Report & Highlights: Palace hold off Fiorentina fightback to reach final four

That was the only headline that mattered after a 2-1 Fiorentina win on the night meant the Eagles won out 2-4 on aggregate, after a thoroughly entertaining quarter-final.

Ismaïla Sarr powered home an early header that gave Palace a four-goal cushion. But our mettle was tested when the hosts scored twice either side of the break.

In the end, it didn’t matter. Palace powered on for an excellent victory over both legs to tee up a European semi-final with Shakhtar Donetsk. A potential final is now just two games away.

Summary:

• Four changes for the Eagles from Sunday’s win against Newcastle, but only one from the first leg with Yéremy Pino replacing Evann Guessand.
• 3: Muñoz fires just wide after a rapid breakaway.
• 17 – GOAL: Sarr bullets a header past de Gea for his seventh Conference League goal of the season.
• 19: Sarr gets another sight of goal, but this time de Gea reacts well and keeps it out.
• 30 – GOAL: Fiorentina draw level on the night as Gudmundsson smashes home a penalty.
• 40: Lacroix is withdrawn for Riad after picking up a knock, Wharton having already departed through injury.
• HT: Fiorentina 1-1 Palace
• 46: Strand Larsen enters the action as he replaces Mateta.
• 52 – GOAL: Fiorentina get a second as Ndour hits a flying effort into the low corner.
• 70: The hosts make four substitutes in five minutes as Vanoli tries to turn the flow of the tie.
• FT: Fiorentina 2-1 Palace (2-4 aggregate)

For the decisive second leg Oliver Glasner brought Yéremy Pino back into the team, the Spain international the only change from the first meeting in South London seven days ago, replacing the injured Evann Guessand.

At the magnificent, albeit currently undergoing reconstruction, setting of the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Tuscany, Palace’s travelling support were loud and proud from the off.

And the Eagles created a great chance only a few minutes in. Daniel Muñoz made a trademark glorious run on the outside channel and was found by Ismaïla Sarr. The Colombian beat David de Gea with his first-time effort, but it whistled past the post.

Pino and Daichi Kamada were able to exploit space from the early stages, as Palace got to grips with the task, despite a hostile reception from the Viola support.

At the other end ex-Leeds man Jack Harrison looked lively, but Palace skipper Dean Henderson dealt with a couple of his dangerous crosses.

Chris Richardson then had to show a neat turn of pace to prevent Albert Gudmundsson from getting the hosts first shot away.

But any lingering worries about the tie were eased in the 17th minute. Jaydee Canvot broke forward at speed after intercepting a loose Fiorentina pass, before pushing the ball infield to Sarr. He once again picked out the rapid Muñoz on the overlap, who was able to steer in a wonderful cross.

It gave Sarr a simple task. One bullet header later and Palace were a goal clear on the night, four up on aggregate. David de Gea had no chance.

Sarr was very much a man in the mood and nearly had his second only two minutes later with a low shot after outpacing the home defence.

This time de Gea reacted and got down low to bat the ball away.

At this point Fiorentina had rarely threatened, but that changed on the 25-minute mark. Manor Solomon twice went close.

Firstly, he forced a smart reaction stop out of Henderson from just inside the box. Then he managed to connect well with the resulting corner, only for the ever-present Sarr to clear the ball and avoid any further danger.

La Viola had the chance to level only a minute later. Jaydee Canvot kicked the heel of Rolando Mandragora. Although the actual contact looked minimal, the VAR cleared the on-field decision and the hosts had a penalty.

It was difficult minute for the Eagles, with Adam Wharton also going down and requiring treatment while the home side prepared to take the spot-kick.

Jefferson Lerma replaced Wharton, before Gudmundsson sent Henderson the wrong way to get Fiorentina’s first of the tie – 1-1 on the night.

Colombian Lerma was immediately into the action, heading a Pino cross over the bar, as the game started to stretch. Pino was next to have an effort, but curled an effort wide of de Gea’s goal.

The Eagles were certainly not getting any luck with injuries in Italy. Lacroix was next to require treatment after a nasty looking knock to his right knee. He initially tried to carry on, but despite the Frenchman’s bravery, ultimately Chadi Riad was required to replace him five minutes before the break.

Solomon then forced another good save from Palace’s No. 1 but, after an open half of football, the two sides were level on the night at half-time.

Oliver Glasner introduced Jørgen Strand Larsen at the break, replacing Jean-Philippe Mateta with Palace looking to regain maximum control.

The first real moment of note in the second-half was courtesy of Kamada, who lashed a stinging right-footed shot at de Gea. The former Manchester United keeper did well to turn it behind for a corner.

Palace had gone close to taking the tie away for good, but instead it was Fiorentina who struck next.

Substitute Cher Ndour unleashed an effort from the edge of the box that gave Henderson no chance. The hosts had the tie back at 2-4 and the tie appeared in the balance.

Crucially, Palace managed to ride the storm of the next 15 minutes. Henderson was forced to save again from the lively Solomon, before Harrison managed to get a run on Mitchell, but fail to find any power in his shot. Will Hughes' introduction further helped stem the tide.

Fiorentina then withdrew one of their better performers in Gudmundsson, with La Viola making a string of substitutes for one last roll of the dice.

Piccoli headed over ten minutes from the end which gave the away end an audible boost. From that point on the Eagles could smell a semi-final.

The final minutes were seen out with minimal fuss before the whistle blew. The night wasn’t without its challenges, but ultimately Palace had too much over two legs for a team with real pedigree in this competition.

The tournament is now reaching its business end. And Palace are right in the thick of it.

We may well indeed be ‘on our way.’

Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix (Riad, 41), Canvot, Muñoz, Wharton (Lerma, 30), Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino (Hughes, 74), Mateta (Strand Larsen, 46).

Subs: Benítez (GK), Matthews (GK), Clyne, Sosa, Cardines, Rodney, Devenny, Johnson.

Fiorentina: De Gea (GK), Pongračić, Comuzzo (Kouadio, 70), Ranieri, Gosens (Balbo, 70), Mandragora, Fagioli (Ndour, 46), Solomon (Fazzini, 75), Harrison, Piccoli, Gudmundsson (Fabbian, 75).

Subs: Leonardelli (GK), Christensen (GK), Kospo, Baschi, Deli, Puzzoli.

AS IT HAPPENED