Florence is a place for relaxing in usual circumstances and some Crystal Palace fans, after a day soaking up the sun, may have been ready for a fairly routine evening.
By the time that they had their place in the final four of the Europa Conference League, however, it's fair to say the Eagles hadn't had it all their own way.
Alas, as much as Fiorentina threatened a shock comeback, Ismaila Sarr's early goal was always likely to end the majority of the pressure placed on the visitors and a trip to face Shakhtar Donetsk now awaits.
How Crystal Palace battled past Fiorentina
By the time that the full-time whistle sounded, it felt as though Crystal Palace's physio had more final-third entries than some of their own midfielders. He had plenty of work to do when the Eagles were forced to replace Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix inside the first-half.
Adam-Wharton-Crystal-Palace
If Oliver Glanser had to name two players he most needs to avoid injury ahead of this weekend's clash against West Ham United, then those two would be among the top candidates.
It's why Albert Gudmundsson's penalty in the 30th minute came as an added blow and Cher Ndou's effort in the second-half caused plenty of concern as the hosts cut Palace's lead down to 4-2 on aggregate.
Glasner is rich in experience, though. The Austrian would have expected a tough second leg against a Fiorentina side who have turned their season around in the second half of the Serie A campaign.
Even when the injuries arrived, he remained the coolest man in Florence to guide his side into the final four of the Europa Conference League and one step closer to an historic end to his tenure.
ismaila-sarr-crystal-palace
Perhaps the one criticism that the Palace boss can have is how his side failed to build on a strong start on the night.
Glasner will be the first to mention how dangerous the South Londoners can be on the counter, but that threat arguably ended when Jorgen Strand Larsen replaced Jean-Philippe Mateta at the break.
Crystal Palace's biggest underperformer vs Fiorentina
The sound of the Vengaboys is getting louder and louder for Jorgen Strand Larsen, who is facing the threat of conceding his starting spot straight back to the returning Mateta.
jorgen-strand-larsen-crystal-palace
Any rumours of January betrayal were put to bed when the Frenchman dispatched his late penalty and the awaiting corner flag to secure the winning goal against Newcastle United last weekend and that's the last thing Strand Larsen needed.
The pressure was, therefore, on when the Norwegian entered the second leg at the break in place of the Crystal Palace cult hero.
For him, however, there was no corner flag-kicking moments. Instead, there were many kicks of the turf as he took just 31 touches - fewer than Dean Henderson's 45 - and completed just eight passes.
Strand Larsen vs Fiorentina
Minutes
Goals
Touches
Pass completion
Chances created
When Fiorentina were piling on the pressure, Crystal Palace were desperate for an outlet that their £48m striker simply did not provide - highlighted by his pass completion.
It's now three goals in 12 appearances from the club-record signing, who came at a hefty fee for a player who may only be good enough to watch on from the bench for the rest of the season.
Strand-Larsen-Crystal-Palace
Strand Larsen joined with the belief that his biggest competition would be enjoying life in Milan. The reality couldn't be further from the truth, however, as he aims to silence early doubters at Crystal Palace.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner arrives at the stadium before the match Related
[Crystal Palace now in strong position to appoint "elite" 4-2-3-1 Glasner replacement](https://www.footballfancast.com/crystal-palace-appoint-andoni-iraola-oliver-glasner-replacement-manager/ "Crystal Palace now in strong position to appoint "elite" 4-2-3-1 Glasner replacement")
Oliver Glasner is set to leave this summer.