Fiorentina confront ‘not fond memories’ of Conference League Final | OneFootball

Fiorentina director general Alessandro Ferrari admits to bad memories being back in Athens to face Panathinaikos for the Conference League, but backs coach Raffaele Palladino.

It kicks off in Athens at 17.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Roma-Athletic Club and Viktoria Plzen-Lazio on the Liveblog.

The second leg will be at the Stadio Artemio Franchi next Thursday.

After a run of three consecutive Serie A defeats, the Viola bucked the trend by beating Lecce 1-0 to get themselves back on track.

Now they have their first European tie of 2025, having finished in the top eight of the league phase and therefore by-passing the play-offs.

Fiorentina back on track in Italy and Europe

epa11870040 Fiorentina’s foward Moise Kean scores the 1-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match ACF Fiorentina vs Genoa CFC at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, 02 February 2025. EPA-EFE/CLAUDIO GIOVANNINI

A big boost is the return of Moise Kean, who suffered head trauma during an accidental collision against Verona and has now been given the all-clear to continue his splendid form.

“Kean arrived with the right attitude, the coach and his teammates helped him too, everyone is happy and we hope it continues like this,” Ferrari told Sky Sport Italia.

Fiorentina are trying to reach their third consecutive Conference League Final, but lost the other two, including one that was played in Athens in May 2024 against Olympiakos.

“Going through the same roads was not a fond memory to bring back, but our minds are only on this evening’s game.”

Ferrari was asked about the position of coach Palladino, who was put under the spotlight following three consecutive Serie A defeats.

“It’s a pity that those who are not at Viola Park don’t see the unity within the club. The words from Daniele Pradè were to fire up the squad, not divide them. We are all together and working in the same direction.”