Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig, with Oliver Glasner set to manage his final match in charge of the Eagles. Palace are chasing the first European trophy in the club’s history, and the occasion offers Glasner a chance to end his spell in south London with a second piece of silverware in as many full seasons. The final is being played at Leipzig’s stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 8pm BST.
Palace arrive as favourites after a strong European run, but the club knows there are no guarantees in a final. Rayo Vallecano, who finished eighth in La Liga, reached the title match after defeating Gary O’Neil’s RC Strasbourg in the semi-finals. The Spanish side, based in the Madrid district of Puente de Vallecas, are described as a club without major stars but with a strong identity and determination. Palace will be aiming to join the list of English winners of the Conference League, following West Ham and Chelsea, and to add another European success for English clubs this season.
Team news brought a boost for Palace, with Adam Wharton declared fit enough to start despite a scare in the final league game of the season against Arsenal. Chris Richards, who had been considered doubtful before the match, has only been named on the bench. That leaves Chadi Riad with an important role in Palace’s back three, as he steps in alongside Maxence Lacroix and another defensive option in a game of major significance. Riad has not yet fully established himself in the side, having struggled with injuries since arriving in summer 2024, but he has recently provided useful cover and now has the chance to make a major impression on the biggest stage.
Palace’s starting line-up includes Henderson in goal, with Muñoz, Riad, Lacroix, Canvot and Mitchell in the defensive unit, Wharton and Kamada in midfield, and Pino, Sarr and Mateta in attack. The bench includes Richards, Lerma, Clyne, Sosa and other options. Rayo Vallecano’s XI features Batalla in goal, with Ratju, Lejeune, Ciss and Chavarría in defence, López, Valentin and Palazón in midfield, and Garcia, Alemao and De Frutos leading the line.
The build-up in Leipzig has not been entirely smooth. Police said that overnight clashes between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano supporters led to two arrests, with around 60 Palace fans identified as known troublemakers ordered out of the city centre. According to Saxon State Police, bottles, glasses and furniture were thrown during the disturbances, along with physical altercations. However, the official fan festival in Leipzig’s market area remained peaceful, with about 2,000 supporters from each club gathering there.
Despite those incidents, the atmosphere around the final has been lively, with Palace fans travelling in large numbers and building anticipation for a historic night. For Palace, the match represents a chance to cap a memorable European campaign with a trophy. For Glasner, it is an opportunity to depart on a high. For Rayo, it is a shot at an unlikely but potentially defining triumph.
