Former Italy Striker Playfully Teases Guardiola: “He’s Ruined Football
Former Italy striker jokes with Guardiola: "He ruined football"
At dinner with Manchester City coach Roberto Baggio, Luca Toni said he was left without a club due to the popularization of the “false 9”; watch
Luca Toni had a few good things to say to Pep Guardiola. It was all smiles and laughter at a dinner with friends, attended by Roberto Baggio. The former Italian national team striker joked with his old Brescia teammate, now Manchester City coach, and said that Pep was responsible for him not finding a club for four years. According to the former player, the Spaniard “ruined football” with the false 9.
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_bc8228b6673f488aa253bbcb03c80ec5/internal_photos/bs/2024/K/K/7QzVzITZW7EKJAQBTtLQ/9061e66577f79833d31c72ac01040048.jpg)
Pep Guardiola and Luca Toni played together for Brescia in Italy in the 2001/2002 season. Roberto Baggio also played for the team at the time. The former players met for dinner on Tuesday.
At the table, Luca Toni took the opportunity to joke with Guardiola. A classic center forward, Toni complained about his friend highlighting the “false 9” while he was coaching Barcelona. The role of a striker who comes out of the box was popularized by Lionel Messi at the time.
– The false 9, explain it to me Pep… you ruined football. I haven’t found a team for four years. I swear. Can you say that you only played false 9 with Messi? Do you like center forwards? – said the former player.
Retired in 2016, Luca Toni said he was without a club for four years. Standing at 1.93m tall, the former striker is asking for the return of the classic, tall center forward. Guardiola responded to his friend’s joke.
– I have Haaland with 60 goals. The center forward has to be good, you understand? – replied Guardiola.
– Okay! So that’s why I was left without a team. Guys, it’s okay… but enough of these false 9s, okay? Let’s go with the big center forwards – Toni concluded.
Coached by Pep Guardiola, Manchester City returns to the field at 10 am this Sunday, October 20, against Wolverhampton in the Premier League.