Fiorentina v Bayern Munich Champions League Betting

Fiorentina v Bayern Munich (agg: 1-2)

There will be a lot of optimism that Fiorentina will be able to pull out a unforgettable performance to overcome the deficit inflicted on them by the German giants in the first leg of this tie. The away goal that they scored could be the crucial factor in this tie, as there is nothing too much to choose between the two sides. Fiorentina have been one of the success stories of this year’s Champions League, as they weren’t expected to make it out of the group stage, as they were in a tough group along with Liverpool and Lyon. But the Italian side put in some great performances to win the group, and now, despite the first leg defeat, still have a great chance of making further impact in the competition.

Fiorentina keeper Sebastien Frey has looked impressive through the competition, but he will be wary of more threats from the Bayern forwards, which include former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben and the much hyped Franck Ribery. It is unlikely that Fiorentina will be able to recover from conceding an away goal back on their home turf, as the German side, which are strong and have really picked themselves up in form domestically, will start as favourites to progress. But Fiorentina won all three of their home games in the group stages, with clean sheets against both Liverpool and Lyon. They simply need to be patient and not shoot themselves in the foot by getting all gung-ho in the early stages.

One worry for Fiorentina, is that defence has been looking a bit shaky lately, and against the strong German outfit, that could spell disaster. You have to back to November to find the last clean sheet kept in Serie A by the Viola. After a strong start to the season in Serie A, Fiorentina have dropped back into mid table, but still they have some dangerous players to watch out for, notably Gilardino, Vargas and the impressive Jovetic in midfield. Franck Ribery may be missing for Bayern, as he is nursing something which means that he has not been quite 100%. Bayern have played their way to the top of the league, after things were looking decidedly below par in the early stages of the league and the Champions League.

They only managed to clinch qualification from their Champions League group on the last day, as French side Bordeaux surprised both them and Juventus by winning the group. Bayern looked anything but impressive throughout the group stages, but things can change quickly in football, and now the Germans have gotten up a full head of steam. Neither side won on the weekend, with Fiorentina losing 2-1 to Juventus, and Bayern being held to a 1-1 draw with Koln. Bayern start as favourites as the bookies, simply because their form on the domestic front has been ominous, and they showed in the first leg that they can get the better of the Italians.

MATCH PRICES
Fiorentina to win: 24/14 at Bwin
Draw: 12/5 at Bet365
Bayern Munich to win: 13/8 at Victor Chandler

Champions League Form Guide
Fiorentina: DDLWWWWL
Bayern Munich: WDLLWWW