3️⃣ questions ahead of the Conference League final 🏆 | OneFootball

A new name is going to be etched on to the Conference League trophy this evening as Olympiacos take on Fiorentina in Athens.

But who’s going to prevail at the OPAP Arena? Let’s find out.

Can Fiorentina avenge last year’s final?

It’s been a long 12 months for Fiorentina.

This time last year in Prague, the Viola were heading to their first European final since 1990 and aiming to win their second ever continental trophy having last done so in 1961.

Despite being one of Italian football’s ‘sette sorelle’ or ‘seven sisters’, the Tuscan giants’ European pedigree was way below that of their Serie A rivals.

Whilst the likes of Milan, Inter, Juventus and even Roma have bothered Europe’s top table in recent years, Fiorentina have been languishing in mediocrity.

The Conference League though, offered Fiorentina some redemption last season as they faced West Ham at the Eden Arena.

The Hammers however, had other ideas as Jarrod Bowen’s injury-time winner saw the Premier League side victorious.

The year-long wait then has been a frustrating one for the Viola but they’re back in the final and looking to go one better this time around.

With coach Vincenzo Italiano heavily linked with an exit this summer, a win in Athens would be the best possible farewell for the 46-year-old.

Will home advantage be enough for Olympiacos?

They may not be playing at their home stadium on Thursday but the mere fact that this final is in Athens could well be the edge Olympiacos need.

And yes, before you say it, I’m fully aware that Piraeus – Olympiacos’ actual home – isn’t technically Athens but these particulars are moot for tonight’s game.

The fact is that Olympiacos play just 13 kilometres from the OPAP Arena and will have an overwhelming amount of support for the final.

From their run to the final this season, it’s clear just how much home advantage has helped Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men.

Bar an astonishing 4-1 defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv in March, Olympiacos have won all of their home games in this competition this season.

That’s victories over Ferencvaros, Fenerbahcçe and Aston Villa, all with a combined aggregate of 6-2.

Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi has been the hero for most of those wins with the forward bagging a remarkable 32 goals in all competitions this term.

His firing in front of goal and a massive home support could well prove to be enough for the Greeks tonight.

How good is the Conference League?

In a major turn up for the books, UEFA’s decision three years’ ago to start the Conference League has been a brilliant one.

The general consensus amongst fans in 2021 was that there was really no need for another European competition, especially one that wasn’t going to be considered an elite one.

But looking at the scenes following Roma’s victory in 2022 and the same again after West Ham claim the title last year, it’s clear that fans have taken the competition to their hearts.

Yes, going to Zrinjski Mostar or Lincoln Red Imps in the early stages can have its drawbacks.

But once the tournament enters its final stages, every club is doing their absolute best to claim a major European title.

The Europa Conference League may only be three years’ old, but it already feels like it’s been around for decades – and there’s no higher compliment than that.