Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Greek Icons Are Crowned Europa Conference League Champions?

In what was a nail-biting showdown from Athens on Wednesday night, Olympiacos got their hands on a maiden piece of European silverware as they secured a 1-0 victory against Fiorentina in extra-time.

With the Greek giants only having to travel down the road for their date with destiny, we were treated to a battle that was high on intensity but relatively low on quality at both ends of the pitch.

However, although it might have appeared almost destined that Wednesday’s showpiece event would be heading to penalties, the red-hot Ayoub El Kaabi once again proved to be Olympiacos’ ultimate hero.

With the 30-year-old glancing his header home from close range in the 116th minute, Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side became the first Greek club in history to lift a piece of European silverware.

As for Fiorentina, suffering major European heartbreak last season as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against West Ham in the 2022/23 final, the Viola failed to claim some immediate revenge and they were hit with another major phycological blow.

On a night when Olympiacos became just the third Europa Conference League champions, we have taken a look at the key talking points.

Olympiacos make European history

Storming their way to a showdown in Athens after clinching a remarkable 6-2 aggregate victory against Premier League outfit Aston Villa in the semi-finals, Olympiacos have continued to receive a string of plaudits from across the continent this season.

Already edging past the likes of Turkish icons Fenerbahce on route to Wednesday’s date with destiny, the Piraeus have certainly had to climb over some heavyweight hurdles during their European charge this year.

On the verge turning 100 years old, Olympiacos’ iconic 1-0 victory on Wednesday night will rightfully be regarded as the greatest moment in their history.

Although they might have been dealing with a host of public issues behind the scenes earlier in the season, Mendilibar has done a remarkable job since taking over the reigns and has masterminded Olympiacos’ charge for the history books.

Becoming the first-ever Greek side to lift a piece of European silverware, the Piraeus deserve all of the praise that they will receive over the coming days and have handed themselves a major platform to build on.

It was always going to be El Kaabi

Only minutes away from heading to a nail-biting penalty shootout, it almost seemed inevitable that Olympiacos’ attacking talisman would drag them to the history book on Wednesday night.

While El Kaabi might have only arrived from Qatari-based outfit Al-Sadd last summer on a free transfer, the 30-year-old has enjoyed a stunning maiden campaign among one of Europe’s elite domestic leagues.

Remarkably bagging five goals during Olympiacos’ 6-2 aggregate victory against Aston Villa earlier in the month, the Moroccan marksman has quickly blossomed into one of Europe’s hottest finishers.

Securing the Greek Super League Golden Boot this season and reportedly attracting plenty of interest from across the continent, El Kaabi has certainly been the poster boy behind Olympiacos’ charge for the history books.

Still a part-time cleaner just a few years ago and embarking on an emotional fairytale this season, El Kaabi has recorded 33 strikes across all competitions and finds his stock at a red-hot high following more heroics on Wednesday night.

The Viola suffer more Europa Conference League heartbreak

Suffering Europa Conference League heartbreak last season as they fell to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat against West Ham in the Czech Republic, Fiorentina were desperate to go one-step further this time around.

Although the Viola might have created the better chances throughout the initial 90 minutes, Vincenzo Italiano’s men face what will be another monumental backlash following their collapse on the grandest of stages.

While the Tuscany-based outfit might have secured an eighth-place finish among Italy’s elite this season as they secured yet another Europa Conference League ticket for next year, Italiano’s side have been hit with a huge phycological blow.

Falling to their knees once again following more dramatic late heartbreak, there could even be some mounting questions over the former Spezia boss and his future in Tuscany past the summer break.

Now falling at the final hurdle in back-to-back Europa Conference League finals, Wednesday’s 1-0 loss in Athens will have certainly cut deeper than their defeat at the hands of West Ham last season.

Match Report

Olympiacos: Rodinei, Restos, Carmo, Ortega, Hezze, Iborra, Fortounis, Chiquinho, Podence, El Kaabi

Subs: Horta, El-Arabi, Masouras, Jovetic

Fiorentina: Terracciano, Dodo, Martinez, Milenkovic, Biraghi, Mandragora, Arthur, Gonzalez, Bonaventura, Kouame, Belotti

Subs: Duncan, Barak, Nzola, Ranieri, Ikone, Beltran

Goals: El Kaabi (116’)

Yellow Cards: Olympiacos: Podence, El Kaabi, Jovetic – Fiorentina: Martinez, Kouame, Biraghi

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Arthur Soares Dias