It is an often used cliché in football circles that a player or manager should ‘never go back’, that to return to the scene of a previous triumph or golden period in one’s career is folly of the highest order, and that a previously immaculate reputation could be put at risk of irreparable damage.
Try telling that to Luca Toni, whose return to Fiorentina after a five year absence got off to a perfect start as he grabbed his side’s second goal in their 2-0 victory over Catania.
In his previous two season spell with the Viola between 2005 and 2007, Toni finished as the club’s top scorer twice, while a staggering haul of 31 goals in the 2005/06 season saw him crowned Serie A capocannoniere, and awarded the European Golden Shoe.
Sandwiched in between those two seasons, Toni was the Viola’s only representative in the Azzurri squad that sensationally lifted the World Cup in Germany, scoring twice in the 3-0 quarter-final victory over Ukraine.
Understandably then, Toni is something of a cult hero amongst the Artemio Franchi faithful, and though he cannot possibly be expected to recapture the scintillating form of seasons past, his introduction as a second half substitute on Sunday was met with feverish approval.
Already a goal to the good thanks to Stevan Jovetic’s now customary wonder goal, Toni entered the fray in the 63rd minute as a replacement for Adem Ljajic, and was on the score sheet within two minutes, tapping into an unguarded net from close range having been found in acres of space by Jovetic.
Admittedly it would have been more difficult to miss from the position he found himself in, but his overall performance showed a vitality and hunger that belied both his advancing years and the fear that time spent out in the cold at Juventus and in the less competitive surroundings of the United Arab Emirates may have deadened his predatory instincts.
A glancing header from close range sailed inches wide of the post, while a smart save from Catania keeper Mariano Andujar also denied Toni a late second as he attempted to turn the ball home from an acute angle after Jovetic had first been denied.
Toni himself seemed taken aback in the aftermath of the encounter, saying “not in my wildest dreams did I expect that,” and few could begrudge the 35-year old such a positive return to the Serie A limelight, particularly given that he and partner Marta Cecchetto suffered the tragedy of a stillborn first child in June.
“I dedicate this goal to everyone who stayed close to me during these difficult months,” he continued. “I dedicate it to those who are here and those who have gone. I am happy in Florence and the people love me. I’m so pleased as the love of the fans fills me far more than many other trophies.”
Being realistic, Toni is unlikely to be challenging for a second capocannoniere crown this season, and his return in the final hours of the summer transfer window was undoubtedly in response to the failure to lure Dimitar Berbatov to the Artemio Franchi.
However, with fellow summer arrival Mounir El Hamdaoui so far failing to convince and Adem Ljajic still more of a prospect than the finished article, competition for the chance to partner Jovetic up front is far from fierce, and it is therefore not inconceivable that the Viola faithful may once again be getting used to the sight of Toni’s trademark ear-cupping celebration in the near future.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevertonFC_84
