Crystal Palace faces a challenging path to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League after a 2-2 draw against Finnish champions KuPS at Selhurst Park. The draw means Palace must now compete in a two-legged knockout play-off in February, with the opponent set to be either Sigma Olomouc from the Czech Republic or Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The official draw for the tie will take place on 16 January.

Youngsters Shine in Under-Strength Side

With a Premier League match against Leeds United scheduled less than 48 hours after the KuPS game, manager Oliver Glasner was forced to field a largely rotated squad featuring fringe players and academy prospects.

• Joel Drakes-Thomas (16) became the youngest Englishman to feature in Europe’s third-tier competition.
• Dean Benamar (17) and George King (18) also made their senior debuts, impressing despite the high-pressure setting.

Early Lead and Dramatic Turnaround

The match began positively for Palace, with Christantus Uche scoring a stunning curling effort in the fifth minute to put the home side ahead. This goal temporarily lifted Palace from ninth to third place in the Conference League table, positioning them for an automatic last-16 spot.

However, the second half brought a swift reversal:

• Piotr Parzyszek equalized for KuPS from 12 yards in the 50th minute.
• Ibrahim Cisse put the Finnish visitors ahead soon after.

Palace fought back when Justin Devenny scored a 76th-minute header, capitalizing on KuPS being reduced to 10 men after Clinton Antwi received a straight red card for a foul on substitute Will Hughes. Despite the late efforts, Palace could not secure a winner.

Fixture Congestion Adds to Challenge

This draw highlights the fixture congestion Palace now faces. The KuPS match was the first of three games in six days, with Glasner emphasizing the importance of squad rotation. The next two fixtures include:

1. Premier League trip to Leeds United (Saturday, 20:00 GMT)
2. Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal (following Tuesday)

Glasner confirmed that players who started against KuPS will be rested against Leeds to manage fatigue and avoid injuries.

Palace’s European Campaign and Domestic Success

Despite finishing 10th in the group, Palace remain competitive in Europe while balancing domestic competitions. In recent months, the club has celebrated significant successes:

• Winning the FA Cup
• Lifting the Community Shield
• Currently occupying fifth place in the Premier League

The introduction of young academy players like Drakes-Thomas, Benamar, and King also highlights Palace’s growing depth in youth talent, giving optimism for the future.

Player Ratings vs KuPS

• Justin Devenny – 7.18 ⭐ (Player of the Match)
• Christantus Uche – 6.96
• Joel Drakes-Thomas – 6.86
• Tyrone Mitchell – 6.51
• Marc Guéhi – 6.17
• Kiernan Rodney – 6.16
• Will Hughes – 6.08
• Dean Benamar – 6.04
• Ryan Esse – 5.93
• George King – 5.87

Despite the rotation, several young players performed admirably under the spotlight, proving that Palace’s youth system can contribute meaningfully to high-level European football.

Looking Ahead

Crystal Palace now faces a make-or-break two-legged knockout play-off to advance in the Conference League, a challenging task compounded by a tight domestic schedule. Success will require careful squad management and standout performances from both senior and academy players.