- Crystal Palace eye Europa Conference League glory
- Daichi Kamada thinks Oliver Glasner will be key
- Japanese midfielder and his manager won Europa League
Daichi Kamada has highlighted Oliver Glasner’s experience in European competitions when assessing Crystal Palace’s chances in the Europa Conference League. The Eagles are in action on Thursday night in the second leg of their quarter-final.
Palace took one giant step towards the semi-finals with an emphatic 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg last week. Glasner’s men were firing on all cylinders and made easy work of an Italian team that made it to the final three years ago.
Glasner is looking to win his second European trophy as a manager and to do so before bowing out of Selhurst Park. He’s already achieved trophy success with the South Londoners, guiding them to the FA Cup last season.
‘We’ve already won’ – Kamada on Glasner’s Experience
Kamada spoke ahead of Thursday’s game against Fiorentina and spoke highly of Glasner and his track record in European competition. He told reporters:
“At least me and the gaffer we’ve already won European titles so I think our gaffer’s tactics are very much to play the tournament games, because I think his defensive tactics are one of the best tactics in the world, for me, so that’s why we performed well in the European competition.”
Kamada has been a key man in midfield for Glasner, appearing in all but one of Palace’s Conference League fixtures thus far. He’s provided three assists, including one in the win against Fiorentina at home.
Glasner’s side have tasted defeat twice in their debut European campaign but have otherwise fared well. Only one goal has been conceded in the knockout stages thus far.
When Glasner Led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League Glory
Glasner became the toast of Frankfurt back in May 2022 when he led Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League trophy. He did so by getting the better of Scottish giants Rangers.
A 1-1 draw over 120 minutes meant penalties were required and the Germans prevailed. Kamada converted his penalty while former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey missed from the spot.
It was just the second European title Frankfurt had won since 1980. Glasner left in June 2023 and the opportunity to take charge of Palace arrived eight months later.
Glasner will draw on his experience of leading a European campaign as he eyes becoming the first manager in the club’s history to win a European trophy. Prevailing tomorrow night puts him one step closer to his goal.
