- Maxence Lacroix on Crystal Palace’s loss to Liverpool
- Eagles prepare to face Shakhtar Donetsk
- A South American youngster on club’s radar
Crystal Palace are preparing for their encounter with Shakhtar Donetsk and will want to put a defeat to Liverpool behind them. The Eagles suffered a 3-1 loss at Anfield despite having more shots than the hosts.
Oliver Glasner ruefully spoke of a lack of killer instinct in front of goal after the game. His side’s only goal came through a controversial Daniel Munoz effort.
The loss leaves Palace 13th in the league table, six points behind seventh-placed Bournemouth with five games left. All focus is now on the UEFA Conference League and this Thursday’s clash with Shakhtar is crucial.
Lacroix Reflects on Liverpool Loss
Maxence Lacroix played the full 90 minutes of Palace’s loss to Liverpool. He took positives from the game and suggested it helped prepare for the Shakhtar game:
“I think this match prepares us well for the Conference League. We showed a great performance. We’re ready for the next match in Europe.”
The French defender will be hoping to help the Eagles beat the Ukrainian side in Poland. He’s been a key man for Glasner again this season.
Palace vs Shakhtar
The Eagles fly over to Poland for their first-ever European semi-final and will be looking to take one giant step towards the final in Leipzig. Glasner will be checking on Tyrick Mitchell who came off with an Achilles issue in the Liverpool defeat.
Other than that only Eddie Nketiah and Evann Guessand will miss the encounter with Shakhtar. Cheick Doucoure is still getting back to match fitness and wasn’t included in the Conference League squad.
Shakhtar prepared for Thursday’s game with a 3-1 win over FC Kudrivka on Sunday. They have European experience but Palace are still favourites to win the tie.
Battling for South American Gem
Palace are already preparing for this summer’s transfer window and are continuing their strategy of targeting youth. Reports claim that the club are interested in signing Atletico Nacional youngster Jose Escorcia.
Brighton & Hove Albion are also keen on the 17-year-old, who has caught the eye with impressive performances on the left wing. If he were to sign with the South Londoners, he wouldn’t be able to arrive until the summer of 2027 due to post-Brexit rules.
Escorcia is one of several teenage prospects who Palace have been linked with in recent weeks. Scouts have also watched Hearts’ rising star Alfie Osborne.
