Fiorentina open the season at Bologna but they will have their eyes set on the Champions League play-off tie.

Having drawn their first leg 2-2 at the Estadio Jose Alvalade four days ago, the Viola host the Portuguese outfit on Wednesday looking to keep their dreams of playing in Europe's elite club competition alive.

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli believes his team must make a vast improvement if they are to join Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan in the group stages of the competition.

"We have a lot of things to put right," he said. "So many things to improve on.

"We have to improve on concentration, focus and determination.

"I reiterate what I said before that we are not favourites.

"My team has to be prepared to fight until the last minute and suffer against a Sporting Lisbon side that are just as determined as we are to reach the group stages."

In the meantime, Prandelli and co expect to take maximum points at Bologna, a side that narrowly avoided relegation last season.

"I think we will definitely produce a better performance against Bologna," said Fiorentina striker Alberto Gilardino. "We need to get off to a good start and we must come out triumphant at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara."

Gilardino, who was Fiorentina's top scorer last season with 24 goals notched, knows the Viola will once again expect to rely on his performances and he is ready for that challenge.

"I will definitely try," he said. "But I believe the team is the most important thing.

"It's normal that if a player can give something extra to the team whether it's on or off the pitch then it's welcome.

"I think we have a team with a mixture of players that have experience and youth.

"We can do very well, starting on Saturday at Bologna."

Last season's relegation battlers Bologna face another tricky campaign, especially having made fairly low-key summer signings.

Italian midfielders Roberto Guana and Giacomo Tedesco, two of the new arrivals, will most likely be tasked with leading the line in a new look 4-4-2 formation.

The last-minute arrival of Uruguay striker Marcelo Zalayeta from Napoli should ease the pressure on veteran forward Marco Di Vaio.

Bologna heavily relied on Di Vaio for their Serie A survival last term with the player scoring 24 of his team's 43 goals.

Rossoblu manager Giuseppe Papadopulo is aware of the challenge his team face against the Viola but remains optimistic.

"It's going to be a very difficult game," he said. "Fiorentina is a team that has been constructed for bigger aims than us.

"They have a very strong attacking line in Gilardino and Adrian Mutu and they will put my team to the test.

"But it's good to start with a big test and my players are very motivated and eager to do well in front of our home fans."

Papadopulo will be hoping Di Vaio can recover from a foot injury sustained at the weekend and partner Zalayeta up front.