Del Piero replaces Baggio at No. 10

COVERCIANO, Italy, May 25 (AFP)

Cesare Maldini is giving Alessandro Del Piero the number 10 shirt which Roberto Baggio wore at USA 94 at this years World Cup finalsthe Italian coachs latest act of faith in the Juventus striker. Maldini was busy assigning shirt numbers on Monday and his decision was a clear signal as Italy waits for Del Piero to pass a fitness test. The 23-year-old ace suffered a thigh injury in last weeks European Cup final defeat to Real Madrid, and is not due at the training camp here until Wednesday. Enrico Chiesa has been called up as a possible replacement. " This decision is also a goodwill wish, because we are all hoping that Del Piero will wear this shirt, " said Maldini. " If he doesnt make it, it will go to Chiesa instead. " But he added: " Losing Del Piero would be a major loss, and not just for Italy. The world is waiting for the skills of Del Piero, and Ronaldo. " Skipper Paolo Maldini takes over the number three shirt worn by 1994 World Cup captain Franco Baresi, the only other exception to the rule where numbers are allocated in alphabetical order, by department. The fact that Italy see Del Piero as their answer to Brazils Ronaldo, Germanys Oliver Bierhoff, Argentinas Gabriel Batistuta or Englands Alan Shearer will not be lost on Baggio. Maldini said Baggio will be wearing number 18 -- " the number he wore at AC Milan. Lets hope he has more luck with it this time. " Roberto Di Matteo wears the same 16 shirt as he does with Chelsea, veteran defender Giuseppe Bergomi, who won the 1982 World Cup in Spain, has the number 2 he has worn 77 times before, while the 17 -- considered very bad luck in Italywas willingly accepted by Francesco Moriero. Moriero has worn the 17 shirt this season with UEFA Cup winners Inter Milan in the best year of his career. Whatever they wear, Maldini set little store by the notion that the various disappointments suffered this season at club level would make his players more deternined at national level. " Its true that Ill have Juventus players who will be angry after losing the European Cup final, Inter are still angry about missing out on the league title and the AC Milan men are here after a disappointing season, " he said. " But I dont think that really counts for anything: a player shouldnt need any other motivation when hes in the spotlight of the World Cup finals. "