Oliver Glasner claimed he predicted Ismaila Sarr to have a strong impact for Crystal Palace this season as they progressed into the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
Sarr’s brace secured a 2-1 win over nine-man AEK Larnaca after extra time, with the winger also striking the post twice in their second-leg victory in Cyprus.
Sarr attempted 13 shots in the match, the highest total for a player in the 2025-26 Conference League, and accounted for 1.51 of Palace’s 3.18 xG.
The Senegal international has now scored 15 goals in all competitions for Palace this season, already surpassing his total of 12 from last term.
However, that does not come as a surprise to Glasner, who praised Sarr’s impact following their win in Europe.
“It’s a great season. Honestly, I’m not really surprised. I predicted it before the season,” said the Eagles boss.
“He had a great season last year without pre-season, without being in a rhythm. He started slow, which was completely normal.
“He wasn’t allowed to train at Marseille. He wasn’t allowed to play at Marseille. Then, he showed how good he is.
“Now he knows exactly how we want to play. He knows where to move, where to run. He’s in the pocket. He makes runs in behind. He always gets his chances in there. He has the confidence to score.
“He’s in fantastic shape and it’s great for us to have him.”
1979 – @CPFC are the first English team to reach the quarter-finals in their first ever campaign in a major UEFA competition since Nottingham Forest in 1978-79, who went on to win the European Cup that year. Omen. pic.twitter.com/mZjiEJuaRx
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 19, 2026
Palace are the first English team to reach the quarter-finals in their first ever campaign in a major UEFA competition since Nottingham Forest in 1978-79, who went on to win the European Cup that year.
Despite the victory, Glasner insisted his side must learn from their difficulties if they are to go further in the competition, with Serie A outfit Fiorentina up next.
“I was pleased with many parts, but at the end, what we are missing, when we have the lead, is not giving them anything,” added Glasner.
“That’s important, but this is what we have to learn from this. Let’s say in the Premier League, you have 38 games, but in the European competition, you have two. You can’t allow it because then you could be out.
“This is what we will learn, what the players will definitely learn. All these experiences will help us. Now, we are looking forward to the game against Fiorentina.”
