Crystal Palace's 2025/26 UEFA Conference League campaign truly gets underway with the start of the league phase on Thursday when the Eagles face Dynamo Kyiv (17:45 BST).
Ahead of the tie Oliver Glasner faced the media in Lublin, alongside his captain Marc Guéhi at the pre-match press conference, discussing a range of subjects.
On the eve of our meeting with the Ukrainian Champions, hear from the boss on why the Eagles have huge respect for their opponents, the mentality of his own side and more...
"We have huge respect for Dynamo Kyiv, they are one of two big teams from Ukraine, I think together, along with Shakhtar Donetsk.
“They have had many great players and have played in the Champions League. So we have huge respect for them. We have analysed them and watched many games, they usually play in a 4-3-3 shape, having wide wingers with good dribblers. They are a team that want to have possession and will try to dominate the game with this.
“This is their DNA. On the other side, they switched to a back five a few times last season, so we don’t know exactly their shape but we have watched many games and are prepared.
“On the atmosphere we don’t know, but we have 2,500 Palace fans supporting us and we hope it is a very good atmosphere in the stadium.”
"It will be a good challenge. We are used to set pieces, every third goal is scored from a set play, so that's why I think every team tries to strengthen it and score goals from it.
"On the other side we have to defend it, we know that Dynamo score many goals, but also they are conceding a few.
"They have scored on average, more than three goals [per game] in their first six games. They are scoring, but they are also conceding goals.
"Let's see what happens tomorrow. Once again we are prepared and we trust in our strengths. We have respect for Dynamo Kyiv and it's a great Conference League game."
"It’s very easy to keep them level and on the floor. No player has wings – they can’t fly!
“We have talked about it many times… it’s the character of the group.
“They are ambitious, but we know it’s the beginning of the season. I have a lot of trust and confidence into the players mindset.
“Now it’s a European game for us. This is the reward for winning the FA Cup. When you see this, you want to perform on your best level.”
"First of all we don't expect Dynamo Kyiv to be playing so deep. It is not their identity.
"But if we have to do it... we had enough chances at home, in the game against Fredrikstad [in the play-off round].
"We have skills to break a low block.
"Liverpool and Chelsea struggled in the Champions League, they both had close to 70% possession, but that doesn’t mean you score four or five goals.
"But we think we have the skills to score goals, regardless of how Dynamo Kyiv will play."
"We practice it [long throw-ins]. It’s a chance to score a goal.
“The advantage over a free-kick is that there's no offside. You have to defend a bigger space. Maybe that is why it’s a trend in England.
“More long throw-ins means more dangerous attacking situations and, of course, we want to take advantage of it.
“Don’t forget it was Marc who flicked on from a long throw-in for Bellingham’s goal last summer, without this England wouldn’t have reached the final of the Euros.”
Dynamo Kyiv v Crystal Palace
