Crystal Palace

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

When the Conference League was first introduced back in 2021 there were some who questioned the value of the competition.

But it has offered many teams the chance to do something they had never done before - win a major European trophy.

There were wild scenes of celebration when Roma became the inaugural winners, while the following year West Ham claimed a dramatic last-minute success against Fiorentina to end their 43-year wait for a major trophy.

Thousands gathered in the streets of east London to welcome back the victorious Hammers, underlining how much the win meant to the club and their supporters.

Crystal Palace fans will no doubt feel the same should their side go all the way and claim yet more silverware in a memorable 12 months.

Former Eagles defender James Tomkins said on TNT Sports: "The last couple of seasons have been incredible.

"They never expected to be in a European competition a couple of seasons ago but now they are going from strength to strength in this competition.

"They will feel they can go all the way."

Despite being debutants, Palace were installed as favourites to win the Conference League at the start of the season.

It took a while for them to live up to that tag, with many of their performances in Europe looking somewhat turgid.

But their 3-0 win against Fiorentina - two-time finalists in the Conference League - showed what they are capable of.

Next up for Palace is a two-legged semi-final with Shakhtar, with Strasbourg facing Rayo Vallecano in the other tie.

"They made light work of them [Fiorentina] really, but from here on in they will expect some really tough games, there is some good quality in the competition," added Tomkins.

"The question is whether they can bring the positivity from the first leg. That was the best I've seen them for a while, the three-week break did them the world of good and they looked like the team we saw early this season and last season."

The campaign will end with manager Oliver Glasner's departure, but it could also finish with a European prize.

"Of course, that is what we all want," said the Austrian.

"We want to enjoy our life together, not just the football. The more successful you are, the more you enjoy your life.

"When you play the semi-final, you want to get it all at the end and that's what we will go for."

Read more on Palace's European run

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Crystal Palace reached the Conference League semi-finals with an aggregate win over Fiorentina.

Here are some of your comments:

Crystal Palace fans:

Steve: For 30 minutes, Palace looked in complete control, scoring an excellent Sarr goal. Then, the penalty and for the next 60 minutes they looked ragged and under a lot of pressure. The boys did well to hold out and go through to the semi-final. But it could, and should, have been so much easier. Still, they are there - in a European semi-final, which is so great for the club.

Adrian: It wasn't pretty and a couple of injuries to key players clearly not ideal, but it was a "professional" job in the second half. Poland next, Leipzig the dream.

Gavin: Palace defended well and over two legs deserved their win through to the semi-final. Sarr and Mitchell were standout performers and the team should be very pleased, as are the fans. Let's hope everyone is fit for West Ham. Can't wait for our first Euro semi-final. Come on you Eagles.

Neil: It's good for the boys' confidence that they are doing well in this competition and hopefully will be able to salvage something from a difficult season beset by losing key players and the manager having a wobbly and deciding to leave...

Al: The performance? Who cares, the Eagles are in the semi-finals of a European cup competition. COYP. We are living the dream.

Paul: Phew! A superb team goal on the break had us hoping for another win, but Fiorentina put up much more of a fight. Palace wobbled a bit, but in the end saw it out well. Let's hope the potential injuries are not too severe!

Andy: Started the game well, but the early injuries and soft penalty put us on the back foot. Pino didn't really get into the game and should have been changed at half-time. Good to see Canvot is becoming more confident in his game. Bring on the semi-final and hope players are fit for Monday.

Dave: A nice visit to Germany to see Palace win the Conference League.

England defender Joe Gomez, 28, remains a target for Crystal Palace, Brighton and AC Milan. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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Crystal Palace remain on course for a first major European trophy after beating Fiorentina over two legs in the quarter-final stages of the Conference League.

They will now face Shakhtar Donetsk in the club's first ever European semi-final.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to TNT Sports: "Quarter-final is never easy and we made it a bit tougher than it needed to be. Fiorentina got the belief back with the penalty. It was a very difficult game to manage to be honest.

"We subbed Jean-Philippe Mateta at half-time and the team showed great resilience. The team worked hard and stuck together and over the two games we deserved to play the semi-final."

On injuries to Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix: "Adam is an abductor [injury], like when he had to leave the England camp. Let's see, it doesn't look so serious but we have to assess him further. Maxence was foot-to-foot contact and then he felt his knee, the medial ligament, so let's see but it is painful.

"Unfortunately, we play in four days again, but credit to the players that came in. Today we are celebrating going to the semi-finals, it is a massive achievement for the players and for Crystal Palace and we are enjoying tonight."

On facing Shakhtar Donetsk: "I didn't watch them but I saw the line up, I think they started with six Brazilian players and I expect them to be a very technical side. We will start to prepare watching the games they have played. Of course, in between we play West Ham and Liverpool and we want to do well in the Premier League."

On whether this could be their great end to the season: "Of course, that is what we all want. We want to enjoy our life together, not just the football. The more successful you are, the more you enjoy your life. When you play the semi-final, you want to get it all at the end and that's what we will go for."

Captain Dean Henderson speaking to TNT Sports: "This is unbelievable for this football club. Sensational when you think the FA Cup last season and then to keep going and create a new chapter in the book. It's phenomenal.

"It was a tough game, really tough. 3-0 is a dangerous scoreline and you don't really know how it will go. We managed to get through so who cares."

On the fans: "They have stuck by us in the difficult times this season and hopefully we can go and deliver something really special."

On whether Palace can win the competition: "Of course, that's what the aim is. The togetherness in the group is phenomenal and at the business end of the season, we come together. We've just got to keep pushing on and build momentum."

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This has been a dream 12 months for Crystal Palace fans.

They saw their side lift their first major trophy by beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup last May and are now one game away from appearing in a historic European final.

The Palace supporters had travelled in numbers to Italy to witness the Eagles seal progression, although the party atmosphere did give way to some nervousness in the second half as Fiorentina battled back to reduce the deficit to two goals.

But ultimately Ismaila Sarr's goal in this tie - his 17th of the season - was to prove crucial in ensuring Fiorentina, runners-up in the tournament last year, were ultimately left with too much to do.

The Senegal forward has found his form in the Conference League at just the right time, with five of his seven goals in the competition having been scored since the start of February.

Palace fans, who were in excellent voice throughout Thursday night's game, will be hoping that form continues to help fire their side into the final.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea once again starts in goal for Fiorentina.

Defender Dodo misses out through suspension after he was booked in the first leg.

Fiorentina XI: De Gea, Pongracic, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens, Mandragora, Fagioli, Gudmundsson, Harrison, Solomon, Piccol.

Subs: Leonardelli, Christensen, Fazzini, Kospo, Ndour, Kouadio, Braschi, Balbo, Deli, Puzzoli, Fabbian.

Crystal Palace make one change from the side that beat Fiorentina 3-0 last week.

Evann Guessand is injured so misses out, with Yéremy Pino replacing him.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino, Mateta.

Subs: Benitez, Matthews, Clyne, Sosa, Riad, Cardines, Rodney, Lerma, Hughes, Devenny, Johnson, Strand Larsen.

There are three Europa League and Conference League fixtures involving Premier League clubs on Thursday night - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Europa League: Aston Villa v Bologna

• Europa League: Nottingham Forest v Porto - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Conference League: Fiorentina v Crystal Palace

All kick-off times 20:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentary on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Porto".

Melissa Edwards
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Conference League quarter-final second leg against Fiorentina at Artemio Franchi Stadium (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Evann Guessand is unavailable through a knee injury and is expected to be out for "a few weeks".

• Glasner added: "It's always a bad situation if we miss a player, and Evann did really well. He scored some goals and he assisted. But I think we showed, especially against Newcastle, we can replace him. And also against Fiorentina when he had to come off, Yeremy Pino had a great impact on the game. We have a better depth in the squad than we had in autumn, so that's why I think we can replace him, but of course it's a situation we don't really like."

• Striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is nearly back at full fitness after scoring a brace against Newcastle last weekend: "I'm pleased to have him back and closer to his best fitness. He's not 100 percent but he's coming closer and closer. He said 'I will work very hard to be fit and help the team to achieve their goals' and this is what he has done from day number one. Everyone at Crystal Palace likes him because he is such a lovely person, a funny person, always joking and smiling and bringing a good mood to the dressing room."

• Palace take a 3-0 lead into this second leg but Glasner said he wants his side's approach to game the same, adding: "We are here to win the game, we are not here to defend anything, we are here to win".

• When asked about the difference between Premier League and Serie A football, the Palace boss responded: "I don't watch many Italian games but for some teams it's always [about] having a very compact block and then waiting and also playing very quick forward. Whereas in England, it's sometimes more up and down, more aggressive. In Italy, it's more pressing man-to-man when they press very high. It's a good style to get pressure very high but it can make you vulnerable at the back of your defence."

• He continued: "We have to prove that there is a gap between the Premier League and Serie A because one swallow doesn't make a summer. We need a second swallow tomorrow!"

• On facing Fiorentina away from home: "Like always in Italy, I think it's a very emotional atmosphere and the Fiorentina fans will support their team. But there will be 1,400 Palace fans here loud and supporting us, and that's why I'm expecting a great European night."

• He added: "I don't expect Fiorentina to change much to be honest, because when you have a certain style of playing, you can't change it in three days. Fiorentina have been very successful in Serie A, they are unbeaten in six games now, it's difficult to create chances against them. Usually they don't have very high-scoring games in Serie A, so I was surprised we were able to score three goals and create four or five [chances]."

Got a question about Palace? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Ellie Killick
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

In February, I wrote a piece questioning whether Jean-Philippe Mateta deserved to play for Crystal Palace again. When he returned to the Selhurst Park pitch on 12 March in a 0-0 draw against AEK Larnaca, the reaction from the crowd said plenty - a chorus of boos echoed the stands, showing just how frustrated fans were with January's off-field drama.

Fast forward four weeks, things feel a lot different and our number 14 is back doing what he does best... kicking the corner flag!

In what I would argue was Palace's best performance of the Conference League campaign, Mateta reminded us exactly what he offers. His penalty against Fiorentina set us on the way to a comfortable victory and in a good position for our upcoming away leg.

In a post-match interview with TNT Sports, the Frenchman stated: "I dreamed about that for nights." Maybe being out of favour with Oliver Glasner is exactly what Mateta needed to reignite the fire in his belly.

Just three days later came Newcastle. Introduced from the bench with 25 minutes left, he completely changed the game. His late double was exactly what we had been missing and the noise around Selhurst Park was something special.

It has helped that Jorgen Strand Larsen has not found his rhythm yet, scoring three goals in 11 appearances, which has given Mateta an opportunity. I would love to see the two play together, although it seems Glasner is reluctant to move away from his preferred system.

We could be seeing another repeat of the Wilfried Zaha to Everton saga in 2019, where villain becomes club hero... and what better way to do that then helping Palace win their first ever European trophy!

Find more from Ellie Killick at Eagle Eye View, external

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Two Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.

Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.

It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.

Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?

Make your selection

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

To rotate or not to rotate? That was the question Palace fans were asking prior to the Newcastle game on Sunday. With eyes on securing a European semi-final on Thursday, possibly against his nature as a coach, Oliver Glasner made five changes to the starting line-up - one forced by injury.

The Conference League dynamic is certainly leaving players with plenty to play for in terms of places, even in the Premier League, where mid-table is a certainty.

Perhaps there was no greater beneficiary than Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was gifted the start against Fiorentina due to a suspension and had the chance to capitalise on a tiring Newcastle as a substitute.

The debate now is whether the Frenchman has already put himself back in pole position to be Glasner's starter, ahead of record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen, with his three goals in two games, albeit two from the spot. Even if it is perhaps too soon to conclude that battle either way, Palace have landed in a very strong situation up top after toiling with one available option for most of the campaign.

In a wider context, Mateta's goalscoring return to the team has added to his historical accolades. With 59 goals, he's now the 16th highest scorer in the club's history, across all competitions.

Having netted his ninth and 10th Premier League goals this season, he is now the only player other than Wilfried Zaha to have scored 10 or more goals in a top-flight season on three separate occasions. The club have only had 19 such individual tallies across the Premier League and the old First Division - those two players make up 31.5% of them.

It's unclear whether Mateta has been fully accepted back into the fold by all fans after his failed move to Serie A in January, but he has already won back the vocal majority at Selhurst Park, if Sunday was any measure.

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Crystal Palace fans

Peter: Thought Jean-Philippe Mateta was back to his best, so heartiest congrats to him. Oliver Glasner made the right changes on the hour mark, and it was most definitely a change to get a result after a European game previously. COYP.

Lee: After a great start to the season, I began to wonder how we could stretch those good results out. But like every team in this league, you have your purple patches and your lean spells. It feels a bit like last season again – that belief is back. So I'm just going to celebrate and dance to my Glitch Disco remix!

Rich: Previously been critical of Glasner's substitutions, but against Newcastle he got them spot on. Mateta, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada and Ismaila Sarr gave the side renewed energy and impetus and made it look like Newcastle were the team that had just played on Thursday evening. Fully deserved three points in front of a raucous crowd at the end.

Steve: Credit to Palace for a battling performance. So encouraging to see the team fight back from a losing position. The substitutions made such a big difference, and Mateta was like the Mateta of old. The run-in to the end of the season is looking so much brighter now.

Newcastle fans

Ritchie: Three weeks, no game, no change. The team is not a happy, harmonious team, they're not playing for Howe. Howe out, sorry. The game was insipid, pathetic, boring. We spent too much time passing backwards and sideways with zero intent. Another weekend spoiled. Feel sorry for the fans travelling to watch such dross.

• Would you stick with Howe? Tell us

Chris: Same old, same old this season. Can't blame fixture congestion for this one, and Howe has been given time on the training ground. Palace, on the other hand, played Thursday night. Poor in-game management to blame. With no mid-week fixture to consider, there is no excuse not to make subs early in the second half to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Management appear incapable of making proactive changes. Howe should have been replacing his assistants the past couple of years to keep things fresh, his loyalty will be his downfall. Such a shame if a club legend's time will end this way.

Adie: That game was just a tale of our season. Take the lead, concede and then go on to lose. Rinse and repeat. Big summer coming.

Lee: That game our season in a nutshell - take the lead and then meekly give up. Sad to say but Eddie's time has come - excuse after excuse all season and we're going to do well to end up in the top half, never mind Europe. He'll go down as a legend but his goose is cooked.

Pundits Pat Nevin and Ben Foster join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle United

• Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa

• Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham

• Chelsea 0-3 Manchester City

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Once upon a time, Oliver Glasner fretted about the limited options at his disposal as injuries ravaged his squad. Not any more.

The Crystal Palace manager turned to his impressive bench midway through the second half as he threw on Adam Wharton, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, and in doing so he changed the outcome of this game.

The trio all played their part in the turnaround, but Mateta will rightly grab the attention at the end of a memorable week for the Crystal Palace striker.

Not only did Mateta end his goal drought and produce a devastating display in the 3-0 win against Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League quarter-final on Thursday, but he followed that up with a superb cameo against Newcastle.

It summed up Crystal Palace's mentality.

It would have been easy for the Eagles to be distracted by their European adventure, but this side showed they are very much still fighting in the Premier League, too, as they look to maintain momentum and push to finish as high as they can.

No wonder Crystal Palace supporters are daring to dream.

With an eye on May's Europa Conference League final in Germany, they repeatedly chanted: "We're on our way, on our way. To Leipzig, we're on our way."

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been speaking after the win at Selhurst Park: "It's a deserved win because we applied a lot of pressure and kept believing. It was a very tight game, decided by fine margins. To get the turnaround and get the win is a lot of credit to the players. We had great impact from the bench again, which is good.

"It's not easy when you play every three days. Your energy levels are sometimes a bit low, so it helped us give some players rest. Others also did really well and worked hard. It is a boost for the players and a boost for Selhurst Park.

"It's not always easy to create momentum - and then you have to keep it and not throw it away. We are on track. We are looking forward to the last six and a half weeks."

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been speaking to Sky Sports about the performance: "We wanted that win. We are very happy to have won, especially at home as well. It means a lot that we have beaten a great team.

"We still have European football as well so this gives us a lot of energy. We have a big squad [to cope with it]. I hope we win our the next game as well."

On team-mate Tyrick Mitchell making his 200th Premier League appearance: "I'm always happy when he finds me in the box. He is my guy, I've been with him for a few years now. He is a fantastic team-mate and a machine."

Crystal Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell also spoke to Sky Sports: "It was a nice feeling. I was a bit tired towards the end, but it was nice to see the fans celebrating my 200th game. It's hard but you want to play. I'm more happy being tired than not playing."

Did you know?

• Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 31 Premier League goals at Selhurst Park, with only Wilfried Zaha netting more on home soil for Crystal Palace in the competition (32).

• Tyrick Mitchell made his 200th Premier League appearance for Crystal Palace, becoming just the fifth player in club history to hit that tally after Joel Ward (306), Wilfried Zaha (291), James McArthur (240) and Jeffrey Schlupp (220).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Crystal Palace's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Image source, BBC Sport

Record signing Jorgen Strand Larsen starts as Crystal Palace make five changes for the visit of Newcastle United.

Manager Oliver Glasner has shuffled his pack following the Eagles' 3-0 win against Fiorentina in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final tie on Thursday night.

Larsen, Brennan Johnson, Yeremy Pino, Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes all come back into the side.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Johnson, Stand-Larsen, Pino

Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Sosa, Riad, Kamada, Wharton, Devenny, Sarr, Mateta

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has also rung the changes the trip to Selhurst Park.

Howe has recalled six players after the visitors suffered a damaging Tyne-Wear derby defeat in their last game against Sunderland three weeks ago.

Tino Livramento, Malick Thiaw, Lewis Miley, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy and William Osula all return.

Newcastle XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Miley, Joelinton, Murphy, Osula, Gordon

Subs: Pope, Trippier, Wissa, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, Willock, Burn, Ramsey

Image source, BBC Sport

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Newcastle United - Listen on Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa - Listen on Sports Extra

• Sunderland v Tottenham - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Chelsea v Manchester City (16:30 BST) - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Tottenham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Manchester City".

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