Crystal Palace face European playoff clash as Glasner weighs future

Crystal Palace face a demanding run of fixtures as their European dream hinges on a two-legged playoff in the Conference League. A 2-2 draw with KuPS left the Eagles outside the automatic last-16 spots, meaning they must win two February ties to reach the knockout stage.

The visit to Selhurst Park was Palace’s first taste of major European competition, and they will now work to secure a place in the knockout rounds with games on 19 February and 26 February after finishing 10th in their group.

Manager Oliver Glasner sent out a blended lineup, fielding fringe players and academy products to cope with the tight turnaround. Immediately after the final whistle, Glasner’s focus shifted to Saturday’s Premier League trip to Leeds United.

Palace now face a grueling schedule: two league games in 48 hours, followed by a Carabao Cup quarter-final at Arsenal next Tuesday, and two additional European ties next year. Having already endured a Conference League playoff round in August ahead of the group phase, Palace could end the season having played as many as 68 matches across all competitions.

Glasner reflected on the demotion that forced the playoff format, noting that the calendar has created a February playoff after the August one. He described the result as far from ideal and acknowledged the challenge of managing a squad through back-to-back matches with limited rotation.

“The schedule is tough and you can see how it affects selection,” he said, stressing that Leeds United will know which 11 players might start after Palace rotated in the KuPS game. “You can’t expect to use the same XI in every match.”

Palace still alive in Europe but uncertainty remains

Despite missing out on an automatic last-16 spot, mood at Selhurst Park remains hopeful. The club will begin the FA Cup defence with a trip to Macclesfield on 10 January, and former England defender Joleon Lescott believes Glasner can balance Europe and domestic duties by rotating his squad and giving younger players a run-out in non-league ties.

In the KuPS clash, Palace handed senior debuts to a trio from the academy — 16-year-old Joel Drakes-Thomas, 17-year-old Dean Benamar, and 18-year-old George King — and they completed themselves well against seasoned opponents.

Off the field, questions linger about Glasner’s future. He is entering the final six months of his contract, with talks over a new deal ongoing since March, though there’s no clear sign of agreement yet. There are also ongoing transfer competitions for centre-backs such as Marc Guehi and midfielders like Adam Wharton, who are reportedly attracting interest from other clubs.

Who could Palace meet in play-offs?

The knockout play-off draw on 16 January will see Palace paired with one of the lower-ranked teams finishing 23rd or 24th in the competition. As the seeded side, Palace would host the second leg and could meet Sigma Olomouc of the Czech Republic or Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Will Palace go all the way?

It is premature to start planning trips to the final, scheduled for 27 May in Leipzig, Germany, with the 2026 World Cup just over a year away. Palace still face nine more matches to reach the final of Europe’s third-tier competition, following recent winners such as West Ham, Chelsea, Roma, and Olympiakos in successive seasons. Glasner has often spoken about the emotional value of enduring moments like last season’s FA Cup run rather than focusing solely on money or trophies.

Expert comment

Former England defender Joleon Lescott told TNT Sports that Glasner can lean on his fringe and youth players to help juggle Europe and domestic duties, while giving senior squad members rest in select fixtures. His view underscores the broader strategy of rotating the squad to maintain energy across a crowded calendar.

Short summary

Crystal Palace face a tight February schedule after drawing with KuPS, forcing a two-legged Conference League playoff to reach the knockout rounds. Glasner has rotated his squad and hinted at using youth players to manage the workload, while the club weighs contract talks amid ongoing interest in several players. The path to the final remains uncertain, with potential European opponents to be confirmed in January and a final set for late May in Leipzig.

Key insight: Palace must balance European progress with domestic duties through thoughtful squad rotation, as a busy calendar shapes their chances in the Conference League playoff. BBC Sport

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