Oliver Glasner has given an update on Chris Richards after naming the Crystal Palace defender on the bench for tonight’s UEFA Conference League final. The American had been in contention to start after returning to training.
Richards took part in the Eagles’ training session on Tuesday, along with Adam Wharton, who was another injury concern. The English midfielder has fully recovered from an ankle injury and starts in midfield alongside Daichi Kamada.
That’s not the case for Richards, who has to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench. Glasner has opted to start Chadi Riad alongside Maxence Lacroix and Jaydee Canvot in defence.
“Not 100%” – Glasner on Richards
Glasner spoke to TNT Sports ahead of the final and touched on Richards not starting. He first spoke positively about Riad and pointed out that the Moroccan got through 90 minutes against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Austrian said:
“Chris is okay but he’s not at 100% and then we decided after I talked to him this morning that its’ better having him on the bench. If we need him probably the last 10-15 minutes for defending, defending headers, set plays then he’s available. Everything else made no sense.”
Richards will have been eager to start the Conference League final, having been one of Glasner’s most consistent performers en route to Leipzig. He’s appeared in 12 games in the competition, but an injury suffered in a 2-2 draw against Brentford has proven problematic.
Riad instead starts, and he’s more than a worthy replacement, accustomed to high-pressure situations such as a major European final. He won the La Liga title with Barcelona in 2022-23.
The Moroccan started the season on the sidelines recovering from an ACL injury. He’s since made 13 appearances across competitions, including two in the Conference League.
Glasner names his starting XI
Glasner has gone with a familiar starting lineup. Richards is the only player to drop out of the team that beat Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-finals.
Dean Henderson starts in goal, with Riad partnering Lacroix and Canvot in defence. Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell continue at wing-back.
Wharton and Kamada are named in midfield while Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Yeremy Pino are in attack.
Rayo have proven to be one of the most dangerous teams in the Conference League and they have finished the La Liga season strongly. An eighth-placed finish is the highest they have achieved in their club history.
