Thanks anyway, Viola. After a performance of heart and character, Fiorentina lost 1-0 to Olympiacos, just four minutes from the end of the second extra time. The decisive goal was that of El Kaabi, at the end of an interminable second-long VAR check. At the Aek Arena in Athens, Viola's dreams of glory were extinguished, having reached the final of this European event, now in its third edition, less than a year after the one lost on that night in Prague, when the winner was West Ham by Jarrod Bowen. Italian pride always and in any case. In fact, in three editions of the Conference League, Fiorentina was the third Italian to reach the final. For Vincenzo Italiano's men, the satisfaction of qualifying for the next 2024/2025 edition, by virtue of eighth place in Serie A.
First trophy in Greek history
A Conference League that is worth a lot for Mr. Mendilibar's Olympiacos, who finished third in the Greek championship and reached the final in Athens after eliminating favored teams such as Fenerbahce and Aston Villa. For Viola, a late goal that really hurts. Thus the first trophy of the Commisso era vanishes, together with the possibility of having nine Italian teams in Europe next 2024/2025.
Purple tear, the bitterness of the fans
So much bitterness among the fans, who flocked to Athens in their thousands. There are those who even arrived from Australia, after 21 hours of travel. This year could have been a victory for Joe Barone, sports director of the Tuscan team who passed away a few months ago. And instead Fiorentina's extraordinary journey in this Conference League, which began in the middle of last August 2023, stops here.
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