Crystal Palace Advances to Conference League Group Stage
Crystal Palace Advances to Conference League Group Stage
Crystal Palace has achieved a significant milestone, igniting hopes among their fans.
The team secured a goalless draw against Fredrikstad, resulting in a 1-0 aggregate victory in the Conference League play-off, thus earning a spot in the league phase.
This achievement coincided with manager Oliver Glasner's 51st birthday.
On Friday at 12:00 BST, the club will learn which six teams will stand between them and a chance to reach the knockout rounds.
Palace, currently on a joint club-record 13-game unbeaten streak, is viewed as a potential contender for the title after being relegated to this competition from the Europa League due to violations of multi-club ownership regulations.
This year has already marked a historic success for the club, highlighted by victories in the FA Cup final against Manchester City and the Community Shield against Liverpool.
"It is a huge achievement to enter the group stage," Glasner told Channel 5. "This was our second goal of the season, accomplished by the end of August, which is fantastic. Our first goal was winning the Community Shield, and now, despite the challenges posed by our demotion to the Conference League, we have succeeded in that as well."
BBC Sport is analyzing Palace's prospects in their inaugural European campaign, while also addressing potential challenges.
One of the Favorites
The allure of the third-tier Conference League lies in its ability to allow teams from smaller nations to compete at the group stage level, offering opportunities for clubs with fewer trophies to find success.
Previously, Chelsea dominated the competition last season, but prior winners include Roma, West Ham, and Olympiakos, each having ended long trophy droughts. Given this context, it is entirely plausible for Crystal Palace to lift the trophy this season.
The top seven countries in UEFA's rankings are represented by one team each: Palace, Fiorentina, Rayo Vallecano, Mainz, Strasbourg, AZ Alkmaar, and Santa Clara, who were eliminated by Shamrock Rovers.
Having won the FA Cup in May, Palace boasts a stronger recent pedigree than any of these teams; since 2002, only Strasbourg and AZ have claimed titles.
Defender Chris Richards expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Everyone is super excited. We are an ambitious club, and now it's time to secure victories in Europe. We are prepared to make history."
Glasner previously won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2021-22 season.
Former Palace striker Glenn Murray commented, "Oliver Glasner has proven himself at the European level. Having him in charge is a significant advantage for the club. I believe they will manage the balance between the Premier League and Europe effectively, and hopefully, they can progress to the later stages."
Ex-England defender Matt Upson, who had a brief loan spell at Palace in 2001, added, "They have demonstrated their ability to navigate cup competitions. With a pragmatic manager who knows how to succeed, they have every chance."
Potential Opponents for Palace
In the league phase, Palace will face six teams—three at home and three away—one from each pot, although the seedings have yet to be confirmed, limiting their chances of facing some rivals.
Possible opponents include Scottish side Aberdeen and Dublin clubs Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers.
The top eight teams from the 36-team league phase will advance to the last 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th will enter a knockout phase play-off round.
Both West Ham and Chelsea won all six matches in the group or league phase en route to lifting the trophy.
However, Glasner indicated he will not be watching the draw. "We will focus on Aston Villa to prepare for our Premier League match on Sunday, and someone will inform me of the opposition teams," he said. "The match against Villa is my priority as we start the Conference League on October 2."
Concerns About Squad Depth
Palace aimed to build on the squad that clinched the FA Cup last season, but currently, they appear weaker.
Only three substitutes in their recent match against Fredrikstad have started more than one Premier League game, with their bench consisting of eight players compared to FFK's 12, two of whom were goalkeepers.
Star forward Eberechi Eze transferred to Arsenal this summer for £60 million, and captain Marc Guehi, who participated in both Conference League qualifiers, remains a target for Liverpool. Chairman Steve Parish recently stated they may sell Guehi to secure a fee since his contract expires next summer.
After their first-leg victory, Glasner insisted on retaining Guehi for the crucial match in Norway, stating, "We have no choice but to keep Marc for these games. He knows it, and everyone is aware of it." However, those matches have now concluded.
Palace has only spent about £3 million on Ajax left wing-back Borna Sosa, while backup goalkeeper Walter Benitez joined on a free transfer from PSV. Meanwhile, over 20 Championship players have been signed this summer for £3 million or more.
The transfer deadline is approaching on Monday at 19:00 BST, and Palace has work to do to manage a demanding schedule of Thursday and Sunday fixtures this season.
Efforts are underway, as Palace is closing in on a £26 million signing of Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino and has also pursued Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji. If they secure these signings and more, they may well fancy their chances for European success.
What Could Have Been...
Despite their success, lingering feelings suggest Palace should not be in this position. By winning the FA Cup, they should have qualified directly for the Europa League group stage.
However, UEFA's multi-club ownership regulations regarding former co-owner John Textor led to their relegation to the Conference League play-off round. They were forced to accept this outcome after a protracted dispute involving Nottingham Forest, UEFA, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the league status of Lyon, another club owned by Textor.
Lyon had also qualified for the Europa League and was permitted to participate due to their higher league finish compared to Palace. Despite being demoted to Ligue 2 due to financial issues, Lyon regained their top-flight position on appeal, leaving Palace in their current predicament.