Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace side beat Zrinjski Mostar 2-0 at Selhurst Park to seal a 3-1 aggregate win in the UEFA Conference League and book their place in the last 16.
With the help of a header from Maxence Lacroix, Palace are now looking forward to Friday’s draw, which will decide whether they face Mainz or AEK Larnaca in their next match.
Palace’s first back-to-back wins since December should ensure that Glasner, who fanned the flames of speculation over his premature departure this week, will remain when he travels to Manchester United this weekend.
Palace struggled to take the lead early on, with Lacroix’s 36th-minute header after a fine ball from Adam Wharton from a set-piece being the only shot on target in the first period. But the goal improved the lackluster atmosphere at Selhurst, which was littered with empty seats, reflecting south London’s collective apathy.
Despite their lack of quality, Palace continued to press on against a Zrinyski team that had failed to score or win in their home conference league games this season.
Ismaila Sarr missed one of his few chances and was denied one-on-one by opposing goalkeeper Goran Karacic, but as the game progressed Palace’s effort proved to be more than their quality.
However, in the dying seconds of the game, Tomi Djuric hit Palace’s heart with a header wide of the target, before Gesand ran through to seal the win in stoppage time.
What’s happening in Friday’s drawing?
The draw for the last 16 of the Conference League will take place on Friday at 1pm UK time in Nyon, Switzerland.
This draw will establish ties for the best of 16 and allocate each team a place in the standings, allowing them to see who they may face in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final.
Each playoff winner will play against the teams that finished in the top eight in the league stage (seeded teams).
Palace will play Larnaca or Mainz away in the second leg.
Mr. Glassner: We are given the guarantee that we will remain, but sometimes we don’t enjoy the noise.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner played down suggestions of a premature sending off at Selhurst Park, but said he did not enjoy the team’s rebound during a difficult period.
He told TNT Sports: “There is a 100 per cent guarantee[of staying]. The most important thing for me is the players and that they believe in the staff and in me. That’s the most important thing. If not, I can just pack my suitcase and go home.”
“They have great cohesiveness with the group and staff, but also with the chairman and the sporting director.
“What they sometimes wonder about is this is the second best season in the history of the Premier League.
“The best was last year, so we had probably two of the best in Palace history, playing European football for the first time, and it’s so loud that sometimes you can’t really understand.
“I have to admit that I may have had some interviews that weren’t very helpful, but I always say what I feel and sometimes it’s positive and sometimes it’s not so positive.
“That’s Oliver Glasner. At the end of the day, we’re in a very good position in the league. Now it’s up to us, along with the fans, to have a really good season.”
Stimac: Palace are favorites to win the conference league!
Zrinjski Mostar coach Igor Stimac said he would choose Crystal Palace to win the conference league.
“Congratulations to Crystal Palace,” he said.
“Looking at the teams left there, they are one of the top three favorites to win this competition as far as I know. I wish them the best of luck in winning the competition and making it all the way to the end.”
When asked who the top three are, Simak added: “Crystal Palace are my favorite. Mainz are second. I can say we have played against them already. And they have great quality in their team as well. They have great support and are a really, really balanced team. Dangerous from every part and from every position.”
