WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FINAL : Spotlight : THEIR NUMBER DIDN’T COME UP

For Franco Baresi to end up as one of the players failing Italy in the penalty kick phase is almost as shocking as the failure of Roberto Baggio.

Baresi represents all that is good and heroic about Italian soccer. He is the veteran, with more international appearances than any player on the team. He is, at age 34, the focal point of Italy’s defense, the emotional and spiritual leader. He plays for Italy’s champion, AC Milan, which won the European title recently over Romario’s FC Barcelona, 4-0.

Baresi played Sunday, even though he had undergone arthroscopic surgery about three weeks ago. He had played the first World Cup game and part of the second, then was injured and had the operation.

In the team biography, the following is said about Baresi:

“The first word that comes to mind when you talk about the captain Franco Baresi is reliability.”

Also: “(He) is seen by many as the finest sweeper in the world, and will go down in history as one of the best ever to play the game.”

So when Baresi stepped up to act as Italy’s leadoff hitter in the penalty-kick lineup, everything pointed to a result other than an embarrassing shank over the top of the goal.

Well after the match, when somebody other than Coach Arrigo Sacchi had to come out for Italy and face the press, Baresi was the choice. And when he was asked about his missed penalty kick, he gave a veteran answer.

“Penalty kicks are like playing the lottery,” he said.