West Ham’s ‘DINOSAUR tactics’ come under fire in Italy after their Europa Conference League final win over Fiorentina… as fans are branded as ‘uncivilised barbarians’ after Cristiano Biraghi was struck by an object
- Jarrod Bowen’s late goal handed the Europa Conference League to West Ham
- Italian media though were unimpressed with West Ham’s tactics during the final
- David Moyes was compared to a Tyrannosaurus from Jurassic Park
West Ham’s tactics have been slammed in Italy following their Europa Conference League final over Fiorentina.
Jarrod Bowen scored a 90th minute goal to seal a 2-1 victory for the Hammers – who lifted their first trophy in 43 years.
It was a disappointing loss for Vincenzo Italiano’s side, which was reflected on the front pages of Italian newspapers this morning.
However, in online articles Italian press were critical of West Ham’s performance and blasted their supporters after Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was left bleeding from the head when he was struck by an object thrown from the crowd.
Football Italia ran with the headline: ‘Dinosaur tactics see West Ham edge out toothless Fiorentina.’
Italian media have slammed West Ham’s ‘dinosaur tactics’ during the Europa Conference League final
They compared David Moyes to a Tyrannosaurus in Jurassic Park following West Ham’s win
It was a disappointing night for Fiorentina who lost their second final in the last month
The article started: ‘Football can be an entirely unfair game at times, something Fiorentina were bitter victims of in an utterly miserable Europa Conference League final against West Ham.’
They described the Hammers’ performance as ‘nothing short of miserable’ and that the match wasn’t the ‘beautiful game’ at its best with cynical fouls and an ‘obvious lack of quality from both sides’.
The outlet went on to add: ‘Italiano is clearly a smart and talented coach, but all his plans and tactics are worthless when the players at his disposal can’t properly implement them.
‘David Moyes, on the other hand, was like the Tyrannosaurus rex in Jurassic Park – snatched from an older time period, but somehow still having the starring moment at the end of the film.’
Corriere dello Sport ran with the headline ‘Viola pain’ on the front page of this morning’s newspaper.
On their website they pointed out that a ‘fatal defensive uncertainty’ caused Fiorentina ‘another bitter disappointment’ – after they previously lost in the Coppa Italia final to Inter Milan last month.
They also slammed West Hams for throwing objects onto the pitch, describing them as ‘uncivilised barbarians’.
‘Overcoming the bitterness will be tough because, as already at the Olimpico against the Nerazzurri, Viola played well in Prague too, dominated the game for large stretches, managing to rebalance it with Bonaventura’s leap, seeing the Cup vanish right on the edge woolen’, they added.
West Ham fans throw objects including pint glasses at Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi
Biraghi was left bleeding from the back of the head after he was struck by an object
‘And all this, despite some very uncivilized barbarians, specialists in throwing objects, one of which injured Biraghi, who remained on the field with the courage and determination of real captains. Nevertheless. And yet, raised their heads, Fiorentina must find in themselves the strength to restart from Prague.’
Gazzetta dello Sport’s front page focused on Inter Milan’s Champions League final with Fiorentina this weekend.
They did however include a section at the bottom in which they said Fiorentina were ‘punished on the counter attack’ and that the ‘last chapter is always a bitter one’ in regards to Italiano – amid uncertainty over the manager’s future.
The paper online said that despite the ‘bitterness’ of last night’s loss, Inter Milan can avenge them in the final.
Tuttosport went down a similar road, pointing out that Fiorentina’s defeat makes it two European final losses for Italian sides following Roma’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla.
They added: ‘All we’re left with is Inter in the Champions League.’
Inter Milan face Manchester City in the final of the Champions League on Saturday, and the heavy underdogs will be looking to break Italy’s run of final defeats.
