Luca Toni Criticizes Guardiola's Tactics

Former Italian striker Luca Toni has humorously criticized Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for his tactical use of the 'false nine' system, claiming it hindered his career by making it difficult for him to find a team. During a recent dinner with Guardiola and Roberto Baggio, Toni jokingly stated, 'Pep, you ruined football,' referencing how the false nine tactic left traditional forwards like him without opportunities. Guardiola responded by highlighting the success of current striker Erling Haaland, who has scored 60 goals, and emphasized that successful forwards must still be 'good.' Despite the light-hearted nature of their exchange, Toni urged Guardiola to abandon the false nine approach in favor of classic center-forwards. This playful banter reflects the broader impact Guardiola's tactics have had on modern football, particularly on traditional striker roles. Toni, who retired in 2016, is recognized as one of Italy's top scorers and played for several major clubs throughout his career.