Fiorentina vs Steaua Bucuresti

Fiorentina vs Steaua Bucuresti

MATCH PREVIEW

Fiorentina have been boosted by the news in-form striker Alberto Gilardino is available for Tuesday's Champions League Group F encounter against Steaua Bucharest.Having scored in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Genoa, Gilardino was forced to leave the pitch with a knee problem and there were concerns he would not recover in time for the midweek encounter.However, the Italy international will lead the Violas attack at the Artemio Franchi Stadium against the Romanian giants, much to the delight of coach Cesare Prandelli.``Alberto is doing really well,'' said Prandelli. ``He is very important to us and I hope he can continue to do well because he really deserves it.''Gilardino, who joined the Florence-based outfit in the summer from AC Milan, scored twice in the 2-2 draw at Lyon in their opening group game.He was satisfied to have increased his goal tally at the weekend but more importantly, to have handed his team three points, particularly after their poor display in their 3-0 defeat at Lazio four days earlier.``This victory was very important for us,'' said Gilardino. ``After our loss to Lazio we have been criticised but the group has remained together.``I think we proved against Genoa that we have a solid group and that we are all moving in the same direction.''Prandelli expects his team to show the same determination they displayed against Genoa come Tuesday.``The fighting spirit has to be that of Saturday night,'' said Prandelli. ``The game against Lazio was more than a defeat.``You can lose but not in that manner.``I dont want to see ever again that type of performance from my players. I admit, after that defeat I was worried.``I was honest with my players in telling them the things that were not working. I wanted to provoke them in order to get a positive reaction and I succeeded.''Romania winger Adrian Mutu will have an added motivation to score on Tuesday and not only because he has struggled to find the net, having scored just once this campaign.Mutu, who is set to partner Gilardino in attack, began his career with Steauas arch-rivals Dinamo Bucharest.Steaua travel to Tuscany looking to get their European campaign up and running after their 1-0 defeat to European powerhouse Bayern Munich in their opening group game.Marius Lacatus' side missed a chance to go solo at the top of the Liga 1 standings when they were held to a 1-1 draw at CRF Cluj on Friday.The result left Steaua and Dinamo Bucharest leading the table, each with 19 points from eight games.Italy has not proved a lucky charm for Steaua, who seek their first win on Italian soil after nine failed attempts.Their last Champions League victory on the road came two years ago when they beat Dynamo Kiev 4-1.