Crystal Palace supporters are set to experience a historic occasion as around 6,000 fans are expected to travel to southern Poland for the first leg of their Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday evening. Many are dreaming of adding European silverware to the FA Cup and Community Shield already won under Oliver Glasner.
Glasner's Pragmatic Approach
Despite the excitement, Glasner remains grounded. "The road is shorter now," said the Palace manager, who has downplayed his side's chances of replicating his Europa League success with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022. "But of course when you get to this stage of the competition everybody wants to win. That is the goal, but whether we can achieve it I don't know. We have huge desire, confidence, and belief that we can win against Shakhtar Donetsk, but we also have huge respect for the team we are playing."
Overcoming Adversity
Palace's season has been turbulent. After a club-record 19-match unbeaten run, including an FA Cup final victory over Manchester City, the acrimonious departure of club captain Marc Guéhi to City in January threatened to derail their progress. Glasner confirmed he would leave at the end of the season, and a 12-match winless run followed, with suggestions he was trying to get himself sacked after accusing the board of "abandoning" him and the squad. However, both Glasner and chairman Steve Parish deserve credit for helping Palace rediscover the resolve that made history last year.
A run of eight matches unbeaten ended at Liverpool on Saturday, but Glasner has guided his side back to form at a crucial time. "I didn't fall out with the chairman – we just had some discussions," said Glasner. "If we are always hugging each other, maybe you don't get the best output. We all have the same role: playing the best possible season. The players make it easy for me because they always listen and give their best in every training session. I really love to manage this group of players."
Shakhtar's Resilience
Palace face a Shakhtar side who have lost only once in their last 23 matches. Despite being displaced from the Donbas Arena since 2014 due to the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine, they will have vociferous exiled support, with thousands of visiting fans also expected in home sections after buying tickets speculatively following their victory over Fiorentina in the last round.
The match will be played at Wisla Krakow's stadium, whose red and blue surroundings should make Palace feel at home. Glasner is wary of opponents whose manager, Arda Turan, highlighted the pride of playing for a war-torn nation. "I'm a dreamer; we can't give up our dreams, and I believe these dreams will be deeply felt by my players as well," said Turan. "There is war in Ukraine, and yet people live their lives. Every day shows that this nation never gives up."
Players Motivated to Win for Glasner
Tyrick Mitchell was Palace's only fitness concern, but the England defender has travelled and is eager to win another trophy for Glasner before he leaves. "That's one of the main reasons: winning the competition for ourselves and for the gaffer," said Mitchell. "We see every day how much effort he puts into us, how much dedication he has for us. I think that would be one of the best sendoffs: to win a competition for him and all his staff."
