Tonight’s UEFA Europa Conference League final showdown at Slavia Prague’s Eden Stadium has all the ingredients for a classic game of high-stakes wits between David Moyes and his counterpart, Vincenzo Italiano as their evenly-matched sides go head-to-head in the Czech Republic capital.
“I’m fortunate, privileged and thankful to have been given the opportunity to get onto a stage like this,” said the Hammers boss ahead of the pinnacle of his 1100-match managerial career, to date.
“There will be two different cultures – British and Italian – but I’ve got every faith in my team and we’re committed to winning the game.
“An Italian opponent is always going to be difficult and we have to respect that, but our record in Europe over the past two years has been good and we’re looking to continue that against Fiorentina.
“Having come close in the UEFA Europa League last year, I’m really hoping that we’ve learnt the lessons from that semi-final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt.
“Already, we’ve gone a step further this season and it’s such a great achievement to be here in Prague for the Conference League final.
“We’ve got 56 games under our belts so far this season and, having kept our heads above water in the Premier League, our sole focus now has to be on securing a victory in the game tonight.”
As for his opposite number Italiano, Moyes added: “Their manager has done a good job.
“Fiorentina have put some impressive form together since the World Cup break and they reached the Coppa Italia final this season, too.
“We know we need to find a way to win this final and my players have to keep their motivation and continue to show that qualities that have got this far – inspiration, determination, commitment and attitude.
“Nowadays, longevity as a manager is really difficult because so many good young coaches are coming through, but with over 1,000 games in charge – and some 650 matches in the Premier League alone – I’ve had a really good career.
“This, though, has to be my biggest moment,” concluded the 60-year-old with his eyes firmly fixed on lifting that richly-coveted Prague prize.
“We’ve done all of our strategic planning and have asked all the usual questions of ourselves. How are we going to play? And how can we pose the opposition problems?
“We’ve got our Plan A but – depending on how the game’s going – if necessary, we also need to be prepared with our Plan B, Plan C.
“But as I’ve said, most importantly, we’ve got to do the things that have got us here in the first place. “
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