Fiorentina will start Tuesday’s Group F game with Lyon knowing only a victory will keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Lyon, for their part, need just a point at the Stadio Artemio Franchi to assure a sixth consecutive qualification for the knockout phase; this despite making a shaky start to their Champions League challenge when they had to come from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against tonight’s opponents.
“We’re all focused on this game, it’s the match of hope,” Prandelli said. “There’s a really huge desire to put on a big performance in the Champions League tomorrow. We’ve already shown this season that we can play really well against big clubs. We just have to make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes we’ve made in the past.”
The coach has no major injury worries, with Per Kroldrup and Stevan Jovetic set to be available after missing out at the weekend.
Lyon will be boosted by a brace of group victories over Steaua Bucharest as well as the 1-1 draw in Munich on Matchday 2.
However, coach Claude Puel refuses to downplay the task facing his team tonight.
“Getting one point would be huge,” he said. “I’ve said since the beginning of the competition that every match is difficult and it’ll be no different tomorrow.
“We’ve come here with a legitimate ambition, but we need to put on a strong, solid performance if we’re to get a point, if not all three.”
Puel will be without defenders Francois Clerc and Anthony Reveillere, midfielders Fabio Santos and Mathieu Bodmer, and forward Cesar Delgado.
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