First European win brings mixed emotions
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner reflected on his team’s first-ever European victory, praising the clean sheet and patience against a deep defensive block. Palace created several clear chances, hitting the post twice, before Jean-Philippe Mateta’s deflected header sealed the win. Glasner acknowledged the difficulty of breaking down opponents who defended with numbers but stressed that securing the victory at this stage of the season was a vital step forward.
Glasner shuts the door on Eze’s return
When asked about Eberechi Eze, Glasner was clear that the midfielder has played his final game for Palace. He admitted that Eze’s ability to dribble past defenders and create moments of individual brilliance was missed against a deep block, but insisted it is time to move on. “Ebs will not play for us anymore, so it doesn’t make sense to talk about him. We wish him all the best for his new club,” he said, while noting that the squad will need reinforcements.
Replacements and transfer strategy
Glasner revealed that Palace had anticipated Eze’s departure and have already been working on identifying replacements. He expects new arrivals within the next 10 days but cautioned that any signings would not be eligible for the second leg of the Conference League qualifier. Despite the transfer distraction, the manager emphasised his focus remains on preparing the squad for Nottingham Forest and maintaining their unbeaten run.
What it means for Crystal Palace
The departure of Eze leaves Palace without their most creative spark, but Glasner insists the team is adapting with different profiles such as Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta. With squad depth already tight, the coming weeks will be crucial both on the pitch and in the transfer market, as Palace look to balance their European ambitions with a strong Premier League start.
