Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Our Senegalese Sarr

> Ismaïla Sarr became the club’s third signing of the 2024/25 summer transfer window after joining on a five-year deal from Olympique de Marseille.

The 26-year-old attacker possesses plenty of experience of English football, having spent four years at Watford – recording 34 goals and 22 assists in 131 games – prior to joining Marseille, whom he helped reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season.

Sarr's career began in French football with Metz, before moving to Rennes and leading the club into Europe, as well as winning their first Coupe de France in almost half a century.

At international level, he has been a mainstay of the Senegal national side, earning 64 caps, scoring 13 goals and winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.

His career has also been defined by his eye for the spectacular, having won Goal of the Season awards in both the Football League and the Europa League.

Sarr was ever-present in every Premier League matchday squad in his first season at the club, playing in all 38 games, while also featuring in a further nine cup games. He scored 11 goals across all competitions, with eight additional assists - including a stunning effort against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and a brace against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final.

2022/23, Watford (v West Bromwich Albion)

EFL Goal of the Season

Watford, 2020/21

Player of the Season

Players' Player of the Season

2018/19, Rennes (v Jablonec)

UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season

December 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Sarr

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

UEFA Conference League Match highlights: Zrinjski Mostar 1-1 Crystal Palace 

Sarr Previews Burnley

All Angles of Ismaïla Sarr's Goal v Brighton

The Full 90: Brighton v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Extended Highlights: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace | Palace TV +

Match Action: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace

Strand Larsen presents Sarr with Premier League Man of the Match

Ismaïla Sarr Returns From AFCON

Pre-match Press Conference | RC Strasbourg (A)

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar | Palace TV+

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v AZ Alkmaar | Palace TV+

Sarr wins October's Goal of the Month

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Goal of the month contenders | October 2025

Extended Highlights: Liverpool 0-3 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

- **[Read the Manager's pre-match team news update here](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/team-news-update-on-lacroix-ahead-of-play-off-second-leg/).**
- **[Tickets available for Thursday night's second leg](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/tickets/crystal-palace-zrinjski-mostar-ticket-details-february-2026/).**
- **[How to watch & follow the second leg at Selhurst Park](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/information/tv-information-how-to-follow-our-home-leg-vs-zrinjski-mostar/).**

Palace would face Mainz 05 or AEK Larnaca in the next round should the Eagles progress, with a draw to follow on Friday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday Oliver Glasner said that the teams’ immediate focus was on respecting Zrinjski Mostar with the Manager stating that his team will need to produce a more balanced performance to progress.

**Read on below for the key talking points!**

Pre-match Press Conference: Zrinjski Mostar (H)

#### **On how togetherness will make a difference:**

I think that’s what we need [when asked if Selhurst Park can be a fortress]. Having this spirit of togetherness.

And everybody supporting everyone, on and off the pitch. I think this is the foundation for success at every football club.

#### **On the recent good mood and our opponents:**

It’s a good mood [at the training ground] Of course the win against Wolves had helped, but the players are very positive. They are doing such a great job.

Now we’re still playing European football tomorrow, and of course, we want to win at Selhurst and then go into the next round.

But I have – and we all have – big respect for Zrinjski Mostar. They showed they are difficult to play against, very well-organised. They are very aggressive in their formation, and always ready to make good transitions.

It will be a good challenge and test tomorrow.

#### **On respecting Zrinjski:**

I always say we want to win every competition we can enter, but it makes no sense to talk about it now.

It was the same in the FA Cup last year when we played Doncaster [in the fourth round] I didn’t talk about the final at Wembley. We just talked about a Monday night game against Doncaster with all the respect – and it was a tough win there.

We took it game by game, I think that’s the best thing to do.

Yesterday, I watched Inter Milan against Bodo/Glimt. Inter lead Serie A by nine or ten points. Last year they played the Champions League final – but here they lost.

So it makes no sense talking about the final.

#### **On what Palace need to improve on from the first leg:**

We need a better balance in our game, not allowing so many transitions and we need more runs in-behind to threaten them, even though it looks like sometimes there’s not a lot of space.

If we can get the ball in-behind, then we’ll get the game around their box and then we can score goals.

Sometimes we take too much risk. But it’s because the players want to score, they want to break the deep block, and they want to take responsibility. But we want better structure behind the ball, especially.

#### **On preparation if a penalty shootout is required:**

The first goal is to avoid extra-time and penalties, be a clear winner in 90 minutes. We never trained specifically for this, not before the Community Shield.

Always during the year [in training] if the game is tied at the end we’ll do penalty shootouts. It’s the same.

It’s about who feels they have had a good game, who’s confident. Then we pick.

I just know one thing. Definitely if Justin Devenny is on the pitch and we need it, he will take one! He’s taken such amazing penalties.

So if he’s on the pitch and we need it, he’ll take one.

### **Match Details**

**Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar**

- **Thursday, 26th February**
- **20:00 GMT**
- **Selhurst Park**
- **UEFA Conference League play-off round, second leg**
- **[Tickets available to purchase here](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/969?position=3&utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStoryMostarTickets040226).**

Crystal Palace are looking to make history on Thursday (20:00 GMT) and reach the last 16 of a European competition for the first time, when hosting Zrinjski Mostar in our UEFA Conference League play-off second leg.

Glasner's pre-Zrinjski press conference: The key talking points

Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar (2026-02-26)

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Premier League

Crystal Palace

Last Match

Zrinjski Mostar

UEFA Conference League

Next Match

Shop Palace Shirts

The defender came off in the Eagles’ 1-1 draw in Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, and missed the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, with an adductor injury.

Asked whether Lacroix could return for the second leg on Thursday evening (26th February, 20:00 GMT) – for which [tickets remain on sale](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/tickets/crystal-palace-zrinjski-mostar-ticket-details-february-2026/) – Glasner told his pre-match press conference: “There is still a small question mark with Maxence.

“He trained the session [today, Wednesday]. In a few situations he could feel a little bit of weariness, but he looks okay. We now have little more than 30 hours [to kick-off], with treatment and everything…

“All others are fine – so nobody returns, but also nobody [new] is injured.”

On forward **Eddie Nketiah,** Glasner added: “I mentioned it [last week]: Eddie had a setback and it will take him now a few more weeks.

“We are now at the end of February. We expect him back in training… I think it will be the end of March, but because we don’t have games, it looks like it will be April [on the pitch].”

For me the best preparation is confidence and a good performance

Having already played 41 times in all competitions, counting both domestic and European fixtures – and with the prospect of potentially 19 more matches ahead of them, in the event Palace progress all the way to the final of the competition – Glasner was asked whether he would prioritise the Conference League.

“We haven’t done this last year with the FA Cup,” the Manager pointed out. “Everybody was surprised when we played our best team three days before the semi-final, we played at the Emirates and we played the best team, because for me the best preparation is confidence and a good performance.

“Right now it’s always that we have a tight period, but then we have a lot of time to rest. For example, right now we have at least a few weeks at the end of March because the City game was moved before the international break, then it’s the international break, and then there’s an FA Cup round, so that means if we are still in Europe, we have three weeks, and everything between three and four weeks can happen that we don’t have a competitive game.

“It’s always a tight and then we have time to rest, and then I don’t see any problem. It was more in autumn, when we played consistently for 10 or 12 weeks every third day, we had to rotate a little bit more.

“But now, the players are fit, and that’s why we will play always the best team in both competitions.”

### Match Details

**Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar**

- Thursday, 26th February
- 20:00 GMT
- Selhurst Park
- UEFA Conference League play-off round, second leg
- [Tickets available to purchase here](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/969?position=3&utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStoryMostarTickets040226).

Oliver Glasner says Maxence Lacroix will need a late assessment of his fitness ahead of Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League play-off round second leg at home to Zrinjski Mostar.

Team News: Update on Lacroix ahead of play-off second leg

Having claimed the FA Cup and FA Community Shield at Wembley last year with Palace, the No. 7 struck his 11th club goal of the season in all competitions in the Eagles' first-leg draw away to Zrinjski Mostar last week.

His fine first-time finish from Jørgen Strand Larsen's lay-off was the club's first-ever goal in the knockout rounds of a major European competition – another piece of history for a perennial winner.

With **[tickets still available for the second leg](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/969?position=3&utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStoryMostarTickets040226)** at Selhurst Park this Thursday (26th February, 20:00 GMT kick-off) – the UEFA Conference League play-off tie is finely poised at 1-1, and every voice could make a difference – Sarr has set his sights on further glory in red and blue at this season's culmination.

“I think this team is ready to win this trophy,” he recently **[told the Palace matchday programme](https://shop.cpfc.co.uk/giftssouvenirs/souvenirs/programmes/6825_wolves-2526-match-programme.html)**. “Of course, we will take it game by game. 

“But it’s our first time in Europe. There is no pressure and everyone will be doing everything to fight and move forward [in the competition]. 

“We’ll take it game-by-game and see how it goes until the end.”

Going into the tournament, Sarr was one of the handful of Eagles who had previously competed in European competition. 

It is a stage Sarr's strengths have always excelled on. For Rennes, he scored four and created another three in the 2018/19 Europa League campaign, helping his side to the last 16.

It was a similar story during his time at Marseille, with five goal contributions in just 10 games in 2023/24.

"I have always enjoyed it,” Sarr added. “You feel it is a big occasion. When you’re playing in Europe, it feels very different to the Premier League or a domestic league. 

“I feel the need to play well. And you have to play together as a team in Europe or you will lose. 

“It’s a cup competition so you can’t make mistakes. Every game, there is the need to win. 

“Now we have a play-off [against Zrinjski], so let’s win and take that first step. 

“European competition always feels different. I’ve just been fortunate that I’ve been able to get so many goals in those games.”

Sarr knows only too well the route to glory isn’t always plain sailing. 

An injury picked up in the weeks before the African Cup of Nations put his participation in the finals in severe doubt. Even for a squad containing the quality of Sadio Mané, Nicolas Jackson and Kalidou Koulibaly, the loss of Sarr would have been a big blow. 

Fortunately, he returned in time for the group stages and helped Senegal progress to the knockouts. From there, they beat Sudan, Mali and Egypt to set up a titanic clash with hosts Morocco in the final in Rabat. 

Gripping the football world, it was a chaotic contest involving the Senegal players temporarily walking off, Sarr having a goal controversially ruled out and – eventually – a dramatic win in extra-time. 

But at the end of the evening, Sarr and his international teammates were able to lift the trophy high into the night sky. 

“It wasn’t easy,” he says, reflecting on becoming African champions for the second time. “It was a tough competition. But it was a very special to come back (to the team here) after winning the trophy.

“Winning that final meant it was worth it.”

On his return to the Palace training ground, with his winner’s medal proudly around his neck, Sarr was given a guard of honour – a sign not only of his achievement, but the respect he has from both the staff and players. 

“I was so happy to come back and see my teammates after,” he adds. “It was incredible, the welcome I had. 

“They all wanted to welcome me, not just the players, but the staff and the whole group. 

“I was very, very proud and happy to see this. It gave me confidence to return to the club and believe I can help the team. 

“After I just wanted to get back out there and give everything for the club.”

After scoring from the spot against Nottingham Forest at the start of February, Sarr – last season the scourge of Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium – repeated the trick this year with a memorable matchwinner.

“I was very happy to have won this match,” Sarr reflects. “We needed to win because of the run we were on. 

“It was a pleasure to score the goal. Last year I was able to score two goals and get an assist. This year I scored, so it’s a fixture I’ve enjoyed.

“It’s always a game where if you win, everyone is happy. But there are a lot of matches left for us to focus on.”

Since he first arrived in South London in August 2024, only Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored more goals than Sarr in red and blue. For a player who predominantly plays out wide, his return of 23 goals is no mean feat. 

But the player himself is never satisfied. When asked about his personal aims for the rest of the campaign, his ambition is lofty. 

“Every game I play,” he reflects. “I need to score one goal or assist one – as a minimum. 

“Every time in my mind, before I step out to play, I say ‘today I will score, or today I will assist.’ “I think ‘yes, this is possible.’ So that is my aim. 

“But as a team, it is definitely to win something. In my time here, there’s still so much I would like to do for this club. We’ve already won trophies and I want more of that. 

“For me, I would also like to see Palace play in the Champions League. Why not? 

"For me that is my dream with this club.”

### Match Details

**Crystal Palace v Zrinjski Mostar**

- **Thursday, 26th February**
- **20:00 GMT**
- **Selhurst Park**
- **UEFA Conference League play-off round, second leg**
- **[Tickets available to purchase here](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/969?position=3&utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStoryMostarTickets040226).**

Ismaïla Sarr, recent Africa Cup of Nations winner with Senegal and top goalscorer in all competitions this season (with 11 goals) for Palace, turns 28 today (25th February 2025) – and certainly has plenty to celebrate.

First-team

First-team

Glasner's pre-Zrinjski press conference: The key talking points

Team News: Update on Lacroix ahead of play-off second leg

Happy birthday, Ismaïla Sarr! AFCON winner sets sights on further glory this season

Shop Palace Shirts

7Ismaïla
Sarr

First-team

First-team

Glasner's pre-Zrinjski press conference: The key talking points

Team News: Update on Lacroix ahead of play-off second leg

Happy birthday, Ismaïla Sarr! AFCON winner sets sights on further glory this season

Shop Palace Shirts

7IsmaïlaSarr

7Ismaïla
Sarr