Italy in hot kettle, face test of mettle

It’s a feeling of helplessness that the Azzuri have tried to deflect in several ways. First, the publicly aired suspicion that Denmark and Sweden would reach an arrangement to keep Italy out, which drew loud protests from the Scandinavian camps.

Next, Christian Vieri’s outburst in front of the media on Sunday, accusing them of cooking up stories of friction in the Italian camp. ‘‘This is the last time I will speak with you’’, he said, upset by a report in some Italian newspapers that he had had an argument with goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as they left the field after Italy’s 1-1 draw with Sweden on Friday.

‘‘You can write what you want about me as a soccer player’’, he said. ‘‘But as a person, I won’t permit it. I can look at myself in the mirror, you can’t. I’m more of a man than all of you put together.’’

Buffon and team spokesman Antonello Valentini denied the reports; the later said the two players ate dinner together after the match with their mothers.

But it’s no secret that the Italian camp is deeply divided between the old guard, led by Del Piero and including Buffon, Zambrotta and Cannavaro, and the younger players, led by Totti. There is also perceived hostility between some players against Argentina-born Mauro Camoranesi.

On Tuesday, though, Trapattoni’s men will have to put all that aside and focus on the task of, first, beating Bulgaria. Italy’s cause is not helped by suspensions to Totti, Gennaro Gattuso and skipper Cannavaro and there is also an injury doubt over midfielder Cristiano Zanetti.

Vieri did not join the in-house training match as he is suffering pain in his left knee. Vieri worked out in the gym and had a massage, and is not believed to be at risk for the match.

Bulgaria, already eliminated after defeats against Swedenand Denmark, will be without captain Stilian Petrov and centre back Rosen Kirilov who are suspended — and almost certainly injured defender Ivailo Petkov.