The season, which began with Crystal Palace contesting their exclusion from the Europa League in court, ends with the chance to win their first-ever European trophy.
The winner will earn a place in next season’s Europa League.
These will be the last matches for Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner. He will leave the team after the season.
“If the club wins, it will get what belonged to the club this year as well,” O. Glasner said at the press conference before the final on Tuesday. “I would like to watch on TV as they start that tournament with the same desire and belief that they can win that trophy.”
Their opponent, Rayo Vallecano, secured a place in the final despite a season overshadowed by fan boycotts and a flare-up of discord between fans and the club president.
For him, it will also be the first and historic opportunity to win a European trophy.
Both clubs playing in the final usually lurk in the shadows of more successful neighbors.
Far from the shine of Madrid’s Real and Atletico, Rayo is at best the third team of the Spanish capital, coming from a working-class neighborhood.
Rayo is known for pirate symbolism and left-wing views, and this season fans even boycotted the match in which the team crushed Atletico 3-0, protesting against the club president.
Last season’s victory in the English FA Cup, which gave Crystal Palace the right to participate in European cup competitions, was the first major trophy for this South London team.
Read more From July – changes for heavy transport: here’s what will change
The team led by O. Glasner has become accustomed to outperforming other London teams, although they usually fall far behind in terms of financial power, and the best players are snatched up every year by stronger teams.
Before the season, UEFA expelled the club from the Europa League due to violations of multiple club ownership rules, which caused huge dissatisfaction among fans. Throughout the campaign, fans insulted UEFA.
This week, the English club received good news as defender Adam Wharton and US defender Chris Richards have already returned to training.
However, on the eve of the final, O. Glasner could not yet say whether they will play in the most important match of the season.
“The positive thing is that they were already able to participate in training without major problems. Of course, they still feel pain, but I think many players feel pain after such a long season. Everyone wants to participate, but the final decision will be made tomorrow,” the coach said.
Read more Russian propagandists targeted Zelenska again: claim she fled abroad
