Agreed. Zidane played as a central midfielder in Lippi's 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 formations but he was given the freedom to push up as well in this role as it wasn't fixed, just as Davids often dropped further back; initially Zidane was supposed to be Sousa's replacement in the regista role in a 4-3-3, but Zizou struggled so far back so Lippi switched formations and made a new role for him as a free playmaker in midfield. With France and under Ancelotti at Juve, and later with Real, he was instead used further up as an attacking midfielder on paper, but he was more of a player who would drop into midfield to dictate play with his passing to help control the game rather than looking to push forward and score or create a chance like other players in this position, such as Baggio, especially as Juve and France had other creative players who could link-up the midfield and attack, like Del Piero or Djorkaeff. Baggio could also pull the strings, and was certainly involved in the buildup of attacking plays, but was more direct, as his passing moves often had an end goal of creating an attacking chance and he often looked to get forward; Zidane instead was more patient, and his impact wasn't as noticeable, even though it was equally important (hence why Ferguson made an oddly critical but understandable remark when facing Juve that Zidane didn't really hurt a team, seeing as statistically he didn't score or assist as much as other players...I can somewhat understand this criticism however, as someone like Baggio had a more direct impact on results than Zidane did, and Agnelli also once said that Zidane was more beautiful to watch than useful with his skill, which was also a bit harsh and hyperbolic, despite not being entirely true, even though I do think that Baggio was more efficient in how he could decide games by himself). But as you said Baggio's natural role was behind the forwards, like with Fiorentina initially, and in his final season with Juve, and at Brescia as well, and also with Italy under Vicini at times, but under most of his managers, due to the presence of other systems like the 4-4-2 or 4-3-3/4-3-2-1, or 3-4-3, he was often played out of position throughout his career as a second striker, and sometimes even as a main striker or as an outside forward. But even though he was more direct than most number 10s and often played as a second striker, he wasn't a typical second striker in the mould of Del Piero, Bergkamp, Cantona, or Djorkaeff either, who weren't really playmakers, but rather very much technical and creative link-up players who would score goals and provide assists; Baggio was much more involved in his team's attacking moves. I also prefer Baggio personally, but both he and Zidane are all-time greats!

@@jackpuccini3143 thank u Brother, I'm a big Baggio Fanboy!

@@jackpuccini3143 I also think dat in 1994 if Sacchi would have put either Ravannelli or Vialli next to Massaro at Forwards and Baggio behind them Things would have turned out better For Italy Maybe!

@@dsanchez9703 Yeah, we had a problem with our forwards at the World Cup. Vialli had been out of form unfortunately, as had Ravanelli, but they probably should have gone although Vialli didn't get on with Sacchi. Mancini was another exclusion, and I don't get why Signori was played out wide...it was a waste, and Baggio didn't have a true goalscorer alongside him. Sacchi never strayed from his 4-4-2 either unfortunately. On paper we should have played a lot better, but we only got to the final thanks to Baggio. If only he hadn't been injured against Brazil...the penalty miss was heartbreaking and it's unfair that he's remembered for that mainly after his heroics. He should have won the Golden Ball to be honest, not Romario.

@@jackpuccini3143 one thing dat really bothers me is dat in many alltime either Juve or Italian Squad people have Del Piero and Totti over Baggio and they dont know what they r talking about cause the way I seen it Del Piero and Totti were more Good Serie A players than Champions league or National Squad Players they never really shone in the National team and dat Champions League Del Piero won in 96 he was barely noticed in that game it was Ravanelli that scored plus that Juventus team was a team that Baggio had helped build up since 1990

Totti was a great playmaker. Better then Zidane in this regard.

In 1998 France vs Italy again before baggio sub in every thing was in Zidane control once baggio sub in and everything is baggio. Baggio is special. He control a team very well than any other player. He even lead a weak team from none to top 10. It obvious baggio is over underated. Zidane is over and overated. Just baggio miss the penalty he doesn't had chance again

@@Alex00789 I disagree, Totti was a great player who was also great at passing, his final ball was great too, but to be a playmaker is more than just that, it is about controlling and dictating tempo and the flow of the game, Zidane was a more natural playmaker while Totti was more a second striker of sorts

keep in mind that baggio was at the end of his career here while Zidane was at his peak

Oh of course .. If we look at the era of these 2 players, they are clearly different. Their characters are what I highlight in the field

@@muhammadbachtiar856 Baggio wasn't a natural playmaker like Zidane, Zico or Platini, he had to drop deeper due to his age, just like what is going on with Messi. I don't think it's fair to compare two players so different.

@@alessiofe The rating of the difference between the 2 players is in the comments of the title in the video, if you have your own judgment please .. But I also have comments from each player. Not that the selection of the best players in the world is based on assessments from fans and observers

Two brilliant players who were amongst the best in their relative positions- Baggio being a #9.5 of sorts and Zidane more of a classical playmaker. It's fair enough if you rate one over the other ever so slightly as there wasn't much between them, in my opinion.