Vincenzo Italiano hopes Fiorentina can channel the ache of defeat to West Ham 12 months in the past into UEFA Europa Convention League glory in opposition to Olympiacos.
La Viola got here from behind within the 2022/23 remaining to stage in opposition to the Londoners earlier than Jarrod Bowen’s 90th-minute winner broke Fiorentina hearts.
The Florence aspect have misplaced 4 of their 5 European finals, solely profitable the 1961 Cup Winners Cup, and haven’t lifted any silverware because the Coppa Italia in 2001.
They may attempt to finish that run in opposition to the Greek giants in Athens on Wednesday night time and Fiorentina boss Italiano mentioned in his pre-match press convention that his gamers want to point out ‘fury.’
“They’re sturdy, we’re sturdy,” he mentioned, “It’s a 50-50 match, now we have just a little extra expertise. Tomorrow we should attempt to do every part we will to keep away from making errors, with fireplace inside, giving every part now we have.
“Final yr it wasn’t a superb ending, we keep in mind that, however now now we have extra expertise and now we have to take advantage of it.
“We must not ever lose our identification, that footballing perception, the organisation that has introduced us this far (and) fury – aggressive fury – that must not ever be lacking.”
📈 The shape desk heading into the #UECLfinal 👀
ℹ️ League and Europe@Swissquote || #UECLformguide || #UECL pic.twitter.com/ljtssNZgPu
— UEFA Europa Convention League (@europacnfleague) Might 28, 2024
Italiano says he remembers the faces of his gamers after their final gasp defeat to West Ham and insisted: “I don’t need to see them. Prague damage me, them, and all of Florence. I don’t need to see these faces like that anymore.”
After three profitable years with La Viola Italiano’s identify has been linked with higher-profile jobs however he insists his future would solely be mentioned after the ultimate.
“The telephone is usually turned off,” he mentioned, “it’s silent, and never I’m not focused on listening to about something aside from the ultimate.”
Italiano joked Fiorentina had introduced ‘padlocks and chains’ in a bid to maintain Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi quiet.
The Olympiacos ahead has scored 10 objectives in eight Convention League video games this season and has netted 32 in 49 appearances in all competitions.
Italiano added: “Each he and the staff have made an awesome journey – like us who reached the ultimate undefeated.
“He’s scoring commonly, he’s harmful within the space, exterior the world, he assaults deep, so now we have studied.”
Regardless of their opponents taking part in solely 9km away from the town the place the ultimate will likely be held, Italiano is backing the 9,000 travelling Viola followers to carry their very own and mentioned the sport will likely be settled on the pitch.
He mentioned: “Sure they play within the metropolis they dwell in, however the stadium will likely be half and half. Whoever has probably the most starvation and fireplace will win.
“Olympiacos are a superb opponent however now we have achieved our homework and hope to get the higher of them.”
🇬🇷 It’s Europa Convention League remaining week! 🥳#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/iXNWXGNKWE
— UEFA Europa Convention League (@europacnfleague) Might 27, 2024
Captain Cristiano Biraghi admitted he usually issues concerning the ache of the defeat to West Ham in Prague a yr in the past and was determined to flip the script this season for gamers, followers and workers alike.
He mentioned: “You at all times give it some thought – victory and defeat are such nice occasions that you simply carry them with you all of your life. The bitterness is a lot you share it with everybody.
“We did nicely to return to the ultimate, with out having misplaced and we’re prepared to offer every part – for everybody, even these behind the scenes.”
Giacomo Bonaventura – who scored Fiorentina’s equaliser in opposition to the Hammers – mentioned: “I hope to attain, however the recreation should be gained. Bringing a trophy to Florence could be good as a result of it’s troublesome and the final one was gained a few years in the past.”
A win for Fiorentina would qualify ninth-placed Torino for UEFA Competitors and Italiano mentioned: “We’ve got this accountability. I’ve by no means seen one thing like this since I’ve been in soccer. We’ll do every part to win additionally for our buddies in Turin.”
