Mutu and Gilardino give Fiorentina lead

(CNN) -- Goals from strikers Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino gave Fiorentina a great chance of reaching the group stage of the Champions League with a 2-0 first leg home win over Slavia Prague on Tuesday.

Romanian international Mutu put the Italians ahead in the third minute when his superb right-footed free-kick flew into the top corner from 30 meters out.

Former AC Milan forward Gilardino, one of several newcomers at Fiorentina, headed their second goal in the 57th minute.

The Czech champions rarely threatened and Fiorentina, back in the elite tournament after an eight-year absence could have earned a greater advantage going into the second leg.

Slavia keeper Martin Vaniak did well to keep out a fierce free-kick from Peruvian full-back Juan Manuel Vargas and two close-range efforts from Gilardino and Pablo Osvaldo.

"The spirit is right. The team responded well, as did the crowd, so I'm satisfied," Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli told Rai television.

Prandelli added: "We need (the two weeks of training before the second leg) because, as could be seen, we aren't continuously sharp yet. But we were also quite tidy today."

Prandelli is confident that Gilardino will be back to his his best form after lean seasons at Milan."There are no doubts about Gilardino. He is a serious lad who has always had a sense of goal," the coach said.