Conference, Italian: 'I've always dreamed of this final'

The expectation is growing for Fiorentina and its fans. The Conference League final against West Ham on Wednesday at 21pm at the Eden Arena in Prague is just around the corner. A challenge that represents for the viola an appointment with history considering that the last international final played dates back to 33 years ago, the one lost against Juventus in the Uefa Cup. "Having come this far is a reward for all our efforts and all our sacrifices - said Vincenzo Italiano through UEFA channels - I am very happy to have the chance to lift a trophy. It was my dream when I became coach of Fiorentina and as soon as I understood that we had the potential to achieve these results." For him it is a triple satisfaction being at the absolute debut in a European competition. "For me it was a new experience, as well as for some players - added the viola coach - After the first games, however, we immediately adapted and the victories achieved then allowed us to work with enthusiasm and with the awareness that we could have reached the end". Now we have to climb the last step, the most difficult. In the first final played this season, that of the Italian Cup at the end of May, the epilogue left a bitter taste in the mouth: in the lead after just two minutes and 30 seconds thanks to the goal of Nico Gonzalez, Fiorentina was then reassembled and overtaken by a wild Lautaro Martinez author of a double: so the trophy ended up in the Nerazzurri's bulletin board. "Now we want a different epilogue - remarked Italiano - Beyond the opponent, we must take care of every detail to avoid that any mistake can compromise the result and enter the field careful and concentrated, also because West Ham is an excellent team, with quality and physicality. It is true that in the Premier League he did not do very well but he remains a very dangerous formation. You don't get to the final by chance." As for his colleague David Moyes, he said: "He is a very experienced coach, capable of making his teams play well. I respect him and will gladly greet him when we arrive in Prague. Then, may the best win''. At the moment Italian has everyone available, including Nico Gonzalez who came out of the trip with Sassuolo and Antonin Barak who disposed of the flu. For tomorrow at 10.30 am at the 'Davide Astori' Sports Center the finishing is scheduled open for an hour to the media, then the departure for Prague where the same viola technician and two players will speak in conference at the Eden Arena not before 19.15 pm. Meanwhile, the fans are traveling: at least ten thousand are expected in the next few hours and close to the match in the Czech capital while 27,000 tickets have already been sold to attend the final on the giant screens set up on the occasion at the Franchi stadium