Iraola Praises Palace’s Glasner Defence Before Bournemouth Clash, Selhurst Park 2026

Key Points

• Andoni Iraola, Bournemouth manager, commended Crystal Palace’s defensive organisation and consistency under Oliver Glasner before their Premier League match at Selhurst Park.
• Palace have conceded just 39 goals in 33 Premier League fixtures, bettered only by Manchester City and Arsenal.
• Despite Marc Guehi’s winter transfer to Manchester City, Palace maintain one of the league’s strongest defensive records.
• Palace lead 3-1 against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League second leg, but Iraola dismisses midweek fatigue concerns.
• Iraola highlighted Palace’s strong starts, consistent lineups, and well-coached system, noting few early goals conceded.
• He anticipates a tight match, referencing past close encounters, including a 1-0 Bournemouth win, goalless draws, and a 3-3 thriller.
• Set pieces and every detail will be crucial, with Iraola urging focus on open play and exploiting potential weaknesses.
• Bournemouth hold a rest advantage, having not played midweek, and expect Palace’s best version despite possible rotations.

Bournemouth (South London News ) – May 2, 2026 – Andoni Iraola, manager of AFC Bournemouth, has praised Crystal Palace’s defensive consistency under Oliver Glasner ahead of their Premier League fixture at Selhurst Park this weekend. In a pre-match press conference, Iraola highlighted Palace’s organisation at the back, noting their impressive record despite recent challenges.

Why Has Andoni Iraola Praised Crystal Palace’s Defence?

As reported in coverage from VAVEL International, Andoni Iraola applauded the quality of Crystal Palace, whom Bournemouth face this weekend. He stated,

“I think only Manchester City and Arsenal have less goals conceded than Palace. It means that it’s very difficult to score against Palace. They defend so well, so organized, and they are after very— it’s a very well-coached team. They know what they are doing.”

Iraola emphasised Palace’s consistency, saying,

“Consistent, normally the lineups quite consistent, the system is always the same, but the things they do, they do them so well that it’s difficult to create clear chances against Palace.”

He pointed out their strong starts to games, adding,

“And it’s a team normally that starts very well the games. You see the goals they’ve conceded at the beginning is, I think it’s like two goals in the first 30 minutes in all the league or something like this. It’s like, it’s a team that normally starts really well the game. So we have to start very strong.”

This assessment comes despite Palace’s winter slump in form. Under Glasner, the Eagles have steadied, conceding just 39 goals in 33 Premier League fixtures. This record is bettered outright only by Manchester City and league-leading Arsenal, as noted in VAVEL’s analysis of Palace’s defensive metrics.

What Impact Has Marc Guehi’s Departure Had on Crystal Palace?

Club captain Marc Guehi left Palace in the winter window to join Manchester City, as referenced in earlier VAVEL reports from January 2026. Despite this loss, Palace’s defensive standards have held firm.

Iraola acknowledged their resilience, describing them as a “very well-coached team” that maintains organisation regardless of personnel changes.

Glasner has steadied the ship ahead of his own departure, with Palace now focused on both domestic and European commitments.

Their recent 3-1 lead over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League first leg underscores their depth, though Iraola does not expect midweek exertions to hinder them significantly.

Will Midweek Fatigue Affect Crystal Palace Against Bournemouth?

Palace secured a 3-1 advantage against Shakhtar Donetsk, taking that scoreline into the Conference League second leg next Thursday. Addressing potential fatigue, Iraola remarked,

“They’ve shown enough this season that they can deal with both competitions, but still we have the advantage that we haven’t played Thursday, so I hope we can put pressure onto them.”

He noted uncertainty over Palace’s lineup, stating,

“We do not know the starting 11. No, we know more or less what they have done the previous games where they’ve rotated a little bit the team, but the rotation at the end, they have some players that the level is very similar. So, you don’t really know who is the starter, who is especially in some specific positions, they change the number 10s, the midfielders, the number 9s.”

Iraola continued,

“Now they have options and they can change the team. And also, the ones that don’t start will be on the bench ready. So, I am still expecting the best Palace, like happened against Leeds, that everyone was talking about the cup and this, and they came here and they put the starting 11 and they went strong.”

This preparation reflects Palace’s ability to manage a congested schedule, with Glasner embracing multi-competition demands, as covered in VAVEL’s April 2026 previews.

How Do Set Pieces Factor into Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace?

Iraola stressed the importance of details, particularly set pieces. He observed,

“I would say both teams, no, we’ve been better probably in offensive set plays than defensive set plays. They’ve also scored but also conceded a lot of goals set plays, and it has happened the same for us and they are going to be decisive set plays.”

Looking ahead, he said,

“But probably even paying attention to all those details, we want to focus on the open play, how to attack against them, how to find if they have any weaknesses at the back, try to push them, put them under pressure.”

Recent Bournemouth concessions from long throws prompted Iraola’s focus, as they prepare to counter Palace’s threats.

What Have Past Meetings Between Bournemouth and Crystal Palace Been Like?

Clashes between the sides have historically been tight. Iraola’s Bournemouth earned a 1-0 win over Palace at the end of the 2023/24 season, followed by a pair of goalless draws last campaign. An October encounter bucked the trend with a six-goal 3-3 thriller.

Iraola reflected,

“We have to take— every detail is going to be very important because I think the 3-3 we had against them, it’s the exception. I think most of their games are quite tight and every goal is very important.”

He added,

“I think all our games I remember have been very tight. I think we tied the last 3-3, I think we won one, but everything has been like very level, no, between these two teams, and I expect the same on Sunday. I think set plays are going to be massive.”

He warned of Palace’s discipline, stating,

“We are coming from conceding two long throws. They scored even yesterday a long throw, so we have to pay attention to these details because a lot of times you are doing a lot of things, you are doing good things, and then you make one mistake in a set piece and everything goes down.”

Iraola concluded,

“I think we have to be focused. We have to be focused because it’s a team that in the other way they will not give us anything. Every goal we score or everything is because we’ve done something good and properly. They don’t make mistakes at the back and we will have to earn everything offensively.”

“We want always, like always, no, score the first goal. A bit like Leeds, a little bit different. Probably the game is going to open a little bit in the second half, but we have to arrive there with our chances.”

Background of the Development

Crystal Palace’s defensive resurgence under Oliver Glasner follows a period of transition. Glasner took charge amid a winter slump, yet stabilised the backline post-Marc Guehi’s departure to Manchester City in January 2026.

Their 39 goals conceded in 33 league games rank third-best, trailing only Manchester City and Arsenal. This form coincides with European progress, including the Conference League tie against Shakhtar Donetsk. Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, approach the match fresher, drawing from tight historical results against Palace. Coverage stems primarily from VAVEL International articles dated April 2026, detailing Glasner’s impact and team metrics.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Crystal Palace Fans

This development underscores Palace’s defensive solidity, potentially boosting fan confidence in sustaining top-half form amid European commitments. Supporters may see sustained clean sheets and strong starts as key to home wins like against Bournemouth, aiding Premier League stability and Conference League progression. For Bournemouth fans, Iraola’s analysis highlights the challenge, possibly tempering expectations for an away victory while emphasising set-piece execution.