Fiorentina out for revenge and to honour Joe Barone, says captain Cristiano Biraghi
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Fiorentina's Cristiano Biraghi says there is desire for revenge when they take to the pitch for the Europa Conference League final, after losing last season's title-decider.
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FLORENCE – Fiorentina’s painful defeat in the Europa Conference League final last season will inspire them in the 2024 title decider against Olympiakos, as they will bid to lift the trophy for their late general manager Joe Barone, captain Cristiano Biraghi said.
Biraghi required medical attention when hit by a cup thrown by opposition fans during the 2023 final. The skipper soldiered on, but his side lost 2-1 to West Ham United, going down to a penalty and a 90th-minute goal.
Fiorentina also lost the Italian Cup final to Inter Milan in the 2022-23 season, but Biraghi does not feel any extra pressure and believes the lessons learnt can help them against Greek side Olympiakos on May 29.
“I wouldn’t say pressure, but there is definitely even more desire for revenge, because getting to the final is certainly beautiful but losing hurts very, very badly,” he told Reuters.
“We certainly have more experience, we know what we did wrong and what we shouldn’t do again. Playing a final has always taught us something, both positively and negatively.”
This season has brought more than its fair share of pain, as Fiorentina lost their general manager Barone, who died after a cardiac arrest in March while with the team for a league game at Atalanta.
“Joe was a point of reference for us, a central figure. Together with our owner, Rocco Commisso, they have done incredible things to grow the club,” Biraghi added.
“We had a special, intense relationship with Joe. We said things to each other frankly but always for the good of Fiorentina. He was like a father to us all, he always defended us... Now we have to do something for him.”
Fiorentina’s last trophy came back in 2001 in the Italian Cup and they have since suffered relegation and serious financial problems. They made it back to Serie A, and to European football, but silverware still eludes them.
The team will not only have a large number of fans behind them in Athens, but their stadium in Florence will also be packed with locals watching the game on large screens.
“We know what it would mean for our fans and the city of Florence,” Biraghi said.
“It’s been more than 20 years since Fiorentina won a trophy and we know that the city would go crazy with joy because Fiorentina is a religion here, so we will really do our best to give great satisfaction to all of Florence.”
Olympiakos coach Jose Luis Mendilibar urged his players to also win it for their fans, especially when they are playing in Greece.
“When I came to Olympiakos, I didn’t expect we’d go so far in Europe,” the Spaniard said. “However, I slowly started believing that we could do well in the league and in Europe.
“It is a huge source of joy to come this far – for all of us who are trying every day on the pitch and, above all, for the fans of Olympiakos.” REUTERS
