Crystal Palace are now three games away from European glory.
Almost a year ago, Crystal Palace fans experienced a day they may have believed could never be surpassed.
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, their team famously defeated Manchester City to win the FA Cup – their first major trophy in the club’s 120-year professional history.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for everyone connected with the Eagles, but they now find themselves on the cusp of another historic achievement: a first major European final appearance.
In their debut season in the competition, Palace secured a Conference League semi-final clash with Shakhtar Donetsk after overcoming Italian side Fiorentina over two legs.
Despite losing the second leg 2-1 on Thursday, their 3-0 victory in the first leg at Selhurst Park ensured the fans who traveled to Italy were determined to celebrate their progress.
Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson encapsulated the prevailing sentiment, telling TNT Sports: “This is unbelievable for this football club, sensational when you think of the FA Cup last season and then to keep going and create a new chapter in the book.
“The togetherness in the group is phenomenal and at the business end of the season, we come together.
“We’ve just got to keep pushing on and build momentum.”
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When the Conference League was first introduced in 2021, its value was questioned by some.
However, it has provided numerous teams with the opportunity to achieve something unprecedented: winning a major European trophy.
Roma’s inaugural triumph sparked wild celebrations, while West Ham’s dramatic late victory against Fiorentina the following year ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy.
Thousands gathered in the streets of east London to welcome back the victorious Hammers, highlighting the significance of the win for the club and its supporters.
Palace fans will undoubtedly share that sentiment should their team go all the way and secure further silverware in what has been a memorable 12 months.
Former Crystal Palace defender James Tomkins told TNT Sports: “The last couple of seasons have been incredible.
“They never expected to be in a European competition a couple of seasons ago but now they are going from strength to strength in this competition.
“They will feel they can go all the way.”
Midway through the season, however, Palace appeared to be faltering.
Oliver Glasner, the manager who led them to their FA Cup victory, seemed poised to depart after criticizing the club’s ownership in January for “abandoning” the team.
Palace were experiencing a poor run of form at the time, causing them to drop down the table and finish 10th in their Conference League group.
On January 16, Glasner announced that he would leave at the end of the season when his contract expired – a declaration that left Palace fans concerned about the remainder of the campaign.
But following that confirmation and Glasner’s continued presence, the club’s form steadily improved. After defeating Zrinjski Mostar in their Conference League play-off, they have since overcome AEK Larnaca and now Fiorentina to reach the final four.
A key factor in their European form has been striker Ismaila Starr, who scored his seventh goal in the competition in Thursday’s 2-1 loss.
Five of those seven goals have come since February, and he has scored 17 in all competitions.
“The variety of goals he scores are key,” said ex-Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott.
“He has always scored good goals but the less glamorous ones that are equally important, he has added them to his game.”
Ismaila Sarr has scored seven goals in 10 Conference League games this season
Despite being debutants, Palace were installed as favorites to win the Conference League at the start of the season.
It took them a while to live up to that billing, with many of their European performances appearing somewhat lackluster.
However, their 3-0 victory against Fiorentina – two-time finalists in the Conference League – demonstrated their capabilities.
Next up for Palace is a two-legged semi-final against Shakhtar, with Strasbourg facing Rayo Vallecano in the other tie.
“They made light work of them [Fiorentina] really, but from here on in they will expect some really tough games, there is some good quality in the competition,” added Tomkins.
“The question is whether they can bring the positivity from the first leg. That was the best I’ve seen them for a while, the three-week break did them the world of good and they looked like the team we saw early this season and last season.”
The season will end with Glasner’s departure, but it could also end with a European prize.
“Of course, that is what we all want,” said the Austrian.
“We want to enjoy our life together, not just the football. The more successful you are, the more you enjoy your life.
“When you play the semi-final, you want to get it all at the end and that’s what we will go for.”
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