- Crystal Palace face Fiorentina
- Yeremy Pino named on the bench
- Eagles fans hoped to see him start
Crystal Palace fans wanted to see Yeremy Pino start their Europa Conference League quarter-final first-leg encounter with Fiorentina tonight. The Spanish attacker was named on the bench for the clash at Selhurst Park.
Pino has endured a difficult start to his Palace career, unable to live up to expectations. He arrived from Villarreal last summer in a £26m deal, having flourished in La Liga.
The 23-year-old has appeared 39 times across competitions, posting five goals and four assists. He has started five of eight Conference League games but will settle for a place on the bench tonight.
Crystal Palace XI vs Fiorentina
Glasner has instead opted for Evann Guessand on the left wing amid the Aston Villa loanee’s fine form since joining the club in January. The Ivorian plays alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta who starts up top for the first time since failing a medical ahead of a proposed move to AC Milan.
Jorgen Strand Larsen is suspended, giving Mateta a chance to prove to fans that he’s still committed and can help fire the Eagles to Conference League glory. He might have joy against a Fiorentina defence that have struggled this season.
Ismaila Sarr continues on the right, and he’s been the standout performer for the South Londoners. The Senegalese winger sits on five goals in eight Conference League games.
Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada are in midfield, while Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell are at wing-back. Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix and Jaydee Canvot are in central defence in front of Dean Henderson, who returns to the sticks after a spell out with illness.
Pino ‘Deserves a Start’
While the consensus was that Glasner’s team was strong enough to take advantage in the tie, there are some who felt Pino deserved to start.
That was the verdict of one fan who wrote on X: “Had to start Pino.”
Another wrote: “No pino (broken heart).”
One fan replied: No Pino fawk.”
Another added: “Pino deserves a start after larnaca. Strong team, have to win.”
One wrote: “Would of actually started Pino.”
Pino is instead on the bench and will be chomping at the bit to make an impact if introduced. It’s the biggest game of Palace’s season thus far and taking a lead to Italy next week is crucial.
Fiorentina boss Paolo Vanoli reckons the Eagles are favourites to win the Conference League. It’s up to Glasner’s men to prove why.
