Vincenzo Italiano might have overseen his last European game in charge of Fiorentina in Wednesday’s Europa Conference League final. Unfortunately for the highly-rated Serie A manager, it wasn’t the result he hoped for as Olympiacos’ 116th winner inflicted another continental heartache on La Viola.
As if last season’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham in this competition’s showpiece event wasn’t painful enough, Fiorentina conceded another late goal to extend their 63-year wait for European glory. Understandably heartbroken, Italiano admitted Ayoub El Kaabi’s extra-time winner was another bitter pill to swallow.
“It’s disappointing for the second time. It’s disappointing because again we had many situations to score goals, but the lads did everything they could,” the Fiorentina manager told Sky Sport Italia, as quoted by Pazzi Di Fanta.
“We fought, we sweat buckets, we created chances against a team that does not allow you to play good football, as the goalkeeper always kicks it long and bypasses the midfield.
“I don’t think we deserved to lose this game, which could’ve gone all the way to penalties. It is a huge disappointment for me, because the third Final we played the right way, but we still don’t have the maturity, the smarts, that little extra to win in a one-off match.
“I am sorry for the lads, but this is football,” the devastated Fiorentina coach concluded.
Heavily linked with a summer departure, Italiano could be in the Fiorentina dugout one last time when La Viola meet Atalanta in their final game of the 2023/24 Serie A season.
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