May 9 – Fiorentina reached back-to-back Europa Conference League finals after a late penalty gave them a 1-1 draw and a 4-3 aggregate win over Club Bruges on Wednesday.
The Italians, who lost to West Ham in last year’s final, will face either Olympiakos or Aston Villa on May 29 final in Athens.
The Greek side, bidding to reach the final on home soil, host Villa tonight holding a 4-2 lead from the first leg in England.
Fiorentina, who hit the woodwork three times and were the better team in the second half, are now unbeaten in 13 European matches.
“It is extraordinary, we wanted this final and we proved it in a resounding second half despite the curse of the posts,” Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano said.
“The boys brought out a great personality that is needed in these matches, here it was bedlam.”
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