CRYSTAL PALACE have the chance to give Oliver Glasner the perfect send-off by winning the Conference League final in his last match in charge.
Glasner, 51, has already cemented himself as the Eagles’ most successful manager in their 121-year history.
Oliver Glasner could bid farewell with another trophy Credit: Reuters
Crystal Palace take on Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig Credit: Getty
He ever when they beat Manchester City in last year’s FA Cup final – before adding the Community Shield against Liverpool in August.
Now, they are just 90 minutes – or 120 minutes plus penalties – away from making it three trophies in 13 months.
After 16 matches and trips to Norway, Poland (twice), France, Ireland, Bosnia, Cyprus and Italy, face Rayo Vallecano at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig on Wednesday night.
Victory would see them crowned European champions.
And has the chance to score winners in back-to-back Uefa finals – after grabbing the only goal of Tottenham’s Europa League victory over Manchester United last year.
The Welshman admitted he has been dreaming of finally getting his first Palace goal in the final – and would mark victory with another trophy tattoo.
January-signing Johnson said: “I very much hope so.
“The thought of scoring the winner naturally creeps in sometimes, it’s something that I definitely want to replicate. Of course.
Brennan Johnson scored the winner in the Europa League final a year ago Credit: Getty
He has the trophy tattooed on his leg – and wants to add another Credit: Getty
Palace have played 16 matches in their European adventure Credit: Getty
“I still have the confidence in me that I feel like I can help the team and score.
“But when it comes to finals, the main thing is getting over the line, no matter how and who scores, that’s more important.
“I know I’m in a fortunate position, the fact that I’m here again and being able to play in a European final.
“When you’re a Premier League club and you get into the , it flips the expectation. You become the favourites instantly.”
Wednesday’s final will be Palace’s 60th match of a brutal campaign.
But Glasner is delighted with how his squad have fared in their maiden Euro adventure as they look to become the first side to win a trophy in their first season in major European competition since Belgians KV Mechelen lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1987-88.
The Austrian said: “Honestly, I’m very proud on the players.
“For many of them, it was their first European experience. For many of them, it was the first experience playing 60 games a season. They did so well.
Ismaila Sarr is the top scorer in the Conference League this season Credit: Alamy
Inigo Perez was Andoni Iraola’s assistant but could not get a work permit to move to Bournemouth Credit: Getty
Isi Palazon spent time harvesting peaches after his release by Villarreal C Credit: EPA
The Vallecas Stadium has been heavily criticised for its pitch, facilities and dirty toilets Credit: Shutterstock
“We had moments where we struggled but they always worked hard. They always believed in what we were doing.
“They always kept going. They always supported each other. That’s why they deserve all the credit.”
The 59th game of Palace’s season came on Sunday afternoon as they hosted Arsenal’s Premier League title party.
That , whereas Spanish opponents Rayo Vallecano concluded their LaLiga season on Saturday evening.
Like Palace, Vallecano are one of their capital city’s overlooked clubs as Real Madrid and Atletico dominate the football landscape.
Inigo Perez was No2 at Rayo before the manager went to Bournemouth – Perez planned to go with him but for work permit issues.
Now instead of a , he is trying to give Vallecano their first major trophy in their 101-year history.
Rayo translates as lightning bolt – which features on their badge and shirt – and the .
Two of their brightest stars are attacker Jorge de Frutos and midfielder Isi Palazon.
Winger De Frutos didn’t play organised football until 16 and also helped out with his parents’ bar, farm and pig-breeding businesses.
He trained alongside Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid and even used classical music to hone his composure before blossoming at Rayo to earn his first Spanish cap in September, aged 28.
Like De Frutos, pocket-rocket Palazon didn’t make the cut at the Bernabeu and was released by Villarreal C so returned to amateur football, harvesting peaches to make ends meet before working his way back up despite mental health struggles.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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