Crystal Palace secured a spot in the Conference League semi-finals with a 4-2 aggregate win over Fiorentina, despite losing the second leg 2-1 in Florence. After taking an early lead through Ismaila Sarr's header, Palace saw their 3-0 first-leg advantage threatened as Fiorentina fought back with two goals. However, the Italian side's efforts were not enough to overcome the deficit, and Palace progressed to their first European semi-final, where they will face Shakhtar Donetsk.
The English club became the fifth team from their country to reach the Conference League last four. Palace's journey to the semi-finals has been remarkable, considering they were initially not supposed to participate in the competition due to UEFA ownership rules. The team has shown resilience and determination, overcoming injuries and a tough workload to achieve this milestone. Manager Oliver Glasner praised his team's performance, stating that they deserved their spot in the semi-finals despite making it tough in the second leg.
Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson also expressed his excitement, saying that the team's European dream is still alive and that they hope to deliver something special to their fans. The first leg of the semi-finals against Shakhtar Donetsk is scheduled for April 30, with the second leg taking place on May 7.