Style of Play
Roberto Baggio is considered one of Italy's greatest and most beloved players of all time. Gianni Brera, a famous Italian sports writer who had seen both the Italian Legends Giuseppe Meazza and Gianni Rivera play, stated that Baggio was the best Italian player he had ever seen. Baggio is also remembered as a symbol of the Italian National Team. He began his career as a second-forward, or rifinitore in Italian, although he was known for scoring goals as well as providing assists, which would lead Juventus legend Michel Platini to describe him as a "fantastic 9 and a half", referring to the fact that he was not a true number 9, the shirt number of a striker, but that he scored more than a classic 10. He would go on to state that Baggio's playing style coincided with the emergence and popularisation of the trequartista in Italian football. During his time at Juventus, Gianni Agnelli referred to Baggio as an artist, comparing him to the painter Raffaello, whilst he described the emerging talent and his heir Alessandro Del Piero, as the student Pinturicchio.
Baggio was also a playmaker, or fantasista, and was a versatile player comfortable attacking on both wings as well as in the centre of the pitch, which allowed him to play in various positions along and behind the front line throughout his career, including as a striker or a winger although his preferred position was that of a more advanced trequartista. In his later career, he played as a trequartista or attacking midfielder. Baggio was a set piece and penalty kick specialist, who influenced several other future specialists, such as Andrea Pirlo. Although naturally right footed, he was comfortable using either foot, and usually began dribbling with his left foot. Despite his success, skill and talent, Baggio's career is thought to have been affected by the many severe injuries he encountered. Although he was not imposing physically, he was known for his pace, acceleration, and timing, that gave him the ability to lose his markers. He was renowned for his vision, creativity, technical skills, passing, and tactical awareness, that allowed him to pick out attacking players making runs, and provide them with assists. His dribbling, ball control, balance, agility and his ability to beat defenders (particularly in one on one situations) were also highly praised, as well as his finishing. He has been known for his leadership and consistency, despite having played for many different clubs, as well as having had recurring injury problems and difficulties with several of his managers.
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