Crystal Palace Vs Zrinjski: Glasner Calms Storm as Palace Seal 3-1 Aggregate and Eye Last 16
Crystal Palace Vs Zrinjski ended with a 2-0 home win that completed a 3-1 aggregate victory and sent Palace into the Conference League last 16 — a result that matters because it keeps European hopes alive amid a chaotic season for the club.
Crystal Palace Vs Zrinjski: Scoreline, Scorers and Key Moments
Maxence Lacroix and Evann Guessand scored as Crystal Palace beat Zrinjski Mostar 2-0 at Selhurst Park to seal a 3-1 aggregate win. The tie had been poised after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Bosnia and Herzegovina; that earlier visit left Palace fortunate, and the match could have swung the other way if Zrinjski had equalised just before Guessand settled the tie late on.
Progress to Last 16 and Upcoming Draw
With the aggregate win, Palace advance to the Conference League last 16. They will discover their next opponent in the draw on Friday at 13: 00 GMT. Potential opponents referenced in coverage include the Cypriot side Larnaca, who Palace lost to in the group stages, and Mainz from Germany.
Glasner, the Media Storm and His Position
Manager Oliver Glasner has been at the centre of controversy this season. He announced in January he was leaving at the end of the season and said the club's board had "abandoned" the squad; that remark appeared to signal the end of his tenure, yet he has remained in charge. Fans displayed a banner before the 1-0 win over Wolves calling him "finished. " Glasner said he had "100%" assurance of his job and acknowledged that "there's so much noise, sometimes you really don't understand it, " adding that some of his interviews "were not helpful" and that he speaks openly about how he feels. He stressed that the players must perform on the pitch and that their belief in him is the most important factor.
Season Upheaval, Departures and Recent Silverware
The campaign has been turbulent off the field. In the past 12 months Palace won the club's first major trophy by beating Manchester City to lift the FA Cup, then later added the Community Shield with a penalty shootout win over Liverpool. Key players have left or been linked with moves: winger Eberechi Eze left for Arsenal; Marc Guehi nearly joined Liverpool before moving to Manchester City five months later; and Jean-Philippe Mateta was on the verge of signing for AC Milan only to fail a medical. Such turnover has contributed to a chaotic season even as Palace remain competitive.
Supporters, Matchday Atmosphere and Club Decisions
Tensions with supporters have been visible. A supporters' group requested that music be turned off during the pre-match warm-up so they could back the team, but the club rejected that request on the grounds that UEFA regulations would not allow it. A significant travelling contingent took up position two hours before kick-off, helping to create a decent atmosphere despite many empty seats in home sections. The Holmesdale Fanatics displayed the message "40 quid? Palace fans fleeced = empty seats" during the first half of the match.
Wider European Picture and Other Last-16 Scenarios
Several other European ties resolved this week will shape the last-16 landscape. Celta Vigo beat PAOK 3-1 on aggregate with Williot Swedberg scoring the only goal in the second leg to set up a last-16 tie against either Aston Villa or Lyon. Lille overturned a deficit to win 2-0 at Red Star Belgrade, with goals from Olivier Giroud and Nathan Ngoy (extra time), becoming another potential opponent for Villa or Lyon. Ferencvaros overturned a one-goal first-leg deficit to win 2-0 and knock out Ludogorets Razgrad. Gabi Kanichowsky and Kristoffer Zachariassen scored for their Hungarian side to reach the next round, where they will face Porto or Braga; one of those winners will be matched with Stuttgart despite Stuttgart losing 1-0 at home to Celtic. Luke McCowan scored after 28 seconds — the Europa League's fastest in 10 years — though the hosts prevailed 4-2 on aggregate in that tie. Panathinaikos won a shootout 4-3 after a 1-1 draw made it 3-3 on aggregate; Javi Hernández was sent off in the second half of extra time and Milos Pantovic scored the decisive spot-kick, with Midtjylland or Real Betis awaiting in the last 16. Andreas Tetteh put the visitors ahead early in that match before Karel Spacil levelled for Plzen. Nottingham Forest beat Fenerbahce on aggregate and remain a potential opponent for Midtjylland or Betis. Bologna beat 10-man Brann 1-0 on the night and 2-0 on aggregate to set up a last-16 tie; the opponent is unclear in the provided context.
Reflections and What Comes Next
Captain Dean Henderson joked, "I don't know what all the fuss was about, " shortly after the win over Zrinjski that sealed progression. Palace sit mid-table but with room to climb: they are 13th in the Premier League, 10 points clear of the relegation zone and three points away from eighth, which could be high enough to secure a European return next season. Glasner noted the group's togetherness and highlighted that the club may be enjoying one of its best two seasons, with last year described as the best. The immediate focus is the Friday draw at 13: 00 GMT; the European path and the ongoing relationship between manager, squad and supporters will shape how this turbulent season is ultimately judged.
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