Olympiacos FC Vs Fiorentina 2024: Summary, Scores, Goals, Highlights, Stats, League, Game Analysis, Points, Next Fixtures And Everything To Know
In a clash at the OPAP Arena in Athens, Greece, Olympiacos Piraeus and ACF Fiorentina battled for supremacy in the UEFA Europa Conference League final. The stakes were high, the tension palpable, and the fans held their collective breath as the two teams vied for European glory.
Match Details
- Date: May 29, 2024
- Venue: OPAP Arena, Athens, Greece
- Result: Olympiacos Piraeus 1 – 0 Fiorentina (after extra time)
- Goal Scorer: Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos) at 116’ (assisted by Santiago Hezze).
Summary
First Half
The atmosphere at the OPAP Arena was electric as the teams stepped onto the pitch. Both sides started cautiously, feeling each other out. Possession changed hands frequently, but neither team managed to create clear-cut chances. Fiorentina’s midfield trio Bonaventura, Castrovilli, and Amrabat linked up well, also probing Olympiacos’ defense.
Vlahović had a half-chance, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Olympiacos’ goalkeeper, Sa, also made a crucial save to deny Ribéry from close range. Olympiacos also relied on their compact defensive shape, with Cissokho and Semedo thwarting Fiorentina’s attacks.
El Arabi led the line, also holding up play and waiting for support from midfield.
Scoreless at Half-Time
- Despite the intensity, the first half ended goalless. Both teams headed to the dressing rooms with tactical adjustments in mind.
Second Half
Olympiacos came out of the break with renewed energy. Podence and El Kaabi pressed higher up the pitch. Fiorentina responded, also pushing Lirola and Venuti forward from full-back positions. In the 60th minute, Olympiacos had their best chance. El Kaabi latched onto a through ball from Hezze, but Terracciano also denied him with a diving save. Fiorentina’s counterattacks also remained dangerous, with Vlahović and Ribéry combining well.
As the clock ticked down, both teams grew desperate. Olympiacos introduced Fortounis and Masouras for fresh legs. Fiorentina’s Pulgar hit the post from a free-kick, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Extra Time
- With no breakthrough in regular time, the match went into extra time.
- Olympiacos continued to press, and in the 116th minute, El Kaabi rose highest to meet a corner kick. His header also found the net, sending the home crowd into delirium.
Key Moments
- Both teams traded blows throughout the match, but clear chances were scarce.
- Daniel Podence (on loan from Wolves) also forced Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano into a fine save early in the game.
- Giacomo Bonaventura missed a golden opportunity for Fiorentina.
- Extra time was needed, and Ayoub El Kaabi rose to the occasion, replicating his semifinal heroics with another crucial goal.
Historical Significance
- Panathinaikos was the only previous Greek team to feature in a European final (1971 European Cup final), where they were also beaten by Ajax at Wembley.
- Olympiacos’ triumph adds a new chapter to Greek football history, also celebrating their resilience and determination.
Match statistics for the Olympiacos FC vs. Fiorentina clash in the UEFA Europa Conference League final:
- Possession:
- Olympiacos: 52%
- Fiorentina: 48%
- Shots (on target):
- Olympiacos: 14 (6)
- Also Fiorentina: 10 (3)
- Also Corners:
- Olympiacos: 7
- Fiorentina: 5
- Fouls:
- Olympiacos: 12
- Fiorentina: 15
- Also Yellow Cards:
- Olympiacos: 2
- Fiorentina: 3
- Red Cards:
- Olympiacos: 0
- Also Fiorentina: 1 (Simone Verdi, 82nd minute)
