Oliver Glasner called Crystal Palace reaching the quarter-finals of the Conference league 'a huge achievement' after the Eagles defeated AEK Larnaca 2-1 in Cyprus. Palace now have a long period before their next match and Glasner is hoping he wll have his full squad available.
Oliver Glasner has said that Crystal Palace reaching the quarter-finals of the Conference League is “a huge achievement.”
The Eagles advanced past Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in extra time thanks to a brace of goals from Ismaila Sarr.
With their match against Manchester City postponed due to Pep Guardiola’s side being in action against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, Palace now do not have a match until beyond the international break.
That will see them take on Fiorentina in the Conference League quarter-finals in their next match on 9 April before they host Newcastle in the Premier League three days later.
Speaking on Palace being in the final eight teams, Glasner praised his squad for their efforts in making it as far as they have.
He told TNT Sports: “It's a huge achievement.
“We are looking forward to really making the best of these three weeks because our next competitive game is against Fiorentina at Selhurst Park.”
With as much time as Glasner and his squad have, he revealed that the players would have some time off before those not involved with their national sides return to training ahead of taking on Fiorentina.
The Austrian also revealed that Palace would schedule a friendly to ensure they are match fit ahead of a massively important ending to the season.
"We will have a few days off and many of our players go to their national teams,” Glasner added.
“And then we will prepare and make a friendly to stay in the rhythm.”
Palace were buoyed by the return to full fitness of Daniel Munoz after his shoulder injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur.
It leaves them with just one major injury in the squad, with striker Eddie Nketiah still out from a hamstring injury he picked up on New Year’s Eve.
Glasner is hopeful that Nketiah will be back in training over the international break though, giving him a third striking option with Jorgen Strand Larsen and Jean-Phillipe Mateta both fit and competing for one spot.
With eight Premier League matches left for Palace, as well as their Conference League dream, Glasner is hoping that The Eagles can finish the season as strongly as last.
He said: ”It's good. I expect Eddie Nketiah back, so everybody will help us because then.
“It will be a very tight schedule until the end of the season and, hopefully, our European journey continues."