LONDON, England — Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner don dey prepare his team for FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon for Wembley. With just 90 minutes fit to separate dem from another final, Glasner no wan allow any thoughts go beyond dis match.
“Never make step two before you make step one,” Glasser talk as he dey reason the match for a warm afternoon at the training ground for Beckenham. Him know say dem dey important week ahead, especially as dem don set to face Champions League semi-finalists.
Glasner come reveal say, “It’s our Champions League week.” Dis week go determine how dem go move forward in the cup. The club finished 10th last season under his leadership, following a tough start, and now, after an impressive run, expectations don rise for the team.
Him don turn di ship around since him arrive last February. Dem finish well last season after winning six of their last seven league games. Why dem no fit replicate dat kind form again dis season at the beginning was worrying for him, but him achieve a turnaround, making palace reach quarter-finals of di Carabao Cup for di first time in 14 years and dem still dey eye a record point total.
“We dey in a privileged situation to get into dis semi-final,” Glasner explain. “We get fit players, and our performance don dey improve. For di last weeks, di players don show commitment, and we go prepare well for Aston Villa.”
He dey excited about di semi-final, even as dem face a tough opponent. Di manager note, “It’s all or nothing for every team. We don pass through a rigorous process to get here. Every squad go give 100 percent effort.”
Earlier this season, Palace faced challenges but managed to recover after a rocky start. Even before di semi-final, dem get one draw against Arsenal, where dem show signs of positive performance with players like Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta stepping up.
Glasner don remind dem say to play in Wembley dey fulfil childhood dreams. Him no forget where he dey come from and how dis moment dey special for di players too. “I dey always tell my players, we dey live our dreaming. We dey fulfill di dreams wey we get as kids to play for big stages.”
As Palace go face Villa, Glasner emphasize di need for di players to maintain focus. “We must keep di discipline and confidence we show today. It go not easy, but we dey ready to follow our game plan and express ourselves.”
“Win or lose, we go give our best, because our fans deserve am. Every game na like a final for me, and we go chase dis trophy.” Come Saturday, Palace go dey in hunt for glory at Wembley.
