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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Paolo Vanoli, Head Coach of ACF Fiorentina, reacts during the warm up prior to the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg One match between Crystal Palace FC and ACF Fiorentina at Selhurst Park on April 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Paolo Vanoli insists ‘a goal would’ve changed the game’ for Fiorentina, who instead were crushed 3-0 by Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter-final first leg.
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The Viola are going to need something extraordinary in the second leg to turn this around, as they were swept aside 3-0 at Selhurst Park by Crystal Palace.
There were a few question marks over the penalty converted by Jean-Philippe Mateta, as Evann Guessand had already missed his chance when Dodo clattered into him, but Tyrick Mitchell bundled over the line, and Ismaila Sarr nodded in during stoppages to make it a heavy 3-0 result.
Vanoli saw Fiorentina reaction
“We knew that they were strong, both physically and technically. We had a very good approach in my view, the penalty destabilised us and we didn’t manage to keep our focus,” said Vanoli on Sky Sport Italia.
“I saw a better second half with a lot of character, a goal would’ve changed the game. When you are up against a Premier League team, you will pay for errors, and what really irritated me was conceding the last goal.”
Crystal Palace are in their first ever UEFA tournament, while Fiorentina were hoping to reach their fourth consecutive edition of the Conference League semi-final.
However, the Tuscans seemed to show absolutely none of that extra European experience this evening.
“I thought that in many ways we had a very good performance. We were up against a Premier League side and this shows us what we need to grow in future,” continued the coach.
“Now we have to focus on Serie A, because there is still work to do there to secure safety after a strong run.
“It is frustrating, because a goal would’ve kept the tie wide open.”
Fiorentina have inevitably been torn between seeing the Conference League as prestigious and also a costly distraction from the main focus, which is avoiding Serie A relegation.
“There’s no point hiding the fact it was an added problem and we have done well to balance the two until now. I would’ve liked to reach this game with a full squad at my disposal, but the second and third goals were honestly avoidable,” concluded Vanoli.
