As the Europa Conference League quarter-finals approach, teams are gearing up for their respective matches. Aston Villa are among the teams in action. Crystal Palace’s manager Oliver Glasner has also shared his thoughts before their game against Fiorentina.
Aston Villa’s Mindset
There has always been the pressure and expectation that Aston Villa would get to the final in this competition. This week Emery was keen to say ‘We’re just going one game at a time’. That is a very important message because if you start looking too far ahead you can trip up. They have to be very disciplined and professional tonight.
Stiliyan Petrov said Jonathan Rowe is so direct, he can go inside and outside and that makes it difficult for any right-back. He keeps going and he is just one of those players that a lot of Premier League clubs will be looking at him and saying ‘I can have him.’
Joe Hart noted Aston Villa did really well to win last week in Italy but they won’t forget what a tough game it was. Bologna are a really good team, they pushed them, they pressed them, Villa took their chances. Emi Martinez had to have a really good game.
Credit to Villa, they rode their luck on the night and to come away with a 3-1 win in Europe is massive. They can afford to think if they get the first goal tonight, I think the tie is over. It’s a really good opportunity for a great end of the season for Aston Villa.
Crystal Palace’s Preparation
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to TNT Sports: “We know how we want to play and we know what we want to do against Fiorentina. We expect them to be more aggressive than they were at Selhurst, more man to man and putting on a lot of pressure in possession.
“They are well organised in defence but I also think when we move the ball quickly and switch sides quickly, we will find space and create our opportunities.
“We feel prepared and we trust in our skills. In this stage of European competition, they are always tight games and that’s what we expect today as well.”
Rowe’s Impressive Stats
Bologna’s Jonathan Rowe has recorded the most ball carries of five or more metres ending in a shot in the knockout stages of this season’s Europa League with eight. He has also attempted (23) and completed (11) the most dribbles of any player.
Glasner’s European Ambitions
Oliver Glasner’s CV already includes one European trophy. The Austrian masterminded Eintracht Frankfurt’s 2022 Europa League triumph, when the German club defeated Rangers in the final in Seville.
After winning the FA Cup last season, the first major trophy in Crystal Palace’s history, will Glasner lead the Eagles to a first European trophy?
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