The FA
The Palace boss has urged his players to enjoy the occasion
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has called upon the support of the club’s fanbase ahead of the Emirates FA Cup Final this weekend which sees the Eagles battle it out with Manchester City for a chance to get their hands on the trophy.
Palace ran out 3-0 winners over league rivals Aston Villa at Wembley in the semi-final and the Eagles manager insisted that backing will be crucial to getting his side over the line when they return to the national stadium this weekend.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
The Emirates FA Cup Final
4.30pm BST, Saturday 17 May 2025
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
“It was an amazing atmosphere, very loud, and to see each half of the stadium decked out in the two clubs’ colours made it very special. It was an incredible experience for all of us,” said Glasner. “To have more Crystal Palace fans here than we can fit inside our own stadium is very unique.
“I definitely expected to be more nervous on the day [in the semi-finals], but instead I was very calm. I had such a positive feeling from the players in the pre-match meeting in the hotel.
The FA
Oliver Glasner during the semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley
“In particular, I had to tell two players they weren’t going to start the match. These were two players who have played a lot of matches, and it is never easy, but their reaction was superb, and from that moment I had a very good and positive feeling that gave me a calmness throughout the day.”
“After the game, I was able to take in the energy from the supporters. You could feel the emotion, and that emotional reward is something that you can’t buy. You have to earn it, and those players with their performances, and you – the supporters with your noise – everyone earned it.”
The Citizens stand in Palace's way of lifting the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history on their third appearance in a Final in this competition, having last done so nine years ago in 2016.
“I feel it’s important not to do anything special or specific just because it’s a big game,” explained Glasner. “The message will be to stick to our strengths, stick to the way we want to play and stick to what has worked.
Oliver Glasner was pumped after Ismaïla Sarr's first goal 😤#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/FcxIlIcm6t
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 26, 2025
“Our approach was successful in the win against Fulham, and again against Aston Villa, so we don’t change anything.
“Of course, we will have analysed Manchester City, but we know what we can do, and what we want to do, and we’ll try and adjust what we feel we need to in order to get the right result.”
“We have played Manchester City three times since I have been at the club and we have always scored two goals, but so far we have only managed to draw one of those games. We conceded twice at home, then four, and five times at the Etihad Stadium. It shows that we are able to score goals against them, but that we need to be more consistent in our defending.
“That will be one of the main topics in our preparation. When you concede four or more goals against a team like City it is very hard to win the game. However, when you score two goals against them, you also should have the chance to win.”
The FA
Oliver Glasner with Palace loanee Ben Chilwell
And the 50 year old is urging his players to embrace the occasion instead of feeling the pressure.
“What is clear is that we should feel no burden,” added Glasner. “Pressure comes when you are trying to avoid relegation, when you are playing for your future, the future of the football club and the club’s employees.
“But playing in a Cup Final means that you can achieve something incredible. This is what we are all playing for, this is the childhood dream! When these players were kids, I’m sure they all watched the Cup Finals and dreamed of one day being involved in one. Now, everyone has the chance to fulfil that childhood dream.”
You can read the full interview with Glasner in the official matchday programme for the 2025 Emirates FA Cup Final, which can be purchased at Wembley or online in due course.