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Fiorentina battling demands of success

The Tuscan side looked like serious title contenders earlier this season, enjoying a strong start to the season and qualification for the Champions League last 16 by topping their group.

However, a recent dip in form has dropped them down to 11th in Serie A with the demands of still being involved in the Italian Cup meaning they rarely have a full week of rest between matched.

Complicating matters further is Romania forward Adrian Mutu's provisional suspension for failing a drugs test.

"We will try to take each game as it comes. We are proud to say we are busy on three fronts," he told reporters after Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at league champions Inter Milan in the first leg of their Italian Cup semi-final.

Nevertheless, Prandelli admitted to concerns about his side's mental fitness earlier this week.

"At the moment it's the psychological side that most worries me," said Prandelli, who is the Italian media's favourite to replace Marcello Lippi if he quits as Italy boss after the World Cup.

"We have to re-discover enthusiasm for our way of playing, knowing that we might face counter-attacks, but we might score too."

They have done this despite injury problems with new arrival Luca Toni and captain Francesco Totti, who is expected to return from a knock in Roma's Italian Cup semi-final first leg at home against Udinese on Thursday.