The Conference League final is underway in Leipzig, Germany, where Crystal Palace faces Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. The Eagles hope to join West Ham and Chelsea on the list of English winners of the Conference League since its inception in 2022.
Police in Leipzig reported that 60 Crystal Palace fans, classed as “known troublemakers,” were ordered to leave the city centre on Tuesday night. Two arrests were made following clashes with Rayo Vallecano fans.
The absence of Richards from the starting lineup means it’s a huge night for Chadi Riad in the back three. He hasn't fully convinced or strung together a run of games for the Eagles yet.
Half an hour remains until kickoff. I’d ask how the nerves are among you Crystal Palace supporters, but the messages below suggest to me that fingernails are already being bitten.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Muñoz, Riad, Lacroix, Canvot, Mitchell; Wharton, Kamada; Pino, Sarr, Mateta. Subs: Benítez, Matthews, Lerma, Johnson, Clyne, Hughes, Strand Larsen, Sosa, Richards, Guessand, Devenny, Cardines.
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Ratju, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarría; López, Valentin, Palazón; Garcia, Alemao, De Frutos. Subs: Cárdenas, Díaz, Trejo, Camello, Akhomach, Gumbau, Balliu, Espino, Molina, Mendy.
The team from the Madrid district of Puente de Vallecas isn't flush with big fancy names, and Palace is certainly the favourite, but this is a European final.
Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano are competing for the Conference League title in Leipzig tonight. This match determines which club secures a major European trophy for their trophy cabinet.
The Conference League final is underway in Leipzig, Germany, with Crystal Palace facing Spanish side Rayo Vallecano. The Eagles hope to join West Ham and Chelsea on the list of English winners of the Conference League since its inception in 2022.
This is the big one. For Crystal Palace, and for Oliver Glasner in his final game in charge of the Eagles, all roads lead to Leipzig and the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.
Some Palace fans have found my inbox and shared their pre-match thoughts. Paul Pateman said: “Riad hasn’t strung games together because he was injured just after he arrived in summer 2024, and then again on his return. Since he returned he has been excellent but outshone a bit by Canvot’s breakthrough. Since he got back to fitness he has been in the squad and provided great cover for the regular three of Richards, Lacroix and Canvot.”
“We’re like kids gifted a toy: desperate to open it, to play, enjoy it.”
Jonathan Rendall added: “Nervously watching the Palace game from home. I’m feeling a tense 1-0 to the Eagles, which I’ll take!” Anne Patterson wrote: “Getting very excited in southern Patagonia. I've got the mate going and have made biscuits. I hope that if Wharton scores he doesn’t do a double flip on that ankle. Pino to score the winner.”