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| | Week 8 Spotlight: Toni the striker – he’s great!!! | Monday 24 October, 2005 |
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 Player of the Week: Toni (Fiorentina)
If the World Cup Finals kicked off tomorrow, there would only be one striker sure of his place in the Italian attack - and that man is Luca Toni. While the likes of Alberto Gilardino and Christian Vieri take their time to settle at Milan, the giant Fiorentina hero continues to underline why he is seen as the best hitman in Serie A right now.
Toni’s start to the campaign has been nothing short of extraordinary following his controversial move from Palermo in the summer. Having left the Sicilian giants for £7.5m, after netting 50 League goals in two seasons, the 28-year-old has taken his scoring touch along with him to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
Some strikers often struggle to find their feet in new surroundings as Gilardino has found out to his cost at the San Siro. But Toni has proved himself to be mature enough, both physically and mentally, to instantly make himself an untouchable in the Viola starting XI.
"If I am getting so many goals, it’s because the whole squad is playing well," said the humble attacker. "I feel good physically, and I think it shows."
Big Luca really needs to take more credit though. The ex-Vicenza man is a player who does it all. He shoots and scores from all angles with his head and his feet. He attacks spaces, but can also hold up the ball up with his immense strength that so often annoys opposing defenders and Coaches alike.
After netting six goals in seven games, the former Brescia man grabbed a hat-trick on Saturday as the 4-1 win over Parma took Cesare Prandelli’s talented troops into a well deserved fourth place, as well as taking himself to the top of the scoring charts. If his consistency doesn’t desert him, then Toni may not only replace the void left by Gabriel Batistuta in Florence, but he could also fire his side into next season’s Champions League.
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Goal of the Week: Obinna (Chievo)
If you thought Victor Obinna’s debut goal against Sampdoria in Week 5 was special then his effort on Sunday was simply sublime. Obinna was having a relatively quiet game against Cagliari, so much so that boss Giuseppe Pillon was all set to bring his afternoon to an early end, until he suddenly realised that his pace and close control could cause havoc for the struggling Sardinians.
Already 1-0 up, the Nigerian youngster made the points safe with a stunning solo effort. Having picked up the ball on the halfway line, he slalomed past numerous hapless defenders before blasting home between Fabian Carini and the near post. His trademark multi-somersault celebration duly followed…
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 Number of the Week: 8
Juventus’ 3-0 win at Lecce was enough to see them equal a Serie A record. It was their eighth in a row and saw them mirror the start made by the Bianconeri in the 1930-31 and 1985-86 seasons. Although both of those sides lost to Napoli in their respective Week 9 fixtures, the Old Lady still went on to win Lo Scudetto in those campaigns. The Turin giants have the chance to score an unprecedented ninth win against Sampdoria on Wednesday. |
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| Words: Antonio Labbate |
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