Vieri expecting call-up from Donadoni
FLORENCE, Italy (AFP) - - Veteran Italian forward Christian Vieri said Monday that he is still hoping to make an international comeback in time to play for Italy at Euro 2008.
Vieri has not played for Italy since 2004, largely due to injuries disrupting his last few seasons.
But the 34-year-old, who is enjoying an Indian summer to his playing career at Fiorentina, is still hoping to force his way into Roberto Donadoni's squad for Austria and Switzerland.
"I've been working hard since July to try to get back into the national squad," Vieri told Tg2 television station.
"Am I waiting for a call from Donadoni? More than that, I'm waiting for a call up!"
Vieri is rarely a first-choice starter for Fiorentina and in 18 games this season he is yet to complete 90 minutes, coming on as substitute 12 times and being substituted six times.
But former Juventus, AC Milan, Roma and Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has given the Australian-born Italian his backing.
"Capello said I was ready to come back to the national team? Well, I agree with him," said Vieri, smiling. "For me the important thing is play and score to prove that I deserve to wear the blue shirt (of Italy)."
Vieri has scored just five times this season and Fiorentina are in desperate need of his goals right now having lost three and drawn one of their last four league matches.
The wife of their coach Cesare Prandelli died two weeks ago and it has been suggested that the club is in crisis.
"We're not in crisis and we're not worried, we know how to get out of this situation, we just need to keep working hard," Vieri added.
"How much have we been influenced by Prandelli? I don't know, but we did have three to four very difficult days."
Vieri, like everyone else in Italy, admitted that he cannot see the title heading anywhere other than back to Inter Milan at the end of the season.
"Between Inter and the other teams there's no contest," he said.
AFP