Fiorentina v EvertonLIVERPOOL'S SUPER Lamb Banana is yet to acquire the universal appeal of Michelangelo's David but the European capital of culture will have something in common with the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance tonight: a team who have recovered from financial turmoil, defied expectation and are making an unexpected charge for Champions League qualification.
Everton will hope English football's recent dominance of Italian opposition ultimately distinguishes them from Fiorentina.
David Moyes witnessed a carbon copy of his Everton side on a scouting visit here last week and the respective league tables confirm these Uefa Cup hopefuls have a genuine prospect of meeting in the Champions League next season. From the style of play to the economic problems both clubs have overcome in recent years (Everton's admittedly minor compared to La Viola's meltdown and relegation from Serie A), the Scot admits there is little between the last-16 opponents.
"I'm really excited by the challenge and am confident in the way we are playing," Everton's manager said. "One thing I am wary of is how well Fiorentina have been playing. Like us they are also an up-and-coming side. They play with a decent tempo that is demanded by their coach.
"I was here to see their game against Livorno last week and watched their win over Juventus at the weekend, which was very impressive. They are very similar to us in many ways, a good, hard-working side who by all accounts should have qualified for the Champions League last season and are going very close this season."
Fiorentina are without injured leading goalscorer, Adrian Mutu. Everton will give a late test to Mikel Arteta after his treatment on a groin problem and are without Manuel Fernandes and Nuno Valente. But confidence is high in Moyes's squad and after Liverpool's victory at home to Internazionale in the Champions League and Arsenal's eye-catching win in Milan, the manager is hoping to continue the trend.
"It would be nice," he said, "but you can never underestimate an Italian team. We will have to play it cleverly against Fiorentina."
Meanwhile the Tottenham Hotspur manager, Juande Ramos, has challenged his players to prove their commitment and quality in tonight's Uefa Cup clash against PSV Eindhoven. Ramos is still "hurting" after Spurs' 4-1 defeat to Birmingham on Saturday and wants his squad to show they have not entered a collective comfort zone after their League Cup triumph 11 days ago.
Ramos believes victory over PSV - the champions and six-point leaders of the Dutch Eredivisie - will show his side's capacity to win a second trophy this season. "The loss at Birmingham hurt me," he said. "I approach all games in a professional way and expect my team to do the same. I will not let the level drop in any of the games we have left to play. Playing PSV is an important test. They're a very good side, they are top of their league and very solid. This is a barometer of where we can go and if we can compete at that level."
Ramos has won the Uefa Cup with Sevilla in each of the past two seasons. His priority in tonight's last-16 first-leg tie at White Hart Lane is keeping a clean sheet ahead of the return in Holland on March 12th.
