The return of Roberto ...

The return of Roberto Baggio to World Cup action with Italy last night set the stage for one of the great comebacks of modern football.

The former European and World Player of the Year missed the penalty in 1994 that gave the trophy to Brazil after struggling through the final and extra-time with a hamstring injury. He took Italy through to the shoot out four years ago almost single handed despite his own game suffering at the hands of coach Arrigo Sacchi. Sacchi substituted Baggio against Norway in the first round and as the number 10 walked past he can clearly be seen saying "That man is mad !" towards the coach as he leaves the pitch. His tournament recovered from that low point as he scored the winning goals against Nigeria, Spain and Bulgaria to see Italy into the final against Brazil but the match ended in despair for one of the finest players of his generation when he got underneath the ball and fired it over the bar.

Baggio has spoken many times of that traumatic penalty miss and his excellent recent form since the turn of the year has been described by him as an attempt to redeem that penalty miss by getting into the squad for France. Yesterday in Rome national coach Cesare Maldini gave him that chance with a recall. He is the current international with the most number of goals for Italy, 24, and he has captained the national team as well. He ended the current season with 22 goals for Bologna in Serie A where he has over 140 career goals from his withdrawn striking role.

After the disappointment of 1994, Baggio also experienced upheaval in his club career with an unsuccesful move from Juventus to AC Milan where he was roundly mistreated by coach Fabio Capello before trying to restart his career in Bologna where he again clashed with the coach in December when he was left out of the side to play against his former Juve team. After that dispute was settled amicably Baggio hit a fine recent run of form marked by his usual calm finishing and driven by the desire to make it to France.

Baggio will play alongside his former team mate at Juventus Fabrizio Ravanelli who also returns to the international scene although his main place in the squad will be as understudy to the current young king of Italian calcio, Alessandro Del Piero. Despite his exceptional talents Del Piero has yet to make an impression when playing for the national side. Now he knows a proven symbol of the Italian game is ready to step in if the young marvel shows inconsistent form next month.

Baggio can ask for nothing more than the chance to bury the memory of the kick that destroyed his World Cup dream four years ago.