Crystal Palace qualified for the Europa Conference League quarter-finals by defeating Larnaca 2-1 on aggregate after a dramatic night that required extra time.
This was a game that had just about everything, including two red cards, a second-half penalty scare for the visitors, and ultimately Palace players stepping up when needed, as Ismaila Sarr was able to make the difference with two goals and keep their European dreams alive.
The reward is a mouth-watering quarter-final against Fiorentina. This draw will be a huge improvement in quality and a real test of Palace’s European credentials.
Sarr scored twice against Cyprus.
The Eagles started aggressively and Sarr got in behind to score the first goal after 13 minutes.
Palace moved the ball around with purpose and looked to be chasing and controlling Larnaca, but as is often the case in knockout football, control is not always comfortable and Palace were almost too comfortable.
Larnaca gained momentum and corrected their lack of concentration with a header from Enric Savolit with less than 30 minutes remaining.
The big turning point came in the second half when Savorit, already walking a disciplinary tightrope, tugged on Sarr’s shirt. The referee had no hesitation in handing out a second yellow card, reducing the Cypriot side to 10 men and giving Palace a late numerical advantage.
However, despite having the extra players, Palace struggled to find the decisive blow in normal times. Larnaca defended resolutely, slowing the tempo and frustrating the hosts enough to send the match into extra time.
However, just nine minutes into extra time, Sarr’s resistance was finally broken when, after relentless pressure, he homered from close range.
Larnaca continued to fight back in the closing stages, with the referee initially pointing out the penalty spot for Jean-Philippe Mateta’s handball. However, after 20 seconds of confusion, the referee, with help from VAR, overturned the decision.
The hosts were then reduced to nine men after Petros Ioannou was sent off following a VAR review for a tough challenge on Mateta. Still, Sarr hit the post after Larnaca’s goalkeeper counter-attacked up the pitch, but Palace were unable to finish them off.
Despite the drama, Palace’s European adventure continues.
Glassner praises ‘huge accomplishment’ of acquisition within four quarters
The Palace celebrates the continuation of the European journey
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner praised his team’s “huge achievement” in reaching the Conference League quarter-finals.
“I’m very happy. I think after scoring goals and controlling the game, it seems like some games are going to be very difficult for us… and we gave away one set piece and we didn’t defend well,” Glasner told TNT Sports.
“Obviously, the stadium and the crowd were back, so we couldn’t afford any mistakes, but I think the reaction was great and we played forward and put more pressure on us. I think we could have scored sooner. We had a lot of chances at the end, but when you have to lead by one goal, anything can happen.”
“The referee saw the set-piece and he thought it was a handball. Fortunately, it only hit JP (Jean-Philippe Mateta) in the thigh.”
“But to be in the quarter-finals of a European competition is a huge achievement for us and a huge achievement for Crystal Palace.”
Palace currently have a three-week break before the first leg against Fiorentina at Selhurst Park on April 9.
Glasner confirmed Palace will play a friendly ahead of their match against the two-time Conference League runners-up.
“The next competitive game is against Fiorentina at Selhurst Park, so I’m looking forward to it and want to make the best of these three weeks,” the Austrian said.
“We’ll have a few days off here and a lot of players will go to the national team. Then we’ll prepare and play some friendly games to keep the rhythm going. And that’s good.”
“We’re hoping that Eddie Nketiah will be back, so everyone will help us. Then it’s going to be a very tight schedule until the end of the season and hopefully our European journey continues.”
Wharton excited to face ‘big club’ Fiorentina in quarter-finals
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton says he is “thrilled” to face “big club” Fiorentina in the Conference League quarter-finals.
“It’s exciting. It’s a quarter-final in a European competition, it’s a big deal,” Wharton told TNT Sports of the match against Fiorentina, who are 16th in Serie A.
“Many of our players have never played in Europe before, neither have Crystal Palace, so it’s a great opportunity for us, the club and the fans to go to Europe.
“Fiorentina are a big club. I think most people know about them. They are a big club in Italy and it will be a big challenge for us. Hopefully we can go there and get to the next round.”
Wharton also praised Sarr for his two-goal heroics for Palace.
“He was at the top,” he said. “He’s also doing well in the Premier League.
“He’s scored a lot of goals, he’s got a lot of assists, he’s very fast. So, especially against these teams, the squad is so compact that if you can get a little bit of space at the back, having him does wonders. So we’re really happy to have him.”
Asked what Palace had learned from the European knockout tie, the England international said: “I think a big part of that is game management to not let goals get away, because if you get goals scored, it’s very difficult and they go even deeper than what they already started with.”
“And just trying to stop them from counter-attacking. In the Premier League last year, we did that quite a lot. By sitting deep and counter-attacking, we got a lot of joy out of that. And a lot of our success came from there. In this tournament, we were in possession all the time and trying to break down the low blocks. So there was a different tactical aspect of the game.”
When is the knockout stage?
Quarterfinals: April 9th and 16th
Semi-finals: April 30th and May 7th
Final: May 27th (Red Bull Arena, Leipzig)
