Oliver Glasner says Crystal Palace have ticked off their objectives for the season with the “huge achievement” of qualifying for the Conference League.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s first-leg goal was enough to see off Norwegian side Fredrikstad and ensure European football until the new year for the Eagles.
Glasner’s side were not at their best but extended an unbeaten run in all competitions to 13 – equalling the longest in their history as a top-flight side.
“It is a huge achievement to go into the group stage,” Glasner told Channel 5. “It was our second goal of the season and we have achieved that by the end of August which is great.
“The first one was winning the Community Shield – which we did – and now, with all of the noise of being demoted to the Conference League, we have done that too.
“We defended excellently and did not give them a chance but on the other side, we know we can and have to play better in possession, but overall it’s important be in the group stage.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s draw, Glasner added: “I have a press conference in the morning and we train in the afternoon because we get home late.
“We will watch Aston Villa to be prepared (for Sunday’s Premier League match) so I think someone will tell me who the opposition teams are, but it is not important to me because we start (the Conference League) on October 2 and now Villa is on my mind.”
