Crystal Palace eye Conference League glory after securing group stage spot
Crystal Palace booked their place in the Conference League group stage with a 1-0 aggregate win over Fredrikstad. INLIBER Sport examines their chances, potential opponents and squad challenges as they target European success.
Crystal Palace have secured qualification for the UEFA Conference League group stage.
A goalless draw at Fredrikstad sealed a 1-0 aggregate victory on manager Oliver Glasner’s 51st birthday. Palace, now on a club-record 13-match unbeaten run, will discover their six group-stage opponents after Friday’s draw, aiming to build on their FA Cup and Community Shield wins.
Palace among the favourites
The Conference League gives mid-level clubs from smaller leagues a platform for European glory. Recent winners include Roma, West Ham and Olympiakos, and Chelsea dominated last season en route to lifting the trophy. Palace joins top seeds like Fiorentina, Rayo Vallecano and AZ Alkmaar, carrying strong momentum after their FA Cup victory.
Defender Chris Richards said: “We are an ambitious club and ready to make history in Europe.” Glasner, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, added that reaching the group stage was the “second goal” of the season, following the Community Shield triumph.
Potential opponents
The group stage draw will assign one team from each pot, ensuring varied opposition. Palace could face sides such as Aberdeen, Shelbourne or Shamrock Rovers. The top eight teams from the 36-team group advance directly to the last 16, while those ranked 9th to 24th enter a knockout playoff.
Squad depth under scrutiny
The departure of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for £60m and potential exit of captain Marc Guehi has raised concerns about squad depth. Palace’s bench featured only three players with more than one Premier League start in the play-off, and two goalkeepers among eight substitutes. Incoming signings include Borna Sosa and Walter Benitez, but more reinforcements are expected before the transfer deadline.
Chairman Steve Parish has indicated a sale of Guehi may fund further additions, with targets reportedly including Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino and Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji.
Stepping stone to Europa League?
Palace were originally set for the Europa League group stage by virtue of their FA Cup win, but were demoted after breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules due to former co-owner John Textor’s links to Lyon. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Lyon’s place, relegating Palace to the Conference League play-off.
Palace have achieved their season’s second target by reaching the group stage and now set their sights on making history in Europe.
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