Crystal Palace vs Man Metropolis: It is a large ask, however Eagles have already proven they’ve high quality to trigger an FA Cup remaining upset

It was February 15, 2024 and there was a sense of disappointment, discontent and chaos at Crystal Palace’s coaching floor.

Roy Hodgson appeared on the point of dropping his job. Outcomes had nosedived and the followers have been livid. Their membership have been missing path on the pitch and seemingly had none off it. Oliver Glasner was being lined as much as cease the season meandering in direction of a relegation scrap.

Considerably surprisingly, Hodgson was nonetheless set to carry a pre-match press convention forward of their subsequent sport towards fellow strugglers Everton.

But as assembled journalists gathered outdoors the membership’s Beckenham coaching base, one thing else was brewing. Stood outdoors the gates, information broke that the viewers with Hodgson had been pulled with simply over half an hour’s discover.

The previous England supervisor had been taken unwell through the morning’s coaching session. He was en path to hospital on a day the place it appeared his second stint on the membership was set to be reduce quick.

Hodgson was quickly in a steady situation in hospital and confirmed he would step down days later. Glasner’s appointment – initially deliberate for the summer time – was confirmed and a clumsy chapter got here to an in depth.

4-hundred and fifty-eight days later, the path is as clear because the enjoying fashion. The Eagles are off to Wembley and the Austrian is doubtlessly 90 minutes away from main them to their first-ever FA Cup.

The journey hasn’t been with out its bumps. It took Palace till late October to safe their first win this season. And it was solely final month that they conceded 10 targets in two matches because the wheels regarded set to fall off a promising marketing campaign.

However the general line of journey has seen a crew progressing with goal.

For thus lengthy, purely as a soccer crew, Palace felt laborious to like from the surface. The soccer was pretty uninspiring, however they at all times did sufficient to maintain themselves away from bother. That in itself is an achievement to not be sniffed at. However underneath Glasner they’re providing a lot extra.

There’s a lot to love about this present Palace outfit. Dean Henderson’s fist pumps, Daniel Munoz’s blistering runs down the proper, Ebere Eze’s mazy dribbles on the left and Jean-Philippe Mateta smashing nook flags. That is with out mentioning the calmness which exudes from the stylish Marc Guehi, the maturity and composure of Adam Wharton and the unpredictable brilliance of Ismaila Sarr.

These proficient people have been allowed to thrive underneath Glasner. They nonetheless have the possibility to document Palace’s highest-ever Premier League factors tally with two matches left to play.

And whereas heading into this weekend, followers could naturally be scarred and pessimistic from earlier finals (bear in mind the Alan Pardew dance?!), this supervisor will not be. It was solely three years in the past on Sunday that Glasner delivered the Europa League for Eintracht Frankfurt, together with his aspect defeating Rangers within the remaining.

Admittedly, there could also be some trepidation taking over Manchester Metropolis simply weeks after a 5-2 hammering on the Etihad. However the Austrian remained defiant even within the minutes that adopted a match during which Palace ought to have taken a 3-0 benefit, however ended up conceding 5 unanswered targets: “I told Pep [Guardiola] after the game that he can’t play this system [again] because we will beat it”. A delicate reference to the 2 sides doubtlessly assembly once more within the remaining – earlier than they’d even taken on Champions League quarter-finalists Aston Villa within the semi!

In saying all of this, clearly Palace are nonetheless the underdogs. Man Metropolis have didn’t hit their standard highs this season, however are nonetheless a power to be reckoned with and their document in home cup competitions underneath Guardiola is phenomenal. They’ve gained the FA Cup twice underneath him and have reached no less than the final 4 stage in every of the previous seven seasons. Chuck in 5 Premier League titles, a Champions League and 4 Carabao Cups amongst different items of silverware. It’s some ask for the Eagles.

From a private perspective, it has been a pleasure to talk to Glasner frequently and canopy his 15 months on the membership up to now. He is a pleasant, heat and completely first rate human being. Behind the grins there is a fierce aggressive streak. He is stressed and relentless in his pursuit of progress. He provides lots and calls for lots from gamers, employees and the membership.

It is easy to see why Bayern Munich have been circling once they regarded to interchange Thomas Tuchel final summer time. It is no shock that RB Leipzig have shortlisted him to fill their vacant managerial function.

Which takes me to my remaining level.

The potential on this squad and supervisor is sort of limitless. However in actuality, we’re almost certainly witnessing the ultimate iteration of this explicit Palace crew.

The potential on this squad and supervisor is sort of limitless. However in actuality, we’re almost certainly witnessing the ultimate iteration of this explicit Palace crew. In all probability, they might lose two or three key gamers this summer time. Perhaps their supervisor too. It is inconceivable that they will hold maintain of all their stars. At some point, possibly they will.

Maybe European soccer subsequent season – courtesy of victory on Saturday – would suffice for the likes of Guehi and Eze. Their performances particularly over the past two seasons show they belong on the most important of levels.

However that is sooner or later. Let’s stay within the now. Established in 1861, on Saturday, Crystal Palace might expertise their biggest day.