Crystal Palace Advances to Conference League Semis Despite Fiorentina Setback
Crystal Palace secured their place in the semi-finals of the Conference League despite a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina, progressing 4-2 on aggregate. Ismaila Sarr kicked off the scoring in the first half, marking his seventh goal of the European campaign and 17th of the season. The Eagles capitalized on a defensive error by Fiorentina, with Daniel Munoz providing a precise cross that Sarr converted with a powerful header, beating David de Gea. Fiorentina responded with Albert Gudmundsson’s penalty, which reduced the deficit back to three goals after Jaydee Canvot was penalized for a foul. Cher Ndour then brought the hosts level on the night shortly after halftime, intensifying the pressure on Palace. Despite the setback, Palace held firm through the second half, with key saves from goalkeeper Dean Henderson ensuring the scoreline remained unchanged. The match was marked by injury woes for Palace, as manager Oliver Glasner was forced into two first-half substitutions due to injuries to Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix. Glasner's side now prepares for a crucial last-four meeting against Shakhtar Donetsk, aiming for a spot in the final in Leipzig. The match against Fiorentina proved more challenging than anticipated, but Palace's resilience shone through, allowing them to advance despite the defeat.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-04-16