- Fiorentina awarded additional tickets
- Overview of Italian side’s season
- Why an injury crisis could benefit Palace
On Thursday, Crystal Palace will play in their first-ever European quarter-final when they host Italian side Fiorentina at Selhurst Park.
The fixture will mark the first time Palace have played an Italian side in a competitive fixture, with the only notable games between the South London outfit and an Italian side dating back to 1971, in the Anglo-Italian Cup, a pre-season tournament between English and Italian clubs.
Thursday’s game, according to La Nazione, is seen as a unique fixture, and perhaps the most exciting that Fiorentina have played in the last four seasons. In that time, of course, they have made two Conference League finals, losing to both Olympiacos in 2024 and West Ham in 2023.
Initially, the Italian side was allocated 1,250, but this was later increased to 1,600. The demand from the travelling supporters saw an additional 350 tickets sell out in a matter of hours, suggesting that Palace were somewhat overwhelmed by the demand from their upcoming opponents.
A difficult season for Fiorentina
La Viola have had a difficult season both domestically and in Europe, seeing a huge fall from their last campaign where they finished in sixth place. After being rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table for large parts of the campaign, they now find themselves in 15th place, with just 32 points after 31 games.
In the Conference League, they finished five places below Palace in 15th with nine points.
Facing Jagiellonia Białystok in the play-off round, Fiorentina won 5-4 on aggregate, but had to go all the way to extra time to do so.
Another Polish side, Raków Czȩstochowa, awaited in the Round of 16. This time, Paolo Vanoli’s side won 4-2 on aggregate, winning both legs 2-1, setting up a trip to South London.
Palace come into the game with a much-rested side. After the international break, FA Cup action took centre stage in England, which has awarded a three-week break to Oliver Glasner’s side. For Fiorentina, a 1-0 win over Verona in a game where La Viola created just 0.36 expected goals.
Prioritising Europe
There’s certainly quality in Fiorentina’s side at full strength; the likes of Moise Kean, Nicolò Fagioli and Rolando Mandragora, but Palace most definitely have a stronger side and will be hoping that they are able to navigate their way beyond this test and reach the Semi-Finals.
Fiorentina’s domestic struggles have seen them prioritise league fixtures over their Conference League games this season. Still well in a relegation battle, it’s difficult to predict just how strong a side Vanoli will select.
Somewhat of an injury crisis is plaguing the Fiorentina side too, with Mandragora out, as well as Dodô, Parisi, Fortini and Manor Solomon, who almost signed for Palace on deadline day in the Summer, all doubts.
