Here we compare the teams ahead of the Stadio Artemio Franchi clash.

ROUTE TO SEMI-FINAL

Rangers travelled to Florence with hope as they have twice progressed in Europe this season following goalless first legs at Ibrox. A score draw at Panathinaikos saw them into the last 16 and they pulled off an impressive 2-0 win at Sporting Lisbon. A cautious 4-5-1 formation makes them ideally suited to playing away from home and they produced a perfect counter-attacking display to win 3-0 in Lyon in their Champions League group.

Fiorentina have ridden their luck to reach the last four, twice getting through on penalties against Everton and Groningen, their opponents in the first round. In six home games, they have only kept one clean sheet, against the Merseyside outfit in the last 16 when they triumphed 2-0.

MANAGERS

Rangers boss Walter Smith has turned the club around since taking charge for a second spell in January last year. He is in contention for an unprecedented quadruple and is enjoying his best season in Europe since taking the club within 90 minutes of the 1993 Champions League final. Smith admitted his style was too attack-focused in the later years of his first spell and a change in emphasis has earned Rangers their first European semi-final appearance in 36 years.

Fiorentina manager Cesare Prandelli has worked wonders in difficult circumstances. The former Parma boss finished fourth in his first season but the Italian match-fixing scandal saw his side stripped of a Champions League place. They finished sixth in Serie A last season despite staring with a 15-point penalty and are sitting fourth just now. The former Juventus player, 50, has had to deal with personal tragedy this term following the death of his wife in November.



FORM

Rangers have stumbled recently in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, losing twice to rivals Celtic to leave the title race open. They needed penalties to see off St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup semi-final and have suffered a number of injuries and suspensions. But, despite a run of two conventional wins in eight games, they remain in contention for a four-trophy haul and their ability to do just enough could see them through.

Fiorentina have had an inconsistent run over the past few weeks and AC Milan closed the gap on the fourth-placed side after the Viola lost an injury-time goal in a 2-2 draw with Sampdoria on Sunday.