Champions League - Toni tells of naked ambition

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.

FOOTBALL luca toni bayern münchen 2008-2009 - 0

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.

AFP

Comment 1 - 16 of 16

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  1. Will have to see this, IF it happens and they get the­ win.

    From Grisha, on Tue 7 Apr 10:51PM

  2. i wish him to strip. it would be great for the bayern!­ he is better than the barca defence, for sure. aufgehts­ bayern!!!

    From pregal_srl, on Mon 6 Apr 11:18AM

  3. they do have 4 champions league title to their­ name,lets see if the italian tripod can help them to­ another

    From coolworld, on Mon 6 Apr 11:14AM

  4. 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

    From coolworld, on Mon 6 Apr 11:11AM

  5. 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 .

    From coolworld, on Mon 6 Apr 11:10AM

  6. God, it would be so funny if he sliped and done the­ splits i'd bet he would go crying home to his mum

    From jack, on Mon 6 Apr 6:55AM

  7. if they win it,i hope he trips & cuts his @#$%

    From nizar, on Sun 5 Apr 7:15PM

  8. He should have promised to run naked if bayern lost at­ least there is 100% chance of that happening. Mvuyisi­ sa

    From mvuty, on Sun 5 Apr 6:10AM

  9. 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.

    From riki, on Sat 4 Apr 7:18PM

  10. he knows 4sure bayern can never beat Barcelona home­ & away

    From ifeanyi, on Sat 4 Apr 4:56PM

  11. The German women will be disappointed when they see­ Toni´s little weenie!

    From wolfmann, on Sat 4 Apr 9:05AM

  12. Barca - Munchen....surely bring excitement..haha

    From safwan_10n, on Sat 4 Apr 8:36AM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Fernando Torres

    From norisadiku, on Fri 3 Apr 5:21PM

  14. toni dare to promise this cuz he know bayern will­ crash....lol....

    From Monkey L, on Fri 3 Apr 12:28PM

  15. bayern are great and they got all the chances in their­ hands

    From andreysizemin, on Wed 1 Apr 10:48PM

  16. that shows that he has no hope of batern winning it

    From Omar F, on Wed 1 Apr 10:01PM
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