One week after dem hammer Fiorentina 3-0 for South London, Crystal Palace don pack bag dey go Florence to finish the job for Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg. The match go hold for Stadio Artemio Franchi on Thursday, and Palace dey carry advantage wey big pass mountain.
Fiorentina enter this tie with record wey dem never lose for quarter-final for this competition before. But now, dem need miracle to turn 3-0 deficit for back. The Italian side don reach quarter-final three times for Conference League, dem even reach final two times and semi-final three times, but dis kind comeback na new challenge for dem.
For their entire European history, Fiorentina don play 11 quarter-final ties, dem win 10. The only time dem lose na 1970 against Celtic. But dis record dey under serious threat now. Home supporters dey fear say their 56-year quarter-final unbeaten run fit end this week.
The Viola get small morale boost after dem beat Lazio 1-0 for Serie A over the weekend. That win don put dem eight points clear of relegation zone with six matches remain. But for Europe, dem need their attackers to wake up proper when Palace come visit.
Fiorentina never win against English team for their last four meetings. Dem lose three, draw one. Oliver Glasner men dey look to extend that record to five games without win.
For Palace side, dis na new experience. Dem never carry first-leg advantage this big enter European second leg before. Their performance for South London put dem for strong position, especially after Ismaila Sarr score late third goal to make their chances for semi-final better.
Sarr don show say na big player for knockout rounds. Since February start, the Senegal forward don score four of his six Conference League goals. Three of those goals come for last two rounds – two against AEK Larnaca for last-16 and one against Fiorentina for first leg.
Palace form don improve well well. Dem lose just one of their last 10 matches for all competitions. That loss na 2-1 defeat by Manchester United for early March. Before that period, between mid-December and mid-February, dem lose nine of 14 matches.
Glasner go need to use his European experience to manage the game. Palace dey carry lead this big enter European second leg for first time, and dem need to balance between wanting add more goals and protect wetin dem already get.
For injury news, Fiorentina go miss Dodo for second leg after yellow card for first match. Marin Pongracic, Pietro Comuzzo, Rolando Mandragora, Cher Ndour, Nicolo Fagioli and Albert Gudmundsson all risk one-match ban if dem get another yellow card.
Moise Kean, wey get eight Serie A goals this season, dey doubtful with calf injury. Fabiano Parisi and Niccolo Fortini also uncertain to play. Tariq Lamptey dey out completely with knee injury.
If Kean no fit play, Fiorentina go depend on Roberto Piccoli, Albert Gudmundsson and Cher Ndour for goals. All three don score three Conference League goals each this season.
For Palace side, all eyes dey on Sarr. The forward don score six times for this Conference League season. Only Samsunspor Marius Mouandilmadji and Lech Poznan Mikael Ishak (both get eight) score pass am. Four of Sarr goals come after league phase, show say na big player for important moments.
Jean-Philippe Mateta don score three goals for two games, including penalty for first leg against Fiorentina. The forward dey aim to score for three consecutive matches for first time this season.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner talk say im dey happy with Mateta form since im return from injury. “I am very pleased to have him back and getting closer to his best fitness,” Glasner say. “He is a lovely person, first of all, and he is a great football player.”
Mateta tell manager say im go work hard to help team achieve their goals, and Glasner say everybody for Crystal Palace like am because im dey always joke, smile and bring good mood to dressing room.
For Palace injury list, Eddie Nketiah dey out with thigh problem. Cheick Doucoure still long-term absentee – im never play for first team since January 2025. Evann Gueessand dey carry knock.
Possible starting lineup for Fiorentina na: De Gea; Comuzzo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Fabbian, Fagioli, Ndour; Harrison, Piccoli, Gudmundsson.
For Palace side, possible lineup na: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Pino.
The match go kick off 20:00 GMT on Thursday. Fiorentina need to score at least three goals without concede to force extra time. Palace just need avoid heavy defeat to reach their first European semi-final.
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