Toni: Italians focused despite death of fan
Toni, who helped the Azzurri win the 2006 World Cup in Germany at a time when Italian football had been rocked by a match-fixing scandal, believes no comparison should be drawn between that situation and the current crisis caused by the fatal shooting by police of a Lazio fan, Gabriele Sandri, at the weekend.
“They’re two very different things,” said Toni. “We are all disappointed and saddened by what has happened. But we don’t need controversies to motivate us.
“I am happy to play abroad for many reasons, one of which is that in the Bundesliga we don’t see these situations. It’s not normal that in Italy these ugly incidents often take place. The truth is Italian football doesn’t give a good image. But we are nevertheless motivated for Saturday’s game, we know what we are playing for.”
A defeat for the world champions at Hampden Park would see them face the prospect of elimination from next summer’s finals.
Roberto Donadoni’s men are a point behind the Scots but have a game in hand.
“We are not nervous,” said Toni, speaking at Coverciano, the national team’s training camp in Florence. “We know that if we lose we are out and we know that’s the case for Scotland too.
“We know the importance of this game and we are preparing in the best way. We have to play a great game, show our strength and take a positive result back home.”
Meanwhile, Italy’s interior minister Giuliano Amato admitted today there are still unanswered questions about the shooting incident that claimed the life of Sandri.
Father Paolo Tammi, the priest who conducted his funeral, drew applause in the Church of San Pio X as he called for the truth to be revealed about the incident.
The service was attended by many football fans of different persuasions while, as well as the Lazio squad, the club’s bitter rivals Roma were represented by coach Luciano Spalletti and club skipper, Francesco Totti.
The police officer who fired the shots is currently under investigation for the incident.
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