Kamada hoping to repeat European trick under Glasner

First-team

3 hours ago

Daichi Kamada says he hopes his previous success winning a European trophy under the management of Oliver Glasner is a good omen for Crystal Palace’s hopes this season.

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The Japan international was a core member of the Eintracht Frankfurt side which won the UEFA Europa League under Glasner four years ago, scoring five times in 12 appearances – including the semi-final first leg winner against West Ham United in London – en route to lifting the trophy in Seville.

Palace go into tonight’s UEFA Conference League quarter-final second leg with high hopes of reaching the last four of the tournament, holding a 3-0 lead against Fiorentina at the halfway mark of the contest.

Even with a healthy first leg lead, however, the challenge of facing a Serie A giant with a strong Conference League at their own ground, the Artemio Franchi Stadium, cannot be underestimated.

Kamada told his pre-match press conference: “I’ve played many European games and I have experience, but I really don't know how much that can help the team [tomorrow].

“At least the gaffer and I, we've already won the European titles. I think that our gaffer’s tactics are very, very much [good] for playing the tournament games, because I think that his defensive tactic is one of the best tactics in the world for me.”

With Palace looking to protect their 3-0 lead, such defensive solidity would not go amiss in Florence, with the Eagles having conceded just eight times in Europe this season – the second-best defensive record of any team left in the competition (to Mainz’s six).

Quote Icons

We all see his effort in training, every training session
—Daichi Kamada

Kamada was also asked about fellow playmaker Yéremy Pino, who has taken time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League following his summer transfer from Villarreal, but who has also shone on the continental stage in particular, impressing in last week’s first leg.

Asked if he had spoken to Pino about his own experience of adapting to English football, Kamada joked: “Unfortunately, I can't speak with Yeremy a lot because he can't speak English and I also can't speak English well!

“But, yeah, we all see his effort in training, every training session. And also, I know how difficult it is to play in the Premier League. The player needs time.

“The players only can do every training session. We train hard. We try, we give our all, everything. That’s all we can do. And Yeremy always does.”

Match Details

Fiorentina v Crystal Palace

Thursday, 16th April
20:00 BST
UEFA Conference League quarter-final, second leg
Artemio Franchi Stadium
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

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