Vincenzo Italiano hopes Fiorentina can channel the pain of defeat at West Ham 12 months ago into UEFA Europa Conference League glory against Olympiacos.
La Viola came from behind in the 2022/23 final to draw level with the Londoners before Jarrod Bowen’s 90th game.th-minute winner broke the hearts of Fiorentina.
The Florence club have lost four out of five European finals, winning only the 1961 Cup Winners’ Cup, and have not lifted anything since the Coppa Italia in 2001.
They will try to put an end to that against the Greek giants in Athens on Wednesday night and Fiorentina manager Italiano said in a pre-match press conference that his players must show ‘anger.’
“They are strong, we are strong,” he said, “it’s a 50-50 game, we have more experience.” Tomorrow we must try to do everything we can to avoid making mistakes, with fire inside, give everything we have.
“Last year there wasn’t a good finish, we miss that, but now we have a lot of experience and we have to make the most of it.
“We must never lose our identity, that belief in football, the organization that has brought us this far (and) the fierceness – the fierceness of competition – that must never be missed.”
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Italiano says he remembers the faces of his players after the last defeat against West Ham and insisted: “I don’t want to see them.” Prague hurt me, too, and all of Florence. I don’t want to see that face anymore.”
After three successful years with La Viola Italiano his name is being linked with high-profile jobs but he insists that his future will only be discussed after the final.
“The phone is usually switched off,” he said, “it’s quiet, I don’t want to hear anything other than the finals.”
The Italiano joked that Fiorentina had brought in ‘locks and chains’ in a bid to keep Morocco striker Ayoub El Kaabi quiet.
The Olympiacos forward has scored 10 goals in eight Conference League games this season and has netted 32 in 49 games in all competitions.
Italiano added: “Both and the team have had a great journey – like us reaching the final undefeated.
“He always scores goals, he is dangerous in the area, outside the area, he attacks a lot, so we have learned.”
Although their opponents played only 9km away from the city where the final will be held, Italiano supported Viola’s 9,000 fans to hold their own and said the match would be fixed at the stadium.
He said: “Yes they play in the city they live in, but the stadium will be half and half. Whoever has the most hunger and fire will win.
“Olympiacos are a good opponent but we have done our homework and we hope to beat them.”
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Captain Cristiano Biraghi has admitted that he often talks about the pain of losing to West Ham in Prague last year and was keen to change the script this season for players, fans and staff alike.
He said: “You always think about it – winning and losing are such big events that you stay with them for the rest of your life.” Bitterness is so great that you share it with everyone.
“We did well to return to the finals, without losing and we are ready to give everything – to everyone, even those who are behind.”
Giacomo Bonaventura – who scored Fiorentina’s equalizer against the Hammers – said: “I hope to score, but the game must be won. Bringing the trophy to Florence would be great because it’s difficult and the last one was won many years ago.”
A win for Fiorentina will qualify ninth-placed Torino for the UEFA Champions League and the Italiano said: “We have this responsibility. I’ve never seen anything like this since I’ve been in football. We will do everything to win with our friends in Turin.”
