Crystal Palace's European campaign continues after Ismaila Sarr inspired a win over AEK Larnaca, who had been reduced to nine men by the end of the Conference League contest in Cyprus.
The Senegal international had opened the scoring after just 13 minutes and set the tone following last week's drab 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park, but the hosts drew level after the hour mark and dragged the two-legged tie into extra time.
This has been a topsy-turvy season for the Eagles and their manager, Oliver Glasner, who confirmed in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, when his contract expires.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner
But silverware remains on the cards for a second successive season, and it's Sarr who's leading the way.
Ismaila Sarr demonstrates importance to Crystal Palace
Fiorentina await in the last eight, but Crystal Palace will feel imperious if they can keep Sarr performing at such a prolific level. He was the difference-maker against Larnaca.
Ismaila Sarr scores for Crystal Palace
The 27-year-old is scoring goals and he's working hard in the build-up too, his brace in Europe taking his tally up to 15 goals across 32 matches in all competitions this season, also providing two assists.
He's becoming something of a talisman for Glasner's side, and right at the perfect time. Jean-Philippe Mateta has waned since pushing for a move in January, yet to return to form since bouncing back from injury. Eberechi Eze also left for Arsenal last summer, and his absence speaks for itself.
However, not all of the wide forwards carry the same weight right now, with one of Glasner's picks flattering to deceive against Larnaca. He needs to be dropped.
Glasner must drop Palace attacker
It was all smiles from the Crystal Palace squad as they left the AEK Arena with the spoils and a ticket into the next round, but Glasner will have one or two tactical quandaries on his mind after the hard-fought win in Cyprus.
Jorgen Strand Larsen and Mateta both missed glorious chances, and the former will be suspended for the first leg against Fiorentina. However, it was Evann Guessand who left the most to be desired, unable to influence the match from the attacking left flank.
Guessand arrived in south London from Aston Villa in January, on loan until the end of the season. He had struggled in the Midlands but he's made gains under Glasner's wing, scoring against Zrinskji Mostar in the first knockout phase and netting the winner from the bench against Wolves in the Premier League.
Evann Guessand for Crystal Palace
But he flattered to deceive this time in Europe, profligate in front of goal and wasteful with his passing. Guessand started this one after a poor performance in the first leg, and he was fortunate to have seen his team prevail, given his toothlessness in front of goal both home and away.
Sarr has been excellent this season, but he won't always be able to bail his attacking teammates out. In this, Guessand needs to improve, and given the impressive cameo that Yeremy Pino performed off the bench in the second half, there's a case to be made that the Ivory Coast international should be dropped against Fiorentina.
Evann Guessand vs AEK Larnaca
Stats
Minutes played
Goals
Assists
Touches
Shots (on target)
Big chances missed
Accurate passes
Chances created
Crosses
Dribbles
Recoveries
Tackles
Duels won
Guessand didn't see much of the ball in the second leg, but neither did he do much with the chances afforded to him - in fact, his 28 touches were three fewer than Walter Benitez between the sticks, emphasising how peripheral a display he had.
Pino, conversely, created three chances and attempted six dribbles across his 44 minutes of action, a livewire in extra time.
Glasner will be pleased that he has a number of options to choose from, but there's no denying that Guessand will need to do more if he is to nail down a starting berth across the remaining weeks of the season and maybe earn his keep for good at Selhurst Park.
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