Luigi Del Neri says Luca Toni “has to fight for a place in the team” but wasn’t left out because he criticised his Verona teammates.
The striker wasn’t even named in the squad for tonight’s win over Bologna, having said the Butei “deserve to get relegated” after defeat to Carpi.
Luigi Del Neri says Luca Toni “has to fight for a place in the team” but wasn’t left out because he criticised his Verona teammates.
The striker wasn’t even named in the squad for tonight’s win over Bologna, having said the Butei “deserve to get relegated” after defeat to Carpi.
“We have to think about fighting like we did today,” Del Neri said in his post-match interview with Sky.
“We needed people who didn’t give a reference point in attack, and that’s how it was. It’s a normal choice, without any future implications.
“Every Sunday we choose who is ready for the match. I’m happy for the lads who put in an extraordinary performance.
“His words after Carpi? You can agree or disagree, but he didn’t need to stay at home because of that.
“Keeping Luca on the bench is illogical, he’s done so much for Verona but even he needs time to recover.
“Now he has to fight for a place in the team, as it should be.”
Verona are now six points from safety with seven games to play, can they pull off the great escape?
“The table is against us, and we have to go out onto the pitch and do our best. We suffered to collect these points, but when you look at what we did in the first half we deserved to win.
“We were fortunate in the second half, but we could have sealed it in the first half.
“We hope this win will give us the strength to keep going every Sunday.”