Following Hellas Verona’s 3-0 triumph over Genoa on Sunday, Luca Toni has claimed that the win signals the end of a baron spell in which he admits complacency may have got the better of some players.
The Italian forward added two goals to Marco Donadel’s first-half strike to give the Mastini their first win in five Serie A games and Toni was pleased with the desire his team showed having played much of the game with 10-men after Michelangelo Albertazzi’s dismissal.
“We have come through a tough period and perhaps many players thought we were already on holiday, but today we never gave up even when we had 10-men and this bodes well for the derby [against Chievo],” the 36-year-old told Sky Sport Italia after the game.
“I am happy about the goals I have scored because at 36-years-old this is not easy to achieve, now I will look to score more.”
The World Cup winner also said he was not worried that Italy coach, Cesare Prandelli, had left by the time he scored his goals against the Grifoni.
“A lot of people only talk about football in Italy, he [Prandelli] will hear about my goals some way or another,” Toni said.
“I am happy that we played well and that I pleased the coach [Andrea Mandorlini].”
Toni concluded by dismissing Hellas’s chances of qualifying for Europa League, saying, “It’s better not to speak about Europe anymore.”
Follow Luca Hodges-Ramon on Twitter: @LH_Ramon25
