There is an art to navigating Europe for the first time. It is a delicate balance to capture and maintain. Enjoy the journey, savour the travels, the new venues, and the unusual opponents. Otherwise, there really is no point in qualifying in the first place. Yet, it is crucial not to lose ground in the Premier League as extra demands stretch a squad that is likely not as strong as it once was. Unexpected success often attracts the attention of bigger and wealthier rivals.
Another Palace Triumph
Oliver Glasner, who has already tasted European success with Eintracht Frankfurt, has managed this challenge skilfully. There were difficult moments in midwinter when the congested schedule and strain on the squad coincided with an open transfer window and attempts to lure players away. Those problems were probably exacerbated by his announcement of plans to leave at the end of the season. However, Palace fans spent their day at the Gtech Community Stadium singing about Leipzig in the Europa Conference League final, without worrying about relegation. This is largely down to Glasner’s managerial ability, and it is good to see him back in the good books. He may still be leaving, but he has helped the club to its most successful era, and perhaps the best is yet to come against Rayo Vallecano in Germany on Wednesday week. After losing Eberechi Eze last summer and Marc Guehi in January, and with all the uncertainty surrounding Jean-Philippe Mateta and Glasner’s imminent exit, this has been another triumph of a season.
Two Points Surrendered
Having reached the latter stages of the Conference League, this part of the season for Glasner is all about trying to keep his squad fit and fresh without losing the rhythm of competition. Unlike Tottenham last season, who abandoned the Premier League because they were safe and needed to keep key players free from injuries for the Europa League, Palace have managed to keep picking up points. At full strength, they are a very good team. They started well and should have had the points secured in the first half. Twice they led, but left Brentford with only a point. Ismaila Sarr gave them an early lead from a penalty, awarded by VAR intervention for a foul by Caoimhin Kelleher on Sarr. The visitors then hit the woodwork twice while firmly on top in the first half. Adam Wharton put them 2-1 up in the second half with a low drive through a crowd to deceive Kelleher. By the end, however, they were at full stretch, hanging on and beginning to fret about injuries. Chadi Riad hobbled off looking sore, and his replacement Chris Richards twisted an ankle in an awkward landing but managed to finish the game, albeit in obvious pain.
Missed Opportunity
Brentford fought back for a point with a header by Dango Outtara in the 88th minute after a long throw was flicked on at the near post. It was his second goal of the game, although he knew more about this one than the first, which came when Palace defender Jaydee Canvot headed a clearance onto Outtara, and it bounced back into the Palace net. The Bees summoned a strong finish, being the better team through the final half hour after Palace boss Glasner made changes. They put Dean Henderson’s goal under pressure, with Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade both going close. However, there would be no sting in the tail. Keith Andrews knew the win would have put his team into a strong position for European qualification.
Fading Bees
Brentford’s run of one win in the last nine Premier League games includes six draws. Perhaps they will reflect at the end of the season on what could have been achieved had they turned one or two of those draws into wins. As it stands, there is work to do on the last day at Liverpool if they are to step into Europe for the first time and tackle all the complications it brings. If they fall short, it should not detract from the wonders performed by Keith Andrews to be sitting in the top half of the Premier League table after the club lost its head coach, half of his staff, the captain, and two top scorers last summer.
