Fiorentina 1-2 West Ham Replay: UECL Final 2022-23

10:30 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the Fiorentina vs West Ham match in the UECL Final 2022-23. The kick-off is just two hours away! I’m your host Sayantan, and I’ll be keeping you company through what promises a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

West Ham’s season will come to an end on Wednesday evening when they take on Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League. However, compared to their Italian finalists, they will be deemed successful if they lift the second edition of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

For David Moyes, the security of his managerial reigns at the London Stadium is also dependent on whether he’s able to lift his first major European honour, in Prague. Reports have emerged out of the UK, that the board might be looking at replacements such as Graham Potter and Brendan Rodgers, after a disappointing league season where West Ham finished in the bottom half of the Premier League in 14th while spending nearly £160 million in the summer.

However, the Scotsman will have the opportunity to put all these rumours to rest, if he’s able to help his side win a European trophy after their last European Cup Winners’ Cup win in 1965. The Hammers have been able to manage injuries, the uncertainty of their top players leaving in the summer, and an ageing squad to reach the penultimate stage, while beating AEK, Gent and AZ Alkmaar in the knockout stages.

Fiorentina is in their second season under manager Vincenzo Italiano has been a relatively successful one, given The Viola returned to the European stage after an absence of five years, with a final day victory over Juventus in the last match of the season, in 2021-22.

However, they’ve finished eighth in the Serie A this year, and have been unable to qualify for next season’s European competition, unless they end up beating West Ham in the final. Vincenzo Italiano’s massive success lies in taking his La Viola side to a European Final in his second season. Despite losing Dusan Vlahovic to Juventus in the summer, he found his replacement in Brazilian Arthur Cabral, the top scorer in the Conference League this year.

His top-scoring Fiorentina side has both the top scorer and playmaker of the competition and has scored 2.6 goals per match(1st). Fiorentina have also created the highest big chances as well as missing them, with 32 and 25 each, on route to the final this year. Similar to English opponents in the final, they’re looking to win the first European Cup after decades with their last victory in 1960–61 with a European Cup Winners’ Cup. On route to this year’s final, Fiorentina have beaten Sivasspor, Lech Poznan, and Basel, and have become the second Italian side to reach a major European final this year besides Inter Milan.

Fiorentina form (all competitions): W-W-L-D-W

West Ham form (all competitions): L-W-W-L-W

Players to Watch

West Ham: Declan Rice

The England International and West Ham captain might be playing his final match for the Hammers. He’s amongst the hottest midfield prospects in the transfer market in Europe with Bayern Munich and Arsenal favourites for his signature, for an estimated 100€ million price tag. He’s easily been West Ham’s best player and scored and assisted in the UECL campaign this year.

He’ll be amongst the best players in the final and should be expected to lift the trophy after 90 minutes, if he performs to his potential for West Ham. A key match-up will also include him marking top scorer Arthur Cabral and limiting his movements and scoring threat in the penalty area, and makes for a fascinating match-up.

Fiorentina: Arthur Cabral

The Brazilian is the highest scorer in the UEFA Conference league and is also amongst the top goal contributors(2nd), without even assisting anyone with seven goals. His impact has been primarily in the Cup competition this year, where his minutes in the Serie A has been limited this year to keep him fresh and fit. He’s scored 8 goals in 28 appearances in the league with mostly appearances from the bench, however he’s also helped his side reach the Coppa Italia final as well. A key player to watch out for.

Match Facts

• There are Czech representatives on both teams, all three of whom are returning to their home stadium as former players of Slavia Praha – Antonín Barák of Fiorentina (2016-17) and West Ham duo Tomáš Souček (2015–20) and Vladimír Coufal (2018–20).
• This is the first meeting between West Ham and Fiorentina in UEFA competitions.
• Fiorentina’s striker Arthur Cabral is the leading top scorer in the competition

Injury & Team News

Fiorentia have slight concerns for forward Gonzalez and midfielder Castrovilli who both came off with some issues in the 3-1 win over Sassuollo. However, both should recover in time for the final. The only confirmed absence will be goalkeeper Sirigu(tendon).

West Ham have everyone fit in their ranks besides their Italian striker Scamacca(knee) who isn’t fit enough to face the side from his home country in the final.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 0

FC Basel wins – 0

Fiorentina wins – 0

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineup for Fiorentina vs West Ham

Fiorentina predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Terracciano(GK); Dodo, Martinez, Ranieri, Biraghi; Amrabat, Mandragora; Ikoné, Bonaventura, González; Cabral

West Ham predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Areola (GK); Kehrer, Zouma, Aguerd, Cresswell; Soucek, Rice; Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma; Antonio