Crystal Palace’s trip to Wembley on Saturday felt different—there was a grip-the-seat excitement, a belief that this might just be the day the Eagles soar into the FA Cup final. Behind the scenes, defender Maxence Lacroix believes the secret has been simple: character.
Lacroix, who marshalled Palace’s defence in their 3–0 victory over Aston Villa, spoke after the game about the unity in the dressing room and the unwavering support from the terraces. For a club making only its third semi-final appearance in history, that bond has proved a powerful driving force.
Character Behind the Success
From day one under manager Oliver Glasner, Palace have emphasised togetherness. Lacroix explained how training ground standards have translated into matchday performances.
“He said he was really happy, because we train a lot and he’s also a real professional guy. He wants the best for all players… We’re not just good players, we’re also good guys, and this is why we win games.” — Maxence Lacroix
Despite the pressure of a semi-final, the squad refused to buckle. Even when one chance went begging or a mistake crept in, the group rallied around the individual. “We kept the faith… even when someone fails or makes a mistake, everyone is together. It’s perfect,” Lacroix smiled.
Backing from the Stands
A Palace performance at Wembley isn’t complete without its raucous support. Lacroix drew a parallel between the energy on the pitch and the noise in the stands.
“The fans are like me. They have the same energy, the same love… When we score, they share the love with us, and this is really important for a player.” — Maxence Lacroix
That connection has helped Palace weather tougher spells this season and chase an eighth-place finish in the league while keeping FA Cup dreams alive.
Defensive Backbone: Henderson’s Heroics
Crystal Palace’s defence has been rock-solid all season, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson at its core. Lacroix was quick to single out his team-mate after a 13th clean sheet of the campaign.
“A defence is not a good defence if we don’t have a really outstanding goalkeeper… He deserves to be first-choice for England because he is really good.” — Maxence Lacroix
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Dean Henderson Clean Sheets | 13 |
| FA Cup Semi-Final Appearances | 3 |
What’s Next for Palace?
Before dreaming of a first FA Cup final victory against Manchester City, Palace still have two Premier League matches—against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur—to finish as high as eighth. Lacroix insists the focus remains “game by game.”
“Everyone is really happy… but now we are focused on the Premier League—and we’ll see about the final after.” — Maxence Lacroix
Palace’s road to Wembley has been paved with character, professionalism, and fan-fuelled passion. If they can bottle that for one more game, they’ll write a new chapter in the club’s history.
Will Palace’s unity be enough to upset City in the FA Cup final? Let us know below!
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