Crystal Palace's Historic European Win Amidst Eze's Departure
Crystal Palace fans experienced a mix of emotions during Thursday night's match at Selhurst Park.
On one hand, there was palpable excitement as the team played European football for the first time in nearly three decades, making history with their first-ever win in Europe by defeating Fredrikstad 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League play-off.
Conversely, many supporters appeared resigned to the impending departure of star midfielder Eberechi Eze, who was absent from the squad as a transfer to Arsenal seems imminent.
Fans donned shirts emblazoned with "Eze 10," and many held hand-drawn signs expressing gratitude to a player who had delivered countless memorable moments since joining from QPR five years ago.
Following the victory, manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Eze's imminent exit, stating, "Ebs will not play for us any more, so it does not make sense to talk about him," in an interview with Channel 5. He added, "It looks like wishing him all the best for the new club, and for us, it is about bringing in more players, but they will not be allowed to play in the second leg."
As fans showed their support for Eze before kick-off, attention quickly shifted to Palace's historic moment when the players emerged onto the pitch amidst fireworks and a celebratory atmosphere.
Palace last competed in Europe 27 years ago, participating in the Intertoto Cup, a tournament often dismissed by British clubs. Their previous experience was not memorable, as they were eliminated by Turkish side Samsunspor, losing 4-0 on aggregate.
However, this current venture holds promise. History was made when Jean-Philippe Mateta scored Palace's first-ever European goal, giving the team an early lead in the second half.
While the Conference League may not carry the same prestige as the Europa League—originally the competition Palace was set to enter—it still offers the prospect of an exciting European journey and the potential for significant silverware.
Fans can take heart from the successes of fellow London clubs like West Ham and Chelsea, both of whom have won the Conference League. Additionally, with Glasner at the helm, who has European success under his belt from winning the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, there is optimism for the future.
"It is important to take the win; it is our first win in Europe," Glasner remarked. "We are on track."
Recent Triumphs and Challenges
This match adds to what has been a memorable year for Crystal Palace fans. Before Thursday's kick-off, the club proudly displayed the two trophies won in 2025: the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
The FA Cup victory was particularly significant, marking the club's first major trophy win after defeating Manchester City in May. They returned to Wembley three months later to clinch the Community Shield by overcoming reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.
However, the excitement was tempered by off-field drama. The FA Cup victory had initially secured Crystal Palace a spot in the Europa League, but they were subsequently demoted to the Conference League due to UEFA sanctions related to multi-club ownership rules. An appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was unsuccessful, and fans have expressed their displeasure, displaying anti-UEFA banners during matches.
Future Prospects for Crystal Palace
There have been concerns about retaining the talented squad following the FA Cup triumph. Eze's departure has felt inevitable for some time, but the club has managed to keep the majority of the squad intact.
After Thursday's win, chairman Steve Parish emphasized the need to focus on life after Eze, stating that new signings would be made. "We have to move past it. Eze has been fantastic for us, and we are pleased he will go on to fulfill his ambitions. We need to find other players to support the team and Oliver Glasner. We will bring in players; it is all about finding the right ones," he said.
In addition to Eze, defender Marc Guehi is also in the final year of his contract and has been linked with a move to Liverpool. Parish commented, "If Marc wants to sign a contract, then he can stay! It is a difficult situation. If you are in Europe, the financial rules are much stricter than in the Premier League. Losing players on a free transfer is not ideal, and we will need to assess this over the next 11 days."
New arrivals will be crucial for Palace's ambitions this season, both domestically and in Europe. Glasner has voiced frustration over the lack of signings thus far. The Eagles are reportedly interested in Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, Leicester City playmaker Bilal el Khannouss, and Club Brugge's Christos Tzolis.
With the second leg of their Conference League qualifier scheduled for August 28, followed by the transfer window closing just four days later, an exciting and potentially transformative period lies ahead for Crystal Palace.