Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina: Is tournament pedigree enough to see Fiorentina secure a first-leg advantage in the Conference League quarter-finals?
The Eagles continue to dream as a tough challenge awaits them
It has been an underwhelming campaign for Crystal Palace in the Premier League. They are located in the bottom half of the table and are ten points ahead of the red dotted line. Flipping the page to the UEFA Europa Conference League, the Selhurst-based side has been a completely different team from what they've been portraying in their league duties.
For the first time in the club's history, Oliver Glasner's men are in the quarter-finals of a major European competition. Their journey up until this stage was far from smooth sailing. In the league phase, they fell short of an automatic knockout spot, finishing tenth with ten points to their name.
Crystal Palace have become the fifth English team to reach the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals, after Chelsea, Leicester City, West Ham United, and Aston Villa. Only Chelsea and West Ham United have lifted the prestigious silverware.
In the knockout phase play-offs, they faced the Bosnian side HSK Zrinjski Mostar. The assignment wasn't difficult as they progressed to the next stage thanks to a 3-1 aggregate triumph. AEK Larnaca were their opponents in the Round of 16. There was little to separate the two sides in the first leg, which played to a goalless draw before winning 2-1 after extra time in the return leg.
The Eagles are faced with a stern test in the last eight as they take on a side that boasts a tournament pedigree. However, they are likely to draw inspiration from their impressive run leading up to this match. They are unbeaten in their last six games (W3, D3) and have maintained a four-match unbeaten streak at Selhurst Park.
Fiorentina, underdogs? Is their strong European record being disregarded?
Fiorentina have turned the UEFA Europa Conference League into their playground. Paolo Vanoli's men are habitual quarter-finalists. This marks their fourth consecutive appearance at this stage. They have progressed beyond this stage in each of their last three editions.
The Violets also failed to finish inside the top eight as they settled for 15th place in the league phase standings. The Florence outfit survived a scare in the knockout phase play-offs against Jagiellonia. Despite cruising to a 3-0 away triumph in the first leg, a leaky defense saw them throw away that lead in the return leg, losing 3-0 at home. This forced extra time, and they got the job done, winning 2-1.
It was smooth sailing in the last 16, beating the Polish side Rakow Czestochowa 2-1 across both legs. Momentum should be on their side heading into this clash, having avoided defeat in their last six matches across all competitions, recording four wins and two draws.
Building on that strong run will be key to ending their three-match winless run against English opposition. You will have to go back to the 2014-15 season when they beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 32. Their overall record against teams from this bracket has been convincing, with six wins in their last 13 games (D3, L4).
Fiorentina are featuring in their 22nd European quarter‑final. Their form has been strong with 13 wins in their last 22 games (D5, L4). The record becomes even better considering they've won ten of their last 11 such matches.
Player to watch: Will Ismaila be a Sarr-prise Factor?
Ismaila Sarr is having a great time this season. The versatile winger has been a constant threat in the final third. He has scored 15 goals across 32 matches in all competitions. It must be pointed out that he is Crystal Palace's second top scorer in the Premier League behind Jean-Philippe Mateta (8). He has scored seven goals at an average of 0.36 goals per 90 minutes.
Sarr has thrived in the UEFA Europa Conference League and is in contention for the Golden Boot despite being three goals shy. The Senegal international has scored five goals so far and will be eager to add to that tally.
Three of those goals have come on the road, with his most recent away match against AEK Larnaca seeing him score two goals. At home, he has scored twice and will be aiming to net his third as he looks to frustrate an injury-riddled and leaky Fiorentina side.
