Palace On Their Way To Leipzig For Conference League Final

History was well and truly made at Selhurst Park after the Eagles secured a healthy aggregate win over Shakhtar Donetsk to book a place in their very first European final.

MATCH INFORMATION

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: 31 Remi MATTHEWS, 34 Chadi RIAD, 42 Kaden RODNEY, 44 Walter BENITEZ, 55 Justin DEVENNY, 59 Rio CARDINES

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES: 8 Dmytro KRYSKIV, 16 Irakli AZAROVI, 21 Artem BONDARENKO, 29 Yehor NAZARYNA, 48 Denys TVARDOVSKYI, 49 Luca MEIRELLES, 68 Prosper OBAH

POST GAME QUOTES

OLIVER GLASNER

“It was really exciting. Everyone could see how good Shakhtar are, so huge credit to my players. They stick to the plan and work so hard.

We talk about ‘mentality’ and you look at the second goal – three players got fouled but they always continue play. This shows everything about this team.

Fantastic atmosphere. This is why you dream of being a football player as a little boy, this is the reward you get. We are in our next final together. It is amazing what this group are doing for Crystal Palace.

This is what you can achieve if you work hard and stick together in tough moments – and we have had a few tough moments – but it was always more noise around us rather than inside. When you stick together in difficult moments, it is possible and you get the reward.”

DEAN HENDERSON

“It’s incredible for the football club. You see the connection between the players and the supporters, it’s fantastic. It’s unbelievable.

The manager came in, made this team believe we can win any game. It’s been a difficult season with the amount of games we’ve played – but we’ve delivered another final, which is fantastic.

When you come in from a game like that last season [the FA Cup final], it gives you confidence and makes you hungry. We’ve got an ambitious group of players as well, don’t forget that.

It’s incredible honestly to get into a European competition with Palace, never mind make the final. We’ve got to deliver something special. We need to get back what we deserve as well [Europa League qualification].”

ADAM WHARTON

“It’s amazing. This is the best Selhurst Park has been in my two years here. Unbelievable atmosphere and you can tell how much it means to South London. It’s an incredible feeling. One I’ll never forget.

Everyone at the club wants to do well. First trophy in 120 years last year and we are trying to get another for the fans. You get goosebumps, it’s incredible.

It’s incredibly difficult [in Europe] with more games, a small squad, we were running thin in December and January but we grinded through it and the fans stuck with us. This is the reward we get.”

JEAN PHILIPPE MATETA

“I am very happy. Crystal Palace, we did it, we are in the final. We are focussed on the final. We celebrate for the final, and after we will be focussed. The party is only in the dressing room!”

MATCH STATISTICS

TEB VERDICT

After a stunning first leg performance, the Eagles ensured safe passage through to the final with a victory on a very special night in South London. Palace managed to keep the talented Ukrainians at arm’s length to make sure the result in Krakow would not be overturned.

With many having already worked out routes to the former East Germany for the final in Leipzig, there would be very little concern on the night as the fans got behind the players and became louder as the minutes ticked away to joyous celebrations at the final whistle.

A tireless display on the pitch reaps its rewards with a very first European final for the club almost a year after the incredible success at Wembley in the FA Cup.

An own goal from the visitors and another Ismaila Sarr goal was enough to see the Eagles through in a game that saw several star performances, particularly from Diaichi Kamada, Adam Wharton, Jaydee Canvot and Yeremy Pino. But that is not to take anything away from an excellent team performance – this group just does not give up and back each other to the end.

The reward for such performances in what is a very long season could be massive, and we will be there to back Glasner and his players right the way through to the final whistle in Leipzig. It may take some for it to sink in, but little old Crystal Palace have made it to a European Final!

UPCOMING FIXTURES