Team Lineups
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Muñoz, Riad, Lacroix, Canvot, Mitchell; Wharton, Kamada; Pino, Sarr, Mateta.
Substitutes: Benítez, Matthews, Lerma, Johnson, Clyne, Hughes, Strand Larsen, Sosa, Richards, Guessand, Devenny, Cardines.
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Ratju, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarría; López, Valentin, Palazón; Garcia, Alemao, De Frutos.
Substitutes: Cárdenas, Díaz, Trejo, Camello, Akhomach, Gumbau, Balliu, Espino, Molina, Mendy.
Police Report from Leipzig
Authorities in Leipzig reported overnight that 60 Crystal Palace supporters identified as “known troublemakers” were instructed to leave the city centre on Tuesday night following two arrests related to clashes among fans.
The Saxon State Police detailed that confrontations between fans "suddenly broke out" involving the throwing of bottles, glasses, and furniture, alongside physical altercations.
Despite these incidents, the fan fest located in Leipzig’s market area remained peaceful, hosting approximately 2,000 supporters from each club.
Match Preview and Context
At the top of this page, readers will find a link to Richard Foster’s detailed preview of the final from a Crystal Palace perspective. It provides comprehensive insights into the upcoming match.
This match represents a significant moment for Crystal Palace and their manager Oliver Glasner, who will oversee his final game in charge of the Eagles. The destination is Leipzig, where they face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final.
Glasner aims to secure Palace’s first European trophy in the club’s history, potentially concluding his tenure with two trophies in two full seasons in London, a remarkable achievement.
Rayo Vallecano, hailing from the Puente de Vallecas district in Madrid, finished eighth in La Liga and advanced to the final by defeating Gary O’Neil’s RC Strasbourg over two legs in the semi-finals. Although lacking high-profile stars, they present a formidable challenge.
Crystal Palace enter the match as favourites but remain cautious given the stakes of a European final. A victory would see Palace join West Ham and Chelsea as English winners of the Conference League since its inception in 2022. Additionally, Aston Villa has already secured a UEFA trophy this season, and Arsenal could contribute to a Premier League clean sweep in European competitions in 2026.
Kickoff Details
The buildup continues with team news and analysis ahead of the 8pm BST (9pm local time) kickoff in Germany. Anticipation is high as fans and analysts alike look forward to the decisive encounter.
