Palace in Europe: Strasbourg deep dive

First-team

25 Nov 2025

As Crystal Palace prepare to face RC Strasbourg in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday (27th November, 20:00 GMT), let’s take an in-depth look at our opponents.

The French side, nicknamed Les Alsaciens, return to European competition for the first time in 19 years, having secured their place after a strong end to their 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign.

Strasbourg earned a seventh-place finish in Ligue 1, navigating a competitive French top flight and eventually qualifying for the Conference League following a hard-fought playoff against Brøndby.

With a blend of experienced internationals and exciting young talent, they have already made their mark in the competition, picking up notable results such as a 2–1 away win at Slovan Bratislava and maintaining an unbeaten home record in their group-stage fixtures so far.

How they qualified...

Strasbourg’s road back into European competition has been anything but straightforward. After an inconsistent opening to the 24/25 Ligue 1 campaign, Racing found their rhythm in the new year, piecing together an impressive 12-match unbeaten run that reignited belief around La Meinau.

Although surprise defeats to Le Havre and Angers ultimately saw them slip outside the top six, the dynamism of Liam Rosenior’s young, energetic side made them one of France’s most intriguing teams to watch.

Their seventh-place finish proved decisive. Strasbourg ended the campaign level on 57 points with Lyon, losing out only on goal difference, but events elsewhere ensured their European return.

PSG’s victory over Reims in the Coupe de France reshuffled France’s continental slots, bumping Lyon into the Europa League and opening a Conference League playoff position for Strasbourg.

That left Les Alsaciens needing to navigate a two-legged qualifier to reach the League Phase – and it proved a test of resilience. Their first assignment came against Brøndby, and despite dominating large spells of the first leg, Strasbourg were frustrated by inspired goalkeeping from Patrick Pentz as the Danes held firm for a goalless draw at La Meinau.

Everything hinged on the return leg in Copenhagen, and Racing delivered when the pressure peaked. Emmanuel Emegha struck early, finishing coolly after a sharp through ball from Félix Lemaréchal, before Ismaël Doukouré blasted in a superb long-range effort to double the lead.

Brøndby mounted a spirited fightback, equalising through Daniel Wass and Filip Bundgaard, but Emegha’s second of the night restored Strasbourg’s advantage and secured a vital 3–2 win – sealing their place in the Conference League proper and restoring French representation after RC Lens narrowly missed out last season.

Back in Europe for the first time in 19 years, Strasbourg started with an impressive 2–1 away victory at Slovan Bratislava, surviving a late push thanks to several crucial saves from Mike Penders. A 1–1 home draw with Jagiellonia Białystok followed – Joaquin Panichelli rescuing a point – before a less convincing but important 2–1 win over Häcken, courtesy of goals from Godo and Enciso.

After three matchdays, Racing sit seventh in their League Phase table, locked on seven points with Rayo Vallecano, Lausanne-Sport, and AEK Larnaca – very much in the hunt as the group tightens.

European record against English teams

Given Strasbourg’s 19-year absence from European football, it’s perhaps unsurprising that their record against English sides is sparse.

In fact, the club have faced just two English opponents in competitive European competition – Manchester United in the 1964/65 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and Liverpool in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup.

The Red Devils emerged 5-0 winners in the first leg of the Inter Cities Fairs Cup Quarter-Finals. However, Strasbourg managed to hold United to a goalless draw in Manchester.

The first leg at La Meinau, meanwhile, saw Strasbourg produce a stunning 3–0 victory over the Reds on 21st October, 1997. Liverpool fought back in the return leg at Anfield on the 4th November, winning 2–0, but Strasbourg advanced on aggregate, marking a memorable European success over English opposition.

Outside of those ties, Strasbourg have yet to meet any other English teams in competitive European fixtures.

Familiar faces

Coached by a South London boy, Wandsworth-born Liam Rosenior, Strasbourg boast several players with Premier League experience. Left-back Ben Chilwell is perhaps the standout, having helped Palace lift last season’s FA Cup while on loan from Chelsea.

The squad also features a number of promising young talents, including English-born 22-year-old Martial Godo, who scored their second in a 2–1 victory at Häcken on Matchday 3 to maintain Strasbourg’s unbeaten start.

Joaquin Panichelli has also caught the eye with a prolific start to Ligue 1, earning him a first Argentina call-up.

Other notable names for Palace supporters include Andrew Omobamidele, formerly of Nottingham Forest, Julio Enciso and Valentín Barco, both previously with Brighton, and Mamadou Sarr, who joined on loan from Chelsea.

With this blend of Premier League experience and emerging talent, Strasbourg are a squad full of familiar faces that Palace will need to navigate carefully on Wednesday.

Match Details

RC Strasbourg v Crystal Palace

Thursday, 27th November
20:00 GMT kick-off / 21:00 local time
UEFA Conference League league phase
Stade de la Meinau

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