Oliver Glasner has revealed that he would be open to the possibility of managing in Serie A at some point in the future. He also emphasized that Crystal Palace will approach their Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg against Fiorentina with the same attacking mindset that led to their 3-0 victory in the first leg.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference in Florence, the Austrian coach addressed the perceived gap between the Premier League and Serie A. He observed both Crystal Palace’s match and the Bologna vs. Aston Villa game, noting that Bologna missed several opportunities. Glasner stated, “I don’t think there is much difference between the two leagues. The way teams play is different, but I would not say anything beyond that.”
Regarding the prospect of working in Italy, Glasner was candid: “I follow Serie A closely and I am open to considering the idea of coming to Italy, certainly. But what matters to me is the ambition of the club I go to work for. Right now I am not thinking about my future.”
Despite a comfortable three-goal lead, Glasner made it clear that his team will not adopt a defensive strategy in the second leg. “Nobody here has that mentality,” he said. “Since I arrived in London, our idea has always been to demonstrate our value against any opponent, home or away. Tomorrow our approach will be the same, we will not be defending.”
He also confirmed that the number of players on yellow card warnings will not influence his starting lineup. The only confirmed absentee is Guessand, who will be out for approximately two weeks. However, Glasner highlighted Palace’s resilience, citing the Newcastle result as evidence of their ability to cope without key players.
Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to return after recovering from an injury, though Glasner noted he is not yet at full match fitness. “I hope he can play a good World Cup with France,” the coach added, hinting at potential uncertainty regarding the striker’s future at the club beyond the current season.
Glasner expressed anticipation for the atmosphere at the Stadio Franchi, while also noting his frustration with a section of the stadium being closed during the Lazio match. “I am certain the fans will create a great atmosphere,” he said. “And I expect much more aggression from Fiorentina tomorrow.”
