Palace Ready to Shine Against AEK Larnaca in Conference League
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that he will field his strongest team as the Eagles host AEK Larnaca in their first home game of the UEFA Conference League proper. Below you will see inormation about this news which has been summarized The Football Breakdown.
This follows a thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth and a solid 2-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv in their opening group match. Glasner emphasized that there are no injury concerns and all players are fit and sharp.
With a five-day break since the Bournemouth clash, international players had two days off to recover, allowing the team to prepare effectively for the Thursday evening fixture. “We will play the best team [against Larnaca]. That makes sense for us, and [then] prepare for Arsenal,” Glasner said, highlighting the importance of balancing European and domestic commitments.
Youth Players Gain Valuable Experience
Several young players, including Rio Cardines, Romain Esse, and Christantus Uche, featured for Palace’s Under-21s against Stevenage in the EFL Trophy, playing 45 minutes each. Glasner explained this was to give them vital match experience ahead of a busy schedule.
“These players didn’t get minutes for the international teams or for us recently, so it was the last opportunity to give them an 11v11 and a feeling for competitive games,” Glasner noted. Glasner emphasized the importance of 100% effort in training, describing these opportunities as support rather than punishment for the young players.
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Squad Depth Key for Busy Run
Palace face four matches in nine days, starting with Larnaca’s visit, and Glasner is confident in his squad’s depth. He noted that 20 on-field players will be available, with injured players like Chadi Riad expected back soon, and Borna Sosa suspended for the fixture.
Glasner explained that a squad of this size is sufficient to manage the busy schedule while also providing a pathway for Academy talents to feature in senior matches. He praised the professionalism of the players and the medical and fitness staff.
Looking Ahead Beyond Larnaca
While the focus is on the Conference League, Glasner is mindful of the domestic challenges ahead, including the upcoming clash with Arsenal. He aims to maintain momentum in both competitions without overloading the players.
The manager highlighted the balance between giving younger players opportunities and keeping the first-team squad fresh, emphasizing that proper preparation and rotation are key to success. With full fitness and squad harmony, Crystal Palace hope to build on their early European success and continue their strong form as they navigate a congested fixture schedule. Follow footballtipsonline.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest stories.
