Oliver Glasner, manager of Crystal Palace, has laid out a measured and focussed approach ahead of the upcoming match against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend. After his side’s 3-1 success over AZ Alkmaar, Glasner spoke about his preparation strategy, squad condition and the significance of the fixture.
First off, on the team news front, Glasner stressed uncertainty over which players will be fully ready: the young midfielder Adam Wharton is still recovering from a chest-related illness and only played 30 minutes as a substitute in the Alkmaar game. “I don’t know … he’s still feeling his chest, he’s not completely free,” Glasner admitted, noting that Wharton “felt a little bit rusty at the beginning, moving a little bit slow.” Meanwhile, winger Ismaïla Sarr has a slight hamstring tightness and central defender Marc Guéhi picked up a minor knock, though both are expected to be available. He emphasised that the rest of the squad remains in good shape and that this is a fixture they are keen to be fully prepared for, physically and mentally.
On the broader preparation and mindset, Glasner underlined the importance of recovery and managing training given the tight schedule: “We have very little time for training… We have two sessions, and now we also train 20 minutes, and we train set-plays because we knew that this can help us win in games.” He highlighted the need to prioritise topics in training, focusing on what will yield the biggest returns in the match rather than trying to cover everything. This indicates his pragmatic approach — balancing intensive preparation with the demands of a congested fixture list.
Regarding the match itself, Glasner acknowledged the significance of facing Brighton, referencing last year’s result and the pride it gave to the fans: “I could feel … how pleased our fans were winning at Brighton and how proud they were afterwards.” He noted that Brighton are doing really well, with pace in attack and clear structure under their manager, so it will be a “very good test”. He also stressed that for Palace, at home, they should carry the same style, same approach whether at home or away: “It’s always the same style, the same approach.”
In short, Glasner’s thoughts ahead of the weekend match display a mix of cautious realism and ambition: assessing fitness carefully, tailoring training efficiently, respecting the opponent, and maintaining the club’s identity. It’s clear he views the game as an opportunity both to reinforce momentum and give supporters another moment of pride.
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