Round of 16, second leg – Kick-off: 20-45 (CET)
First leg: Bayern Munich 2-1 Fiorentina
Cesare Prandelli has warned his Fiorentina team to be patient in Tuesday’s first knockout round decider with Bayern Munich, despite their 2-1 first-leg loss in Germany.
Prandelli has advised his players not to throw caution to the wind in Tuesday’s decider, particularly with Bayern counterpart Louis van Gaal promising “a great spectacle”.
“We ought to enjoy what we’ve done so far and try to give our best in a match which could make history for this club,” said Prandelli, who is without the injured Alessandro Gamberini and the suspended Massimo Gobbi and Adrian Mutu.
“We have a great chance, so we shouldn’t think too much about our current physical and mental condition,” said a buoyant Prandelli. “We feel positive because we played well against Juventus on Saturday, and we proved we could create problems for Bayern in the first leg.
“We know we’re facing one of the strongest teams in Europe, and have to read the game well. We must take to the pitch knowing we’re not in a rush to score a goal, because Bayern are very strong and we can’t give them space. We’ve kept conceding goals in recent games and it’s time to stop.
“Our approach to Champions League games has been perfect so far. We must continue like that without losing the awareness of the great things we’ve done. Enthusiasm will be a key aspect to playing a great game.
Van Gaal, meanwhile, is expecting an entertaining spectacle.
“It’s difficult to say why Fiorentina have been less strong in their championship than in the Champions League, but Fiorentina have always looked very strong in Europe and I think they will also play very well tomorrow,” said the Dutchman “I hope to do well in this game even though I know it won’t be easy. If the match goes badly then I’ll remain calm, because losing is part of the game.
“I’ve noticed that clubs generally change their formation against Bayern. We usually stick with the same players, but I think Fiorentina will opt for their best formation possible.
“I think it’s going to be a beautiful match. We score a goal in almost every game, so I’m sure it will be an entertaining match and provide the fans with a great spectacle.”
Bayern will be without Martin Demichelis and Diego Contento, but perhaps most worryingly for van Gaal is that Franck Ribery is a doubt for tonight’s game.
