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I was an easy scapegoat, says Toni
| Written by: AFP |
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| 2008-07-16 13:21:02 |  |
ROME (AFP) - Italy striker Luca Toni on Wednesday hit back at criticism over his performances for Italy at Euro 2008.
The Bayern Munich striker was expected to be amongst the leading scorers having been top scorer in Germany's Bundesliga with 24 goals, as well as hitting 15 goals for Italy. However, Toni suffered a nightmare tournament, notably against France where he missed a number of good opportunities to score. But he refuses to take the blame for Italy's Euro 2008 quarter-final exit. "In Italy I received a lot of criticism after the European Championships, because obviously people expected goals and I didn't score any," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I thought I played well, but clearly it is easier to criticise me, someone who plays abroad, than someone who plays in Italy." Bayern return to the Champions League after reaching last season's UEFA Cup semi-finals, but the ex-Fiorentina and Palermo hit man realises that the squad will need to be expanded if they are to be successful. "If the club wants to compete in the Champions League and win the championship, it has to invest to have a squad larger than 15 or 16 strong players. "The team needs to strengthen all areas, because realistically, on paper there are stronger teams than us in the Champions League." |
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Discuss- Add comment
krazy4footy July 16th, 2008 17:36
Bayern Munich is a bit on an anomaly in the Bundesliga - they're much stronger than the rest of the league. So it doesn't seem such a big accomplishment - 24 goals against weaker sides. Toni is talented, but has always been inconsistent.indsc4 July 16th, 2008 18:02
It's just like Benzema netting 20 goals for Lyon against the rest of the subpar French Ligue 1. Though Benzema is young and doesn't have the experience of other renowned strikers yet, scoring in the French league for a decent striker isn't hard.chakal July 16th, 2008 18:11
the Busdesliga is very confusing, it realy doesn't represent the german style of footbal the national team plays, does that make sence? Toni is good but he couldn't play almost anywhere else, too tall, that's why he left italy.SAJNSHE July 16th, 2008 18:26
Toni is really crazy he somtimes brilliant & sometimes assTontodonati July 16th, 2008 23:49
Luca Toni may have a point. He had to chase many long passes. The poor guy just didn't have many genuine chances to score. Thanks to the ineptitude of the Italian midfielders!