Another continental tournament for this season has been defined. This Wednesday, Olympiacos lifted the Conference League trophy by beating Fiorentina, 1-0, in the final minutes of extra time at the OPAP Arena. The goal that decided the tournament champion was from El Kaabi.
Olympiacos lifted the first international title in its entire history and became the first Greek team to achieve such a milestone. Fiorentina suffered their second runner-up in the Conference League – last season, they also left without the trophy after losing the final to West Ham. The ‘Viola’ has not yet managed to end the 23-year drought without achievements.
Before the end of the season, Fiorentina will have one last commitment on its calendar. In a delayed game of the 29th round of the Italian Championship, the team visits Atalanta. The ball rolls this Sunday, starting at 1pm (Brasília time), at Gewiss Stadium.
Olympiacos, on the other hand, has no more matches and ends the 2023/24 season with the Conference League title.
The game
The first big chance of the game came three minutes into the game. In an individual play, Podence started from the left, cut to the middle and hit from outside the area, forcing goalkeeper Terracciano to throw a corner.
However, it was Fiorentina who opened the scoring. Biraghi took a short corner and passed it to Bonaventura, who returned it. The full-back crossed low into the penalty area and Milenkovic tapped the ball, which ended up in the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed due to the defender being offside.
The match remained very busy, with both teams trying to create opportunities to open the scoring in the decision. Until the 30th minute, the one who faced the most danger and had the most game volume was Fiorentina, while the Greek team tried to get out at speed.
Olympiacos. History makers 👏
The first Greek side to win a UEFA club competition 💫@johnsportraits x #UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/Dq3B8TSA5N
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) May 29, 2024
With 38 minutes, the Italian team arrived again. Bonaventura raised the ball at the second post and Kouamé backed up, stopping in defense of Tzolakis. On the rebound, Nico González caught the ball badly and sent it out. Thus, the first stage ended in a 0-0 draw.
The second half started with the same scenario as the first: both teams moving a lot and looking for spaces to open the score in the big decision.
But the first opportunity actually came after 20 minutes. Arthur took a corner into the penalty area and Milenkovic rose higher than the Olympiacos defense to head it, but the ball went over the baseline.
Three minutes later, Fiorentina wasted a golden opportunity. Dodô appeared inside the area and passed it to Kouamé. Alone, the attacker finished poorly, chewed, and made it easy for Tzolakis to save, who sent it to the corner. With that, the match went into extra time.
Extra time and Greek victory
The first chance in extra time came from Olympiacos’ Jovetic. The striker cut two markers and hit from the edge of the area, but goalkeeper Terracciano made the save.
In the final 15 minutes of extra time, Fiorentina almost scored. After a cross from the left side, the ball passed everyone and reached Ikoné. The attacker finished and stopped in defense of Tzolakis.
With less than five minutes left in the 120 minutes, El Kaabi’s star shone. Hezze crossed into the penalty area and the number 9 got ahead of Fiorentina’s defense, heading in a fishy header to take the cup to Greece for the first time.
⚽️ GOAL!
Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina (El Kaabi 116′)#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/C5EU6DF8ns
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) May 29, 2024
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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