Trezeguet criticised Ranieri's tactics and insisted he should have remained on the pitch when speaking after Tuesday's match, which saw him replaced by Amauri 11 minutes from time.

Ranieri has lambasted the 31-year-old, who only returned to action last month following a lengthy lay-off.

"I feel a bit betrayed by Trezeguet," said Ranieri. "It was an inexplicable outburst, from a spoilt child, his words made me very angry.

"They are things you say in the dressing room, he might also be right, but at that point it was as if we had nine men against Chelsea because he had touched the ball six times in the second half and few times in the first.

"So I tried to put Amauri on so that he could run with the others and play."

Ranieri added: "We haven't talked to each other, we're doing it via the newspapers, seeing as that's what he's doing...

"I hoped that he would have gained confidence after his goal against Palermo and four months on the sidelines: I was giving him playing time and trust. I have always had the utmost respect for him.

"It's obviously not the same on his part towards me."

Trezeguet has been left out of the Bianconeri squad for tomorrow's match against Bologna with a muscle strain.

Amauri will also be absent after injuring a muscle in his thigh which is set to sideline him for at least a month.