“Honestly, it's maybe the most relaxed day in the week for me. Everything is sorted, the players look in great shape and it’s a great atmosphere. Playing great games is what I wanted when I was a child.”
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was in relaxed mood on Wednesday in his media conference ahead of their semi-final second leg UEFA Conference League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Telling the gathered journalists that the day of the game was the most relaxed he would feel all week could not hide his excitement about making history once more with the South Londoners.
“It's such a big game – we can play in a European final and if I wouldn't be excited, it would be the wrong job for me. That's why we all love to be players, managers and be involved. Everybody is excited and if you lose this excitement then it would be for me a clear sign to retire, but I'm enjoying it,” said the 51-year-old, who guided the club to a historic FA Cup win one year ago.
“I told the players I'm really enjoying being part of this incredible group. What they have done for Crystal Palace in the last two years is just incredible. I can't mention it often enough. Playing in the Premier League, such great and big games, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield, a great start to this the season and now being close to playing a European final, a few years ago, this has been so far away from Crystal Palace, but now we can almost grab it.
“This makes excitement for all of us because we know we can write history again. We know that we can give the fans some moments that will stay forever and this is the best thing you can have in your job.”
Despite a 3-1 advantage going into the final European game at Selhurst Park this season, Glasner was quick to deny anyone at the club thinks the job of getting to the final is already done.
“Nobody believes this,” said the Austrian. “We could see how good Shakhtar are as a team and also their players; quick players, good dribblers. We will need another great performance but we will play the game tomorrow with a lot of confidence at home. We know we will have fantastic support from our fans. I could feel it against Fiorentina (quarter-final) at home and I believe will be even more electric tomorrow and that's what we need, then it’s about playing our game, giving our best.
“We know what to do. We don't need to change a lot; we don't need to find something that we didn't find right now. It's just really playing on our best level and this is what we will try.”
A win for the Eagles will see them face either Rayo Vallecano or Strasbourg in the final in Leipzig at the end of the month in what will be Glasner’s final game in charge after he announced he was leaving earlier this season.
“Now is not the time to get melancholic. It’s about staying focused,” said Glasner. “I tell the players very often don’t do anything for me, do it for yourselves, do it for the club, do it for the fans, because winning the Conference League means European football again next year at Selhurst.
“The players tasted the honey last year with the FA Cup. This year it’s the Conference League and they want honey again. They won’t be happy with just avocado; they want it sweeter.”
Share