Crystal Palace v Hertha Berlin Saturday 3rd August 2019 // 3pm // ÂŁ2.50
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03.08.2019
LUKA MILIVOJEVIC
It’s always great returning after a break and seeing my teammates again; the time out in Switzerland was of great benefit to the squad in terms of bonding, fitness and testing the new approaches the manager wants ahead of the next Premier League season. Of course, we wanted to win the Uhrencup – we want to win every game possible – but it’s important that we are finishing preseason strongly and the Bristol City game was pleasing in many ways. I have received praise for my assist to Christian, however, for me that goal is about Christian’s movement and ability in the air. A fully fit Christian is an excellent player for Palace to have going into the new season. It was great to welcome back Jordan – he made a great impact off the bench in the 5-0 win at Ashton Gate – and we are
all happy to see him return after last season’s loan; he’s a hugely positive influence around the training ground. That game also saw us welcome back Mama after five months out with injury. He was a huge loss in the defence, especially with James’ injury later in the season. Mama’s presence for us is huge and it’s great to see him back out on the grass. As captain, it has been great to see so many youth players coming into the group during pre-season, making squads and training with us. It’s important we have the balance of experience with youth and I’ve been impressed with the guys coming through. I am really looking forward to being back at Selhurst Park today for this game against Hertha Berlin, because we’ll be playing in front of thousands of our own fans.
CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN
We are expecting a tough game, though, as Max has been telling us plenty about them from his time with Schalke in Germany. It should be a great game. OK, it is only a friendly but it’s our last one before the beginning of another big season. The last test before Everton, so it is important in our preparation. The opening day is always a great one for a footballer, and it’s nice that we start with a game at our home in south London. However, we want to ensure we have a good game this afternoon so we have the best possible preparation for next week. I hope the Palace fans enjoy coming and supporting us ahead of the new season. The players are looking forward to the game and we’ll do our best to make you happy at full-time! Make some noise!
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Today we return home after the great fun against AFC Bournemouth on the final day of the season; I can’t wait to lead the team out at Selhurst again.
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G K CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN
GÁBOR KIRÁLY Nope. Not one mention of a certain item of clothing in this interview. And although Gábor Király didn’t exclusively say it, we like to think our former goalkeeper came away from our chat with him grateful that we didn’t once mention *that* choice of garment. By Dan Blazer
03.08.2019
“Everything was so professional when I arrived; I loved the training ground and the location of it being in a quiet area; I lived in Bromley during my time with the club and I enjoyed being there as it was a discreet area where I could live a quiet life, which is something very important to me as a footballer. “Playing the first season in the Premier League never mattered to me, I just wanted to play for this club. Therefore, when we were relegated, it never crossed my mind
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“WHEN WE WERE RELEGATED, IT NEVER CROSSED MY MIND TO LEAVE; I WOULD PLAY FOR THIS CLUB IN ANY LEAGUE”
to leave; I would play for this club in any league.” Famously, Király arrived during the same summer as Julián Speroni. But that story goes one step further with Gábor revealing that while he and the Argentine awaited their medicals, they sat alongside one another without knowing the other to be a ‘keeper. Ironic for two future teammates who would go on to be lifelong friends. Footballing ‘law’ would suggest that two goalkeepers of a similar
CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN
age at the peak of their careers, joining at the same time and wanting to make an impact at their new club would naturally have a dislike of one another. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth – in fact, Király had received a text from Speroni on the morning of our interview with the former Hungarian international. “Julián is a very good guy. To work with him was an honour because he was always very professional, and he was a great servant to the club; we both had a great time together.” Defenders will tell you they’re only as good as the goalkeeper supporting them, and the vocal presence and large frame of Király would settle any defence. But it is very much a two-way street with Gábor full of praise for the defenders who shielded his penalty area during his three years at Selhurst Park. Despite asking if he could select them all, we pushed Gábor to choose his favoured back four in front of him from his time in south London, and with an endearing reluctance to, Király eventually opted for Danny Butterfield and Danny Granville as the full-backs with Tony Popovic being partnered at the heart of defence with Mark Hudson. However, Király was also keen to acknowledge the impact of Fitz Hall and Gonzalo Sorondo in the middle of the back four during his spell with Palace. Those playing days may well be over but you could never keep a man as grateful to the beautiful game
CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN
“JULIÁN IS A VERY GOOD GUY. TO WORK WITH HIM WAS AN HONOUR BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS VERY PROFESSIONAL, AND HE WAS A GREAT SERVANT TO THE CLUB; WE BOTH HAD A GREAT TIME TOGETHER ”
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COPERS Sebastian Frej
A behind the scenes look at first team training, with Roy Hodgson and his coaching staff putting the squad through their paces ahead of today’s clash against Hertha Berlin.
MAMADOU SAKHO