Crystal Palace will face Rayo Vallecano in the final of the UEFA Conference League on Wednesday night at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. This marks a historic moment for the Eagles, as they aim to win their first European competition ever, following their FA Cup triumph last year.
Manager Oliver Glasner, who is set to leave the club at the end of his contract this summer, has the chance to cement his legacy as one of the greatest managers in the club’s history. His departure adds an emotional layer to the match, with fans hoping for a memorable farewell.
Rayo Vallecano, the Spanish side, are no strangers to European competition. They have only participated in European tournaments twice in their history, with the 2000/01 UEFA Cup being their first appearance. Under the guidance of 38-year-old head coach Inigo Perez, who took charge in February 2024, the team has shown impressive growth and is regarded as one of the top young managerial talents in Europe.
Rayo reached the final by defeating Samsunspor, AEK Athens, and Strasbourg in the knockout stages. Their journey to the final highlights their resilience and determination, making them a formidable opponent for Crystal Palace.
When is Crystal Palace vs Rayo Vallecano?
The match will kick off at 8pm UK time at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
How to watch the UEFA Conference League final
The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, with streaming available for subscribers on HBO Max. Unfortunately, the match will not be available for free on platforms like YouTube this year. Subscriptions can be arranged through the official channels.
With Glasner’s departure imminent, the situation surrounding the final has been somewhat unusual. The manager had a farewell party ahead of the match, where he encouraged his players to end his tenure on a high note. He emphasized the importance of winning the Europa League next season, which the club was denied due to administrative issues related to multi-club ownership after their FA Cup victory.
Glasner shared his thoughts on the event:
“They had a nice farewell to me and then I said a few words. I said for me that the best thing would be of course winning tomorrow because then the players would be in the Europa League next year and then we get what we should have got this year.”
He also expressed his hope that the players would start the match with the desire and confidence to succeed. “This would make me really happy because then I think we created a mindset all together where at the end it’s always successful.”
Glasner acknowledged that while winning every year isn’t guaranteed, the focus should be on getting the best out of every player. “That’s why I hope that we win tomorrow and these players can play European football again next year.”
Crystal Palace team news
Glasner provided updates on the fitness of Adam Wharton and Chris Richards, two key players who are pushing to be included in the starting lineup.
“I don’t want to tell you yet if they can start or not,” he said. “But they were available today in training and that’s a good sign. We still have 36 hours before the game and the medical department will work hard [to get them ready]. They will work hard until late into the night.”
He added that the final decision on the starting XI will be made the following day, ensuring that only players who are 100% fit will take the field. “At the end of the day, we will nominate the starting XI who are 100 per cent fit. I will talk to them again tomorrow morning and if the player doesn’t feel 100 per cent fit, then they won’t start.”
Glasner also highlighted the challenges of a long season, noting that many players experience pain. “Everybody wants to participate. So the final decision will be taken tomorrow. I definitely know we will start with 11, and a different 11 will end the game. We need every single player ready to help the team.”
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