Cesare Prandelli is a manager with a method. He underpins meticulous coaching with an emphasis on the psychology both of his players and of opponents.

His message to Rangers last night was simple: we are ready. There have been suggestions his team are tired after playing 52 games this season. "There was so much enthusiasm among the players that I had to slow down the training," he told the media, and Rangers, yesterday. He also insisted the Ibrox side would play a more attacking game and that he was "calm" because his team played well in the 2-2 draw against Sampdoria on Sunday. Tonight can be a "magic" night, he added, lapsing into hitherto unsuspected grasp of Parliamo Glasgow.

He then went through the motions of a European press conference, invoking the support of the "12th man" of the crowd, praising "honest Rangers" and describing his squad as "highly motivated".

He emphasised that the Scots were a very experienced side and that one slip by his team could be punished severely. Prandelli, too, is aware of the danger at setpieces, a factor underlined by two goals in the Old Firm game. This should concern the Fiorentina coach. His defence was deeply uneasy against the cross ball on Sunday, losing a soft goal to a header.

Prandelli offered few clues to his line-up, limiting himself to the announcement that Mario Alberto Santana would play ahead of Franco Semioli, who has just returned from injury. The coach, however, has decisions to make. The first concerns who to play in front of his regular back four. Marco Donadel seems certain to oust Fabio Liverani, who played in the first leg. Liverani will have to contest a midfield role with Zdravko Kuzmanovic, the 20-year-old Serb. Kuzmanovic offers the threat of goals and that may tip the balance.

Up front, Adrian Mutu will play the role of the maverick playmaker. But Fiorentina are not blessed with penetration. Giampaolo Pazzini, who has been linked with a move to AC Milan, has suffered a dip in form. He missed the Sampdoria match through suspension but Prandelli will start with him.

The most intriguing factor is how the coach will utilise Christian Vieri, the former Italian internationalist. Vieri has limitations but still poses a threat almost as considerable as his bulk. When he came on against Sampdoria for the feckless Pablo Osvaldo, he proved to be both an effective player with his back to goal and supplied an equaliser with a trademark header. He will make an appearance at some point. Rangers will hope he does not make an impression.