ROME. Aug 7 (AFP/Intemet): Roberto Baggio sent Italy's new national coach Dino Zoff a message on Friday: "Keep me in the team.I"

Baggio scored two goals and made two more as a reserve for Alessandro Del Piero in Italy's ill-fated campaign at France

Now preparing for the new season with Inter Milan, in the wake of Cesare Maldini's dismissal as national coach. Baggio does not want to be left out of Zoffs plans for his debut against Wales on September 5.

"My desire to be In the national team is as strong as it is for all the other players," the 31-year-old insisted.

"And with my experience. I can't see any reason why I shouldn't be aiming for it." he added.

Zoff has so far kept silent over the team he will pick to face the Welsh in their qualifier at Anfield for the European Championships in 2000.

The only comment made in public is that the possibility of Baggio and Del Piero playing together would depend on the players' physical condition.

The one certainty is that Italy's first home game under Zoff, another qualifier for Euro' 2000 against Switzerland, will be In the new coach's 'home town' of Udine.

The Group 1 tie on October 10 was originally pencilled-in for Milan's San Siro stadium.

Instead. Zoff has persuaded Italian football officials here to honour the northeastern region where he was born and grew up. and where he started his footballing career for Udinese in 1961.

His predecessor Maldini was allowed the same privilege, with his Italy starting against Northern Ireland at Trieste in January 1997. winning 2-0.