- Crystal Palace face Rayo Vallecano in Conference League final
- Dean Henderson on Eagles being favourites
- Captain thinks bookies had it wrong
Dean Henderson has explained why he doesn’t think Crystal Palace were favourites to win the UEFA Conference League despite what the bookmakers say. The English goalkeeper is gearing up for tonight’s final against Rayo Vallecano.
The bookies have Palace down as favourites to beat the Spanish outfit and win their first-ever European trophy. They have been backed to win the competition ever since the league phase.
The Eagles started the campaign underwhelmingly and finished 10th in the league table. But Oliver Glasner’s men lived up to their billing during the knockout stages which included wins over Fiorentina and Shakhtar Donetsk.
“I’m not sure” – Henderson on being favourites
Henderson has already won two trophies with Palace, winning the FA Cup last season and the Community Shield in this campaign’s curtain raiser. Glasner’s side were underdogs in wins over Manchester City and Liverpool.
Ian Abrahams asked him whether there is a different weight of expectation because his side are favourites this time around:
“I was interested to see why Shakhtar weren’t favoured, to be honest, because they were unbelievable and they were a Champions League side. This is our first European journey and the first time we’ve competed in a European tournament. I’m not sure we would’ve been favourites, maybe the bookies make us favourites.”
Henderson trusts his teammates to prevail in Leipzig:
“We’re ready and we’ll be ready for the big moments. I trust these lads to deliver. We don’t look at it that way, it’s about the game, we respect the opposition. They get huge respect from us guys, and we’ll be following out the manager’s plan.”
Rayo have been in fine form in the Conference League and finished fifth in the league phase. They beat Strasbourg in the semi-finals despite heading into that tie as underdogs.
“We deserve” – Henderson on Europa League
Henderson also touched on the possibility of Palace qualifying for the Europa League. The winner of tonight’s final is handed a place in the competition.
The Eagles should have been in the Europa League but UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules and Nottingham Forest took hold. The club were demoted ot the Conference League but Glasner’s men have made the most of it.
Henderson said:
“Hopefully we get back what we deserve with the Europa League but we know what we need to do to get that back.”
Henderson has been superb throughout the season and is looking to win his second consecutive major final. He came up trumps at Wembley last season saving a penalty from Omar Marmoush to ensure Eberechi Eze’s winner got his club’s hands on their first major trophy.
