Mancio Had History Of Big Match Nerves - Baggio

These days his favorite habitat is no longer the football pitch but the Vicenza countryside. Former Calcio legend Roberto Baggio, perhaps the finest Italian footballer of all time, is having the time of his life as he is dedicating himself to his passion for agriculture and hunting, and certainly doesn't seem to miss his playing days.

"I feel in charge of my own time, it's a great feeling," he said in an interview with journalist Ivan Zazzaroni. "I had dreamed for a long time I could afford a lifestyle like this, without presidents, managers, coaches, obligations, time schedules to follow. I've done what I had to do, I gave everything I had to football."

However, the former Juventus, Milan, and Inter striker certainly isn't tired of talking about football. The Golden Ball winner spoke about Milan's transfer campaign and the coaching change at Inter.

"Ronaldinho? When Berlusconi and Galliani started talking about him I realised they were going to get him," Roby continued. "At Milan they like that type of player: they wanted to build a Brazilian block and stimulate Ronaldinho with the competition of Kaká and Pato.

"I don't know what happened with him at Barcelona. Some said he had problems with Eto'o, but I don't believe that: you never keep someone like Ronaldinho on the bench. Speaking of Barcelona, I wish my friend Pep Guardiola to achieve the success he deserves. He's a smart guy."

On his former Italy team mate Roberto Mancini, he said: "Mancio shot himself in the foot after the match against Liverpool, he reminded me of when he was a player. A formidable player, but he had a history of failing in important matches."

Asked whether he had any regrets in his illustrious career, Baggio concluded: "One example is the volley I tried against France at the 1998 World Cup. I did not see that Barthez had slipped, and if I had been more cold-blooded I would have scored for sure, and no one would have stopped us."

Danilo Pochini