Champions League: Bayern Munich v Fiorentina - The Key Battles

Daniel van Buyten v Alberto Gilardino

An old adage states that “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Daniel Van Buyten must be among those tough, because time and time again, he has delivered in spades. In addition to emerging as one of the Bundesliga’s best defensive players, the towering Belgian has scored nine goals in all competitions, many of which have come when his attacking colleagues were struggling to find the net. Conversely, the goals seem to have dried up for Gilardino, the Italy international striker. La Viola's centre forward is without a goal since the beginning of January and is symptomatic of the Florence side's recent struggles. His Champions League form has been decent though, with three goals in five matches before the winter break.

Philipp Lahm v Juan Manuel Vargas

Possibly the most eagerly anticipated clash of the night. It may have taken Lahm some time to readjust to playing on the right side, but in recent months he has forged a winning partnership with Arjen Robben that has become one of Europe’s most fearsome combinations. He will have his work cut out as he tries to contain Fiorentina left-winger Vargas, but the 63-times capped Germany international is a big-game player. Vargas, on his day, is capable of being one of the game's best left-sided players, as highlighted by Real Madrid's none-too-subtle approaches for his signature last summer. One of the players of the group stage, the Peruvian showed his quality in abundance. He needs, like his Gigliati colleagues, to up his game coming into the spring though. A battle to keep your eyes on.

Bastian Schweinsteiger v Riccardo Montolivo

Since moving to a central holding role, Schweinsteiger has rediscovered his best form and begun to tap his full potential. As the deep-lying architect of Bayern’s attack, Schweini is the vital link between the two flanks; his smooth passing and cool control make him a perfect fit in the most crowded area of the pitch. In recent weeks, the 25-year old has replaced Lahm as his team’s go-to man; in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Dortmund, Schweinsteiger played the ball no fewer than 99 times. In the Fiorentina engine room, Montolivo has long been the fulcrum. The Italy international turns defence into attack in the blink of an eye with the guile of a playmaker and no small degree of penache. Son of a German mother, Montolivo will be relishing the opportunity to shine in Bavaria. In the absence of so many inspirational figures in violet, especially the likes of Gamberini and Mutu, much of the focus will be on the 25-year-old to take the game to FC Hollywood.

Franck Ribery v Gianluca Comotto

In recent years, the talismanic midfielder has emerged as one of the world’s best wingers, and his name alone is enough to conjure fear in opposing defences. While he has yet to reach peak form after spending most of the campaign sidelined with a knee injury, the mercurial Frenchman has shown rapid improvement over the last two weeks. Expect his tricky dribbling and clever through balls to cause panic against Comotto. La Viola's back-line is looking increasingly vulnerable and without the departed Dainelli and the injured Gamberini, the suspect defence will be viewed as a soft spot by Louis van Gaal. Bayern make a habit of blitzing the wings, with the likes of Mueller and Robben all too willing to get in behind the lines. However, if Ribery can isolate Comotto, it could be a bountiful resource for the hosts.

Arjen Robben v Fiorentina

While Ribery may be the poster boy of the Bayern attack, Robben just might be the more effective member against Fiorentina. With eight goals and six assists in 14 Bundesliga matches, the flying Dutchman is making a convincing run to be named the league’s most valuable player. Fiorentina may take a physically robust approach to defending, and while Ribery may become frustrated, Robben’s combination of immaculate touch and superior strength and pace should bring success to the Bayern attack.