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What a time it is to be a Crystal Palace supporter. Twelve months ago, the south London club was still waiting to win their first major trophy and even the most optimistic fan could never have imagined that they would be contesting the semi-final of a European competition.
But despite a few anxious moments when a battling Fiorentina side cut the deficit from last week’s 3-0 defeat in first leg at Selhurst Park to just two goals with half an hour still to play, Oliver Glasner’s side showed their growing maturity at this level to progress to a last four showdown with Shakhtar Donetsk.
While Palace made things far more uncomfortable for themselves after Ismaïla Sarr’s early strike, even the loss of Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix to injuries before half-time could not knock them off their stride against opponents who have twice been beaten finalists in this competition and gave it their best shot.
Yet after winning the FA Cup and Community Shield, Glasner will relish the opportunity to sign off at Palace with another trophy having managed to transform his side’s fortunes in the space of a few weeks.
The Palace fans made the most of the Florentine spring sunshine in the buildup to kick-off, with a large number having travelled without tickets just to experience their first taste of an away European quarter-final.
John Salako, the former England winger who was part of the Palace team that finished third in the old First Division back in 1991 but were denied a place in Europe, was spotted enjoying himself in the Piazza del Duomo during the afternoon.
With one of the stands completely closed as part of a £160m renovation that will increase its capacity to more than 40,000 by 2029, most of the 1400 supporters lucky enough to have tickets were crammed into the far corner of this magnificent open-aired arena.
They certainly made their presence felt when the teams emerged, brandishing giant red and blue flags and letting off red flares as part of a special display organised by influential fans group the Holmesdale Fanatics.
The Fiorentina manager Paolo Vanoli once again had to make do without the Italy striker Moise Kean and he admitted beforehand that his side would have to “risk, try and dream” after last week’s disappointing result in south London. But having recovered superbly from failing to win any of their first 11 matches in Serie A since he took over in November, Glasner was taking nothing for granted.
In the absence of Evann Guessand due to a knee injury that he picked up against Newcastle at the weekend, Yéremy Pino started behind Jean-Philippe Mateta after the France striker was preferred to record signing Jørgen Strand Larsen.
Daniel Muñoz should have given Palace the perfect start but to Glasner’s frustration, the Colombian’s effort was way off target.
Fiorentina’s hopes of a famous comeback looked forlorn in the 17th minute when Palace broke rapidly and Sarr headed home Muñoz’s cross. The Senegal forward almost doubled his tally immediately, only to be thwarted by a good save from David de Gea.
Sarr then proved his worth at the other end when he headed off the line after Dean Henderson saved a shot from Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon.
But the hosts showed much more intent than in the first leg and they were given a lifeline when Jaydee Canvot was penalised for catching Rolando Mandragora in what looked like a soft decision from the Spanish referee.
To compound matters for Palace, Adam Wharton limped off clutching his groin just before Albert Gudmundsson calmly stroked home from the spot.
There was another major setback for Palace just before half-time when Lacroix came off worse than Muñoz after they collided and the France defender was unable to continue. Fiorentina smelled blood. But Henderson was equal to Solomon’s fierce drive on the stroke of half-time to maintain the three-goal advantage.
Glasner sent out Strand Larsen to warm up during half-time and the Norway striker replaced Mateta at the start of the second.
De Gea did well to save a swerving shot from Daichi Kamada but Henderson could do nothing about Cher Ndour’s piledriver from 25 yards to pull another goal back for Fiorentina.
Suddenly Palace’s makeshift defence looked shaky every time their opponents attacked. The outstanding Gudmundsson forced Henderson into another save as Fiorentina piled on the pressure just before the referee turned down appeals for another penalty with tempers becoming increasingly frayed.
Chadi Riad was showered with liquid from the stands after making far too much of a push from Ndour but Palace were able to slow the game down and Fiorentina could not re-establish their rhythm.
When Roberto Piccoli’s header sailed well over Henderson’s crossbar with nine minutes left, the visiting fans felt suitably relaxed to unveil their song about making it all the way to the final in Leipzig. Given Glasner’s track record, they will take some stopping.
