Crystal Palace progressed to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals with a 4-2 aggregate win over Fiorentina despite losing the second leg 2-1 in Florence.
Ismaila Sarr gave Palace a flying start with an early powered header, extending the visitors’ aggregate advantage following their 3-0 first-leg win at Selhurst Park. Fiorentina responded, however, and a penalty from Albert Gudmundsson after Jaydee Canvot fouled Rolando Mandragora in the box brought La Viola back into the game.
The match was disrupted by two early Palace injury substitutions. England U21 midfielder Adam Wharton limped off after 30 minutes and was replaced by Jefferson Lerma, while Maxence Lacroix was withdrawn before half-time with Chadi Riad coming on. Jean-Philippe Mateta also did not return after the break, with Jørgen Strand Larsen brought on.
Fiorentina’s Cher Ndour struck a superb long-range effort during a second-half spell of pressure, but their comeback proved insufficient to overturn the aggregate deficit. Palace held on to seal their place in the last four, where they will face Shakhtar Donetsk. Shakhtar beat AZ Alkmaar 5-2 over two legs to reach the semis, and Palace will enjoy a second-leg advantage, hosting the return at Selhurst Park on May 7 after travelling to Poland for the first leg on April 30.
Player ratings (Palace): Henderson 5, Muñoz 6, Lacroix 5, Canvot 5, Richards 6, Mitchell 6, Wharton 5, Kamada 6, Sarr 7, Mateta 5, Pino 5. Subs: Lerma 6, Hughes 6, Larsen 5, Riad 6. Player of the Match: Sarr.
Dean Henderson reflected on TNT Sports: “This is unbelievable for this football club… to keep going and write a new chapter in the book is phenomenal. The fans have stuck by us in the difficult times this season and hopefully we can deliver them something really special.”
Manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged the second-leg difficulties but felt his side deserved to reach the semi-finals. He noted the challenge of making two first-half substitutions, explained Wharton had felt pain in his adductor and revealed Lacroix suffered a medial ligament injury in his knee, though he hoped it would not be too serious. Glasner praised his team’s resilience, saying knockout football sometimes demands different skills beyond playing the best football.
Palace, who entered the competition after being demoted into the Conference League due to UEFA ownership rules, are now one of five English clubs to reach the competition’s last four alongside Chelsea, West Ham, Leicester and Aston Villa. Manager and supporters will aim to continue this historic run and challenge for the club’s first European trophy.