- Crystal Palace face Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland
- Maxence Lacroix has talked up the team’s experience
- FA Cup win helps Eagles handle high-stakes games
Maxence Lacroix has recalled last season’s FA Cup triumph ahead of Crystal Palace’s UEFA Conference League semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk. The two sides meet in the first leg tomorrow (April 30th) at the Henryk Reymond Stadium in Krakow, Poland.
Palace are dreaming of adding another major trophy to the club’s cabinet following the historic FA Cup win. A famous 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final at Wembley was the greatest day in the South Londoners’ history.
A similar day is in Oliver Glasner’s side’s sights as they look to take one step towards the Conference League final in Leipzig. Standing in their way are the Ukrainian Premier League leaders Shakhtar.
Lacroix – Taking it Step by Step
Lacroix, who has played a crucial role in Palace’s Conference League campaign, has spoken to club media ahead of his side’s first-ever European semi-final. He highlighted the magnitude of the occasion:
“I’m really happy. Of course, it’s the first time for Palace, but we hope that we can go to the next step – so it starts Thursday, with the fans. A lot of people are coming, so we need them there.”
Lacroix recalled facing Dynamo Kyiv during the league phase:
“We played already in Poland last time [against Dynamo Kyiv in October]. It’s difficult [with the atmosphere]. But we will go there to win. We are football players, and we want to win and reach the final.”
He added:
“It’s going to be a tough game, but we’re going over there to win.”
Shakhtar aren’t to be taken for granted as Lacroix suggests, sitting top of the Ukrainian Premier League. Coached by former Barcelona star Arda Turan, they finished sixth in the Conference League’s league phase, four places and three points above Palace.
‘The Experience’
Palace are starting to familiarise themselves with football spectacles and the FA Cup final win last season proved they can handle the big occasion. Eberechi Eze’s winner secured the Eagles their first major trophy and this was followed by a Community Shield victory over Liverpool.
Lacroix seemed to highlight the team’s experience from such high-profile matches. He said:
“I think it’s the experience [which has helped], but it’s also the team because we have really good players. We showed [at Anfield] that we have the quality to be dangerous. This is what we want to show on Thursday.”
Lacroix added:
“We want to win another trophy. I think we just say: everything is possible. We showed it last year and I think people, when they come to support us, they see that we can do something this year. We want to give them this trophy, but you have to be respectful and start with Shakhtar on Thursday.”
The French defender’s comments echo those of his captain Dean Henderson who insisted the focus is on Shakhtar rather than thinking ahead to a potential final. It’s the right approach to take as Glasner’s men head to Poland looking to make more history.
