Crystal Palace is embarking on a historic journey into European competition, albeit in the UEFA Conference League, after a remarkable 2024-2025 season. Under the guidance of manager Oliver Glasner, the team secured their first major trophy by winning the FA Cup, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the final. This victory initially guaranteed them a spot in the Europa League, marking their first qualification for a major European competition since 1998.
However, UEFA's multi-club ownership rules led to Crystal Palace being demoted to the Conference League. This was due to former co-owner John Textor's shared ownership of French club Lyon. Despite the club's appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the decision stood, leaving Crystal Palace "extremely dismayed" but resigned to compete in the third-tier European competition.
Despite the disappointment, this marks a significant moment for the club and its supporters. As Glasner embarks on this European quest, he faces the challenge of balancing domestic and continental ambitions.
Glasner's Impact and Leipzig Interest
Oliver Glasner's arrival at Crystal Palace in February 2024 has had a transformative impact. He quickly implemented his tactical ideas, helping the team finish the Premier League season strongly with six wins from their last seven matches. This impressive form led to speculation about his future, with reports linking him to the RB Leipzig job.
Glasner has addressed these rumors, stating that he is fully focused on Crystal Palace. He emphasized his commitment to the club and denied having any talks with RB Leipzig. Crystal Palace has also reportedly opened contract talks with Glasner to ward off potential interest from other clubs.
Squad Changes and Key Players
The summer transfer window brought changes to the Crystal Palace squad. Michael Olise's departure to Bayern Munich was a significant loss. However, the club has made additions to bolster the team, including Moroccan defender Chadi Riad, Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada, and Senegalese forward Ismaïla Sarr.
Eberechi Eze is expected to play a key role for Crystal Palace, stepping up in the absence of Olise. Other important players include Marc Guéhi, Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who led the line for France at the Olympic Games.
Conference League Campaign
Crystal Palace began their Conference League journey with a play-off round tie against the losers of the Europa League qualifier between Fredrikstad and Midtjylland. They won the first leg 1-0 against Fredrikstad at Selhurst Park, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the historic first goal in European competition for the club. A goalless draw in the second leg secured their place in the league phase of the competition.
The Conference League presents a unique opportunity for Crystal Palace to compete on the European stage and potentially secure a Europa League spot for the following season. The format involves a league phase followed by knockout rounds, offering a path to the final.
Looking Ahead
Despite the UEFA decision, Crystal Palace's participation in the Conference League marks a new chapter in the club's history. Glasner's leadership, combined with a talented squad, gives them a chance to make a significant impact both domestically and in Europe. While a top-half finish in the Premier League and a strong cup run remain realistic aims, the European adventure adds an extra layer of excitement and ambition to the season.
