Oliver Glasner Wasn't Just Lucky at Wembley

LONDON, SATURDAY – Crystal Palace, along with Manager Oliver Glasner, will play their third match at Wembley Stadium, London, within a span of approximately three months. Two victories have been achieved in the previous two matches. Against Liverpool in the Community Shield, on Sunday (10/8/2025) at 21:00 WIB, Glasner aims to prove that their success in the "cathedral" of English football is not merely a stroke of luck.

The fate of Glasner's marriage with Wembley began with a victory over Aston Villa, winning 3-0 in the FA Cup semifinal on April 26. Almost a month later, on May 17, it was Manchester City's turn to be defeated by Palace with a narrow score of 1-0 in the FA Cup final.

The victory over City created history for "The Eagles." They secured their first major trophy in the club's history. It also marked the first championship title for Glasner, the Austrian passport-holding tactician, in England.

Winning and remaining unbeaten in the previous two matches at Wembley serves as a good preparation for Palace ahead of facing Liverpool, the champions of the 2024-2025 Premier League. If one only considers the final standings of last season, the fortunes of Palace and "The Reds" are like night and day.

Liverpool remained undisturbed at the top of the standings for the majority of the competition campaign. Meanwhile, Palace struggled in the middle of the table, finishing in 12th place.

This is better than just a friendly match; this match is an opportunity to win a trophy. It is our chance to compete directly with the champions of the Premier League.

Although they were 31 points apart in the final standings of last season, Palace has proven that nothing is impossible in direct confrontations. They held the Reds to a draw in the final match of the English Premier League last season at Anfield Stadium. Ismaila Sarr spoiled the closing party and the trophy presentation for Liverpool's English Premier League title.

Glasner revealed that the Community Shield, often regarded as a mere entertainment trophy before the new season begins, holds significant meaning for the Eagles. Unlike the top teams in England that compete annually for trophies, Palace is similar to other mid-tier teams that have a specific cycle to earn the opportunity to play in the title match.

"This is better than just a friendly match; this match is an opportunity to win a trophy. It is our chance to compete directly with the champions (of the Premier League)," Glasner stated as reported on the club's website.

"We want to show how we play, we want to demonstrate that we can compete with every team. That is what we have been preparing for in the past few weeks," he added.

Glasner also mentioned the last match of the previous season when his team managed to bring home one point from Anfield. "The players give me confidence. I think the last match at (the home of) Liverpool showed how the game will unfold, how the match occurred, so I am very much looking forward to that match with all my best efforts," said Glasner.

The attacking trio consisting of Sarr, Eberechi Eze, and Jean-Philippe Mateta will pose a significant threat to Liverpool's defense. Relying on positive transitions, the three have the potential to surprise the English Premier League champions through quick counterattacks.

Daichi Kamada's mobility at the heart of the game also has the potential to pose a threat to Liverpool at Wembley. The Japanese national team player can also act as a shadow striker to increase the number of Palace players in the final third of Liverpool's defense.

The unstable situation in Liverpool's defense, marked by conceding goals in their last four exhibition matches, could be exploited by Palace. This means it is not impossible for Palace to extend their luck at Wembley this summer.

If he were to achieve the first Community Shield in the club's history, Glasner would have the opportunity to be eternally remembered by Palace. A statue of him could stand at Selhurst Park in the coming years.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot acknowledged that Palace is not a team to be underestimated by his players. Reflecting on the last game at Anfield last season, Slot continued, Palace has the quality to compete with any team.

"It is enjoyable to start the season with a chance to win a trophy. Unfortunately, we are facing a very good Crystal Palace team that is extremely difficult to defeat," said Slot as reported on the club's website.

He added, “I think the majority of their players defend, so that's all the more reason how difficult they are to play against”.

Amid the impressive depth in the attacking line, with players such as Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Federico Chiesa, and Rio Ngumoha, Liverpool's defense remains a concern.

Specifically, the center-back position relies solely on Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. Backup center-back, Joe Gomez, is unable to participate in the Community Shield due to injury.

However, that situation does not concern Slot. He is confident that gradually the alternative players can perform their roles in the defense effectively. Slot is preparing Andy Robertson, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch to serve as backup center-backs.

"We still have several options. I am very pleased with the players I have," emphasized Slot, who is eager to present the 17th Community Shield trophy for Liverpool.

Currently, Liverpool is only behind Manchester United (21 titles) and Arsenal (17) in the collection of trophies for the opening match of the top-tier English competition.