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 last to degree in opposition to the Londoners earlier than Jarrod Bowen’s 90th-minute winner broke Fiorentina hearts.
The Florence facet 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’ll 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, we have now somewhat extra expertise. Tomorrow we should attempt to do every thing we are able to to keep away from making errors, with hearth inside, giving every thing we have now.
“Final yr it wasn’t an excellent ending, we keep in mind that, however now we have now extra expertise and we have now to benefit from 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 wish to see them. Prague harm me, them, and all of Florence. I don’t wish 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 concerned about 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 crew have made an amazing journey – like us who reached the ultimate undefeated.
“He’s scoring recurrently, he’s harmful within the space, outdoors the world, he assaults deep, so we have now studied.”
Regardless of their opponents taking part in solely 9km away from town the place the ultimate shall be held, Italiano is backing the 9,000 travelling Viola followers to carry their very own and mentioned the sport shall be settled on the pitch.
He mentioned: “Sure they play within the metropolis they stay in, however the stadium shall be half and half. Whoever has essentially the most starvation and hearth will win.
“Olympiacos are a superb opponent however we have now finished our homework and hope to get the higher of them.”
🇬🇷 It’s Europa Convention League last week! 🥳#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/iXNWXGNKWE
— UEFA Europa Convention League (@europacnfleague) Might 27, 2024
Captain Cristiano Biraghi admitted he typically issues in regards to 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 properly to return to the ultimate, with out having misplaced and we’re prepared to provide every thing – 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 have to be gained. Bringing a trophy to Florence can be good as a result of it’s tough 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 have now this duty. I’ve by no means seen one thing like this since I’ve been in soccer. We are going to do every thing to win additionally for our mates in Turin.”
