Klinsmann looking to take next step

FC Bayern München coach Jürgen Klinsmann believes his team can cast off their faltering domestic form and maintain their unbeaten start to the UEFA Champions League when they entertain ACF Fiorentina on Tuesday.

'Played well'
The 1-0 weekend win at Karlsruher SC was only the German champions' third from eight Bundesliga games this season. However, a Matchday 1 victory at FC Steaua Bucureşti followed by a 1-1 draw with Olympique Lyonnais means Klinsmann's side welcome their Italian opponents to the Fuβball Arena München as leaders of Group F. "We've played very well in the last two matches and we've got four points," said Klinsmann. "We want to make that seven against Fiorentina. It would be a big step towards the next round. We have a lot of respect for Fiorentina. They are quick and their midfield is very compact, and with just one or two touches they can take the side forward. They're in the Champions League which means they're a good team."

Toni worry
Klinsmann's major concern is the fitness of Luca Toni, who was forced off after bruising ribs in the first half on Saturday. "If Luca can play, he will play," said his coach, who can fall back on Lukas Podolski to partner Miroslav Klose if the Italian is unavailable to face his former club. "We're going to treat Fiorentina with respect, but we are going to impose ourselves on the game and not wait for Fiorentina to attack," added Klinsmann, who confirmed that Franck Ribéry has shaken off a shin injury. "There'll be 70,000 people in the stadium cheering for us and we want to take advantage of that."

Happy travellers
Fiorentina have drawn their two Group F fixtures to date, but following some sparkling domestic form – with three wins in as many Serie A matches – they arrive in Bavaria in buoyant mood. "We're up against a team with many great players, but we're going to try and impose our own personality on the game," said Cesare Prandelli. The coach is without flu victim Martin Jørgensen, but is hopeful his decision to rest Adrian Mutu for Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Reggina Calcio will pay dividends.

Defensive concern
Should the Romanian fail to recover from a knee injury sustained on international duty, Montenegrin Stevan Jovetić will start on the right side of a three-pronged attack alongside Mario Alberto Santana and the prolific Alberto Gilardino. The former AC Milan striker scored twice at the weekend to take his season's tally to nine in all competitions and bring up 100 goals in Serie A. With key defender Per Krøldrup missing after injuring an ankle in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying, though, Prandelli is preoccupied with his defence.

'Fully focused'
"When you play against a big club like Bayern, you know anything can happen at any time," warned the former Parma FC and AS Roma coach, whose rearguard has been breached ten times in 12 away matches in the Italian top flight. "Our task is to remain 100 per cent focused throughout the 90 minutes, and when we get an opportunity we have to exploit it fully."