Apr 02, 2026
3 min read
The Azzurri held on to the title for a third consecutive losing edition. A system that needs to be rebuilt But someone said it was beauty 15 years ago.
Italy will miss its third consecutive World Cup, which we will not miss even this summer which will be free time.But why are we talking about Roberto Baggio now?The debate, as they say in these cases, is long and complicated.Not bad: it's also becoming a sad habit, in a movement that has changed a lot, except what needs to be changed.
In addition, the document drawn up by former footballer Roberto Baggio fifteen years ago was also quite long and clearly detailed.That was way back in 2011, and with every Italian sports drama, the re-introduction of the document signed by the Divine Codino becomes relevant again, like the ghost of Christmas past.After finishing his football career only six years ago, Giancarlo Abete wanted him to become the president of the technical sector of the FIGC (Italian Football Association).And in a few months, in less than three years, leading the project to restore Italian football at the federal level and especially at the youth level, he gave, in a profound report that remained sloppy, indications of the necessary reforms, highlighting the critical problems of a system already in the process of self-destruction.Between digitization, intelligence and dedication to learning, 900 pages that remained a dead letter, to quote his own words: the former Ballon d'Or retired (at the time) due to general lack of interest.But what did these pages say?
What did the Baggio dossier contain?
Technical training, nurseries, ethics and behavior: these were the key concepts of the Baggio project presented to the Covarciano steering committee in December 2010 and demonstrated in the following weeks.This introductory document already mentioned human qualities, strengthening the training school, specific courses for young football coaches and IT modernization as priority goals (not the only ones).And increase talent, in a sport that has become increasingly Physical and flooded with tactics.
Technical tests, freedom and relationship with the ball
One of the key points concerning young footballers was precisely the idea of favoring the freedom of the game.The hope was for a reduction in tactics between the kids, with room for individual technique: dribble, stop, dribble and a whole host of fundamental basics whose importance has been lost over time.And directly introduce specific drills to improve your ball contact and game vision.Less physics, more creativity and intelligence.
Training the very young (and their trainers)
Education, not only education: a more than small aspect of Roberto Baggio's document is the moral value that should be passed on to many young people and to those who have to put it.The book reads laws that seem anachronistic today: values and behaviors, a sense of responsibility and balance in the youth sector, new choices for educators.Stricter requirements, deeper methods of learning, less enrichment, acquisition of special academic skills and more selective certifications.Revolution is the training of many young people, even before supporting them in their development.Attention trainers, before the limits of the procedure of chickens.Training before the competition.And the social responsibility of even the youngest athlete.
Scouting and territorial districts
Speaking of very young people, the observers in Baggio's plan, instead of working without any order, would be organized and organized for more methodical and efficient work;
Education, Research and Digitalisation
Roberto Baggio and his fifty employees would not be alone, but would create a system with an academic and learning reality.University and Research together with the Federation for data collection, organization and development, the creation of a training center, digital and innovative use as a basis for the creation of targeted and customized methodologies in the federal districts.
Big Data and Federal Storage
An endless digital archive that needed to be carried out with the necessary methods and background, conceived when the role of the data analyst applied to football was still in an evolving stage.Statistics and videos that depict things in a more conscious and systematic manner, such as the development of infrastructure and IT, the redefinition (or disappearance) of concepts surrounding soccer, and the innovation of standards in data interpretation.
Changes, Thoughts and Regrets: Baggio's Long-Term Visionary Plan
A gentle but profound revolution, starting from the basics to reach a high goal: ethics and innovation, invention and calculation, freedom and observation.Abstract ideas that the then president of the Federal Technical Sector put forward in a concrete, detailed and real plan.From Baggio's documentation, a file remained in a drawer, an aura of the Holy Grail to contemplate every time Italian football seems more and more from the past and, above all, from the future.Roberto Baggio has long raised the alarm, almost a thousand pages of ideas, projects and inspirations.Five years earlier, in the final in Berlin, Italy scored its last goal in the World Cup play-off with Marco Materazzi challenging France, even though we didn't suspect it.it will be twenty-four years since the goal was scored.
