Toni has edge in battle of Bayern strikers

BERLIN: Italian striker Luca Toni looks to have beaten Mario Gomez in their battle for a Bayern Munich starting spot for Tuesday's Champions League match against Girondins Bordeaux.

Toni, who scored midweek against Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Cup and carved out several chances in Saturday's goalless draw with VfB Stuttgart straight after coming on, may have done enough to confine 30-million-euro ($44 milion) striker Gomez to the bench.

Gomez, the Bundesliga's most expensive signing, was picked to start against former club Stuttgart but coach Louis van Gaal hinted Toni, who missed much of the early season with a heel injury, would be his choice against Bordeaux.