Oliver Glasner Stands Firm After Painful Cup Exit for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner refused to single out any individual for blame following his side’s dramatic Carabao Cup quarterfinal defeat to Arsenal. Palace were eliminated after losing a tense penalty shootout, despite showing resilience and character late in the match.
The Eagles had forced penalties thanks to captain Marc Guéhi’s equaliser in the 95th minute, which cancelled out an earlier own goal by Maxence Lacroix. The late comeback gave Palace hope, but it ultimately was not enough to secure a place in the semifinals.
Speaking after the match, Glasner admitted the disappointment was inevitable. However, he stressed that the manner of the performance, particularly in the second half, gave him reasons to remain positive about his team’s direction.
A Tale of Two Halves for Palace
Oliver Glasner was openly critical of Palace’s first-half display, describing it as “really bad” and acknowledging that goalkeeper Walter Benítez played a crucial role in keeping the scoreline manageable. Arsenal dominated early, creating several chances that could have ended the contest before the break.
The second half, however, told a very different story. Palace grew into the game, matched Arsenal’s intensity, and showed greater confidence on the ball. Glasner praised the improvement, calling the contest “an all-even game” after halftime.
This shift in performance highlighted Palace’s ability to respond under pressure. For Glasner, the contrast between the two halves underlined both the areas that need fixing and the potential the squad possesses when fully focused.
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Penalties, Fine Margins, and No Scapegoats
The penalty shootout itself was of exceptionally high quality. Glasner noted that he had rarely seen so many well-taken penalties in one contest, emphasizing that such situations often come down to fine margins rather than mistakes.
Despite Palace missing the decisive kick, Glasner was clear in his message: no individual should be blamed. He reminded reporters that Palace had already won two shootouts earlier this season, and on this occasion, luck simply favored Arsenal.
By protecting his players publicly, Glasner reinforced a strong sense of unity within the squad. His approach reflected a long-term mindset focused on development rather than short-term frustration.
Positives to Carry Forward
Glasner revealed that he spoke to his players immediately after the match, encouraging them to focus on the positives rather than the disappointment. Coming back from a goal down, especially after recent difficult weeks, demonstrated strong mentality and belief.
The manager also referenced a sense of déjà vu from a recent league defeat, but praised how his team reacted this time. The late equaliser and improved second-half performance showed growth and resilience within the group.
Ultimately, while the cup exit hurts, Glasner believes the performance can serve as a foundation for future success. Crystal Palace may be out of the Carabao Cup, but their character and response under pressure suggest brighter days ahead. Follow the latest football news only at footballtipsonline.co.uk.
