There weren’t a lot of fireworks for Olympiacos in the Conference League Final, but Ayoub El Kaabi delivered in the 116th minute to make the Greek side the third ever winner of the tournament following a 1-0 win over Fiorentina on Wednesday at Agia Sophia Stadium in Athens.
The win comes in Olympacos’ home city but at the ground of rivals AEK Athens. Olympiacos boss Jose Luis Mendilibar may have overseen the third-place domestic team in the league, but he’s now a European legend at his club.
It’s the second-straight Conference League final loss for Fiorentina, who were stung by West Ham United last season. La Viola endured an intense and emotionally-challenging season which saw their American general manager Joe Barone die in season at age 57.
They out-attempted Olympiacos 17-7 but could not solve goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis, who made four saves amongst his 12 recoveries over 120 minutes.
Fiorentina finished eighth on the Serie A table and will play in the Conference League next season. Olympiacos now go to the Europa League.
Ayoub El Kaabi goal video: Olympiacos take Conference League Final in extra time
IT'S THAT MAN AGAIN! 🔥
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 29, 2024
AYOUB EL KAABI PLAYS HERO FOR OLYMPIACOS IN THE #UECL FINAL 🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/Y2MpRUYrME
How to watch Conference League Final, start times, stream link
Kickoff: 3pm ET Wednesday, May 29
Stadium: Agia Sophia Stadium in Athens, Greece
How to watch: Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Olympiacos vs Fiorentina live updates — By Nick Mendola
Olympiacos vs Fiorentina final score: 1-0
Goalscorers: El Kaabi (116')
Ayoub El Kaabi GOAL!! Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina (116th minute)
You only need one chance, and Ayoub El Kaabi has made the most out of this one.
Santiago Hezze whips in a hopeful cross from the left and El Kaabi crashes the post, getting just a bit on his diving header attempt to get the ball past Terracciano.
It’s just their sixth shot but it may be a trophy-clincher.
There’s a looooooong VAR review. And he’s just onside!
Huge save!
There’s a handball shout but VAR does not intervene for Fiorentina. Stevan Jovetic is furious and sees a yellow card for his protests.
He then works a dribble atop the 18 and cranks a shot toward the far post that Terracciano does so well to push wide of the goal.
0-0, 96'
Headed for extra time — Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
Some familiar names subbed into the second half but could not provide goals, as ex-Man City and Inter Milan striker Stevan Jovetic and former LAFC man Andre Horta are on the pitch for Olympiacos while Fiorentina’s put Jonathan Ikone into the fray.
In 90 minutes, there’s been less than one full xG. Olympiacos have only managed three shot attempts and only one has come since the 25th minute.
Woof.
Greeks come close!
A well-spun free kick from the right is fizzing toward danger.
Olympiacos veteran Vicente Iborra rises high and cranks the side of his head into the ball.
Terracciano dives to his right in desperation and is relieved to see it just miss the far post.
0-0, 81'.
Christian Kouame giving hope
Kouame has set up a huge chance but also missed one, too, scudding a volley into he ground.
The good news for the Fiorentina man is that he looks likely to get more chances before Olympiacos get any; The Greek side has not been dangerous.
Almost 20 minutes into the second half and... very little
It hasn’t been a fun watch nor a fun experience as we watched Andrea Belotti leave with a head injury following a scary collision with Panagiotis Retsos.
The Olympiacos back looked terrible but somehow was allowed to play on.
Fiorentina just missed with a 65th-minute header, the first half-chance in a while.
0-0, 66'.
Halftime — Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
The keepers each have two saves and possession has flirted with 50/50, but Fiorentina looks the more complete attack here.
La Viola have taken nine shots to the Greeks’ two, and have a 0.52-0.12 xG advantage.
And yet: 0-0. Given how efficient and strong Olympiacos were against Aston Villa, anything is possible the rest of the way.
Two chances!
Giacomo Bonaventura should have La Viola ahead!
His first chance at the back post is shot right into the arms of Konstantinos Tzolakis, and his second chance is blocked by a back.
At the other end, it’s Wolves loanee Daniel Podence putting a dangerous chance on goal only to be foiled by Fiorentina keeper Pietro Terracciano.
Offside denies opener
Andrea Belotti uses a low free kick to send the ball through traffic and inside the far post, but the flag is up.
VAR confirms. Still scoreless after 10 minutes in Greece.
Olympiacos lineup
Tzolakis, Rodinei, Retsos, Carmo, Ortega, Hezze, Iborra, Chiquinho, Podence, Fortounis, El Kaabi
Fiorentina lineup
Terracciano, Dodo, Milenkovic, Quarta, Biraghi, Arthur, Mandragora, Bonaventura, Kouame, Belotti, Nico
Focus on Olympiacos, team news
Olympiacos are led by Jose Luis Mendilibar, the 63-year-old Spaniard who would add a Conference League title to the Europa League crown he earned with Sevilla last season. Wolves star Daniel Podence has been fantastic on loan to the Greeks, while Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi leads the club in goals, and veteran winger Konstantinos Fortounis is a near-constant threat.
Focus on Fiorentina, team news
Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez, 26, is Fiorentina’s top attacker, but Vincenzo Italiano’s side prides itself on being tough to breakdown. Center back Lucas Martinez Quarta is a star and will hope to limit the danger that reaches goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano.
