UEFA said when announcing Totti’s punishment: “This decision sends out a message that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.”

And, although the Italians are deciding whether to appeal against the ban, Vieri knows former Celtic striker Larsson could add insult to injury if he can repeat the goalscoring form he showed in Sweden’s 5-0 win over Bulgaria.

“Sweden have a high-quality team and Henrik Larsson is a great striker,” he said.

“They are strong in attack and play at high tempo with regards to their defence.

“I don’t know many names but I watched their opening game and they looked very solid.”

Italy midfielder Stefano Fiore has defended his team’s strikers after they came in for criticism after the Denmark game.

“Vieri, Totti and (Alessandro) del Piero are all great players but probably they did not play at their best against Denmark,” he said.

Vieri admitted that he needs to make an adjustment. “We should have been playing closer to each other,” the Inter Milan star said. “We will try to avoid the same mistake against Sweden.”

As for the criticism aimed at him and the rest of the team, he added: “I believe the critics were too severe, we didn’t play that well and we had some problems but still we didn’t lose and I believe this is the most important thing in the opening game.”

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni faces a dilemma after being forced to change his team because of Totti’s suspension.

Totti could appeal against the ban which might allow him to play against Sweden. However, he could risk a more severe penalty.

The likely absence of Italy’s number 10 is a blow for Trapattoni who hailed the Roma captain as a pivotal player for the Azzurri in the European Championships.

Totti, a member of the Euro 2000 team that finished runners-up against France, was Roma’s highest scorer in the past season with 22 goals. The veteran coach was looking for his star playmaker to provide some much-needed inspiration against the Swedes.

Totti nearly scored in the goalless draw against Denmark but had a shot at the end of the first half saved spectacularly by goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

Trapattoni may be formed to reconsider his preferred 4-2-3-1 system and instead opt for a more conservative formation.

Another Roma star, Antonio Cassano, may be the best candidate to replace Totti. His presence would allow the veteran coach to maintain a similar formation.

The disadvantage of including the 21-year-old is that he is inexperienced, having made just three appearances for the senior team.

Another option could be to play 4-4-2 with AC Milan’s Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso in midfield with the experienced attacking duo of Christian Vieri and Alessandro del Piero up front.