Toni hot for Scots

| Thu, 11/15/2007 - 03:58

Toni hot for ScotsItaly striker Luca Toni is set on leaving nothing to chance against Scotland on Saturday.

Toni said there was ''no way'' Italy would be playing for a draw as France coach Raymond Domenech has suggested.

''Two and a half years of work will come down to just 90 minutes. And Domenech thinks we're going for the draw?

''If you take the field with that kind of attitude, you risk conceding goals''.

''I'll be too old by the time the next World Cup comes round so Euro 2008 is the last tournament for me to leave my mark,'' the 28-year-old striker said.

''I don't even want to think about not going to Euro 2008,'' said the centre-forward, who helped the Azzurri to World Cup glory last year and has been on fire for Bayern Munich this season.

Toni echoed his boss Roberto Donadoni who has dismissed Domenech's suggestion Scotland and Italy have agreed a non-aggression pact that could spell France's exit if it loses in Ukraine next Wednesday.

''In 25 years of career, as a player and a coach, I've never been able to take the field thinking: this time I'm going for the draw,'' the Azzurri coach said at training camp here.

A draw at Hampden Park would be enough to make sure of Italy's qualification - always assuming Italy's last match, against group minnows the Faroe Islands in Modena on Wednesday week, is a win.

Donadoni is expected to play an aggressive formation with Toni flanked by Juventus winger Mauro Camoranesi and Udinese winger Antonio Di Natale.

AC Milan's Gennaro Gattuso and Massimo Ambrosini will be looking to boss the midfield while club mate Andrea Pirlo supplies the front men.

Captain Fabio Cannavaro of Real Madrid will be back from suspension to marshal a back four comprising Roma right-back Christian Panucci, Palermo central defender Andrea Barzagli and Barcelona left-back Gianluca Zambrotta.

Donadoni has left out Juve captain Alessandro Del Piero, who has disappointed in his last two Italy games.

Alberto Gilardino was preferred to Milan club mate Filippo Inzaghi as back-up for Toni should the powerful frontman tire or pick up a knock.

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