Post by Taxigirl on Mar 14, 2006 9:54:09 GMT
www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/mar13e.html
Francesco Toldo has expressed his relief after he rejected a summer move to Fiorentina in order to fight for a place at Inter.
The goalkeeper was linked with a return to the Viola after the Nerazzurri signed Julio Cesar from Chievo for the new campaign.
Although that resulted in the veteran spending some time on the bench, he’s recently returned in between the sticks with some fine displays.
“I was one step away from joining Fiorentina, but leaving here like that would have been a defeat for me,” he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
“I spoke with boss Roberto Mancini in August and got a few things clear. I respect him and his ideas.
“That’s also the case with Julio Cesar, a young player with real quality and one who I admire a lot.”
Toldo was once an untouchable figure at the San Siro, but has had to get used to life on the bench over the last two seasons.
“I’m not guaranteed a starting shirt and it was a new experience for me to be a reserve, even if there are more serious issues in the world,” continued Toldo.
“I have now returned to the team and doing well, even if my teammates also deserve some praise for that. My decision to stay here was a good one.”
The 35-year-old, who recently extended his contract at the club until 2009, has impressed so much that there is even talk that he could win a recall to the Italian squad for the 2006 World Cup.
“If Marcello Lippi called then I wouldn’t reject that option, even if the squad seems to have already been consolidated,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, President Giacinto Facchetti has also been pleased with the form of the Euro 2000 hero.
“He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” he stated. “He made two greats saves against Sampdoria on Saturday night.
“It’s no coincidence that there is talk that he could be a part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup squad in Germany.”
Francesco Toldo has expressed his relief after he rejected a summer move to Fiorentina in order to fight for a place at Inter.
The goalkeeper was linked with a return to the Viola after the Nerazzurri signed Julio Cesar from Chievo for the new campaign.
Although that resulted in the veteran spending some time on the bench, he’s recently returned in between the sticks with some fine displays.
“I was one step away from joining Fiorentina, but leaving here like that would have been a defeat for me,” he told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
“I spoke with boss Roberto Mancini in August and got a few things clear. I respect him and his ideas.
“That’s also the case with Julio Cesar, a young player with real quality and one who I admire a lot.”
Toldo was once an untouchable figure at the San Siro, but has had to get used to life on the bench over the last two seasons.
“I’m not guaranteed a starting shirt and it was a new experience for me to be a reserve, even if there are more serious issues in the world,” continued Toldo.
“I have now returned to the team and doing well, even if my teammates also deserve some praise for that. My decision to stay here was a good one.”
The 35-year-old, who recently extended his contract at the club until 2009, has impressed so much that there is even talk that he could win a recall to the Italian squad for the 2006 World Cup.
“If Marcello Lippi called then I wouldn’t reject that option, even if the squad seems to have already been consolidated,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, President Giacinto Facchetti has also been pleased with the form of the Euro 2000 hero.
“He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” he stated. “He made two greats saves against Sampdoria on Saturday night.
“It’s no coincidence that there is talk that he could be a part of Italy’s 2006 World Cup squad in Germany.”