WORLD CUP USA ’94 / THE FINAL : Spotlight : GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

Best Coaching Decision: Arrigo Sacchi, Italy.

Recognizing that the right side of his defense was breaking down, he took right back Roberto Mussi off the field in the 35th minute and moved central defender Paolo Maldini to the flank. Sacchi then inserted Luigi Apolloni into Maldini’s position. Maldini and Apolloni shut down Brazilian forwards Romario and Bebeto.

Worst Coaching Decision: Arrigo Sacchi, Italy.

In the penalty-kick ending, he named Franco Baresi as one of Italy’s shooters--the first to be exact.

The same Baresi who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on June 24 and had not played until Sunday. In the 13th minute of overtime, he had to be carried from the field to the bench, where trainers massaged both of his legs. Although he returned, he could barely run. His penalty kick was wildly high. Why? Said Sacchi merely: “He always kicks first.”