Oliver Glasner’s Bold Warning to Pep Guardiola After 5-2 Defea
In April 2025, Crystal Palace suffered a 5-2 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, but manager Oliver Glasner left the match with a defiant message for Pep Guardiola. Despite the heavy loss, Glasner’s post-match comments revealed his tactical confidence and set the stage for a dramatic FA Cup final rematch.
After Palace surged to a 1-0 lead with goals from Eberechi Eze , City roared back, exploiting defensive lapses. Glasner, undeterred, told Guardiola, “If we meet again, you can’t play in this system, because we will solve it.” This bold statement highlighted Glasner’s belief that Palace had identified weaknesses in City’s setup, particularly in transitions, despite the scoreline.
Glasner’s warning wasn’t just bravado. He noted Palace’s early dominance, with Eze’s disallowed goal nearly making it 3-0, and emphasized the need for defensive adjustments. “We learned that if you give them the pocket, we will lose,” he later explained, detailing how Palace adapted for the FA Cup final. His tactical insight proved prophetic on May 17, 2025, when Palace stunned City 1-0 at Wembley, claiming their first major trophy. Eze’s 16th-minute strike and Dean Henderson’s penalty save secured the historic victory.
Glasner’s April message to Guardiola underscored his strategic acumen and resilience. By outsmarting one of football’s greatest managers, he transformed Palace’s season, earning European football and cementing his legacy. The Austrian’s journey from SV Ried to FA Cup glory shows that bold words, backed by meticulous planning, can topple even the mightiest giants.
