Conference League: Vincenzo Italiano reveals why Fiorentina matched unwanted Benfica record

A disheartened Vincenzo Italiano has explained why Olympiacos beat his Fiorentina side in the Europa Conference League final. 

Ayoub El Kaabi netted in the game’s 116th minute, leaving the Viola with little time to respond as Olympiacos became the first Greek side to record club success in Europe. 

The defeat was Fiorentina’s second straight loss in the competition’s decider, having also lost the 2023 final to a late Jarrod Bowen strike in the closing minutes of the 90, handing West Ham United their maiden continental triumph. 

Wednesday’s events saw the Serie A side become the first club to be beaten in consecutive continental deciders since Benfica lost two Europa League finals in 2013 and 2014. 

A clearly disappointed Italiano pointed to his side’s lack of maturity in one-off games as he analysed the game. 

“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,” said the Fiorentina boss to Sky Sport Italia. We fought, we sweat buckets, we created chances against a team that does not allow you to play good football.”

“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.”

Italiano, 46, would not comment on his future after Wednesday's loss, citing the disappointment of losing a third final in the last two seasons at the club — Europa Conference League (2023 and 2024) and Coppa Italia (2023). The Viola boss disclosed that a decision should be reached imminently.