All Eyes On Leipzig After Home Defeat To Newly Crowned Champions

It was a blistering afternoon as Selhurst Park, hosting a game for the time this season which had absolutely nothing at all riding on it for both clubs who were clearly looking ahead to next week and their respective European Finals.

MATCH INFORMATION

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 5 Maxence LACROIX, 11 Brennan JOHNSON, 23 Jaydee CANVOT, 44 Walter BENITEZ,

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 7 Bukayo SAKA, 8 Martin ODEGAARD, 35 Tommy SETFORD, Declan RICE

POST GAME QUOTES

OLIVER GLASNER

“What I learnt in two years here is that you almost always have to agree with the chairman, but today I don’t have to agree. He said the best day possible was the FA Cup final, but I think the best day is still to come in three days in Leipzig.

I got so many nice messages saying ‘you gave the team gave us belief’ and I think this is the most important thing. When you have someone believe in you it is the best feeling you can have. You gave us the feeling that everything is possible and that is why we go for the trophy on Wednesday.

Two years and two months ago, I arrived and you probably didn’t know me. I came as a stranger but now I feel like a South Londoner. Thank you very much for this.”

MATCH STATISTICS

BOB’S POINT OF VIEW

Bob White was a coach at Palace under the tenure of Steve Coppell and Alan Smith and will be sharing his point of view each week in our review article.

“The game played out in thirty-degree temperatures quite naturally lacked the usual intensity of the Premier League in addition to nothing riding on the outcome. Our fans did their best to raise the tempo of the game but frequent breaks in play allowed no rhythm to develop when either team were in possession.

Both managers were quite rightly looking ahead to their respective European finals next week, although I think Glasner took more risks in the players he selected.

Key players like Kamada, Sarr, Mateta and especially Wharton were risked and we can only hope the latter didn’t suffer too serious an injury. To lose Wharton for the final combined with Richards already being a doubt would make it a poor selection decision.

Reflecting on our season, participating in a European competition has been a fantastic experience for our supporters but conversely it has cost us in the league. A fifteenth-place finish is a disappointing end to the year. The main positive is that we safely secured a fourteenth consecutive season in the top tier of English football. An incredible feat for a club of our size.

In summary, our squad never had the required depth to compete effectively on all fronts whilst dealing with injuries and individuals losing form. Probably outside 14 or maybe 15 players, the quality of our squad drops significantly.

If we win on Wednesday, and that’s no guarantee against a decent Rayo Vallecano team who have fared well in La Liga, and qualify for the Europa League next season then some significant additions are needed this summer. Plus of course we require a new manager to add into the mix.

So onwards our team go to Leipzig for arguably the biggest game in our club’s history. A win would undoubtedly seal Glasner’s place as the most successful manager at Crystal Palace Football Club. His two years in post has been one of many highs and incredible memories for our supporters.

Safe travels to all those making their way to Germany for the game by so many various ways and means. We will I’m sure be loud and proud as ever at the Red Bull Arena, Leipzig. See you there. Up the Palace!”

TEB VERDICT

The only concern ahead of the afternoon was who Oliver Glasner was going to risk heading into the Conference League Final in midweek.

The Austrian made a who host of changes but the one blip was Adam Wharton making a second half appearance from the bench and limped off in double quick time which is a huge concern.

As for the game, it was a non-event with the newly crowned Champions taking all three points on a very hot afternoon which enforced several water breaks, breaking up play too many times to prevent the game getting into any rhythm.

It was good to see Rio Cardines make his first Premier League start for the club at left back in place of Tyrick Mitchell, and he put in a good performance against such opposition.

By the full-time whistle, we could all exhale a combined sigh of relief that those out on the pitch go through unscathed if tired of the exertions on a sweaty afternoon.

While it is a disappointment to finish fifteenth in the Premier League, forgoing such for what is hopefully success in the Conference League in Leipzig on Wednesday evening. Only time will tell if that has all been worth, but what a ride this campaign has been.

LEAGUE POSITION

UPCOMING FIXTURES