Crystal Palace cruised to a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the UEFA Europa Conference League, and one of Oliver Glasner’s men has earned rave reviews. It was a perfect night for the Eagles, who made easy work of the visiting Italians.
Glasner opted to start Evann Guessand over Yeremy Pino, and that decision didn’t go down entirely well with fans. But Guessand played an instrumental role in the opener, forcing Dodo to bring him down in the box and winning a penalty.
Jean-Philippe Mateta stepped up and sent David de Gea the wrong way to put the hosts one-nil ahead in the 24th minute. The French frontman should have had a second seven minutes later, but was denied by the former Manchester United goalkeeper from point-blank range.
Tyrick Mitchell pounced, finding the back of the net to make it two and send the Holmesdale End into ecstasy. Other than a slight scare when Giovanni Fabbian hit the bar in the second half, Glasner’s men dominated proceedings.
They added a third in the 90th minute when Ismaila Sarr headed home to continue his incredible season. The Senegalese winger has now scored 16th goal of the campaign.
Pino Point Proven
While Pino didn’t start tonight’s game, he certainly made an impact off the bench. The Spanish attacker entered the fray in the 66th minute and didn’t put a foot wrong.
The 23-year-old’s 25-minute cameo appearance reminded Glasner just how talented he is. He made one key pass, found his man with all 17 passes, completed two of three dribble attempts and won four of five ground duels.
It’s been a tough start to life in South London for Pino, who arrived from Villarreal last summer in a £26m deal. But there have been glimpses of promise, and tonight he caught the eye every time he got on the ball.
Pino will be eager to soon reclaim a starting berth in Glasner’s team having dropped down the pecking order earlier this season. He’s made 42 appearances across competitions, posting five goals and as many assists.
‘Watching Pino or Messi?’ – Fans in Awe
Pino’s exploits didn’t go unnoticed by Palace fans, who were wowed by his showing against Fiorentina. He earned massive praise from supporters online.
One fan wrote on X:
“That Pino cameo was sensational.”
The Palace Way wrote: “This Yeremy Pino cameo btw. Done everything right.”
Another went as far as to compare the Spaniard to Lionel Messi: “AM I WATCHING PINO OR MESSI??!!”
One supporter added: “Pino was absolutely unbelievable yet again. We looked like scoring every time he got on the ball. A little more on that chip or a little more on that stretch at the end and it’s 4-0 and tie over”
That was a similar verdict of another fan: “Pino was unreal when he came on, what a performance.”
Another echoed this: “Pino absolutely fantastic when he came on again. Start him next week and maybe on Sunday as well.”
Pino will hope he’s done enough to warrant a start when Palace face Newcastle United on Sunday (April 12th). But he will almost certainly be eyeing a starting role in the second leg at Artemio Franchi Stadium next Thursday (April 16th).
