'It Hurts To See My Players Cry': Fiorentina's Repeat Heartbreak In Europa League Final

Vincenzo Italiano expressed his disappointment after Fiorentina's Europa Conference League final defeat, marking the second consecutive year the team has faced heartbreak. Last year, West Ham secured a last-minute victory in Prague, and this year, Olympiacos clinched their first major European title with Ayoub El Kaabi's goal four minutes before the end of extra time.

Fiorentina embarked on a club-record 13-match unbeaten run to reach their second successive Europa Conference League final. Despite this impressive streak, Italiano admitted that it ultimately counted for nothing as his side was left to ponder what might have been.

Ayoub El Kaabi's winning goal for Olympiacos at 115:16 was the latest winner in a major European final since Diego Forlán's goal for Atlético de Madrid against Fulham in the 2010 UEFA Europa League final at 115:36. This late strike sealed Fiorentina's fate, leaving them without the coveted trophy once again.

115:16 - Ayoub El Kaabi's winning goal for Olympiakos is the latest winner in a major European final since Diego Forlán for Atlético de Madrid against Fulham in the 2010 UEFA Europa League final (115:36). Saviour. pic.twitter.com/0o917jSs3f

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 29, 2024

Italiano's Reflections

"We really believed this time," Italiano told Sky Sports Italia. "It's disappointing for the second time. It's disappointing because again we had many situations to score goals, but the players did everything they could. It hurts to see my players cry."

Italiano highlighted the emotional toll on his team, stating, "Losing hurts; going all the way for two years running is something good, but naturally you have to lift a trophy, and we didn't manage it."

Future Prospects

Italiano will depart Fiorentina at the end of the season, leaving behind a legacy of near-misses in European competitions. His tenure saw significant progress, but the lack of silverware remains a sore point for both him and the club.

"At this moment, I feel too bitter, disappointed, let down because I really believed we could have a different ending," he concluded.