Fiorentina midfielder Rolando Mandragora has made strides since his missed opportunity that ultimately saw West Ham lift the UEFA Conference League title in 2023.
The Hammers ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy when Jarrod Bowen scored a last-minute winner to seal victory over the Serie A side in Prague.
It looked like the match was heading for extra time after Saïd Benrahma’s second-half penalty was cancelled out just seven minutes later by Giacomo Bonaventura.
With the game at 1-1, Mandragora missed a golden chance to win it for his side before Bowen’s decisive finish.
While the Hammers rejoiced at their win under then-manager David Moyes, the Italian side were still left wondering what might have been.
Mandragora was quoted by Labaro Viola last month, recalling the match. “The missed goal against West Ham is the biggest regret of my career, I always think about it and I hope I can do it again this year in the same game.
“The path to the final is long, there are many games but I work to get back there and take this revenge. I often try to score and I work to improve.”
Florence publication La Nazione, as quoted by ViolaNews, wrote today that Mandragora has not forgotten that night in Prague – but that he is now turning his fortunes around, being a “specialist in important goals.”
Recovering from a virus, he scored a crucial goal against Celje which led his team’s place in the semi-finals.
This is after his goals against teams like Vitoria Guimaraes and Panathinaikos in the competition.
