Conference League final: West Ham 2-1 Fiorentina

The bulletin board does not get rich. West Ham succeed Roma e beat Fiorentina (2-1) to win the Conference League. Fiorentina’s international fast has lasted since 1961. And it continues. The Viola, after the Coppa Italia with Inter, also lose the European trophy. In the second half, a penalty from Benrahma, an equalizer from Bonaventura and a goal from Bowen in the 90th minute punctuated a match that left many regrets for the Italian team, for the fans who flocked to Prague and for those who attended the match at the Franchi stadium.

First half

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After less than a minute the first shot is from Antonio, but Terracciano blocks it on the ground. A left-footed shot by Mandragora (9′) ends out of bounds. In the 13th minute it’s Rice who gets close to the target with a right footed shot from the edge. Fiorentina miss their first big chance in the 26th minute with Milenkovic, who heads up from two steps from a corner action. In the 33rd minute Biraghi was hit on the head by objects such as a plastic cup, but probably also by a lighter or an electronic cigarette, thrown by the sector of English fans. Blood comes out of the wound. He is rescued and a purple bandage is applied around his head. In the 4th minute of stoppage time, Dodo’s cross from the right and Bonaventura’s header hitting the post, Jovic, hit in the nose in the circumstance, scores but the Var certifies the offside already signaled by linesman Guadalupe Porras Ayuso.

Shooting

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Jovic comes off during the break and is replaced by Cabral. The challenge goes on in balance with the purples who maintain greater initiative. In the 57th minute, Kouame tries with a right foot but Areola blocks. In the 58th minute, after a long foul from the side, Fiorentina’s defense was caught unprepared. Biraghi plays with his hand and the referee concedes the penalty on a signal from the Var which Benrahma transforms by displacing Terracciano in the 62nd minute. Five minutes go by and after a penalty requested and not granted, the Italian team equalizes with Bonaventura controlling with his left foot and equalizing with his right foot on an assist from Nico Gonzalez. Mandragora angles the left plate too much on the side of Cabral in the 72nd minute. In the 77th minute it is Biraghi with his right foot who tries: Areola blocks with a high grip. West Ham replies with Soucek who heads the Florentine goalkeeper, good at deflecting for a corner. The last one to try before extra time is Amrabat with a right that forces Areola to dive to his right to block. In the 90th minute it was Bowen, with a poorly placed Viola defence, who flew away all alone and slipped into Terracciano. It’s the winning goal. Fiorentina after the Italian Cup final with Inter, also loses the Conference League final.