Crystal Palace Boss Glasner Faces Packed Schedule and European Play-offs

Crystal Palace are balancing a crowded calendar as Oliver Glasner works to keep the team competitive on multiple fronts. A 2-2 draw with KuPS leaves them outside the automatic last-16 places in the Conference League and facing a two-legged play-off to reach the knockout rounds.

European play-offs loom for Palace

Palace finished 10th in their group and will face a home-and-away tie on February 19 and February 26 to decide who advances. Having already taken part in the play-off round in August, they could end the season with as many as 68 matches across all competitions including the Community Shield.

Rotation and game-time management

Glasner fielded a relatively young and rotated lineup, with short turnarounds forcing him to lean on fringe and academy players. After the final whistle, he immediately shifted focus to Saturday's league clash with Leeds United and the Carabao Cup quarter-final at Arsenal next Tuesday.

Youths earning first steps

Against KuPS, Palace handed first-team debuts to 16-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas, 17-year-old Dean Benamar, and 18-year-old George King, who all looked comfortable at senior level.

Contract uncertainty and squad future

Glasner's contract runs into the final six months, with talks ongoing since March. There remains a sense of unanswered questions about whether the Austrian will stay, while key players such as Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton are attracting interest from other clubs.

Potential play-off opponents

The knockout-stage draw is due on January 16. Palace, as a seeded team, will meet one of the bottom-placed sides, with possibilities including Sigma Olomouc of the Czech Republic or Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The second leg would be at home for Palace.

Road to the final and memories for fans

The pursuit continues with a May 27 final in Leipzig, Germany, and a long list of league games to navigate before then. The competition has already produced a string of domestic winners, including West Ham, Chelsea, Roma, and Olympiakos in recent seasons.

Glasner recently spoke about the emotional side of football, saying that moments of triumph stay with fans for a lifetime, perhaps more enduring than money or trophies.

Expert opinion

Joleon Lescott believes Glasner can balance Europe and league commitments by rotating younger players and squad members, helping maintain energy for crucial fixtures. He adds that depth will be a key factor in sustaining two fronts.

Summary

Palace still have a path to the knockout stage, but the schedule remains demanding. Glasner has already given first-team opportunities to academy players and is expected to continue rotating to manage workload. The January draw will outline potential opponents, while a Leipzig final could create lasting memories for the club’s supporters.

Key takeaway: Palace's European journey hinges on smart rotation and squad depth to navigate a demanding season, creating lasting memories for fans. Source

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