For generations of Crystal Palace supporters, nights like this belonged to other clubs.
Yet 16 years after fans marched through the streets of London to help save the club from bankruptcy – and only three after Roy Hodgson suggested supporters had been ‘spoiled in recent times’ following a decade where their highest Premier League finish was 10th – the Eagles are heading to a European final.
That sentence would have sounded absurd 12 months ago, even when Palace had reached the FA Cup final, but a remarkable year under Oliver Glasner could see them add the Conference League to their trophy cabinet alongside the FA Cup and Community Shield after they overcame Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2 on aggregate.
It means that Glasner will bring the curtain down on a transformative two-and-a-half-year spell in charge with a showdown against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on May 27 following one of the greatest nights in the club’s history.
‘This is why you dream of being a football player as a little boy, this is the reward you get,’ a jubilant Glasner said. ‘We are in our next final together. It is amazing what this group is doing for Crystal Palace.
‘The atmosphere is electric inside the changing room. It was a great European night here at Selhurst. A huge congratulations and credit to the players. Everybody could see how good Shakhtar were, but the commitment, effort and discipline was exceptional.’
Crystal Palace reached the Conference League final after overcoming Shakhtar Donetsk
Ismaila Sarr scored his side’s second on one of the greatest nights in Palace’s history
He added: ‘I spoke to the chairman before and said to him “did you ever think we would be playing in the semi-final of a European competition at Selhurst Park?” He said “no”. I said, “when we talked for the first time three years ago, I didn’t think about it.”
‘This is what you can achieve if you work hard and stick together in tough moments – and we have had a few tough moments – but it was always more noise around us rather than inside. When you stick together in difficult moments, it is possible and you get the reward.’
Since becoming Palace’s home in 1924, Selhurst Park has witnessed relegation battles, promotion deciders and even Eric Cantona’s notorious kung fu kick. A European semi-final, however, still felt surreal – and the atmosphere before kick-off and throughout reflected the scale of the occasion.
Despite holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg, Palace were tested early as both Kaua Elias and Eguinaldo spurned chances for Shakhtar.
The hosts then thought they had taken the lead after 10 minutes when Yeremy Pino finished neatly following excellent work from Jean-Philippe Mateta, only for a lengthy VAR review to rule the popular Spaniard narrowly offside.
Palace have struggled for rhythm domestically in recent weeks, but this European run has given Glasner’s final months clarity and purpose. His side have become ruthlessly efficient in knockout football, and midway through the first half they moved a step closer to Leipzig.
After a flowing team move, Adam Wharton, still without a goal for the club despite closing in on 100 appearances, forced Dmytro Riznyk into a smart save after a fierce effort from the edge of the area.
Daniel Munoz reacted first to the rebound, and his driven ball across goal took a decisive deflection off Pedro Henrique which deceived Riznyk, pushing the noise levels inside Selhurst Park even louder.
Shakhtar deserve great credit for what they continue to achieve despite all the obstacles they face amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, and they levelled on the night when Eguinaldo, one of seven Brazilians in their starting XI, curled a delightful effort into the corner from the edge of the box.
Given the visitors’ need to attack, space repeatedly opened up for Palace on the break and Mateta almost restored their lead before half-time, but he struck the post with an acrobatic effort.
The Ukrainian side came out brightly after the break yet Ismaila Sarr once again delivered on the big stage as he poked home Tyrick Mitchell’s cross for his ninth goal of this European campaign and 19th overall, allowing the home fans to fully embrace the closing stages as chants about being on the way to Germany echoed around the stadium.
In many ways, Glasner’s final European outing at Selhurst Park unfolded like so many of the biggest occasions of his tenure as his side put in an organised, efficient and memorable display – and there was even time to allow club legend Nathaniel Clyne a cameo off the bench.
It may have not been without drama, but he has transformed Palace from a club with hopes and dreams to one that is making history with increasing regularity, and what once seemed implausible is now reality as Crystal Palace prepare to head to a European final.
‘It’s incredible for the football club,’ Eagles skipper Dean Henderson said. ‘The manager came in and made this team believe we can win any game. We’ve delivered another final, which is fantastic. We’ve got to deliver something special. We want to get back into the Europa League where we deserve to be.’
‘Congratulations to Crystal Palace and their coach,’ Shakhtar boss Arda Turan added. ‘They did an excellent job and they got what they wanted.’
