[D-Kin]

Luca Toni claims he chose to join Bayern Munich so he’d avoid facing Fiorentina as opponents. “But I’d be happy to play them in a European Final!”

The striker had been heavily linked with Inter, Juventus and Milan after he decided to walk away from the Viola, but preferred an overseas experience out of respect for his former club.

“I made this choice because I did not want to face Fiorentina after having played for them,” said the World Cup winner.

“However, it would be a joy if Bayern and Fiorentina faced off in a Champions League or UEFA Cup Final!”

The latter is a distinct possibility, as both clubs are in the UEFA Cup next season, having just missed out on the Champions League slots.

After helping Palermo to promotion and reviving the Viola’s fortunes with his goals, the Bundesliga poses a new challenge for the ex-Brescia man.

“For the first time in my career I am in an ambitious side that everyone expects to win the title,” he said in his presentation Press conference.

“It is true that we won’t be in the Champions League, but I trust we’ll get there soon. In the meantime, we will have enough to contend with domestically and in the UEFA Cup.”

Toni has been given the same Number 9 jersey worn by Elber, who scored a spectacular 92 goals in six seasons for Bayern.

“Elber did something incredible here, but I chose 9 only because it was free and I liked it more than 30. I want to score many, many goals – important goals – and that is why Bayern invested in me.”

Toni missed out on the Euro 2008 qualifying victories over the Faroe Islands and Lithuania after undergoing surgery on a metatarsal problem, so does he fear dropping off Roberto Donadoni’s radar in Germany?

“I am very close to the Azzurri and very proud to be Italian. I don’t think that playing outside of my country will see me ignored by the Coach, because I am in a big club with great players.”

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