Crystal Palace

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Crystal Palace fans have travelled to Norway, Poland, France, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Italy and then Poland once more... but the journey doesn't end there.

The German city of Leipzig will be the final stop on their Conference League adventure.

It is the largest city in Saxony and the eighth largest in Germany.

The final will be held at The Red Bull Arena - home of RB Leipzig, which has a capacity just shy of 48,000.

Augustusplatz is the biggest square in the city and held the Euro 2024 fanzone, whilst Karl-Liebknecht-Straße is one of the main areas for eating and drinking.

Speaking of which, if you fancy some of the local tipple - gose (a sour wheat beer) is the go-to.

As for food, regional specialities include Leipziger Lerche (pastry filled with marzipan and jam), and Leipziger Allerlei (mixed vegetables with crayfish).

Leipzig/Halle (LEJ) is the closest airport, but options to fly direct from London are limited and rather pricey. However Leipzig is well-connected to major cities both inside and outside of Germany by train. It can be reached from Berlin in just over an hour, and from Dresden and Nuremberg in less than two hours.

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We asked for your views after Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 and 5-2 on aggregate to advance to the Conference League final.

Here are some of your comments:

Rich: Great game, great atmosphere and great win. Palace, especially in the second half, showed great character and ability to take a stranglehold of the game. Result could've been more emphatic. So many impressive performances especially from Mitchell, Kamada and Wharton. The stadium was rocking. Roll on the final.

Al: What an incredible achievement by this group of players. Glasner deserves credit despite that mid-season tantrum. One game away from another historical landmark. So proud of the team and club I've supported for 59 years.

Dean: I've watched Palace for over 50 years, these last two under Glasner are beyond my dreams, my dad's dreams and could be the start of something special for my grandchildren.

Des: An amazing night, just cannot believe we are in a European Final.

Paul: Shakhtar huffed and puffed but couldn't blow the Selhurst Park house down! We could have scored a hatful and we looked so dangerous on the break. Onwards to Leipzig and well done to Glasner and all the players. Starting to get used to a cheeky May-time cup final!

Paul G: A fantastic performance from the team and an electric atmosphere generated by the fans. Glasner is Palace's greatest ever manager and it is such a shame he has decided to leave.

Andy: Selhurst was rocking. What a great game and solid performance. It was a clinical finish for the equaliser, but you always felt like we would score again. Hats off to Glastner, he has made this team believe what's possible. Now the club needs to reward the players and improve contracts before it's too late again

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Crystal Palace "powered their way into their first ever European final" with a convincing two-leg victory over Shakhtar Donetsk, says BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Mark Scott.

At Selhurst Park on Thursday, the atmosphere reached fever pitch.

"The Palace fans were singing 'we're on our way to Leipzig' before kick-off and still belting it out at full-time," said Scott. "The supporters were revelling in the moment.

"It's quite the turnaround given the relationship between Oliver Glasner and the fans looked like it was on the rocks a few months ago, but now they sing his name loud again.

"Crystal Palace's final game of the season and Glasner's final game as Crystal Palace boss will be their first ever European final.

"Can he finish in an unbelievable flourish? "

Listen to the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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For Crystal Palace, their European achievement continued a rollercoaster 12 months.

After their FA Cup final triumph, Eberechi Eze left for Arsenal and captain Marc Guehi almost moved to Liverpool, only for the deal to collapse on deadline day as the Eagles could not find a replacement.

With the added European demands - Thursday's match was their 55th game of 2025-26 - Palace's small squad started to suffer and from December they endured a 12-match winless run.

in January, Palace's FA Cup defence ended with an embarrassing 2-1 third-round loss at sixth-tier Macclesfield. Later that month Oliver Glasner announced his planned departure, with news following of England centre-back Guehi's transfer to Manchester City.

Glasner then said he felt his squad were "being abandoned completely" by the Palace hierarchy, with many expecting those comments to lead to an immediate exit.

On top of that, key striker Jean-Philippe Mateta would have left for AC Milan in January had he not failed a medical.

Despite all the chaos and drama, Glasner remained in charge and could lead them to another trophy and more magical moments.

"We want to end the season in the perfect way - and we can do it," Glasner said.

"I said to the players, 'don't do anything for me, do it for yourselves, for the club, for the fans'. Winning the Conference League means European football again next season for Crystal Palace.

"They have had a taste, with the FA Cup and Community Shield, and they want honey again. They will not be happy with just avocado. They want something sweeter."

• Read more on Palace's semi-final win

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Former Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward said achievements like making their first ever major European final is what the Eagles "deserve" after they beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 at Selhurst Park.

Speaking on TNT Sports after the final whistle, he said: "I am beaming ear to ear.

"When the manager first came in, he challenged us in our minds and told us we can achieve special things.

"This group of players, and what they have achieved over the last year, this is what the players, fans and manager deserve."

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Former Leeds striker Lucy Ward, also speaking on TNT Sports, added: "Crystal Palace were brilliant and managed both games so well. Bring on Leipzig!

"They have got players who will stand up in Europe and now have the experience. They know that when they play well as a group, they can beat anybody and they will be going in to the final thinking that."

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

For Crystal Palace, the success continued a remarkable spell in their history as they eye a third trophy in what would be just over 12 months.

After beating Manchester City 1-0 to win the FA Cup for the first time, that achievement should have earned the Eagles a place in the Europa League.

However, that was taken away from them as they were punished by Uefa for breaching multi-club ownership rules.

Palace were unsuccessful in their appeal, with Nottingham Forest getting their Europa League spot, while Oliver Glasner's side dropped into the third-tier Conference League, where they have grown to show their quality.

After edging past Norwegian side Fredrikstad 1-0 on aggregate in the play-offs, Palace finished 10th in the league phase to advance into the knockout stages and now have a first European final to look forward to.

Palace had done most of the hard work with their win in Krakow last week, but Glasner will be delighted by his side's approach in the return against dangerous opponents.

Shakhtar are on the verge of winning the Ukrainian Premier League and earning a spot in the qualifying rounds for the Champions League. Yet they were again second best to a disciplined Palace side who thoroughly deserved their victory.

Indeed, the winning margin could have been greater as they created other good opportunities.

With Palace also beating last season's league champions Liverpool to win the Community Shield in August, Glasner was already the club's most successful manager.

Yet it has been a turbulent season for him and the club.

The Austrian announced in January he would leave at the end of the season when his contract expires and Palace fell to an embarrassing FA Cup third-round loss to sixth-tier Macclesfield. They also lost captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City, while Mateta expressed a desire to leave too and only a failed medical prevented a move to AC Milan.

But despite the chaos on and off the field, Glasner's last game in charge will now be the Conference League final.

Palace fans, who created a superb atmosphere throughout the match, revelled in the occasion as they chanted "que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be, we're going to Germany".

Indeed they will be, as they have another chance to end the campaign with a trophy.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, speaking to TNT Sports: "It was really exciting. Everyone could see how good Shakhtar are so huge credit to my players. They stick to the plan and work so hard.

"We talk about 'mentality' and you look at the second goal - three players got fouled but they always continue play. This shows everything about this team.

"Fantastic atmosphere. This is why you dream of being a football player as a little boy, this is the reward you get. We are in our next final together. It is amazing what this group are doing for Crystal Palace.

"Before the game, we showed them three clips from the first leg; they were not football topics. [We showed them] mentality, how they fought for each other, the commitment for the team. We showed them when the three centre-backs and Dean Henderson jumping chest to chest, celebrating together. This is amazing."

Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson speaking to TNT Sports: "It's incredible for the football club. You see the connection between the players and the supporters, it's fantastic. It's unbelievable.

"The manager came in, made this team believe we can win any game. It's been a difficult season obviously with the amount of games we've played - but we've delivered another final, which is fantastic.

"It's been difficult. Just the amount of games. We had a small squad leading in December, January but we've managed to push through now."

Did you know?

• The Conference League final will be Oliver Glasner's fourth cup final in as many full seasons in management.

• Ismaila Sarr has now scored six goals in his last five Conference League games and nine overall to become its leading scorer. On a five-game scoring streak in the competition, only Cedric Bakambu has scored in more successive knockout stage games in the competition's history (six games between 2024 and 2025).

Crystal Palace have reached their first major European final with a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk at Selhurst Park.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Crystal Palace bring back Tyrick Mitchell, Chris Richards, Adam Wharton, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who were all among the substitutes for the 3-0 loss at Bournemouth on Sunday.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Mitchell, Lacroix, Canvot, Richards, Kamada, Wharton, Munoz, Pino, Sarr, Mateta.

Subs: Matthews, Benitez, Riad, Devenny, Clyne, Rooney, Cardines, Lerma, Johnson, Hughes, Strand Larsen.

Shakhtar Donetsk name the same XI that began the first leg seven days ago in Poland.

Shakhtar Donetsk XI: Riznyk, Henrique, Matviienko, Bondar, Tobias, Ocheretko, Eguinaldo, Gomes, Pedrinho, Santana, Elias.

Subs: Tvardovckyi, Kryskiv, Azarovi, Ghram, Newerton, Isaque, Bondarenko, Nazaryna, Ferreira, Obah, Meirelles, Traore.

There are four semi-final second legs taking place in the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday, and BBC Sport will be keeping you up to date.

Europa League:

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Freiburg v Sporting Braga

Conference League:

• Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk

• Strasbourg v Rayo Vallecano

Kick-off times 20:00 BST

Get in-depth coverage of Villa v Forest, plus updates from Freiburg v Braga here

And go here for live text commentary of Palace's game, plus Strasbourg v Rayo Vallecano updates

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Europa League commentary on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Ellie Killick
Fan writer

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Back in March Pep Guardiola named Selhurst Park alongside some of football's most iconic stadiums as one he will miss when he retires – and as someone who has spent almost a decade attending games there, I totally understand why.

Selhurst Park is very much the Marmite of football grounds. Some love it, while others – particularly those stuck in row Z of the Arthur Wait Stand – have differing opinions.

Despite its restricted views, there is something undeniably special about it. In an era where many stadiums are becoming more polished and corporate, Selhurst truly encapsulates traditional English football.

Come rain or shine, under the lights or in the Saturday afternoon sun, you can always count on it being full of a sea of red and blue driven by noise and passion.

Its atmosphere is famous for a reason.

Last week's outing against FC Shakhtar Donetsk puts Palace in prime position for a trip to Leipzig and returning to Selhurst with a 3-1 advantage is exactly what Oliver Glasner and his team would have wanted.

As a season-ticket holder for almost 10 years, I've experienced plenty of memorable days in SE25. I've seen everything from dramatic victories to disappointing performances, but this Thursday is set up to be one of the greatest nights in Selhurst's history.

From the moment the players step out onto the pitch with 'Glad All Over' ringing round the stands the atmosphere will no doubt be special and I cannot wait to be a part of it!

As well as this historic night, Selhurst Park will also play hosts to both Manchester City and Arsenal in the closing stages of the season. So while Guardiola will get to visit one of his favourite stadiums, it could be a destination that disrupts the title race.

There was a time not so long ago when confidence in the manager was fragile and belief around the club felt low. Now, Palace are just 90 minutes away from a first European final and I have no doubt Selhurst will deliver!

Find more from Ellie Killick at Eagle Eye View, external

Lee Hawthorn
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Uefa Conference League semi-final second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk at Selhurst Park (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Glasner confirmed the "good news" that midfielder Will Hughes "is back" and revealed Evan Guessand has "trained today [Wednesday] but just partly, so he doesn't make the squad."

• The Palace boss said "nobody believes" the job is done after the 3-1 win in the first leg: "We could see how good Shakhtar is as a team and also the players. Quick players. Quick dribblers. We will need another great performance but, of course, we go, we play the game tomorrow with a lot of confidence at home."

• He added, "At Selhurst Park, we know we will have fantastic support from our fans. I could feel it against Fiorentina at home. It will be a little bit more electric [on Thursday] and that's what we need."

• On how the team can react to the atmosphere, he continued: "Then it's the players playing our game, giving our best. I told the players the best thing is we know what to do. We don't need to change a lot. We don't need to find something that we didn't find right now, it's just really playing at our best level and this is what we will try [in this game]."

• Glasner insisted if he wasn't excited for this game he would be in the wrong job and it would be a sign to retire.

• On how far the club have come: "I told the players [on Wednesday] I'm enjoying being part of this incredible group. What they've done for Palace in the last two years is just incredible. Maybe it's because I'm leaving in summer, I can recognise more and more in London. People talking to me and fans are talking to me, what they are telling me is that it's really something special."

• He continued: "What these players have done in the past two years is just incredible. Premier League, great and big games, winning FA Cup, winning the [Community] Shield, a great start to the season and now being close to playing a European final. A few years ago, this has been so far away for Crystal Palace and now it's so close to grab it. This makes this exciting for all of us because we know that we can write history again. We know that we can give fans moments that will stay forever."

• Asked if those people coming up to him are asking him to stay, Glasner responded: "A few... No, most of them just want a selfie when I take the tube. Some are just saying thank you for these exciting two years we all had together. I see myself as just part of this group. I couldn't do anything alone, I could do nothing. It's really the players, they always listen, they're working so hard."

• On his impressive record in cup football with multiple teams: "I don't know. It would be my personal fourth-consecutive final in four seasons. I'm just lucky I'm always managing a fantastic group of players doing the things we're telling them."

• After Christantus Uche commented in an interview, external that Glanser "doesn't like me", the head coach said he didn't like to talk to players through the media and prefers to talk directly, but added Uche would be getting support from Crystal Palace because he is a player at the club.

Follow all of Wednesday's European news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Palace? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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Crystal Palace centre-back Jaydee Canvot has moved to credit departing manager Oliver Glasner for his recent form but says the club's players are not overly focused on the manager's summer exit.

In Wednesday's pre-match news conference before the crucial Europa Conference League semi-final second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, Canvot was asked about the impending departure of Glasner being a distraction on the eve of one of the biggest games in Palace's history.

"We don't talk about this," said Canvot. "You know, it's the gaffer, he chose for his future. We don't talk about this. We just stay on the moment, on the present. We don't say, 'oh, next year the gaffer is not here', no. We just stay focused on the present. He helped me a lot. He helped the team a lot. This was my first year here and I come because he was there. Every time he takes a club, he's done good before."

On his personal development, Canvot credits Glasner for helping with his mental approach to football: "It's not about football because we're all good players. I think he helped a lot about my mind, about mentality to stay focused every time. I think he's the best. The best part about a player is his mind and his mentality, so he just changed it and said, 'if you want to become a good player, you have to do this, this and this,' and after it's me. I have to do it."

Alex Pewter
Fan writer

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On Thursday evening, Crystal Palace took a massive step closer to a European final in Leipzig. On Sunday, they were humbled by AFC Bournemouth. The question in the aftermath is whether the Sunday result matters, or, in fact, whether there was likely to have been a different outcome.

Such are the competitive standards in the Premier League this season, especially against a club currently occupying sixth in the table, heavy squad rotation and seemingly pre-planned half-time substitutes were never likely to be a recipe for success – especially when the team lacks composure in possession.

If there was a time to question whether Palace should prioritise success in Europe over league position, that debate was out the window when the team reached the round of 16 in the Conference League. The club finds itself equal distance from eighth in the table, as it does 18th, and yet can't feasibly fight on both fronts.

Oliver Glasner's team has now played 54 matches across all competitions to Andoni Iraola's 37. That 17-game difference isn't an inbuilt excuse, but it speaks to the challenge faced by smaller clubs playing across multiple competitions.

The goal for now is for the squad to draw a line after a disappointing Sunday and refocus on the main prize. Thursday's encounter with Shakhtar Donetsk isn't without risk, despite a two-goal cushion from the first leg. It's likely that they will be forced to work out of possession, to contain the Ukrainian's Brazilian attacking talents, as they did the week before, and will have the chance to counter, which is ultimately where a Glasner team thrives.

The past twelve months have offered Palace fans success beyond our dreams, and if the travelling fans in Bournemouth proved anything at 3-0 down, it is that they were well aware of that, despite the scoreline.

Find more from Alex Pewter at FYP podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Crystal Palace at Vitality Stadium.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Simon: Andoni Iraola orchestrated another masterpiece and the players delivered. Rayan is showing just how menacing he can be, but he does need a lighter touch at times. Alex Scott and Alex Jimenez were the standouts. I've just checked my passport is in date, just in case!

Paul: Crystal Palace were only poor because Bournemouth never allowed them to be involved. Even Ismaila Sarr's effort that hit the post would've been ruled offside. But credit should be given to the away supporters, who never stopped cheering their side on.

Malcolm: From solid defending to three high-pressing forwards, it was more than comfortable in the first half. Crystal Palace didn't turn up until the second half and they had a mountain to climb. The penalty was soft, but who wouldn't take it? Adrien Truffert is excellent, he had another top performance, as did Marcus Tavernier. The dizzy heights of sixth in the Premier League, should I pinch myself?

Stewart: Well I don't have a lot to say, just that I would love to beat Man City for Arsenal and for my long gone Grandad. That would also help to put my beloved Cherries in Europe, whatever the competition! Please stay Kroupi and Rayan. Have some fun boys!

Palace fans

Steve: The line-ups suggested Palace wouldn't get much out of this game, yet it was still hugely disappointing how poorly they played. The first half was, quite frankly, awful. There was no shape and no quality, Bournemouth had far more skill and pace. Palace have put all their eggs in the Conference League basket, yet they are still not mathematically safe from the drop. Let's hope it pays off and Glasner is not left to rue his team selections.

J: We are well and truly in a battle to avoid relegation now. We've thrown away far too many points all season. This Palace side need a new direction.

Andy: Our possession was amiss plus our passing in terms of both general play and free kicks was abysmal. Yeremy Pino was one of the main culprits, he needs to be rested for Thursday's game.

Dave: It was clear from this performance what the priority is for Palace. I can't blame them for having one eye on Thursday's game, with the chance to reach a major European final, but the manner of the performance from the rotated squad players didn't sit well with me. The first half display was easily the worst of the season. There were a lot of lacklustre performances. It was almost like this game really wasn't wanted and they had given up before a ball was kicked. Silver lining though, we had no new injuries! On to Thursday for the big game.

Crystal Palace view Andoni Iraola as the top target to become their next manager after the Spaniard announced he would be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season - but Chelsea are also interested. (Football Insider, external)

Want more transfer news and gossip? Read Monday's full column

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Pundits Micah Richards and Alan Shearer join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Bournemouth 3-0 Crystal Palace

• Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

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Crystal Palace's team news against Bournemouth hinted that their priority had shifted from the Premier League to the Conference League.

And if confirmation was necessary, it came in the manner of their performance in the 3-0 defeat at Vitality Stadium.

They are tantalisingly close to a first major European final after their commanding 3-1 win at Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final tie.

With one eye on Thursday's second leg, Oliver Glasner made five changes to his side as Adam Wharton, top scorer Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta all dropped to the bench.

A disjointed Palace failed to register a shot in the first half, compared to Bournemouth's 10.

The second half was an improvement after Glasner threw on the influential trio, with Sarr's 89th-minute effort off a post the closest Palace came to scoring.

But even at 3-0 down their supporters were undeterred and sung "We're going to Leipzig", signalling a potential Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg at Red Bull Arena on 27 May.

And Glasner will hope this defeat will be quickly forgotten if he can help the Eagles move one step closer to a continental trophy in a few days' time.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been speaking to Sky Sports following the heavy defeat: "The tank was empty, we could see it. The players tried and in the second half we were much better, it was a game on the same level. In the first half, it was too much and we couldn't get the turnaround from Thursday evening.

"The players tried, but I could see it at the set plays and in the easy mistakes we made. It's not to blame anyone. It was just really overwhelming for us, this match and the win against Shakhtar Donetsk. Overall, Bournemouth were much better.

"The three substitutes [at half-time] were planned before. We wanted the attackers who played on Thursday to not play more than 45 minutes. Normally Will Hughes would've started, but he was ill.

"The message at half-time was that the first half wasn't us and it's time to show in the second half that we can do better and play more in front. We had 50% possession in the first half but no shots. Against a team that presses like Bournemouth, playing square passes around their box doesn't make sense - but that's what we did.

"We made too many mistakes. It's not that we wanted to do this, but we have to accept it. Now we will recover and prepare for Thursday. It is maybe the biggest match in the club's history.

"I trust these players completely. They have shown they can play better and I know they will find the focus.

"It's not an excuse, but we travelled back to London on Friday and then travelled to Bournemouth yesterday. It's a lot at the end of a long season. None of our players have ever experienced anything like this."

Did you know?

• Crystal Palace failed to take a single shot in the first-half of this match for the first time in a Premier League game since August 2021 against Chelsea.

• The Eagles faced their seventh penalty in the Premier League this season, their most-ever in a single campaign and the joint-most of any team in the 2025-26 season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies