Bayern Munich striker Luca Toni has spoken out about Italy’s Euro 2008 failure, describing it as ‘the biggest disappointment of (his) career’. He also revealed the good relationship between himself and Roberto Donadoni, as well as tipping Inter for Serie A glory.

No Italian suffered more of the blame for the country’s lame Euro 2008 showing than front man Luca Toni. Throughout his side’s four matches, Toni looked bereft of the touch and composure that brought him 39 goals in his first season of German football with FC Bayern.

However, while some at home were quick to point the finger of blame at the ex-Fiorentina man for the side's disappointing campaign, the player insisted that he had received words of encouragement from fans in his homeland.

He told the press: “The European championship is the biggest disappointment of my career. For the national team, we have always experienced success.

“The World Cup and the qualification were positive. We were not used to it (losing). After the elimination, we experienced some ugly and difficult days. But, I am able to turn the page and retrieve the optimism to go forward.

“During the holidays, I found lots of people, even in Italy, that didn’t give me all the blame. The criticism has been exaggerated, in the newspapers and on T.V."

As a result of the Italian poor-showing, ex-Azzurri boss Roberto Donadoni lost his job; he was succeeded by the man he replaced - Marcello Lippi.

The World Cup winning coach returns to the hot-seat, and according to Toni, has some unfinished business to complete. He sympathises with Donadoni, stating that he was always likely to have a difficult job, in the wake of Lippi’s success.

Toni feels that Donadoni was mis-treated by the Italian Football Federation.

He continued:  “He (Lippi) has returned because he is convinced of realising another dream and he wants to live through something as historical as the World Cup. Lippi can deal with the pressure that comes with the national team.

“However, Donandoni had to suffer a paradoxical situation. Now it seems the change of coach was a mistake. Personally, I am very sorry. I had a good rapport with Donadoni - it turned bad on penalties and nothing else. The federation made their decision based solely on results.”

Ahead of the new season, Toni went on to laud the new signings of AC Milan. The Uefa Cup-bound giants acquired Gianluca Zambrotta and Ronaldinho from Barcelona during the close season.

He also praised a strong Juventus team, but he feels that Jose Mourinho’s Inter are the best placed club to claim the title.

He said: “Milan have a good squad, they’ve made good signings. As well, Juve are strong. But Inter are still the most complete in my opinion. They will be hard to beat and are my favourites.”