- Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk
- Oliver Glasner happy with the performance
- Particularly impressed with his players response
Oliver Glasner was pleased with Crystal Palace’s performance in their 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk as they took a massive step towards the UEFA Conference League final. The Eagles soared into an early lead through Ismaila Sarr.
The Senegalese winger finished off a sublime attacking move to put the visitors ahead in just the 21st second. His goal is the earliest scored in Conference League history and he’s now joint-top scorer in the competition.
Shakhtar equalised through Oleh Ocheretko who pounced when the defence couldn’t clear it’s line from a corner. But Glasner was punching for joy when Daichi Kamada put his side back in front.
The Japanese midfielder’s tidy left-footed finish was vital and well deserved, given his man-of-the-match performance. He then turned provider for Jorgen Strand Larsen, who came off the bench in the second half.
Glasner ‘Happy’ with Crystal Palace’s Win
Palace were clinical on the counter and made up for constant missed opportunities in a 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday. It could have been more, and Jean-Philippe Mateta was denied by two excellent saves.
Glasner isn’t getting carried away by the win but he liked the response from his players after conceding the equaliser. He told TNT Sports after the game:
“I was really impressed with the reaction to the goal we conceded from a set play because all of a sudden we had one, two, three big chances, we missed them and then we took the lead again. Was a huge impact from the bench so overall we’re happy with the performance.“
Glasner pointed out that there is still a second leg to play:
“I believe we will have to perform even better at home to reach the final.”
Palace are now just 90 minutes away from reaching the final in Leipzig. If they can get the job done on home turf at Selhurst Park, it will bring them a step closer to a dream European trophy triumph to end Glasner’s reign.
