Olympiacos FC have made history as the first Greek club to win the Europa Conference League. They defeated Italy’s AFC Fiorentina 1- 0 during Wednesday’s final.
The first half was thrilling and enjoyable to watch, with Fiorentina operating more effectively in the midfield and winning battles against the Red and Whites. The Italians appeared more organised and put as much pressure on Olympiacos as they could.
The first major moment of the match came in the 4th minute with Podence’s move and shot, which was saved with difficulty by Fiorentina’s goalkeeper. Fiorentina attempted to threaten with Belotti’s shot going wide. In the 10th minute, playing down Ortega’s side, Fiorentina found the net with Milenković, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.
In the 12th minute, Mandragora also had a shot that missed the target. Fiorentina continued to press with a shot from Kouamé that deflected off defenders. In the 20th minute, Fortounis tried to find Iborra with a set-piece trick but was unsuccessful.
Bonaventura, on the other hand, found himself in a shooting position in the 21st minute, but Tzolakis easily saved his effort. Bonaventura also had a missed one-on-one in the 22nd minute, with Tzolakis making an excellent save.
In the 25th minute, Olympiacos responded to the opportunities with Podence’s header from a Tiquinho corner, but Terracciano made the save. Fiorentina pressed again and had a double chance in the 39th minute with Kouamé’s header, saved by Tzolakis, and a second effort going wide.
The first half ended 0-0, with Olympiacos showing anxiety about the final and needing to improve both their midfield presence and final decisions.
Opportunities for both sides continued in the second half, but neither team scored. Shortly after the start of the second half, Retsos suffered a head injury from a collision with Belotti but continued despite feeling dizzy. In the 62nd minute, Olympiacos managed to create a chance.
An impressive combination on the right for Olympiacos saw Fortounis cross, but Podence’s control and shot resulted in a collision with Dodo, leading to an attacking foul. In the 65th minute, Fiorentina threatened with a Milenković header that went off-target. In the 69th minute, Tzolakis made a superb one-handed save from Kouamé’s effort.
Olympiacos’ coach José Luis Mendilibar made tactical moves from the bench, introducing a second striker, Jovetić, in a supporting role, and brought in Orta for the midfield.
In the 80th minute, Olympiacos had a significant chance with Iborra’s header going just wide of Fiorentina’s goal. Olympiacos had another chance from a set-piece. In the 84th minute, Orta’s free-kick found El Kabi, who couldn’t quite get a proper touch to find the net. A minute before the end of regular time, Duncan’s shot went well wide.
In a half where both teams threatened and were threatened, the 0-0 scoreline led to extra time, with tensions high.
Initially, Olympiacos appealed for a handball penalty, but Artur Dias ruled no infringement in Fiorentina’s area. In the 96th minute, Jovetić took the ball, made a move, and shot, but Fiorentina’s goalkeeper made a difficult save, pushing the ball out for a corner. In the 100th minute, El Kabi headed wide from an Orta free-kick. In the second half of extra time, Tzolakis had to intervene again. In the 110th minute, he also stopped Nzola.
In the 116th minute, El Kabi did what he hadn’t managed in all those minutes. Iborra, with great effort, went for the ball, which reached Hezze, who sent it to the Moroccan, who headed in from close range for the 1-0.
Following the goal, there was sheer pandemonium. The crowd was ecstatic. Olympiacos had done it. The Cup was theirs.
Source: gazetta.gr.
