Crystal Palace Reaches First European Final Under Glasner

Key facts

• Crystal Palace reached the Conference League final.
• Oliver Glasner achieved his 50th win as Crystal Palace manager.
• Crystal Palace won the first leg against Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1.
• Ismaila Sarr is the joint-top goalscorer in the Conference League with eight goals.
• Crystal Palace has kept four successive clean sheets at Selhurst Park in the knockout phase.
• Shakhtar Donetsk last won a European trophy in the 2008-09 UEFA Cup.
• Crystal Palace will face Rayo Vallecano in the final.
• Oliver Glasner will depart Crystal Palace at the end of the season.

Historic European Berth Secured

Crystal Palace has achieved a landmark moment in its history, securing a place in the UEFA Conference League final. The London club overcame Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-final, marking their first-ever European final appearance. This triumph under manager Oliver Glasner represents a significant milestone for the club, fulfilling a long-held ambition. The path to this final has been arduous, with the team navigating challenging moments throughout the season. Glasner, speaking after the semi-final victory, highlighted the importance of unity and resilience. "This is what you can achieve if you work hard and stick together in tough moments," he stated, emphasizing that external noise had little impact on the team's internal focus. The manager's tenure, which concludes at the end of this season, has been punctuated by this historic achievement. Glasner confirmed his departure, but not before aiming to add silverware to the club's cabinet in his final match.

Glasner's Milestone and Final Ambitions

The semi-final victory over Shakhtar Donetsk marked Oliver Glasner's 50th win as Crystal Palace manager. This personal milestone underscores his impact during his time at the helm. The Austrian coach has now guided the club to a European final, a feat that seemed distant to many, including the club's chairman, Steve Parish. Glasner reflected on conversations with Parish, recalling a discussion about the unlikelihood of reaching a European semi-final at Selhurst Park. "Do you ever think we would be playing in the semi-final of a European competition at Selhurst Park?" he asked, to which the chairman admitted he had not. With the final approaching, Glasner expressed his determination to secure a trophy in his last game. "You always want your last game to be for something, for silverware," he said. "I promise that we will give everything we have to bring it back to Selhurst."

Sealing Progress Against Shakhtar Donetsk

Crystal Palace entered the second leg of their semi-final with a commanding 3-1 lead from the first match against Shakhtar Donetsk. The team's performance demonstrated a strong mentality, with players continuing to play even after being fouled, a characteristic Glasner praised as embodying the dream of being a footballer. Ismaila Sarr, Daichi Kamada, and Jorgen Strand Larsen were among the goalscorers in the first leg. Sarr's early strike was his eighth in the Conference League this season, placing him as the joint-top scorer in the competition. This attacking prowess has been crucial in their European campaign. Defensively, Crystal Palace has been formidable at Selhurst Park during the knockout stages, aiming for a fourth consecutive clean sheet. Their previous home fixture saw them defeat Fiorentina 3-0 in the quarter-finals, showcasing their ability to shut out opponents on home soil.

Shakhtar's European Aspirations Halted

For Shakhtar Donetsk, this semi-final exit represents a significant setback in their pursuit of European glory. The Ukrainian side has been in strong domestic form, leading their league by 10 points after a 2-1 victory against Dynamo Kiev. However, their European campaign has now been curtailed. Shakhtar's last European trophy came in the 2008-09 UEFA Cup. The club would have been eager to add to their silverware cabinet, but conceding a two-goal deficit in the tie proved too substantial an obstacle. Manager Arda Turan will be concerned by his team's defensive record, having kept only one clean sheet in their last seven matches when trailing by two goals. Furthermore, Shakhtar's record against English opposition has been poor. They have not defeated an English club since a 2-1 win over Manchester City in the 2017-18 Champions League, a statistic that likely weighed on their performance against Palace.

Looking Ahead to the Final Showdown

Crystal Palace now turns its attention to the Conference League final, where they will face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. The team has three weeks to prepare for this significant encounter, which represents the culmination of their European journey this season. Glasner indicated that the team would be analysing their upcoming opponents thoroughly. Rayo Vallecano is described as a "very good team," suggesting that Palace will face a stern test in their quest for silverware. The manager's focus will be on ensuring his squad is prepared to give their all in what promises to be a memorable occasion. While Crystal Palace still has the opportunity to secure European qualification through the Premier League, the Conference League final has clearly become the priority. The club's strong performances in this competition have overshadowed their domestic form, which has seen them lose three of their last five games, including a recent 3-0 defeat at Bournemouth.

The bottom line

• Crystal Palace will compete in their first-ever European final.
• Manager Oliver Glasner achieved his 50th win and aims to win a trophy in his final game.
• Ismaila Sarr's eight goals make him a joint-top scorer in the Conference League.
• Shakhtar Donetsk's European aspirations were ended by the semi-final defeat.
• Crystal Palace will face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final.
• The club's focus has shifted to European success despite recent domestic setbacks.