Fiorentina return to Champions League action against Steaua Bucharest looking to build on their Matchday 1 draw at Lyon.
“We’re ready,” coach Cesare Prandelli told a news conference. “It’s an important match and the team are in good shape. We’re not afraid of Steaua, but we’re aware we’re taking on a big club. We’ve studied them, we’ve watched their games – they’re technically very good, they play good football and they really play as a team. There is no fear, but we’ve the right level of concern about them.
“They’re all difficult games at this level. You’ve got to be well-prepared and know there will be times during a match when you’re going to suffer. But we believe we can have a good game.
“I want the kind of performance we put in against Lyon.” However, he clearly expects a better result on Tuesday. “A team that wants to improve always has to give something extra, both in terms of the way they play and the attitude they have.”
The game will be a special one for Steaua coach Marius Lacatus who spent the 1990-91 season with Fiorentina during his playing career.
“I’m really pleased to be back,” the 44-year-old said. “It’s been a long time but I had some wonderful times here. I know what the crowd will be like and I know they’ll get behind the team.
“It’s going to be a tough game, particularly having lost our home match,” he said.
“But we’ll be going out there to play an attacking game and to score goals.”
Steaua will be helped in that objective by the return from suspension of midfielder Banel Nicolit, who missed the game against Bayern.
