Crystal Palace are on their way to Leipzig.
Two resounding victories home and away against an impressive Shakhtar Donetsk side have fired them into the final of the UEFA Conference League, where they will face Rayo Vallecano.
It is a remarkable feat for the South London club’s debut European campaign, which was marred by Palace’s demotion from the Europa League for breaching the competition’s multi-club ownership rules.
Yeremy Pino thought he had taken the lead for Palace just ten minutes into the game, but his strike was ruled out for a tight offside after a VAR check.
The customary derogatory chants towards UEFA, Evangelos Marinakis and John Textor ensued. Any perceived injustice in this competition holds additional weight among Palace fans after the summer saga.
Palace were not to be held back for long. The ever-lively Daniel Munoz pounced on the rebound of Adam Wharton’s lashing strike, forcing an own goal from Pedrinho.
Shakhtar’s quick interplay caused constant problems over the course of the tie, and the Ukrainian side responded soon after with a goal of their own.
Eguinaldo, who was Shakhtar’s best player yet again, finished brilliantly into the top-left corner of Dean Henderson’s goal after a well-worked passage of play on the edge of the box. The Palace goalkeeper didn’t even move.
Just for a moment, doubts may have crept around Selhurst Park.
But Ismaila Sarr had other ideas.
Early into the second half, Palace’s player of the tournament popped up in the right place at the right time again for the Eagles, finishing a low Tyrick Mitchell cross.
It was a mature performance from Oliver Glasner’s side – one that exemplified all the praise they’ve received in the last two years under his management.
A first European trophy – and a chance for justice at last – awaits.
Super Sarr
He just keeps getting better and better. Sarr has scored nine goals in Palace’s European campaign, and – barring something extraordinary from Rayo Vallecano’s Alemão – will end it as winner of the Golden Boot.
This achievement is all the more impressive given that his season was disrupted by AFCON, missing over a month of club football, and Palace’s European games against Shelbourne and KuPS.
Palace have been fairly criticised for underperforming their xG, but it is thanks to Sarr that their record isn’t even worse.
The Senegalese international’s nine goals exceed his 8.02 xG, offering a much-needed ruthlessness. His finish on Thursday was a poacher’s goal; the kind that has been missing from the Eagles’ repertoire.
His powerful driving runs carved through Shakhtar’s midfield on several occasions, allowing Palace to transition from defending under pressure into counterattacks.
Sarr has starred in the right #10 role in Glasner’s system, achieving the best form of his career under the Austrian’s management.
He now has the opportunity to pay Palace’s boss back with the ultimate parting gift in Leipzig.
Wonderful wingbacks
Just two weeks ago, Glasner spoke about the quality and complementarity of his wing-back pairing, describing Tyrick Mitchell as “one of the best defenders in the wingback position” and Munoz as “maybe one of the most attacking wingbacks”.
Both players proved him right on Thursday night.
Munoz has struggled to find the fitness and form that preceded his knee injury in December, but has started to make those familiar runs in behind opposition defences again.
His trademark tenacity and anticipation forced Palace’s first goal on the night, alleviating the pressure on the Eagles.
The Colombian loves playing against Ukrainian teams – his first and only European goal came against Dynamo Kyiv in Palace’s maiden trip abroad.
Although Munoz is typically quiet in the early phase of attacks, his quick interplay with Sarr helped Palace to play out from the back with more intensity than usual.
His recent performances have been reminiscent of the player who almost single-handedly enabled the transition to Glasner’s back five system two years ago.
It feels like he is back to his best, and not a moment too soon.
On the other flank, Tyrick Mitchell offered a performance that would not look out of place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup side this summer.
Shakhtar’s starting right winger, Alisson Santana, had no joy against the Palace academy graduate, and was tactically withdrawn at half-time. His replacement Isaaqe saw no greater success.
The 26-year-old was tidy on the ball, and not afraid to dribble past or around players with success. He has added this new dimension to his game this season.
Mitchell became an attacking outlet for the Eagles in the second half, capitalising on the space left behind by Shakhtar as they chased the game.
It was from this position that he sent a low cross into the path of Ismaila Sarr for Palace’s winning goal – a deserved reward after a truly complete performance.
Mitchell is close to reaching 250 senior appearances, and has the fourth-most Premier League minutes played of any left-back still active in the competition. He is now an experienced defender with a proven European pedigree.
His quality, consistency, and continued development are asking all the right questions of Tuchel.
Perhaps a European trophy could answer the England boss's questions for good.
Pino's potential
Yeremy Pino has had a mixed first season in South London, but his display on Thursday night exemplified his potential.
His disallowed goal was excellently taken, drifting in behind and controlling Mateta’s flick on with his head (not a dissimilar technique to the build-up to Sarr’s early goal last week), before finishing sweetly into the bottom-left corner.
It was a goal of real class, and unfortunate to be disallowed. However, Pino did not let this setback harm his contribution.
The Spanish international did well in the buildup to Palace’s opener, receiving the ball in space from Adam Wharton and spreading the ball wide to Munoz.
Pino, who at times has struggled to protect the ball against physical opposition, used his body smartly to win fouls, and looked more comfortable against Shakhtar’s young Brazilians.
Perhaps his best work came out of possession – his relentless pressing was mentioned by both Glasner and Shakhtar manager Arda Turan after the game.
It is no wonder he was so exhausted when he was substituted, and deserved the widespread applause he received from the Selhurst faithful.
