2026-05-01 10:24:50

Oliver Glasner knows Crystal Palace still have work to do to reach the Conference League final.

The Eagles took a big step towards the Leipzig showpiece later this month with a 3-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-final first leg on Thursday (30.04.26) but the coach insists that it is only the “first step” for his side.

Glasner said: “I’m very happy and very pleased with the performance. We could see how good Shakhtar are individually, with so many quick players, and it was the plan: we don’t want to give them space, because when we get exposed it’s so difficult to defend against them.

“Credit to the players, they stuck to the plan, worked very hard, every single one in defence, so we didn’t give them a lot. Shakhtar were a big threat with their set-plays, that’s also where we conceded, but I think we were the same when we played forward.

“When we were on the attack we were always very threatening, and I was really impressed with the reaction the team showed after we conceded the equaliser from a set-play, because all of a sudden we had two or three big chances, we missed them, and then it was a long throw-in, we took the lead again and then waited for our situations.

“It was a huge impact from the bench, so overall we are very pleased with the performance, but it’s just the first step. We will analyse this game, because I believe we have to perform even better at home to go to Leipzig to the final.”

Glasner stressed that his players will need to be just as good in next week’s return leg at Selhurst Park.

The Austrian manager said: “It’s a nice half-time lead, but not more. Not less, but not more.

“Again, we need the same focus, because we could see they’re playing in behind, they can dribble, they can pass, always one-twos, very, very skilful, very, very quick, and this is what we have to control maybe a little bit better.

“But on the other side we need always these runs, because this is where they are maybe struggling, with our physicality. We have to turn the set-plays around.

“Today we could equalise after conceding, we scored a goal from a set-play as well, so all these details will be important to get it over the line.”

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