BY ANDREW MCSTEEN
Today marks 59,598 days since the amateur Crystal Palace team played their first-ever game, against Forest from east London, on March 15, 1862 and 43,722 days since the professional Crystal Palace side played theirs, against Southampton Reserves on September 2, 1905.
In all of that time, the club has never won the FA Cup, League Cup or top-flight title but that could change today thanks to a man who has only been at the club 453 days.
On February 19 last year, Austrian coach Oliver Glasner was unveiled as the new manager of the Eagles, replacing Roy Hodgson earlier than expected due to the health concerns of the former boss.
And, yesterday, at the pre-FA Cup final media conference, Glasner, sitting alongside his captain, Marc Guehi, the coach was clear about the history at stake.
“We shouldn’t feel pressure to bring silverware to Crystal Palace, because this never happened in the club’s history, so we will give our best definitely, this is what all our fans are appreciating throughout the season – that in every single game we give our best,” said the 50-year-old.
“Together with our fans, it’s possible. They will see that every single one of the players gives his best, and we can expect that we will see that our fans give their best to support us. It’s football, so many things can happen.
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa Emirates FA Cup, Semi-final,, Wembley Stadium, 26 April 2025
Picture: Keith Gillard
“We will do it our way, and then we have the best chances to win, but Man City will do the same, this is why 90,000 will watch at Wembley, and millions in front of the TV, because nobody knows the result, but we feel ready to win it.”
Watching Glasner intently, and laughing at times, Guehi was direct and to the point with his answers, telling the South London Press that he will “sleep like a baby” on the night before the final, but his boss was keen to explain the vital role his captain plays off the pitch, one which will not change despite the occasion.
“We don’t have many more conversations together than the other players because the group manage most of the issues themselves and don’t need me, but when I think, ‘ok there is something to talk about’, I come to Marc, or, if it is the opposite, he comes to me, but it’s often a very short conversation,” explained Glasner to the South London Press.
“Tomorrow will be the same.
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa Emirates FA Cup, Semi-final,, Wembley Stadium, 26 April 2025
Picture: Keith Gillard
“Marc will talk the last words to the team before we leave the dressing room, he always does. Marc does it in ‘Marc style’, and that’s the best. I don’t have to tell him how he should do it because then it is not authentic. Marc does it in his style and that is perfect for the group.
“Marc is so reliable and it is easy to work with such a great player, a great professional and, especially, a great guy. That makes it easy for me and that is what I like the most – that I can take one or two steps back because I know everything is fine.”
Glasner went on to tell the South London Press the he usually sleeps “really well before big games,” but was in no doubt that he will be grounded as the 4.30pm kick-off approaches.
“I will never forget where I’m coming from,” said Glasner, who won the UEFA Europa League in 2022 with Eintracht Frankfurt. “It’s a long time ago and even longer the older I get, but I will never forget when I was a boy and watching these kind of games on the TV screen and thinking ‘wow, how great would it be if I could just be part of this’ and now, I’m part of this.
“I will go into the gym in the morning, which is good for pushing out energy and power, then I don’t know. I hope there will be a few butterflies because it’s a special game for me. I will enter the pitch definitely with a big smile on my face and supporting the team. The FA Cup is the most traditional cup in the world and this is what I can feel, I like that you stick to your traditions.”
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa Emirates FA Cup, Semi-final,, Wembley Stadium, 26 April 2025
Picture: Keith Gillard
And for Guehi, who will be behind Glasner leading his team out for the pre-match traditions, which will see him introduce his team individually to HRH The Prince of Wales, he will also be grounded too, not getting too carried away with the sense of occasion.
“I definitely wasn’t having dreams about that, so it’s unexpected, but it’s nice,” said the 24-year-old to the South London Press when asked if he had ever dreamt about this moment.
“The most important thing is making sure that we do what we have to do tomorrow, approaching the game in the right way, in focus. When you walk up [to the pitch] there will definitely be a moment where you look down the line, looking at each other, looking at the fans – I’m sure they’re going to have an incredible tifo (display). You enjoy those moments, so you look forward to that, maybe looking up to your family, waving, but it’s important to have the right balance.
“It’s about not thinking too far ahead or too far back. The manager talks about it a lot, it’s the right mentality for life. It helps you stay in the moment and helps you focus on what’s important – it puts things into perspective and helps you stay centred.”
MAIN PICTURE: ALAMY
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