Crystal Palace are flying high under Oliver Glasner and ready to break new ground as they enter the UEFA Europa Conference League this Thursday. Riding a club-record 18-game unbeaten streak and fresh from a thrilling win over Premier League champions Liverpool, the Eagles are poised to take their first full step into European competition — and they’re doing it with serious momentum.
Palace’s Long-Awaited Return to Europe
For the first time in their history, Crystal Palace are embarking on a full European campaign. Their only prior taste came in 1998 via a short-lived Intertoto Cup appearance. This time, their ticket to Europe was punched in dramatic fashion — by toppling Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final, delivering the club’s first-ever major trophy. They followed that landmark win with another Wembley triumph, this time defeating Liverpool in the Community Shield.
Despite a frustrating legal defeat that saw them disqualified from the Europa League due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, Palace’s European journey now resumes in the UEFA Conference League, where they face Dynamo Kyiv in Poland.
Oliver Glasner: From Relegation Threat to Premier League Contender
Just a year ago, Oliver Glasner’s tenure looked uncertain. The Austrian inherited a struggling side when he replaced Roy Hodgson in February 2024 — a team that had won only once in their opening 13 league games. Since then, he’s engineered a remarkable turnaround at Selhurst Park.
Despite losing star wingers Michael Olise to Bayern Munich and Eberechi Eze to Arsenal, Glasner has built a resilient, well-drilled squad. Central to his plans was keeping captain and defensive anchor Marc Guehi, despite heavy interest from Liverpool.
The Guehi Gamble That Paid Off
Glasner was adamant about Guehi’s importance. While reports claimed he threatened to quit if the England international was sold, Glasner clarified the situation: he simply laid out the stark truth to chairman Steve Parish.
“Honestly, we can’t manage it in the short-term if we sell Marc,” Glasner told him. That honesty paid off. Guehi stayed, and Palace now boast the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League after six matches.
However, Guehi’s contract is due to expire next summer, and while Palace risk losing him for free, his current form has helped push the club into third place — just three points off league leaders Liverpool.
Punching Above Their Weight
Palace’s success is even more impressive given their modest spending. Only Fulham and Aston Villa spent less this summer. Their marquee addition was Spanish winger Yeremy Pino from Villarreal for £26 million — a modest fee in a window where clubs like Liverpool spent upwards of £450 million.
Despite a high net profit in transfers, Glasner has gotten the best out of his players. Palace have already faced four of last season’s top seven and remain the only undefeated team in the league. In 2025, only Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City have collected more points.
Stars Aligning Across the Pitch
Jean-Philippe Mateta has emerged as a reliable goal threat with 29 league goals under Glasner, while Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton continue to shine. Daniel Muñoz’s work rate is relentless, and the back three of Guehi, Maxence Lacroix, and Chris Richards has formed a rock-solid defensive core. Behind them, Dean Henderson is finally showing the consistency Manchester United once hoped for.
Palace’s collective strength and tactical discipline make them more than just European debutants — they are legitimate contenders in the Conference League, where they are viewed as potential champions alongside clubs like Fiorentina and Strasbourg.
A New Chapter Begins in Poland
As Palace prepare to face Dynamo Kyiv in their group stage opener, the chance to set a new unbeaten record — surpassing the 1969 mark — adds extra motivation. Glasner, who led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, now has an opportunity to write another historic chapter with a Palace team that’s not just dreaming of Europe — they’re aiming to conquer it.
