Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina: Match report
Well, that was comprehensive.
lol | Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Pre-match Oliver Glasner trotted out his expected top XI. Paolo Vanoli, on the other hand, was without Moise Kean, Manor Solomon, Fabiano Parisi, and Niccolò Fortini but did get Dodô and Rolando Mandragora back from injury. Despite the absences, though, the visiting fans were in fine form, showing up over 1000 strong to help fill up Selhurst Park.
FIIIIIRENZE! 🏴☠️🟣 #CrystalPalaceFiorentina #ConferenceLeague #UltrasItalia pic. twitter.
com/mjfmdfBTjG — Fiorentina Uno (@FiorentinaUno) April 9, 2026 First half Crystal Palace took control early and never really relinquished it, keeping the ball at the back and probing down the wings to test Fiorentina’s fullbacks, who were both found wanting. The difference in physical ability was most notable to me: the hosts were stronger and faster, likely aided by a 3-week layoff that left them much fresher than the visitors, who were more than a bit ragged. There were warning signs as Evan Guessand and Daniel Muñoz both created problems and sure enough, it was Dodô who gave away a senseless penalty with a late slide on Guessand after the Ivorian had completely biffed a shot.
The absolutely massive Jean-Philippe Mateta slotted home the spot kick for his first goal in 4 months. View Link Sensing weakness, Palace ramped up the intensity and kept pushing, forcing de Gea into action. The goalkeeper did well, too, on the inevitable second goal.
Continue to the original source for the full article.