A night to remember in Athens. Olympiacos won the first UEFA final in greek football history and did it at home, in Athens and with a late decider (with a bit of VAR drama spicing things up). It was the perfect ending to a not so memorable final, although some records were broken in the process.
The fake promise of an entertaining final
Despite Fiorentina’s favoritism, it was Olympiacos to “draw the first blood”, with the small yet cheeky Podence taking the first shot on target (7% goal probability), stopped by Terracciano. Nevertheless, the initial “home team” enthusiasm was quickly cut by the Italians, with Fiorentina aiming at the goal on eight consecutive shots attempts. By the 25th minute the “viola” had already reached 0.67 Expected Goals (with Giacomo Bonaventura taking the most dangerous shot), with no further consequences, until Podence showed up again, showing that the “erythrólefki” would not settle for a passive defensive stance. Both teams seemed to promise an entertaining final but… it didn’t last long.
[ Belotti and Milenkovic’s aerial duel maps, showing how Fiorentina built their progressive dominance during the first half ]
When Artur Soares Dias blew for half-time, Kostas Tzolakis was Olympiacos’ main protagonist, with two saves and three other defensive actions. On the italian side, most of the dominance shown by the “viola” in the first half started… in the air, with defender Nikola Milenković and striker Andrea Belotti teaming up to win 12 of their 14 aerial challenges.
[ The half-time stats ]
Would the second half bring the fun? Not really
The fans surely expected a bit more fun in the second half but… it didn’t really happen like that. By the 90th minute the Agia Sophia Stadium had watched just four more shots, with Kouamé’s attempt on minute 69′ being the last “serious” attempt on goal (15% goal probability). The final was fought, with many (maybe too many) duels, but not enough “spectacle”. Extra-time was certain, and so it happened. By the time the teams hit the ground for a bit of rest, Kostas Tzolakis was still the leading GoalPoint Rating on the pitch. The greek goalkeeper had stopped only three shots but dangerous enough to be (analytically) worth a full prevented goal (Saves – xSaves).
[ the match stats after 90 minutes: only a single shot on target in the second half ]
Meanwhile, an aerial “record”
Extra-time it was and the first half left something clear by now: this Final was to be challenged… on the air. When the final whistle came both teams had contributed to a new UECL 23/24 record in aerial challenges, with 91 duels (43-48). Ball on the ground? Nah, not tonight.
[ The map of the impressive milestone: 91 aerial duels! ]
El Khaabi to the rescue (and making history)
Everyone was prepping for penalties (even us), when the El Kaabi saved us from such a closure, scoring the winning goal on a long minute 116, which would last three long minutes, before VAR confirmed the goal, leading the stadium to a happy explosion. The match would end a few minutes later with Olympiacos making history, as the first UEFA winner in the country. The “viola” were left in shambles, having lost their second consecutive UECL final, a competition that they will challenge again, next season.
Match Ratings & Stats
The GoalPoint Man of the Match: Kostas Tzolakis 👑
El Kaabi’s late goal will last in the memory of Greek (and Moroccan) football but the real MVP was undoubtedly Kostas Tzolakis, the goalkeeper that held the final within Olympiacos reach, until the moment they could strike the decisive blow. Tzolakis only had to stop four shots on target but they were dangerous enough to represent 1,1 goals prevented, which made all the difference, in the end.
Other Relevant Ratings 🔺🔻
Retsos 6.9
Center-back Panos Retsos was also key in securing the Greek defence, with 15 defensive actions (top of the match), including eight clearances and two shot blocks.
David Carmo 6.3
The portuguese center-back completed the key partnership with Retsos and Tzolakis. Carmo made good use of his height, winning 12 out of 14 defensive aerial duels and blocking four Italian shots on goal.
El Kaabi 5.6
El Kaabi final shows why you should never quit until the final whistle. The Moroccan was having everything but a memorable game until the decisive goal, having missed two big chances and lost 20(!) of the 30(!) duels he had with the “viola”. All forgotten by now, for sure, and deservedly so.
