Crystal Palace Faces Play-Off Challenge in European Campaign
Crystal Palace now faces an additional two-legged play-off to keep their European aspirations alive, following a frustrating 2-2 draw with Finnish champions KuPS on Thursday. This result left Palace outside the automatic last-16 spots in the UEFA Conference League, Europe's third-tier competition.
As the Eagles embark on their debut in a major European tournament, they will need to compete in extra matches on February 19 and February 26 for a chance to advance to the knockout stage after finishing 10th in their group.
Manager Oliver Glasner fielded a weakened squad filled with fringe and academy players due to the tight schedule. Immediately after the final whistle at Selhurst Park, Glasner turned his focus to Saturday's Premier League clash against Leeds United.
The upcoming matches include two first-team fixtures within 48 hours, followed by a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal next Tuesday. Additionally, Palace, who were relegated from the Europa League to the Conference League due to ownership regulations, now faces two more European games in the new year.
Having participated in the Conference League play-off round in August, Palace could potentially play up to 68 matches across all competitions this season, including the Community Shield.
“With the demotion, we got the play-offs in August and now we face the play-offs in February as well,” Glasner stated after Thursday's match. “The result is not what we wanted; it’s a game we could have easily won. The only concern is that Leeds now knows our starting line-up, as there are only 11 players who didn’t start, and no one will play both games.”
Palace Remains Optimistic Amidst Uncertainty
Despite missing out on an automatic last-16 spot, the atmosphere at Palace remains positive. The Eagles will begin their FA Cup defense against non-league Macclesfield on January 10. Former England defender Joleon Lescott believes Glasner can effectively utilize his fringe and youth players to manage the dual demands of European and domestic competitions.
“They have Macclesfield away in the FA Cup and the play-offs in this competition; perhaps they can field those players and give some experienced players a rest,” Lescott remarked on TNT Sports.
In the match against KuPS, Glasner started 16-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas, 17-year-old Dean Benamar, and 18-year-old George King, all of whom made their senior debuts without looking out of place.
However, uncertainty looms at Selhurst Park. Glasner is entering the final six months of his contract, and the club's management is increasingly concerned about potentially losing a manager whose reputation has risen significantly in recent months. Discussions regarding a new contract have been ongoing since March, but there are few indications that the 51-year-old Austrian, who guided Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League success in 2021-22, is close to committing to a new deal.
“I don’t think about my future for even a second; it’s not important right now,” Glasner said prior to Thursday's match. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the futures of players Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton, both of whom are attracting interest from other clubs.
Potential Play-Off Opponents for Palace
Crystal Palace will learn their play-off opponents for the knockout phase on January 16. Notably, Italian side Fiorentina, who reached the final in the 2022-23 season, finished 15th and must also navigate through the play-offs to reach the last 16.
Other teams in the play-off draw include AZ Alkmaar, whom Palace defeated 3-1 earlier in the season, as well as Polish side Lech Poznan, Turkish club Samsunspor, and KuPS, the team they faced on Thursday.
Can Palace Make a Deep Run?
It may be premature for Palace fans to start booking travel for the final at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany, especially after failing to secure an automatic spot in the knockout stage. The final is scheduled for May 27, just 15 days before the commencement of the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America.
To become the third English club to win Europe’s third-tier competition, which was established in the 2021-22 season, Palace must navigate through nine more games. West Ham won it in the 2022-23 season, followed by Chelsea in 2024-25. Roma claimed the inaugural title in 2021-22, while Olympiakos triumphed in 2023-24.
In addition to West Ham and Chelsea's successes, Leicester City (2021-22) and Aston Villa (2024-25) both reached the semi-finals. “We have Crystal Palace supporters who have waited 60 years to see us win something,” Glasner reflected on the club’s first major trophy, the FA Cup, which they won last May against Manchester City. “Ultimately, it’s not about the money; it’s about the emotions, and I see that now when we discuss it. It’s akin to getting married or the birth of your children; those moments stay with you forever.”
With Crystal Palace still alive in Europe, will Glasner create more unforgettable memories for the club's fans?