Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini has taken a swipe at the way he was treated by former club Fiorentina.

He said: "I am Tuscan, I played on my home turf, Fiorentina was my first big chance that counted in football."

When asked if he alone was to blame for his poor record of nine goals in 31 games last season, Pazzini replied: "Only in part.

"I played for the team with my back to goal, opening up spaces. At Samp the team plays for me and I have learned that being selfless doesn't always pay off.

"I am happy that they still speak about me in Florence, that I still gnaw away at them a bit. I am sorry it ended badly there."