"I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago, no player will start against both KuPs and Leeds. I and we all feel responsible for the players' welfare. I just spoke to Will [Hughes] and he experienced it a few years ago - playing on Boxing Day and December 28. Sometimes there were games, and he played it - but I just think now the intensity of the game has increased."
"Maybe you could do it once, but it's our 27th game now [this season], and we have to think further ahead, because we play on December 18, 20, 23 and 28, and January 1, 4, 7 and 10 - so it's irresponsible if we do this."
"We will start with two completely different teams, but, of course, the minutes will be shared a little bit if we can. I always want to play the best team from the first until the last minute, but this game demands this from us, so that is why we will do it."
Crystal Palace face a congested festive run beginning with a must-win Conference League match against KuPS, followed by Premier League and EFL Cup fixtures. Manager Oliver Glasner prioritises player welfare and will not start any player in both the KuPS and Leeds matches, planning to field two largely different teams across the short turnaround. Glasner cited increased match intensity and the cumulative load of the season as reasons for rotation. Squad availability is reduced by Ismaila Sarr’s AFCON call-up and Daichi Kamada’s injury, heightening the need to manage minutes carefully.
Read at Soccer News
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