The reaction round-up as Palace return to winning ways in Europe

First-team

8 Nov 2025

Further reaction from Thursday night's emphatic UEFA Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar – as Palace produced an all-action performance to secure a 3-1 win...

Tyrick Mitchell, speaking to TNT Sports:

"It was a difficult game. We know Dutch teams are very good in possession, so we knew it was going to be a hard game.

"But we're just happy that we got the three points.

"[on what worked well] I think our set-pieces, how aggressive we were on set-pieces. Our presses at times, we won the ball back and played forward that third goal. The things we worked on just went well.

"It's good to tick that first home win off the list.

"We're just happy that we won today because we didn't win last time in Europe, so we knew it was important to win today and get ourselves into that automatic qualification."

Oliver Glasner, speaking to the media in his post-match press conference:

"Parts of the game I enjoyed, yes. The first 10-15 minutes we didn't do so well. We were surprised with the intensity of Alkmaar.

"Then we started to control the game.

"We know we can have an advantage with set-plays, with our tall players and physical players and we did well.

"In every game, in the Conference League, but also the Premier League and all the cup competitions, we have showed that we are competitive. That doesn't mean we always win every single game, but it shows that we can win."

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Maxence Lacroix, speaking to UEFA:

"I feel like a striker! I was really happy with the goal, just a little bit sad I couldn't celebrate. But I'm really happy to get the team a win.

"It's a special night to be a part of. It's already really special to play in this competition.

"I think everyone deserved this win. After losing last time everyone said 'we want to put this right.' And we did the job.

"We have learnt that we have to respect every team, because it is Europe."

Will Hughes:

"We started pretty poorly, first 10-15 minutes to get into the game, but I think with the storm early on the chances came to us and we implemented our style.

"We were very physical, second balls, transition and ran out of deserved winners in the end I think.

"All these teams that are playing the European Conference are top teams technically, even though you might not have heard of a few of them, they're top teams that can punish you.

"In AEK Larnaca I think we were a bit unlucky, we thought we did enough to win the game, and that's football sometimes, one mistake and you get punished, whereas tonight I thought we were very focused and deserved the win in the end.

"We don't rest on our laurels, when we lose games it doesn't really affect us, we bounce back straight away. And that's the mentality that's been implemented into us.

"It's another big game on Sunday, we know what it means for the fans, we know what it means for the players, everyone involved, so we'll be ready."

England legend Glenn Hoddle, speaking on TNT Sports:

"They [Palace] started a little bit slow, but they got better and better and better, as the game went on.In every aspect of the game, they deserve to win this tonight.

"And it was an important win, the result was important, but the performance was good as well."

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