Di Livio Has Faith In Viola
Bayern Munich mauled Fiorentina in the Champions League in midweek, but former Viola and Italy winger Angelo Di Livio is confident that Cesare Prandelli's men are still in with a shout in the competition.After a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Lazio in Serie A last month, the Gigliati shipped three goals for the second time this season at the Allianz Arena, with the Bavarians easing to a comfortable win that enabled them to increase their lead in the Group F standings.
With three games remaining, the Florentines have yet to register their first win in the tournament and are 3 points adrift of second-placed Lyon, who travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 25.
But the Viola were in an identical situation in the 1999-2000 season, when they had collected 2 points after the first three rounds, but managed to qualify for the knock-out stage.
Di Livio was part of that side: "After the opening 2-2 draw with Arsenal, we were thrashed by Barcelona and got only a point in Stockholm," he told Repubblica.
"Everyone wrote us off, but we were aware of our strength and gave all we had in the remaining matches."
Fiorentina eventually got through along with Barca, courtesy of a Gabriel Batistuta's goal at Wembley against Arsenal.
"It is basically the same this season," noted the ex-Juventus player, "and I think bad luck was a big factor in both meetings with Lyon and Bayern, but the Viola are capable of defeating the Germans at home. The Bavarians are very slow at the back and, if Fiorentina keep up a good tempo, they can seriously trouble them and claim the full points." Vince Masiello