Conference League Final | Oliver Glanser | Post-match Interview

The Manager told Palace TV: “Oh yeah – honestly, incredible!

“I’m just grateful, proud, proud of the players, proud of everyone in the staff, proud of our fans. And yeah, of course, having now this ending with winning the Conference League, it’s just incredible. I'm really emotional.

“I don't know. I was delighted. I don't have the right words, but again, it's fantastic. And all the credit to the players again.

“Today was the game we expected. And we had 15 unbelievable good minutes after half-time where we decided the game and then everybody worked hard to get the game over the goal line – and so, great win.”


I know everybody will enjoy travelling in Europe again!

In winning the UEFA Conference League at the first time of asking, Palace have guaranteed their spot in Europe for next season.

Glasner noted: “I think this is what these players deserve. This is what Crystal Palace deserves. And this is what the fans deserve, with one year delay because due to the regulations we were demoted to the Conference League, but nobody complained. 

“Nobody in the club, not our fans, nobody of the players. We took it as a challenge and say, ‘OK, then let's go to win it.’

“It was a lot of hard work from everyone, and now everybody was rewarded. And Crystal Palace gets what Crystal Palace deserved with one year delay.

“And I know everybody will enjoy travelling in Europe again!”


On finishing at Palace after winning three trophies in two years, Glasner smiled “It means a lot. As I said, you know, it’s not just the badge. It's the people I'm working with.

“And it's the people, it's our fans. They're always so passionate supporting us and they're always sticking to to us. And then, you know, today when it was a little bit, well, let's say in the last 15 minutes, you could see players getting a bit fatigued.

“They went all in to support the players. The fans got louder and louder and louder. And this helped us again to get this win.

“We're all now rewarded with lifting another trophy, with extending the European journey, and this is what everybody deserves. 

“So really, thank you very much to every single player. Thank you very much to everyone in the staff. And thank you very much to the fans for supporting us and especially and also me.

“Thank you very much. I told the players today, when we had a meeting in the hotel, because I got many messages from fans when they said 'thank you for giving me the best day in my life'... and I forwarded it to the players – and I can forward it now to the fans, because it's not just they who have had the best days in their lives – it's the same for me. 

“You know, sharing these moments with my family is incredible, so this is this is why I'm doing this job – because these emotions, this feeling and sharing it with the ones you love most with the family. 

“I have to say thank you that I can be part of it. And yeah, thanks a lot!”

A visibly emotional Oliver Glasner – true to form – delivered Crystal Palace’s first-ever European trophy in his last-ever match in charge of the Eagles.

Glasner’s last Palace TV interview: Thank you for giving me the best day of my life

Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano (2026-05-27)

Rayo Vallecano

UEFA Conference League

Crystal Palace

Last Match

Arsenal U18

U18 Premier League

Crystal Palace U18

Manchester United U21

Premier League 2 - Division 1

Crystal Palace U21

Get your Season Ticket here!

After a stunning run of form, where the team won 12 of the last 14 league games, Jo Potter’s side have returned to the WSL at the first time of asking.

Season Tickets are now on general sale, and you can secure your spot for the season from just £50!

Palace fans can now look forward to the visits of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and others to South London, as the Eagles take on the best of the best.

A 26/27 Women’s Season Ticket covers all 13 home Women’s Super League games, regardless of stadium – meaning any matches at Selhurst Park are also included.

*Supporters should note that Subway Women’s League Cup and FA Cup ties are not covered by 26/27 Season Tickets.*

#### **What does a 2026/27 Women’s Season Ticket include?**

- Ticket for every WSL home fixture
- Priority booking / reservations for every Palace Women fixture at Selhurst Park
- Priority windows for away tickets
- Loyalty Points credited with your purchase
- The option to spread payments via Direct Debit

#### **Ticket Prices**

Seated Season Tickets will cost **£125** and Standing Season Tickets will cost **£90**.

Tickets for Men’s Season Ticket Holders are priced at **£88**, with Junior Tickets priced at **£50**.

Season Tickets are now on general sale and will remain on-sale until the week of our first home game in the WSL.

#### **26/27 Palace Women’s Season Ticket prices:**

- **Adult (Seated):** £125 
- **Adult (Standing):** £90
- **Men’s Season Ticket Holders:** £88
- **U16s:** £50

**Check out the table below for more information.**


| **NEW (From 10:00 Fri 22nd May)**               | **Season Ticket Price** | **Price per Game** |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------ |
| Adult - Seated                                  | £125                    | £9.62              |
| Adult - Standing                                | £90                     | £6.92              |
| Junior (U16)                                    | £50                     | £3.85              |
| Concession (over 65 and 17-21) - Seated         | £90                     | £6.92              |
| Concession (over 65 and 17-21) - Standing       | £70                     | £5.38              |
| Men’s Season Ticket Holder (Seated or Standing) | £88                     | £6.77              |

Buy your Season Ticket here!

#### **How to buy your ticket**

You can get your 2026/27 Season Ticket by following the step-by-step guide below:

1. Log in to [the Ticketing section](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc?utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebsiteStory-StockportTickets-12.12.24) of the website.
2. Navigate to the [Season Tickets section](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/Seasons/Seasons).
3. Click the **‘MORE INFO' button** in the **2026/27 Women's Season Ticket section.**
4. Select your seats for the season.
5. Click **‘ADD TO BASKET’** in the top-right of the screen and then follow the remaining on-screen instructions to checkout.

#### **Receiving Your Match Tickets**

Your digital ticket for each home fixture will arrive no later than **72 hours before kick-off**.

For matches played at Selhurst Park, Season Ticket holders must book a seat of their choice, free of charge, during the priority window. We’ll email you full instructions ahead of each game.

#### **Need Help?**

Our Box Office team is here to assist with new purchases, Direct Debit set-up, and accessibility requirements. 

Call [**0333 360 1861**] (Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:30pm) or email **[boxoffice@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:boxoffice@cpfc.co.uk)**.

Back the Eagles in their return to the WSL – Season Tickets are now on general sale for Crystal Palace Women’s return to the top-flight.

2026/27 Palace Women's Season Tickets are now on General Sale!

Portsmouth Women

Women's Super League 2

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Crystal Palace have reached the UEFA Conference League Final, where they will face Rayo Vallecano at the Leipzig Stadium. Find out how to be a part of it.

On our way!

## Our Senegalese Sarr

> Ismaïla Sarr became the club’s third signing of the 2024/25 summer transfer window after joining on a five-year deal from Olympique de Marseille.

The 26-year-old attacker possesses plenty of experience of English football, having spent four years at Watford – recording 34 goals and 22 assists in 131 games – prior to joining Marseille, whom he helped reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season.

Sarr's career began in French football with Metz, before moving to Rennes and leading the club into Europe, as well as winning their first Coupe de France in almost half a century.

At international level, he has been a mainstay of the Senegal national side, earning 64 caps, scoring 13 goals and winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.

His career has also been defined by his eye for the spectacular, having won Goal of the Season awards in both the Football League and the Europa League.

Sarr was ever-present in every Premier League matchday squad in his first season at the club, playing in all 38 games, while also featuring in a further nine cup games. He scored 11 goals across all competitions, with eight additional assists - including a stunning effort against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and a brace against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final.

2022/23, Watford (v West Bromwich Albion)

EFL Goal of the Season

Watford, 2020/21

Player of the Season

Players' Player of the Season

2018/19, Rennes (v Jablonec)

UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season

December 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Sarr

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Top Goals from Crystal Palace vs Arsenal

Extended Highlights: Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

The Full 90: Brentford v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Match Action: Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace

Goal of the Season Contenders 25/26

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v Everton | Palace TV+

Match Action: Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton

Extended Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton | Palace TV+

Match Action: Crystal Palace 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

Lacroix and Sarr on reaching a European Final

Match Action: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-3 Crystal Palace

Match Action: Fiorentina 2-1 Crystal Palace

Match Action: Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina

Goal AND Player of the Month: Ismaïla Sarr

Goal of the Month contenders: March 2026

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE WINNERS COLLECTION

Savour these scenes, drink them in, enjoy them again and again and again: Crystal Palace have won the UEFA Conference League, with the best photos from the trophy lift below!

Gallery: Palace lift the Conference League Trophy!

After a long road to Leipzig, a single goal was always likely to settle a tight and tense UEFA Conference League Final – and it came from the boot of Mateta after Adam Wharton’s rising drive was spilled by the Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper.

Chances were few and far between but Palace’s impressive defensive form – at the fore of their excellent debut European run – saw them become the first club to win the trophy in their debut continental campaign since 1979.

### Summary:

- Palace take on Rayo in both sides’ first-ever European Final – and Oliver Glasner’s last game in charge.
- History beckons for the Eagles at the end of their first-ever continental campaign.
- One enforced change for Palace from previous European game: Chadi Riad replaces the injured Chris Richards in the backline.
- **10:** Top scorer Sarr threatens twice in the opening minutes as Eagles make encouraging start.
- **20:** A cagey opening to the Final almost explodes but Pino is felled in promising position; the referee opts for a Rayo yellow card.
- **25:** Rayo’s Alemão has the clearest early chance, but hooks wide from García’s delivery.
- **30:** De Frutos bends a low effort beyond Henderson’s bottom corner as Rayo grow into the contest.
- **45+3:** Wharton teases a delightful ball in but Mitchell, diving onto it, cannot direct on target.
- **HT: Palace 0-0 Rayo Vallecano**
- No changes at the break.
- **51 – GOAL:** Mateta reacts sharpest to guide home the opener after Wharton’s drive is saved.
- **55 – OFF THE POST, THRICE!:** Pino hits both posts before Vallecano’s defender hits the woodwork again trying to clear.
- **57:** Mateta is denied by a stunning-close range save by Batalla from Pino’s lay-off.
- **60:** Pino bends it in and a Rayo defender attacks it ahead of Muñoz.
- **68:** De Frutos hits the side-netting for Rayo from a tight angle after García’s sharp dribble.
- **76:** Palazón curls free-kick over the bar as Rayo seek a late equaliser.
- **77:** Mateta leaves the field of play to a standing ovation from Palace supporters.
- **79:** Brilliant Henderson goalkeeping and Muñoz defending keeps Eagles in the lead.
- **90:** Palace manage the remainder of the 90 well, with five added minutes signalled.
- **90+1:** Mitchell makes a fine clearing header under pressure, before seeing an effort blocked.
- **FT:** Palace 1-0 Rayo Vallecano
- **CRYSTAL PALACE WIN THE 2025/26 UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE!**

“Once again, we are 90 minutes from history,” [Oliver Glasner stated](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/first-team/glasners-final-message-to-the-palace-fans/), ahead of his last-ever match as Crystal Palace Manager – and the club’s first-ever European Final. He was right.

The Eagles’ long journey to the UEFA Conference League – a reward for their heroics in the FA Cup a year ago – had seen the club experience the highest of highs and, as is so often the case in football, a few low points, as well.

But at the end of 90 minutes at Leipzig Stadium, all those who had travelled, or were watching, from South London – and the millions of other Palace fans around the world – could feel was ecstasy.

Let's go back to the beginning, then.

The Eagles were forced to make one change to the side which had started their previous European game at home to Shakhtar Donetsk: Chris Richards, injured against Brentford, was replaced in the starting XI by Chadi Riad as a result of that ankle ailment.

After a glorious day of sunshine, South London spirt – and memories created in Leipzig which, simply put, will last a lifetime – a stunning pre-match supporter display reminded the watching world that Palace pride is generational.

In front of 39,176 supporters, the match started to a cacophony of noise from both North and South sides of the ground – a token of the two fanbases’ mutual respect, and the role they had played in roaring their teams to Leipzig in the first place.

Palace made the early running and, just as they had done in Krakow, looked to play in competition top scorer Sarr in the opening seconds – Rayo succeeded where Shakhtar failed, snuffing out the attack at the last.

Despite the Eagles applying plenty of early pressure, it took 10 minutes for Sarr’s first real opportunity to arrive; Pino attempted to play him in, but as the ball took a deflection off a covering defender, Sarr cut in on his left – only to see his shot blocked.

Rayo’s first real attack took longer to arrive – 16 minutes, precisely, as Alvaro Garcia seized on a loose ball at the back and delivered a threatening low cross which Maxence Lacroix duly stabbed away.

On 20 minutes, the first real flashpoint. Palace’s early danger had stemmed from quick balls played in behind and Pino appeared, momentarily, to have escaped Pathé Ciss – the Rayo defender misjudging the ball’s bounce, and hooking the Palace No. 10’s leg. Over Pino went – but referee Maurizio Mariani deemed it worthy of just a caution.

With both teams known for their defensive diligence – level on five clean sheets each going into the Final – clear chances were always likely to prove scarce.

And in truth, the first big one went Rayo’s way on 25 minutes: a low ball in from Pep Chavarría found Alemão – who had scored in both legs of the Spaniards’ semi-final – having peeled off his marker, but he thankfully could not direct between the posts.

Slowly but surely, the Spaniards were growing into the game – and Jorge de Frutos was next to go close in threatening Dean Henderson’s bottom-left hand corner with a first-time effort, but the bending effort was thankfully initially set out too wide.

But, with neither side really creating much, Palace were still more consistently entering their opponents’ final third – and on the stroke of half-time, they had a golden opportunity to take a priceless lead.

Adam Wharton, top creator for the Eagles in terms of assists this season, was the architech, a delightful in-swinging cross being met by Tyrick Mitchell in full-flight.

Heading it back across Rayo ‘keeper Augusto Batalla, the No. 3 – with all his momentum behind it – could not direct within the far post.

And so the half-time whistle sounded, an admittedly tetchy first-half goalless at the break.

But as Palace have learned well in this last year, to earn history, you have to be able to simply move forward. The Eagles’ start to the second-half was nothing short of sensational.

And when Jean-Philippe Mateta carved his name into the history books in front of the travelling wall of red and blue in the South end of the stadium, there was not quite a noise to be found elsewhere like it.

Wharton was the architect once more, collecting the ball in midfield, turning and driving towards the area, before firing a rising 30-yard effort which was too hot for Batalla to handle.

Reacting sharply, Mateta stuck out the side of his foot – and up the ball looped, agonisingly, no pace, but completely the right direction, over the goalline. Corner flag flying, euphoria in tandem, we were on our way.

But Palace seemed like a team possessed in that 15-minute spell of the game, and Yéremy Pino was somehow denied by both posts with a sumptuous free-kick which hit both ends of the woodwork.

A goalmouth scramble ensued, Riad getting something on it – before a Rayo defender, diving in to stop Mateta from prodding home, appeared to divert the ball onto the woodwork again.

And three minutes later, Pino was at it again, a lovely lay-off for Mateta seeing the forward denied at close range by Batalla, who spread himself well to turn it round the post.

Finals can be defined by swings of momentum, and Palace have certainly enjoyed a hefty shift of it in their direction.

But the more cagey nature of the game resumed after the hour mark, as Rayo boss Iñigo Pérez made a raft of substitutions to try to inspire a greater cutting edge from his well-drilled side.

De Frutos reacted well to get a shot goalwards from a tight angle, after the ball had popped up to him, but found only side-netting. Not long after, Isi Palazón’s free-kick from 25 yards cleared the crossbar.

Rayo were seeing some joy in the wide areas, and only some fine goalkeeping from Henderson – to spread himself big in the face of Garcia – and a brave last-ditch header from Muñoz repelled the Spaniards’ next two attacks.

But the belief, just as it had been at Wembley a year ago, all belonged to Palace, and they saw through the 90 minutes – and five additional time – without too much incident, save for one fine late header by – who else? – Tyrick Mitchell.

There was even a moment with echoes of Jeremy Doku’s dragged shot for Manchester City at the end, as Alemão snatched at a late opportunity on the edge of the box.

This was our night.

To the trophy, we were on our way.

How did we get here? I don’t know.

All we knew – players, staff, supporters alike – was that Palace were on their way.

**Palace**: Henderson (GK), Riad, Lacroix, Canvot, Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell, Sarr, Pino (Guessand, 80), Mateta (Strand Larsen, 77).

**Subs**: Matthews (GK), Benítez (GK), Clyne, Lerma, Richards, Sosa, Cardines, Hughes, Devenny, Johnson.

**Rayo Vallecano:** Batalla (GK), Ratiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarría, Valentín (Mendy, 63), López (Díaz, 63), de Frutos (Camello, 70), Palazón (Akhomach, 77), García (Espino, 70), Alemão.

**Subs:** Cárdenas (GK), Molina (GK), Balliu, Trejo, Gumbau.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s second-half winner gave Crystal Palace fans the night of their dreams – and first-ever European trophy, in the UEFA Conference League – in Leipzig, as well as Oliver Glasner a historic send-off.

Video

Video

Glasner’s last Palace TV interview: Thank you for giving me the best day of my life

Gallery: Palace lift the Conference League Trophy!

Report: How did we get here? I don't know – all we know is we are Conference League winners!

UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE WINNERS COLLECTION

7Ismaïla
Sarr

Video

Video

Glasner’s last Palace TV interview: Thank you for giving me the best day of my life

Gallery: Palace lift the Conference League Trophy!

Report: How did we get here? I don't know – all we know is we are Conference League winners!

UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE WINNERS COLLECTION

7IsmaïlaSarr

7Ismaïla
Sarr