Eurosport - Wed, 01 Apr 19:03:00 2009
Striker Luca Toni has promised he will run naked around Munich's famous Marienplatz square if Bayern Munich win this season's Champions League.
The 31-year-old Italy international only made his Champions League debut earlier this season, but his side play Barcelona in the quarter-final first-leg tie of Europe's elite competition at the Nou Camp stadium next Wednesday.
"If we bring the trophy back to Munich, I promise I will run around Marienplatz naked," the 31-year-old striker told Sport-Bild.
But Toni's proposed naked dash in the heart of Munich looks unlikely.
If Bayern beat Barcelona in the last eight, they will then have to overcome Liverpool or Chelsea to take their place in the final at Rome's Stadio Olimpico.
But Toni is adamant he will be happy to strip off if Bayern captain Mark van Bommel lifts the Champions League trophy in the Italian's native Rome.
"Rome is my goal," said Toni.
"I haven't won that many titles in my career and to win the Champions League is something which inspires me to play and train everyday."
And Toni, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium, said Bayern will have to prove themselves worthy winners against the best clubs in Europe.
"To win the Champions League, a team doesn't just need 11 professionals on the pitch, it needs 11 Lions, if you can use such an expression in Munich.
"Bayern have the potential to win the title: there are also bigger lions than us still in the running, but you there is no reason why the small lion can't seize the chance."
Toni has become a pin-up here since joining Bayern in the summer of 2007 and many German women will be crossing their fingers the defending Bundesliga champions bring the trophy back to Munich to see Toni's nude dash.
The Italian has been suffering with an Achilles tendon injury since Valentine's Day, but he warmed the hearts of Bayern fans with a run out on Wednesday and is set to face Wolfsburg on Saturday in the Bundesliga.
"Luca is hungry and he wants to play again, he is ready," said Bayern coach Juergen Klinsmann.
And Italian defender Massimo Oddo is also expected to be back in action for Bayern in Wolfsburg having recovered from a calf strain.
Comment 1 - 16 of 16
Will have to see this, IF it happens and they get the win.
i wish him to strip. it would be great for the bayern! he is better than the barca defence, for sure. aufgehts bayern!!!
they do have 4 champions league title to their name,lets see if the italian tripod can help them to another
as for tony's short comings ,well ,italians aren't known for this,tall people either ,then ,there's that nose... just hope he doesn't step on it ,poor guy
i think you might be surprised by Bayern, they're as good a goal machine as Barcelona ,more titles than barcelona ,and if ribery is fit ,and tony dressed,hum ,spanish side could be in trouble .
God, it would be so funny if he sliped and done the splits i'd bet he would go crying home to his mum
if they win it,i hope he trips & cuts his @#$%
He should have promised to run naked if bayern lost at least there is 100% chance of that happening. Mvuyisi sa
if he was confident and/or believed in his team he wouldnt promise such thing. He knows it will be impossible to defeat Barcelona.
Manchester will keep the trophy for another year, sorry.
he knows 4sure bayern can never beat Barcelona home & away
The German women will be disappointed when they see Toni´s little weenie!
Barca - Munchen....surely bring excitement..haha
Fernando Torres
toni dare to promise this cuz he know bayern will crash....lol....
bayern are great and they got all the chances in their hands
that shows that he has no hope of batern winning it
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