Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has lamented the failure of the club’s hierarchy to make adequate investments in the team and place greater demands on players as they embark on a European tour.
Oliver Glasner has accused Palace’s board of failing to invest in the team ahead of their first European trip, following a disappointing defeat to Manchester United.
And the Austrian’s apparent dissatisfaction raises the possibility of him leaving the FA Cup holders in the summer when his contract expires. The Eagles became the first Premier League team to benefit from the new “double touch” penalty rule, with Jean-Philippe Mateta taking the second spot-kick and allowing him to score.
But Glasner’s depleted side, who lost in the UEFA Conference League in Strasbourg on Thursday night, conceded two set-piece goals in the second half. Palace have not won in four Premier League games this season, starting with the UEFA Conference League group games.
Ismaila Sarr, who will be representing Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations later this month (December), left the match due to “swollen ankle”.
Asked if the FA Cup holders were lacking due to a lack of depth, Glasner said: “Yeah, I think it’s a problem that we haven’t talked about before, to be honest with you. And today it’s just the time. We want to protect our players because we know how hard they work and how much they give. It was our 22nd game.”
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“They were physically better. It’s obviously our fault. We didn’t strengthen the squad in the summer and we knew the schedule. We knew Ismaila was going to Afcon, but nothing happened. It’s the first time in history that you play European football.”
“So let’s invest instead of saving. We saved and that’s what we’re facing. The players can’t be blamed because they gave everything and left their hearts on the pitch. But their feet don’t move the way their heads want.”
Coach Glasner added, “I think we would have liked a little more support, yeah. I think in January we’ll just fix what we didn’t do in the summer. By January, we’ve played 60/65 percent of the season. We’ll see.”
Mateta scored from the first spot-kick at Selhurst Park, but a VAR review found his standing foot also touched the ball. In previous seasons, this goal would simply have been disallowed. This happened in March during a dramatic penalty shootout between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in the Champions League, when former Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez slipped and touched the ball twice as he beat former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois to score. This season, the rules have been changed to allow for an accidental double touch if the penalty taker scores.
Asked about the rule change, Glassner said, “I had no idea. But the fourth official told me about it. So I was lucky today. Do I think it’s a good rule change? Honestly, I don’t care.”
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