The reaction round-up as Palace power through the play-offs

First-team

27 Feb 2026

Crystal Palace made history on Thursday night by reaching the last 16 of a European tournament for the first time.

The Eagles eased past Zrinjski Mostar with a 2-0 win – a goal in each half from Maxence Lacroix and Evann Guessand securing a safe passage to the next round where we’ll face AEK Larnaca.

Here’s some of the reaction from a memorable night in the UEFA Conference League at Selhurst Park.

Dean Henderson and Maxence Lacroix speaking to Palace TV:

Maxence: “It’s beautiful to be in the last 16. We are really happy. I think we deserve it.

“Now we can continue the journey.

“We controlled the game. But you have to focused 100% for the whole game.”

Dean and Maxence speak on European win at Selhurst

Dean: “He helped me so I could celebrate! It was an unbelievable header.

“Set-pieces were so important to us tonight. This man’s a legend.

“I’m delighted the 100 games has racked up so quick. I’m proud to play for this football club.

“Hopefully there’s many more games to come.

Crystal Palace Manager Oliver Glasner, speaking to TNT Sports:

“It means a lot. We didn't have easy weeks and therefore now having two back-to-back wins at Selhurst Park.

“The games where everyone is expecting a win are often the most difficult one.

“Playing Wolves at home, everyone was expecting a win and we did it in the final minutes, and today the same. Today was a very clinical win.

"We took our lessons from the first game and then waited for our moments, and then at the end decided the game.

“We always said - since day number one - we've had a great relationship with the fans. They are always supporting us.”

Lacroix, speaking to TNT Sports:

“We were a little bit angry because of last week's game. But in our house, we showed that we have the quality in this tournament, and we are really happy to win in front of fans.

“First of all, we have to go game by game. This competition is not easy. We have seen with every game it’s difficult to play away, or even in our house.”

Former Palace defender James Tomkins, speaking to TNT Sports:

"[Palace] go through to the next stage, into the last 16 of this competition.

"They've got to concentrate on the Conference League. The opportunity they've got is incredible. To add a third trophy in two seasons would be remarkable and beyond the wildest dreams of the fans.

"They needed a second goal to get over the line and it's a great night for the club. The atmosphere is amazing and you can see all the fans are behind the team and the manager and it means a lot."

Final word to a lovely moment between fans that shows what European trips are all about.

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