Fiorentina will look for European redemption as they face debutant finalists Olympiacos in the UEFA Europa Conference League final on Wednesday night.
Hosted at the OPAP Arena in Athens, La Viola lost the final to West Ham United in Prague 12 months ago.
After Atalanta ended their own 60 year trophy drought last week, it’s a 23-year itch for their fellow Italians to scratch.
However, they must do so against the Greek champions not only in form, but a side on their own patch.
Red-White hot
Olympiacos are likely to feel very much at home this Wednesday night, as the Piraeus outfit make the short trip to the home of city rivals AEK Athens.
And having disposed of tournament favourites Aston Villa, the Red-Whites are buoyant.
Driven by the goals of Ayoub El Kaabi, the Moroccan netted five of the Greek side’s six goals against Villa in reaching the final.
Under the stewardship of Jose Luis Mendilibar, Olympiacos have ended the season strongly and look well balanced.
In their first ever-European final, can the Greeks become part of continental club history?
Take Two?
For Fiorentina, this is their second successive Conference League final.
Runners-up in a European competition for a fourth time 12 months ago, La Viola have been twice losing finalists since their last silverware in 2001.
Coming in the Coppa Italia that season, the Florence outfit won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1961. but their most recent defeat to the Irons in Czechia, stung.
🇬🇷⚜️💜#forzaviola #fiorentina pic.twitter.com/azvnNyQUhe
— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) May 27, 2024
Olympiacos look a tough opponent, but on paper, Vincenzo Italiano’s men have the better attack; if they tick.
Andrea Belotti and Nicolas Gonzalez have this term flattered to deceive this season, whilst Lucas Beltran has shown glimpses of brilliance.
Needing a goal from the Argentine to get past 10-man Club Brugge, Fiorentina have often misfired this season.
La Viola cannot afford another off-key showing in Athens.
Betting
In the outright markets. Fiorentina are the marginal 7/5 favourites, but in their own city, Olympiacos look a tidy punt at 11/5 with BetUK.
As documented, El Kaabi is a man on fire right now, but not only against Villa last time out.
With two braces and a hat-trick in the knockout stages alone, we’ll be looking at the Olympiacos hitman once more in Athens.
An anytime goalscorer at 9/5 with SpreadEx, El Kaabi is 13/2 with Unibet to net first.
Olympiacos face Fiorentina in the UEFA Europa Conference League Final on Wednesday evening at the OPAP Arena, Athens, kick-off, 8pm UK time.
