ACF Fiorentina v FC Steaua Bucureşti

Fiorentina determined to deny Steaua


ACF Fiorentina will take on FC Steaua Bucureşti in their final UEFA Champions League game on Wednesday determined to hold on to third place in Group F and book a place in the UEFA Cup.

Price paid
The Serie A club believe they have already paid dearly for a lack of experience at the top level in European football, after section rivals FC Bayern München and Olympique Lyonnais cruised through to the last 16. A draw at the Steaua Stadium on Matchday 6, however, would be enough for the Viola to at least cut their losses and move into the UEFA Cup's Round of 32.

Experience counts
Fiorentina goalkeeper Sébastien Frey summed up the mood, saying: "Our main objective now is to keep our UEFA Cup place. There's one game left, we've got to go over there and try to get a result, because that too is a big tournament." Looking back at a campaign which has yielded only three points from five matches, all from draws, Frey added: "What we're lacking is experience and that counts for a lot in this competition. At difficult moments, you have to know how to deal with certain situations – and unfortunately we didn't."

Not easy
Alberto Gilardino echoed this view as the Italy striker reflected on the team's frustrating run. "For a lot of us, this was our first time in the Champions League, so it might be down to a little bit of inexperience. We all found it difficult. It hasn't been easy and we've also had to deal with a pretty tough group, with some big teams – teams who've been playing in the Champions League for ten years."

European hopes
Fiorentina's continued stay in European competition now hinges on a fixture in which the hosts, who held Cesare Prandelli's men 0-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in September, need a victory to climb into third position. "Our aim is to get that UEFA Cup place," said Gilardino. "But we'll need to put on a great performance in Bucharest." For his part, Prandelli knows the next few days are about ensuring the Viola feel confident after what is bound to have been a painful setback. "The Champions League is very unforgiving," said the 51-year-old coach. "But it's an important experience for these lads. We just mustn't lose our conviction that we can become a great team."