Toni defuses Azzurri row
Luca Toni insists going away with national team affected his showing for Palermo.
Palermo striker Luca Toni has refused to blame his participation with the national team for his poor showing for his club.Toni endured a disappointing day against Lecce last weekend after going away on international duty.
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini hit out at the Italian national team for not using Toni during their two games and felt it affected his performance against Lecce.
Toni insists his travels with the national team had no affect on his showing against Lecce.
"I think this has no blame for the problem. For me Lippi's call-up has been a really good experience and I'll make everything possible to deserve the call-up and to come back into the Azzurri's group," Toni told Corriere dello Sport.
Toni believes that representing Italy can only be a good thing for the club.
"Personally I think that when a player represents the Azzurri he has further value and this is a good thing for the club too," added Toni
"The national team is the best and I don't think that the fact that I did not score at Lecce is due to the preparation I had with national team."
