has a hamstring problem.
Neither player practiced Friday and the team doctor said fatigue, heat and travel had aggravated what might otherwise have been nothing more than nagging injuries and have left the two players questionable for the game against Brazil.
Other injuries, to Franco Baresi and Alberigo Evani, combined with the suspensions of defenders Mauro Tassotti and Alessandro Costacurta--have severely narrowed Coach Arrigo Sacchi’s options.
“No doubt, we are struggling with a number of problems, including Brazil’s strength,” Sacchi said Friday. “But I am very confident because my players have evidenced a great determination and winning spirit.”
No matter how Sacchi painted it, though, the situation appears grim. Baggio injured his right hamstring in Wednesday’s semifinal and left the game. Afterward, he needed assistance to get down from a platform.
The loss of Baggio, if even for a half, would be a potentially deadly blow to the team. He has scored five of Italy’s eight goals and has provided the inspiration when Italy has fallen behind.
Baggio said Friday he felt twinges of pain, but, like most athletes, figured he could play.
“It does not hurt when I walk,” he said. “But I can feel it when I flex the muscle. . . . I’m confident, I hope I can play.”
Sacchi refused to speculate on the availability of Baggio. “It’s a decision that could be taken at the last minute,” he said.
“Baggio is one of the greatest players--there are few players who can be compared to him. It would be a bad blow for us if he cannot play. Others will have to engage harder to make up for his absence if he does not recover.”
Donadoni’s problem is in his left hamstring. Team doctor Andrea Ferretti said the problem showed up after Wednesday’s game and the team’s long flight from New Jersey made it difficult to immediately assess the seriousness of the injury.
