Crystal Palace will enjoy a long break after their 2-1 away victory against AEK Larnaca, until their next home game against Fiorentina, a gap of 21 days. This interval is unusual given the congested schedule this season and is the sixth longest suspension in the club's history.

Despite Crystal Palace's away victory on Friday, manager Oliver Glasner said after the match that preparations for the final stretch of the season have begun. With Premier League records potentially being broken and the team still vying for European titles, he said: "I'll first go back to my home in Austria, relax a bit in the mountains this weekend, and then start preparing for the game against Fiorentina."

"I won't put the cart before the horse and think about the next step in advance, because that would be unwise. Fiorentina is a team with a long history and a rich heritage, and it is also a traditional powerhouse in Italy. This is exactly the opponent we need to focus on preparing for right now."

“Our goal is to achieve the best possible result, but this involves more than just league performance; we are also in a very favorable position in the Premier League. With our performances improving, we are looking forward to the next two months of matches. The most important thing right now is to make the most of these three weeks and prepare for our next match at Selhurst Park against Fiorentina.”

“We will rest here for a few days, after which many players will report to their respective national teams. After the rest period, we will begin preparations and arrange a friendly match to maintain our match fitness. I expect Eddie Nketiah to return after the international break, which will help the team's overall performance. The upcoming schedule will be very tight, and hopefully our European campaign can continue.”

Image source: Internet/Crystal Palace official website