Bayern send Toni home

After a two and a half year stay in Germany, the Italian target man Luca Toni will now hope to rediscover the form, which lead him to be Europe's most feared striker, at AS Roma. A 6-month loan deal has signed with a view on a permanent transfer.

Big question marks on how Roma will now cope with two super egos. Francesco Totti has got used to being the go to guy for the club ever since he's break through to the first team in 1994, now he's got competition.

Toni's playing style is somewhat unique. He seldom works for the team and expects everything to be delivered to him on a silver plate. And it works incredibly well, when he's in from, sadly if he's not then the team suffers greatly.

Starting out at Modena the 1.96 m man looked to fade away in the local lower divisions until his big break at Brescia. Hooking up with Italian legend Roberto Baggio the club recorded it's best ever results in the Serie A. Soon after came a move to Palermo. Toni was even more impressive in the clubs pink shirt recording a unbelievable record of 50 league goals in 80 matches. That prompted Fiorentina, back in the big league after a financial meltdown, to sign the striker.

Bringing back memories of Argentine great Gabriel Batistuta for the Firenze faithfuls, he was one of the most prolific striker not only in Italy, but the whole Europe. Due to he's good relationship with Fiorentina's fans, Toni promised to not sign for another Italian club, when injuries had effected his play and it was time to move on.

FC Bayern in Germany was the next destination. Toni had a dream debut season there, finishing the Bundesliga's top goal scorer and hitting 39 goals in total in only 46 matches. But just like his career in Fiorentina, injuries came to haunt him and soon his stay was again over. This gives you a great idea, who important in Toni's play is his fitness. He's just useless when he's not 100%, but deadly when he is. And poor form and injuries limited him to only 3 league appearances for Bayern this season.

The man, capped 47 by Italy, has all the pressure on him now to perform for Roma. The team currently 4th in Serie A will be hoping a rise in the standings and the fans expect improvement in scoring goals.

This move of course mainly comes because Toni wants to secure his place in the Italian World Cup squad. With competition very fierce there in Marcello Lippi's team, only goals will get him there. It will be seen if Francesco Totti can be the new Roberto Baggio for Luca Toni and lift his career once again.