The Eagles made history in Cyprus three weeks ago today, winning out 2-1 in extra-time to become the first English debutants in Europe to reach the quarter-finals of a continental competition since 1979.
That result set up a tie with Serie A side Fiorentina – who have reached two finals and one semi-final across the Conference League’s three seasons – and Glasner has elected to make three changes to his starting XI for the first leg in SE25 tonight.
Captain **Dean Henderson**, ill for the win in Cyprus, returns between the posts, with Walter Benítez among the substitutes tonight.
Another injured absentee that night, **Daniel Muñoz**, returns at right wing-back following the international break, in place of Brennan Johnson.
Up front, meanwhile, Jørgen Strand Larsen is suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards (with three required to trigger a one-match suspension) – meaning **Jean-Philippe Mateta** makes his first Palace start since 25th January against Chelsea.
According to competition rules, three of Palace’s starting side – Jaydee Canvot, Maxence Lacroix and Adam Wharton – could be suspended for next week’s second leg in Florence, should they pick up a booking tonight.
All yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals, and are not carried forward to the semi-finals.
Palace are the fifth English side to reach this stage of the Conference League – following Leicester City, West Ham United, Aston Villa and Chelsea – with all four previous teams having gone on to win their respective ties.
**Fiorentina** make two changes to the starting XI which scraped a 1-0 win – albeit with 10 men – away at Verona on Saturday.
**Roberto Piccoli** – who has three goals in eight Conference League games so far this season – replaces injured top scorer Moise Kean up front, whilst defender **Dodô** comes into the back line in place of Pietro Comuzzo, who drops to the bench.
The Italian side do possess a formidable historical record in this competition, however – in the Round of 16, _La Viola_ became the first club to play 50 matches in the Conference League, and they have lost just four of their 22 European quarter-final ties overall.
**Palace:** Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix, Canvot, Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Guessand, Mateta.
**Subs:** Benítez (GK), Matthews (GK), Riad, Clyne, Sosa, Cardines, Hughes, Lerma, Devenny, Pino, Johnson.
**Fiorentina:** De Gea (GK), Dodô, Pongračić, Ranieri, Gosens, Fabbian, Fagioli, Ndour, Harrison, Piccoli, Gudmundsson.
**Subs**: Leonardelli (GK), Christensen (GK), Comuzzo, Fazzini, Kospo, Mandragora, Kouadio, Braschi, Balbo, Deli, Puzzoli.