Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner described the club’s progress to the Europa Conference League quarterfinals as a major achievement after his side edged past AEK Larnaca thanks to an extra-time winner from Ismaïla Sarr.
Sarr’s decisive goal came in extra time against a Larnaca side reduced to nine players, sealing Palace’s place in the last eight and setting up a quarterfinal meeting with Italian club Fiorentina. The victory continues what has been a notable European campaign for Palace, who are making the most of a rare opportunity in continental competition.
Glasner, who took charge of Palace with a reputation for organizing disciplined, energetic teams in European play, highlighted both the result and the broader significance of the run. He pointed to the team’s resilience in a knockout tie that demanded patience, control, and concentration deep into extra time, even with the numerical advantage.
Although the circumstances of facing nine men might lead some to focus on what Palace did not do earlier in the match, Glasner instead emphasized the composure shown by his squad. His side continued to move the ball, create pressure, and eventually found the breakthrough through Sarr, whose goal ultimately decided the tie.
The win sends Palace into a high-profile quarterfinal against Fiorentina, one of the more established names remaining in the competition. The Italian club’s European pedigree means Palace will enter the tie as relative underdogs in terms of historical experience, but the London side have shown they can navigate tense knockout situations.
For Palace, this stage of European involvement represents a new benchmark. The club’s history has featured notable domestic moments, but extended runs in Europe have been rare. Glasner has stressed the importance of using this campaign as a platform for growth, both for the current squad and for the club’s long-term ambitions.
Sarr’s extra-time strike, meanwhile, adds another highlight to the winger’s tenure at the club. His ability to decide a match in a high-pressure moment underscores the value of attacking depth in knockout football, where one chance can define an entire tie. The goal against AEK Larnaca, secured after a demanding 120 minutes, will stand as a central memory of Palace’s European season so far.
Looking ahead to the Fiorentina quarterfinal, Glasner and his players face a significant test against a side accustomed to deep runs in European competitions. Palace will need the same discipline that carried them through in Cyprus, alongside the attacking sharpness Sarr displayed in extra time. Whatever the outcome, reaching this stage has underlined the progress the club has made under Glasner and solidified this run as one of the most notable European chapters in Crystal Palace’s history.
