Fiorentina’s bitter night, Conference League cursed

The Italian team was beaten 1-0 by Olympiacos which makes history as the first Greek team to have won a European Cup

ROMA – Fiorentina, another prank! Conference League cursed for the Italian team, beaten 1-0 by Olympiacos. Another truly bitter evening after last year against West Ham. A decisive goal from the Greeks 4 minutes from the end of the second extra half became ‘official’ practically at the end after a long VAR consultation for a possible offside. Celebrate Olympiacos, which made history: never before had a Greek team won a European Cup. Fiorentina despairs, having wanted to raise a continental trophy to the skies 63 years after their only joy in the Cup Winners’ Cup. No way. New disappointment. Not without controversy for a disputed clash in the area in the action that then led to the goal that decided the final. A dream gone in the worst way.
The evening began with a first half that was certainly not unforgettable, with the teams never being able to change the pace of the match, ending up facing each other in midfield without being able to create any real opportunities. A goal by Milenkovic from a corner after 9 minutes was immediately disallowed due to offside reported by the linesman. Only confirmation of the correct report from the referee’s assistant came from VAR, so no suspense. The somewhat boring routine could have been interrupted by Bonaventura, who had the ball at his feet to open the game but kicked weakly. It is therefore easy that the most commented situation at half-time was the image of the Fiorentina players who, instead of returning to the changing rooms, went under the Curva where the Viola fans were to calm things down due to contact with the supporters Greeks. A bit of tension, which immediately subsided.

The same twenty-two on the pitch at the start of the second half. And the same script, with the two teams unable to sting. The first move to try to change something was made by the Italian with Nzola replacing Belotti. Thanks to the work of the Angolan striker, however, only a ‘chewed’ shot from Kouamé arrived. For his part, Mendilibar, last year’s Europa League winner on the bench of Sevilla, brought in Jovetic, who previously played with Fiorentina, perhaps hoping for the ex’s law. And even if it wasn’t Jo-Jo who had a hand in it, Olympiacos scared Fiorentina with a header from Iborra which went just wide. At the Opap Arena you could really hear the sigh of relief from the 10,000 Viola fans. A few minutes and the situation, even if this time on the other side, was repeated: the shuddering accident went to El Kaaby who managed to escape Milenkovic’s guard. In short, a few more chances in the second half, but extra time was inevitable.

And here it took the best Terracciano to keep the match at 0-0: the Fiorentina goalkeeper had to stretch further than even the ‘Rubber Man’ of the ‘Fantastic 4’ to go and take the curling shot Jovetic directed right into the far corner. Less difficult, however, was the intervention with which the Greek goalkeeper blocked a shot from Ikoné, keeping the match close. Until that damned 116th minute, when a winning dive from El Kaaby’s header changed the fate of the match. Controversy over a contact in the area on Milenkovic shortly before the goal which perhaps the referee could have blown, then everyone held their breath for the VAR control on the possible offside. In the end the decision: Olympiacos in Paradise, Fiorentina in Hell.