Lazio-Wisla match opens old wounds for Baggio

Lazio's UEFA Cup tie with Wisla Krakow today has brought back painful memories for the Italian club's midfielder Dino Baggio. Baggio was struck by a knife thrown by a Polish fan when playing for Parma against Wisla in the UEFA Cup in 1998. Although the former Italy international was not seriously hurt, UEFA banned the Polish club from European competition for a year and the fan received a six-and-a-half year jail sentence. Baggio said he was fortunate that he did not suffer more grave injuries than the blow to his head. "It was only when I got to the dressing room that I realized what incredible luck I had," Baggio told yesterday's daily Gazzetta dello Sport. "I turned my head a second before (I was hit) and if I hadn't then I could have been struck in the face or the knife could have gone in my eye." The Italian, though, said that there was no question of him bearing a grudge against the Polish club. (Reuters) A.Z.