Crystal Palace move into the Conference League semi-finals after eliminating Fiorentina 4-2 on aggregate, despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg in Italy, with Ismaila Sarr scoring again and Oliver Glasner now preparing the squad for a last-four clash against Shakhtar Donetsk and a busy Premier League schedule.
The second leg in Florence ended in a 2-1 loss for Crystal Palace, yet the Premier League side advanced thanks to a strong first-leg win at Selhurst Park, and the quarter-final success sets up a semi-final tie against Shakhtar Donetsk, who overcame AZ Alkmaar 5-2 across their two matches.
Crystal Palace now meet Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League semi-finals, with the opening leg scheduled for 30 April and the return match at Selhurst
Park on 7 May, and Shakhtar arrive in the last four after defeating AZ Alkmaar 5-2 on aggregate.
Glasner outlined his early thoughts on Shakhtar Donetsk ahead of the Conference League semi-finals, explaining that detailed analysis will follow but domestic duties remain important, as Crystal Palace face West Ham United and Liverpool between the two European ties and want strong Premier League results alongside progress in Europe.
To summarise Crystal Palace’s progress in the Conference League up to the semi-finals, the aggregate scores from the knockout rounds so far can be presented clearly.
Honestly, how can you not love this man? pic.twitter.com/BKfXZ2oUoqCrystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 16, 2026
Reflecting on the Fiorentina tie after reaching the Conference League semi-finals, Glasner accepted that Crystal Palace complicated the task, saying: Quarter-finals are never easy and we made it a bit tougher than it needed to be, Glasner told TNT Sports. Fiorentina got the belief back with the penalty. It was a very difficult game to manage to be honest. The team worked hard and stuck together and over the two games we deserved to play the semi-final.
Sarr’s goal in Italy continued an impressive Conference League campaign for the Crystal Palace forward heading into the semi-finals, as Sarr now has seven goals in this season’s competition, with only Marius Mouandilmadji and Mikael Ishak, both on eight, scoring more, while Sarr has 13 goals in major UEFA tournaments, matching Mamadou Niang and Dame N'Doye among Senegalese players and trailing only Sadio Mane on 31.
Crystal Palace balance Conference League semi-finals push with domestic aims
Looking ahead to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League semi-finals, the Crystal Palace manager added further detail on the coming challenge, stating: I didn't watch them but I saw the line up, I think they started with six Brazilian players, so I expect them to be a very technical side. We will start to prepare watching the games they have played. Of course, in between we play West Ham and Liverpool and we want to do well in the Premier League too.
Crystal Palace move towards the Conference League semi-finals with confidence after navigating a difficult quarter-final, supported by Sarr’s scoring form and Glasner’s structured planning, while matches against West Ham United and Liverpool will test squad depth as the club competes on two fronts, fighting for European progress and consistent Premier League performances.
