Eagles Soar: Crystal Palace Secures European Spot Amidst Season of Turmoil
In a crucial clash at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace’s players delivered when it mattered most, keeping their European aspirations alive under the guidance of manager Oliver Glasner. A first-half header from Maxence Lacroix appeared to be the decisive moment for the Eagles, but after a period of nervous anticipation, Evann Guessand sealed the victory in injury time, eliminating their tenacious Bosnian opponents, Zrinjski Mostar.
“It was a good and important win,” Glasner commented post-match. “We learned the lessons from the away leg, controlled the game and waited for the moments. Not everything is perfect, but we can see the players are feeling better in the way we are playing.”
This fixture represented the most significant night of the Eagles’ season, particularly given the recent downturn in their campaign since Glasner’s January announcement that he would be departing at the end of the summer. The 2025-26 season had held considerable promise, and an early exit from European competition in February, irrespective of the recent friction between the Austrian manager and the club, would have been a significant blow.
It’s easy to overlook that only a couple of months ago, Crystal Palace, fresh off a club-record unbeaten run, were competing in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and entering the FA Cup as holders. However, such has been the drastic decline in their form that this European tie felt of monumental importance.
Adding to the stakes was Zrinjski manager Igor Stimac, a figure familiar to English football from his time at West Ham and Derby. In his pre-match press conference, Stimac had openly criticised Palace’s board for a perceived “lack of ambition,” highlighted their vulnerabilities, and expressed a desire to build on his own historical successes against the club. Stimac was part of the Derby side that defeated the Eagles to secure promotion to the Premier League back in 1996.
Despite the recent turbulence that has enveloped Palace and the strained relationship between the fanbase and Glasner, stemming from his candid public statements, the home supporters rallied behind their team from before kick-off. This night, harmony seemed to return to Selhurst Park.
“I’m always honest,” Glasner affirmed when questioned about his recent remarks. “I can’t do it differently. If I feel something I say it and then I have to take the s***storm that follows. Hopefully everybody knows what I’m saying is for the success of Crystal Palace. Tonight the support was great.”
Heading into this crucial encounter, Crystal Palace had managed only two victories in their last 16 matches across all competitions, a run that included a disappointing 1-1 draw in Bosnia the previous week. Yet, the energy and intensity that had been conspicuously absent during that period were evident in the first half.
A recurring challenge for Palace throughout their European journey had been their inability to break down defensively solid opposition. However, on this occasion, they displayed swift ball movement and pressed with a clear intent. Their play was also noticeably more direct, with Jorgen Strand Larsen, Daichi Kamada, and Guessand all coming close to scoring in the early stages.
Zrinjski, however, proved to be a resilient opponent, employing various tactics to disrupt Palace’s rhythm and frustrate them.
Match Details: Crystal Palace 2-0 Zrinjski Mostar (3-1 Aggregate)
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1):
Henderson (C) 7; Richards 7.5, Lacroix 8, Canvot 7.5; Munoz 7, Wharton 7.5 (Hughes 56 7), Kamada 7.5, Mitchell 7; Sarr 7, Guessand 8; Strand Larsen 7 (Johnson 73 6)
Substitutes not used:
Benitez (GK), Matthews (GK), Clyne, Sosa, Devenny, Rodney, Riad, Pino, Cardines
Manager:
Oliver Glasner 7
Yellow Cards:
Canvot, Strand Larsen, Wharton
Goals:
Lacroix 36′, Guessand 90+3′
Referee:
Luis Godinho 5
It was Adam Wharton, a player who, like many others, had experienced a dip in form during the recent slump, who delivered a superb free-kick. Maxence Lacroix, an often-unsung hero for the Eagles, met the delivery with a powerful header, finding the back of the net.
The atmosphere at Selhurst Park intensified, and the question remained whether Palace could convert their dominance into further goals. However, Glasner’s side missed a string of opportunities, leading to a palpable increase in tension.
Their profligacy almost proved costly when Tomi Juric narrowly headed wide for Zrinjski in injury time. Nevertheless, this moment ultimately set the stage for Guessand to seal the victory. Following a neat interchange with Brennan Johnson, Guessand slotted home, securing Palace’s passage to the last-16 of the competition.
“Crystal Palace deserved to go through,” Stimac conceded. “They played better football in both games.”
