History as it lives and breathes. History written but with chapters still to write. Fiorentina and Atalanta are finalists again. One in the Europa Conference League final after progressing late against Club Bruges, the other in the Coppa Italia and now Europa League finals after a triumph over Marseille.

They are the finalists. A statement of fact. A statement in and of itself. A distinguishing feature of defining eras for two coaches and their two clubs. The Viola. The Dea. Vincenzo Italiano. Gian Piero Gasperini. The ‘finalisti’. Athens on May 29 will be Italiano’s third final in three seasons at Fiorentina. Dublin will be Gasperini’s fifth in eight years with Atalanta.