A Viola win would also eliminate five-time champion Liverpool from contention, no matter how the English side fares in its game against Debrecen.

"This is the most important game of the year," Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli said.

Lyon leads Group E with 10 points, Fiorentina is next with nine, Liverpool has four and Debrecen none.

"The objective was to qualify, now we have the chance to get first place," Lyon captain Cris said. "It will be hard because Fiorentina wants to book its place. We're expecting a very physical match."

Both sides are missing key players due to injury.

Fiorentina is without forwards Adrian Mutu and Stevan Jovetic, plus defender Alessandro Gamberini. Lyon is missing midfielder Jeremy Toulalan, right back Francois Clerc and center back Mathieu Bodmer.

Lyon right back Anthony Reveillere is doubtful because of a calf injury.

Without Mutu and Jovetic, Fiorentina will rely on Italy forward Alberto Gilardino in attack.

Gilardino was suspended for one game after elbowing Toulalan in the face when Lyon beat Fiorentina 1-0 in September.

Lyon also beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Florence a year ago to eliminate the Tuscan club.

Fiorentina was beaten 3-2 by Parma on Saturday while Lyon conceded an equalizer to last-placed Grenoble, which was down to 10 men, to draw 1-1. It was Grenoble's second point of the season.

"We're too nice," Cris said. "When opponents play against us, they're mean. We have to be like them."

Lyon is third in the French league, one point behind surprise leader Auxerre and level on points with Bordeaux.

"We'll have to pull ourselves together quickly. We have to show something a bit more than this," Lyon's Bosnia midfielder Miralem Pjanic said after the Grenoble game.

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AP Sports Writer Jerome Pugmire in Paris contributed to this report.