West Ham United fans do not need reminding about just how good the Conference League win was back in 2023 – but the struggles Crystal Palace have endured in it underline just what an achievement it was.
The most annoying thing that rival supporters said when West Ham won the Conference League in 2023 was that it was somehow a formality for any Premier League team, such is the financial power of the English top flight.
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That overlooks the fact that Tottenham and Leicester both played in the competition before West Ham United and neither did as well. Aston Villa followed and reached the semi-finals.
While Chelsea did win it in relatively routine fashion, they and West Ham are exceptions rather than the rule – just as Palace are finding out.
Palace’s struggles prove the Conference League is difficult
The Eagles needed extra-time to get past a nine-man AEK Larnaca and into the quarter-finals on Thursday night.
Oliver Glasner’s side have not at all convinced in the competition this season, despite being seen as favourites before a ball was kicked.
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The Hammers, of course, beat Cypriot side Larnaca with ease in the round of 16 on their unbeaten run to the final.
Interestingly, Palace will now meet Fiorentina – the team West Ham famously beat in the final on that stunning night in Prague.
The point is not to downplay what Palace are doing, it is to underline just what an achievement it was for West Ham to win the competition.
It is not a given for an English team even if they do play in the most monied league in world football right now.
People have mocked the Conference League, deeming it easy to win as it is UEFA’s third-tier competition.
Almost everything we have seen from the English teams who play in it, however, proves that very much isn’t the case – and Palace are the latest example of that.
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