Fiorentina slumped at the last hurdle in the second consecutive Europa Conference League season, losing 1-0 to Olympiacos in the Athens final. Ayoub El Kaabi’s 116th-minute winner inspired the Greek giants to their first-ever European title.
Despite entering the showpiece events as favorites to end their 63-year wait for continental success, Fiorentina delivered another toothless showing. Barring Giacomo Bonaventura’s two chances in quick succession midway through the first half, Vincenz Italiano’s side looked perplexed.
In their defense, Fiorentina kept Olympiacos at arm’s length for most of the night. However, a moment of inspiration from El Kaabi condemned La Viola to their second straight Conference League final heartbreak. The Moroccan was shy for 116 minutes.
Fiorentina stalwart Nikola Milenkovic fared impressively well against the most prolific player in European competitions this season. But Italiano’s substitute Luca Ranieri undid the Serbian’s heroics, as El Kaabi slipped his mark to pour more misery on the Tuscan outfit.
Fiorentina (4-2-3-1)
Pietro Terracciano – 7.5
Though rarely tested across 120 minutes of play, the veteran goalkeeper brimmed with confidence, making a few commanding saves to deny Daniel Podence and Stevan Jovetic, among others.
Dodo – 6.5
While there was nothing Italiano could’ve reproached to his right-back defensive-wise, the Brazilian was supposed to be an attacking-minded full-back.
Nikola Milenkovic – 8
Despite his notorious struggles with inconsistent performances, the Serbian saved his best form for the final, dominating Conference League leading scorer Ayoub El Kaabi throughout the game.
Lucas Martinez Quarta – 6
In addition to picking up a needless booking toward the end of the first half, the Argentine almost gave away a penalty at the start of extra-time, but referee Artur Soares Dias gave him a free pass.
Cristiano Biraghi – 6.5
As if the disallowed goal got into his head, the Fiorentina captain couldn’t find a defense-splitting pass for the rest of the game. But no one can accuse him of a lack of trying.
Arthur Melo – 5
Tonight was probably his last chance to convince the Tuscan outfit to turn his loan move from Juventus permanent. But he failed epically.
Rolando Mandragora – 5.5
Much more aggressive than his midfield partner, the Italian injected energy and muscle into La Viola’s midfield but had nothing to offer in the front third.
Nicolas Gonzalez – 4.5
A forward of his quality and stature was supposed to be the leader in a high-stakes game, but the left-footed winger wasn’t up to his high standard this evening.
Giacomo Bonaventura – 6.5
The experienced playmaker was undoubtedly Fiorentina’s standout performer before being subbed off late in the game. It’s a pity his final touch let him down twice in the first half.
Christian Kouame – 5.5
It’s inconceivable how a player featuring in a European final could fluff his lines the way Kouame did midway through the second half when he spurned a golden chance to break a deadlock.
Andrea Belotti -2
Italiano must have regretted his decision to play the out-of-sorts striker from the start. He was invisible until that 59th minute when he left the pitch.
Substitutes
M’Bala Nzola – 4
Alfred Duncan – 6
Antonin Barak – 4.5
Jonathan Ikone – 3.5
Luca Ranieri – 1.5
Lucas Beltran – 3
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |