Dean Henderson described the atmosphere at Crystal Palace’s home match against Italian side Fiorentina as ‘incredible’ as the Eagles look ahead to their Conference League semi-final.
Dean Henderson has described the atmosphere at Selhurst Park during Crystal Palace’s home clash with Fiorentina as ‘incredible.’
Palace welcomed the Italian side to Selhurst Park for the Conference League quarter-final first leg last month.
It was the first time Palace had ever reached the last eight of a European competition and it was that much more special to welcome in an Italian side who had reached the final of the competition on two occasions.
Palace put on a clinic that day too, winning 3-0 and going 2-0 up inside half an hour, thanks to goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell.
Ismaila Sarr then wrapped up proceedings in the 90th minute on what was an incredibly special day for the club.
But there was nobody it was more special for than captain Henderson, who got to lead his side out in a European quarter-final on home soil.
When asked which night was his favourite so far of Palace’s European campaign, it is hardly a surprise that he cites that night against the side from Florence as his favourite.
He said: “It’s got to be the Fiorentina [home] game [my favourite European night.]
“Obviously, the first win against Dynamo Kyiv [in October] as well - that was a special evening.
“The AZ Alkmaar game at home was special because we had to win that game to get back on track.
“But no, I think the Fiorentina game certainly takes it.
“Everyone really locked in and really made it a special night.
“The atmosphere was a twelfth man, and that was when we really felt that it was something special.
“It was incredible, the effort the fans went to - as soon as you walk out to that, you know you've got a great chance of winning.”
It will be an encouraging thing to hear for Palace fans, who intend to do the exact same thing for the semi-final next week at Selhurst Park.
First though, the Eagles, led by Henderson, must ensure that they are in the match against a Shakhtar team who defeat AZ Alkmaar 5-2 on aggregate in their quarter-final.
The match will be played in Krakow, which has been Shakhtar’s designated home stadium in the Conference League due to the war in Ukraine.
Henderson and Palace fans will be hoping they can navigate past their opponents in Poland and come back for one last special night at Selhurst Park, before heading to Leipzig for the final.