The stage is set for a fascinating clash in the UEFA Europa Conference League final, as Greek giants Olympiakos Piräus lock horns with Italian outfit Fiorentina at the AEK Arena in Athens on May 29th, 2024. OLY vs FIO faceoff at 21:00 CET, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for both sides.
For Olympiacos, this final represents a chance to etch their name in European history. Having never featured in a senior UEFA club competition final before, the team will enjoy a significant home advantage, with the AEK Arena just a stone’s throw away from their Piraeus base. They’ll be aiming to become only the second Greek team to lift a major European trophy, following in the footsteps of Panathinaikos, who triumphed in the 1970/71 European Cup.
Fiorentina, on the other hand, approach the final with a bittersweet mix of experience and heartbreak. This is their second consecutive appearance in a European final, having fallen short against West Ham United in Prague last year. The Viola will be determined to banish those ghosts and claim their first European silverware since the 1961 European Cup Winners’ Cup. However, history isn’t on their side – Fiorentina have tasted defeat in four out of their five previous European finals.
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Olympiakos Piräus Team Preview
Olympiacos enters the Europa Conference League final on a wave of momentum, as they defied the odds by knocking out tournament favorites Aston Villa. Despite dropping the first leg 4-2, Olympiacos found their fighting spirit and secured a 2-0 home victory to advance to the final.
Olympiacos faces a nervous wait on the fitness of first-choice left-back Francisco Ortega, who missed the semi-final and is in a race to be fit for the final. Nottingham Forest loanee Omar Richards, who was initially considered for replacing Ortega, also succumbed to injury, leaving manager Jose Luis Mendilibar with a selection headache at the back. However, manager Mendilibar is not the one to come out with excuses, as he will be looking for alternative solutions in case he can’t have his main players.
Olympiacos are known for their aggressive, high-pressing style. They are likely to come out strong from the beginning, particularly in the first half, with the aim of disrupting Fiorentina’s rhythm and forcing turnovers in the attacking third. Players like Iborra and Santiago Hezze in midfield are likely to spearhead this pressing effort. Ayoub El Kaabi, the competition’s top scorer, will undoubtedly be a key player for Olympiacos. Their attack will likely revolve around feeding him scoring opportunities through quick transitions and crosses into the box.
Despite these injury concerns, the Olympiacos team knows that they have all the resources to pull this off. They have a strong home advantage, playing just a few kilometers away from their Piraeus base at the AEK Arena. This will be the first time a Greek team has contested a major European final on home soil since Marseille’s defeat to Atletico Madrid in the 2018 Europa League final. Interestingly, history suggests such an advantage might not translate to victory, as the last four teams to play a European final in their home country have finished as runners-up.
Olympiacos Predicted XI: Tzolakis; Rodinei, Retsos, David Carmo, Quini; Hezze, Iborra, Chiquinho; Podence, El Kaabi, Fortounis
ACF Fiorentina Team Preview
Fiorentina arrives in Athens determined to wash off the memory of last season’s Europa Conference League final defeat to West Ham United. Manager Vincenzo Italiano has instilled a winning mentality in his Viola squad, who hold an impressive 13-game unbeaten run in European competition (W7 D6) – the longest such streak in their history. They are also only the third team to reach the final while remaining undefeated throughout the competition, joining an elite group alongside Feyenoord (2021-22, lost final) and West Ham (2022-23, won final).
This isn’t just a redemption story for Fiorentina; they will also look to etch their name in the history books. They are the first team ever to reach back-to-back Europa Conference League finals and just the third team (after Milan and Valencia) to reach consecutive major European finals despite needing to qualify through at least one qualifying round in both seasons.
Fiorentina enters the final with a clear attacking philosophy. Manager Italiano favors a 4-2-3-1 formation, led by Roma loanee Andrea Belotti and supported by Lucas Beltran, the hero who converted the winning penalty in the semi-final. The return of veteran midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura from injury will provide a further boost to their attacking prowess. However, they will be without winger Riccardo Sottil, who suffered a broken collarbone in the first leg of the semi-final.
Fiorentina Predicted XI: Terracciano; Dodô, Martínez Quarta, Milenković, Biraghi; Mandragora, Bonaventura; González, Beltrán, Kouamé; Belotti
Olympiacos vs Fiorentina Head-to-Head Stats
An interesting twist to this upcoming encounter is the complete lack of history between Olympiacos and Fiorentina in competitive matches. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides, making it an unpredictable clash where recent form and statistical analysis become even more crucial.
The lack of historical data between these two teams adds a layer of intrigue to the final. With neither side having faced the other before, recent form and tactical strategies will likely play a significant role in determining the outcome.
Olympiacos vs Fiorentina Betting Odds
Olympiacos 3.25 – Draw 3.30 – 2.35 Fiorentina (Parimatch)
Olympiacos vs Fiorentina Betting Tips and Winning Predictions
The UEFA Europa Conference League final promises to be a tense and exciting affair, with both Olympiacos and Fiorentina craving for glory. Olympiacos will be fueled by the prospect of claiming their first-ever European trophy, playing with the passionate backing of their home crowd at the AEK Arena. On the other hand, Fiorentina brings a wealth of European experience to the table, having reached consecutive European finals.
Looking at the attacking firepower of both teams, the potential for a high-scoring encounter is significant. Olympiacos has a strong home record, with over 1.5 goals scored in 90% of their home matches this season. While Fiorentina’s average goals per match is slightly lower, their attacking intent cannot be underestimated.
Considering these factors, a bet on “Both Teams to Score” (BTTS) seems like a good option. Given Olympiacos’ home advantage and El Kaabi’s status as the competition’s top scorer, a narrow victory for Olympiacos (2-1) is also an interesting possibility for a correct score bet.
Predicting the winner is a tough call. Fiorentina’s experience and unbeaten run are countered by Olympiacos’ home crowd and goalscoring form. The odds slightly favor Olympiacos, but past performance doesn’t guarantee future results. This is a final where anything can happen, so buckle up and enjoy the beautiful game!