3 hours ago
11
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner believes his team was the deserving winner against Liverpool in the Community Shield, with Justin Devenny netting the decisive penalty kick in the shoot-out.
Arne Slot's side didn't play particularly well, especially in the second half, looking tired and leggy in midfield. Hugo Ekitike impressed in attack, but the Frenchman was only able to play around 70 minutes.
"I like [the feeling of winning]," Glasner said on TNT Sports post-match. "I have to give big credit to the players for this win today. We came back and were able to decide the game on penalties.
"We were on the same level as Liverpool, and it was a big performance. I'm proud of the team. We know what we can do and how we can create chances.
"Things have developed over 18 months, and the players are really starting to believe in what we are doing. I knew we could score at least two goals."
Slot, meanwhile, said he was disappointed with the way that his side defended at times.
But it was sloppy individual errors as much as a collective lack of energy at a warm Wembley that meant Liverpool couldn't win the game inside 90 minutes despite leading twice.
Ekitike opened the scoring before Jean-Philippe Mateta leveled from the spot. Soon after, Jeremie Frimpong put the Reds in front again, only for Ismaila Sarr to crash a shot in off the post with 13 minutes remaining of normal time.
"I'm very happy with the squad because they just won another trophy," Glasner added. "I see the number of games we have to play next season as a reward.
"We want to win something, and we want the European football.
"We might miss Daichi Kamada who got injured today at Chelsea next week. It's times like this where we will assess our targets and find the right players.
"I told the players to keep calm; I was proud of how they played. They were unlucky with the second goal. I knew if we stuck to the plan, then we would get our chances, and we always know if we take them, we will win the game."
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
While Slot was disappointed to lose, he was happy that new signings Ekitike and Frimpong netted. He also hinted that he would like to sign another forward before the window closes.
"It is always nice to score a goal — not only for Hugo but also for Jeremie — if you start with a new club," Slot said. "But it would have been even nicer to win the game of football because he had even more impact than scoring a goal.
"[Ekitike] is also an example of a player that came only one and a half or two weeks ago, at the end of the Asia tour. And with only four days before the Friday game, it would not have been smart to play him 90 minutes.
"Of course, we have Federico [Chiesa] but he has not been with us in the Asia tour as well, so there is not a lot to replace [Ekitike] with at this moment in time.
"So, if he gets an injury, that would be a big risk for the Bournemouth, Newcastle and Arsenal games. That is why I took him off, but he had a good game today, that is for sure."
English (US) ·