Vieri fury at press reports

Vieri anger
Vieri was furious with comments made in two Italian newspapers this weekend which suggested he had had a row with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon after Friday's 1-1 draw with Sweden.

'Latest invention'
"This is the latest invention you have come up with," said Vieri. "This is the last day that I speak to you. You can talk about football matters, I've never cared less about what you write anyway. You can say what you want about me as a player but when you offend me a person, well... I am more of a man than all of you put together."

Missed chances
Vieri has been criticised for his displays at UEFA EURO 2004™, and against Sweden he missed several chances as Italy picked up their game after their disappointing draw with Denmark. Stationed on the goalline, he was also beaten by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's looping flick in the closing stages that earned Sweden a crucial point.

Facing elimination
Italy face elimination should they fail to beat Bulgaria on Tuesday, and could finish third in Group C regardless of victory in Guimarães, if Denmark and Sweden draw the evening's other match by a scoreline higher than 1-1. Coach Giovanni Trapattoni, as well as other players, have come in criticism, and Vieri added: "You massacre us from morning to night."

'All wrong'
Buffon stood by Vieri, denying reports of discord. "This stuff is all wrong," said the goalkeeper, who has been one of Italy's most consistent performers so far. "If there is criticism of how we play then fair enough, but personal attacks and false reports are offensive."

'No one to blame'
Buffon added: "The fact the press are just looking for a row was shown by the way you attacked Trapattoni after the Sweden match. He made the right choices during the game. No one is to blame for that result except Ibrahimovic for scoring that goal."