Montolivo gearing up for Bayern clash

Fiorentina captain Riccardo Montolivo believes Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich is the most important game of his life.

The Florence club are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 1970.

And Italy international Montolivo is determined to make up for a first leg which saw Fiorentina lose 2-1 in Munich.

"This is truly the game of our lives," said Montolivo.

"We will bring out all the anger that we have carried since the first leg at the Allianz Arena on February 17.

"We want to bring all of that on the pitch and enter the history books, not only for us but for all our fans."

The hosts will be without striker Adrian Mutu and defender Massimo Gobbi, both suspended.

"We need to see the Fiorentina we have seen in the Champions League in order to advance," said Montolivo.

"In Europe we have done well and we have to continue on this path."

Cesare Prandelli's side has proved it can rise to the occasion.

The Viola registerd five wins, including defeats of Lyon and Liverpool, on the way to finishing top of Group E.

However, the Viola will have to show a drastic improvement with respect to their recent Serie A performances if they are to succeed.

Fiorentina go into the encounter on the back of Saturday's 2-1 loss to Juventus that saw them drop to 11th in Serie A.

The Viola have won just one of their last nine league games.

"We need to turn the page and concentrate on the game against Bayern," said Prandelli.

"This is the most important game of our season.

"Bayern is a strong side but we will be ready."

Bayern travel to Florence with problems in defence after Diego Contento became the latest player to pick up an injury.

The left-back picked up a deep cut to his right knee in the 1-1 draw with Cologne last weekend.

With Martin Demichelis sidelined for several weeks after breaking his cheek and jaw, Bayern coach Louis van Gaal had brought the young Contento into his side at the weekend but he now faces a major selection headache when his side look to defend the 2-1 lead earned in the first leg.

Van Gaal could hand 17-year-old David Alaba a first-team debut to remember in Florence.

"He can play at left full-back, even though he doesn't see that himself," said Van Gaal, who could switch Philipp Lahm to the left should Alaba be uncomfortable there.

Midfielders Hamit Altintop, who made his first appearance since September at the weekend, and Danijel Pranjic are other options.

Former Holland boss Van Gaal looks set to opt for a defensive approach as Bayern seek to protect their slender advantage that was gifted to them in the first leg by a controversial decision from referee Tom Henning Ovrebo, who allowed Miroslav Klose's winner to stand even though the striker was clearly offside as he headed home.

There was better news for Van Gaal in midfield as Arjen Robben has returned to training after missing the Cologne game with a cold while Franck Ribery is also fit, despite being substituted as a precaution on Saturday.