CPFC vs Hertha Berlin

Crystal Palace v Hertha Berlin Saturday 3rd August 2019 // 3pm // ÂŁ2.50

03.08.2019

INSIDE THE PROGRAMME CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN 03.08.2019 | 3PM K.O.

Directors Steve Parish (Chairman) David Blitzer, Joshua Harris Chief Executive Phil Alexander

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Programme Editor Dan Blazer Graphic Design Billy Cooke, Luke Thomas Contributors James Woodroof, Ian King, Dominic Fifield, Chris Waters, Grace Cullen, Ben Mountain Photography Neil Everitt, Sebastian Frej, Reuters, Pinnacle, Rex Features Printer Bishops Printers

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Roy Hodgson

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Gรกbor Kirรกly

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Copers Cope

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Junior Eagles

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Soaring Eagles

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Palace XI In Time

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ROY HODGSON

It has been an unusual pre-season, to say the least, with almost half of last season’s regular players unavailable for a variety of reasons. In particular the participation of three of our players in the Africa Cup of Nations, both Sakho and Tomkins have been injured and Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been sold to Manchester United.

This has left the squad very thin on the ground and it has meant an opportunity for six Under-23 players to join us from the start of training at Beckenham and then to travel with us to the Uhrencup in Switzerland.

Amazingly, no fewer than four of those players were injured by the time we returned, so the last two friendlies v Nottingham Forest and Bristol City have tested our contingent to the limit.

However, I have been pleased with the performances in these games and the two starting elevens have been able to play virtually the

full 90 minutes on both occasions and have already proved that they can run the distance.

Today will be our biggest test of the summer. We are privileged that Hertha Berlin have made the journey here to face us as they prepare for another campaign in the Bundesliga.

They have many talented players in their ranks, and arrive having made a managerial change this summer. They should provide us with a stern test.

As I write these notes we are 10 days away from our season opener against Everton. I am still hoping that we shall be able to present some new faces and increase the competition for places in the team. It is never going to be easy to preserve our coveted Premier League status and we are going to need all the help we can get.

So, watch this space as it is often said!

Enjoy the game!

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I am looking forward to returning to Selhurst Park as we finish off our pre-season programme by welcoming Hertha Berlin here today.

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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.

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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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STEVE PARISH

It’s been 83 days since our last game at Selhurst, with that emphatic win over AFC Bournemouth to secure our record Premier League points tally. On that memorable day, we said farewell to club legends Julián and Punch, with both men rightly receiving a fantastic farewell from you all.

We also said goodbye to Aaron; everyone at the club is extremely proud of his development in recent years and we genuinely wish him all the best for his future.

I’d like to welcome Stephen Henderson to the squad, and we are pleased to have Jordan back with us after impressing everyone last year with his work ethic and dedication.

We also agreed new terms with Connor, and I hope he can put his recent injuries behind him and get back to his brilliant best this season.

We’ve invested significant funds in improving many areas of

the stadium. The first team squad and visitors are now housed in completely refurbished changing rooms, there is a new pitch surround, most of the stadium has been painted too and the Holmesdale roof is undergoing repairs. Hopefully you’ll have seen Palace branded lampposts on your walk here to the stadium today, which really celebrates our place in the local community.

There have literally been hundreds of jobs that have kept our director of operations Sharon Lacey and her team extremely busy – all with the intention of making your matchdays that little bit better.

Everyone will be working hard to ensure the stadium is looking better than ever for next Saturday.

I was extremely pleased to see fans’ reaction to our new home and away shirts for the upcoming season. The away kit in particular

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has gone down a storm, and I’m sure will look brilliant on the pitch and in the stands! I saw a tweet which showed that our adult shirts are the second cheapest in the league – we are well aware of the money you invest in supporting our club, and it’s greatly appreciated.

Pre-season for the team has been good – Roy led the squad to Switzerland for an intensive training camp and two tough fixtures, and we’ve also played several competitive matches since, but today’s fixture is undoubtedly the team’s biggest test. Everyone here is as committed as ever to continually improve so we can hopefully build upon last season on all fronts.

Next Saturday we welcome Everton in a fixture that marks the start of our seventh successive season in the top flight. I cannot wait to get started.

Up the Palace!

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Welcome to Selhurst Park for today’s pre-season fixture against Hertha Berlin - if it’s your first visit, I hope it’s an enjoyable one.

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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

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important to us and I am thankful for that.”

Throughout the interview, Király continually remarks on how lucky he’s been to have had the experiences and opportunities that his career threw up. It’s a genuine appreciation, though, rather than a footballing platitude.

early on in my career at this wonderful club, with great fans and history; I am grateful for that.”

After seven years with the Old Lady, playing in the Champions League and becoming Hungary’s No.1 between the sticks, Király caught the attention of the south London scouts with a clean sheet

“I STILL SPEAK FLUENT GERMAN, AND ENJOY VISITS TO MEET FRIENDS IN GERMANY, AND FOR THAT I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT FOOTBALL HAS GIVEN ME”

This is a man who wanted to absorb everything he could out of every city, every club and every fan he came across.

“I still speak fluent German, and enjoy visits to meet friends in Germany, and for that I am grateful for what football has given me in terms of opening different cultures to me. It has been important for my children, and they now speak three languages – German, English and Hungarian – all perfectly, and I am proud to have given my children that opportunity to learn and experience these different countries.

“I had a great time in Berlin, and although I was there seven years, it went really quick; I was playing in the Bundesliga, called up to the national side and then also playing Champions League football.

So many wonderful opportunities

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against Germany whilst on international duty. That performance confirmed to the Eagles that they needed to sign the 6 ft 3’ shot-stopper between the sticks.

“Hungary played Germany in a friendly in 2004 and Palace had scouts there for the game. We beat them 2-0, with Sándor Torghelle getting both goals, and that’s when Palace began discussions with Hertha for me.

“I was so happy to join this club, because for me Crystal Palace is one big family. Everyone was friendly, everyone helped my integration and this enabled me to fall in love with the club quickly, and gave me a huge sense of pride pulling on that shirt. I always felt like I could never play bad for this club and its people; I have a responsibility to them.

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Of course, there’s so much more to anyone than the clothes they wear, and after speaking with Király, you leave knowing that this a man who treated his footballing career with the utmost respect, a player who was proud to pull on the shirt of whoever he was representing, viewing it as his duty to perform well.

Today’s game against Hertha Berlin sees the club that gave Király his first adventure outside of Hungary face up against the club that he regularly refers to as a family; his family, in fact.

The announcement of the Hertha Berlin friendly brought excitement amongst the Palace faithful on social media. After all, it isn’t every day you get to watch one of Germany’s finest club sides.

On the other side of the advertising boards, playing for Die Alte Dame was special for Király too: “My first foreign country was Germany after moving from Szombathelyi Haladás to the amazing city of Berlin,” he said. “My hometown was just 80,000 people, so moving to a place like that was a huge step.

“I have to learn everything: the language, the culture, the style, the people and the reaction to me. But I am the type of person who wants to learn and to develop.

“I am moving with my wife, just her and I, with all our friends staying in Hungary. However, the club helped us settle, as did my teammates, and that was so

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“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

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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

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“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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“I want to thank both clubs, because in total I was with for 10 years combined, and I learnt a lot from my experiences.”

Retired he may be, but a journey that began in 1993 ensures Király’s career ends as a remarkable feat of endurance and passion for a game he played on his own terms.

The coming together of two of his clubs sees not only the Hungarian look on with nostalgic recollections about fond memories and experiences with either side, but

“I ACTUALLY WANT TO THANK BOTH CLUBS, BECAUSE IN TOTAL I WAS WITH FOR 10 YEARS COMBINED, AND I LEARNT A LOT FROM MY EXPERIENCES” also the Eagles compete with top international competition: a marker of how far they have come since the former ‘keeper last guarded their goal, fans and pride.

Today, Király watches on as his adopted south London club limber up to burst into their seventh consecutive top-flight season; something near unimaginable in his time.

But thanks to the efforts of Király, his peers and the players that followed in his dedicated mould, the boys from SE25 are doing it. And Gábor can watch on with pride.

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as Király away, and he is delighted to now be able to focus on his attentions on the football club he formed: Király Szabadidosport Egyesület: “16 years ago, I built a sport ground, and now we are in good a situation and at a good level. I am a leader at this club, I have 22 coaches and 250 children playing for us at different levels, as well as a men’s team.

“I have always organised things for my club, Király SZE: from London, from Berlin, from wherever my career had taken me. However, I am now back in Hungary, and to be a leader, I feel it is important to have a presence on the ground, therefore, working together with my team, my time and effort will be put into this club.”

Today’s friendly promises to be an entertaining clash as we close out our pre-season campaign and turn our attentions to the 2019/20 Premier League. However, for Gábor, the 90 minutes today represent something even more than just the romanticism of two of his former clubs competing: it is confirmation to him that he is now a retired footballer.

“The day of the friendly will be a moment that I am marking as my first step after retirement, as I have only just left the game this summer.

I want to enjoy this game, from the stands, without having to be too focused like I was as a player and just watch my two former clubs, from two huge, wonderful chapters in my life.

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

JEFFREY SCHLUPP ANDROS TOWNSEND

MARTIN KELLY

22 CHRISTIAN BENTEKE

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VICENTE GUAITA PATRICK VAN AANHOLT & MAX MEYER

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REACT Ultralight SPRINTWEB technology for stability.

CONTROL K-Leather for premium touch.

OUTPACE RAPIDSPRINT outsole for acceleration.

24 ADAPT evoKNIT PRO upper featuring NETFIT for a customizable fit.

STRIKE 3D Havoc Frame for precision and power.

ACCELERATE Lightweight RAPIDAGILITY outsole for speed.

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Mascots Nate Webb Age: 7

junior eagles

Harry Ruston Age: 6

plus training with

Oscar Ruston Age: 10

Want to be a mascot this season?

Emaillliam.connery@cpfc.co.uk with your details for more info.

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tyrick mitchell

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quiz,games And more!

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junior eagles that s the real quiz

How many goals, including penalty shootouts, did Palace score in their pre-season friendlies in Switzerland?

7 or 11

Julián Speroni left the club in the summer, but how many years did the legend play for the Eagles?

15 or 18

The club signed Stephen Henderson to compete with Vicente Guaita and Wayne Hennessey for the No.1 spot. But which club was the ‘keeper last at?

Nottingham Forest or Ipswich Town

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Wilf, Andros and Luka were the club’s three highest scorers last campaign but how many goals did the trio score in all competitions combined?

Last campaign saw Zaha and Townsend tie in second-place with five assists each. Who topped the assist chart for the south Londoners?

31 or 33

James McArthur or Max Meyer

Next week’s game against Everton kicks off what number of consecutive seasons in the Premier League for Palace?

5 or 7

Gábor Király represented Palace and Hertha Berlin but how many clean sheets did he keep between the two clubs?

97 or 122

Which Crystal Palace player made the final of this summer’s Africa Cup of Nations?

Sticking with AFCON, how many goals did Jordan Ayew score in the tournament?

Which Palace player made their return from injury against Bristol City after going off against Leicester City in February?

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Cheikhou Kouyaté or Wilfried Zaha

0 or 2

Mamadou Sakho or James Tomkins

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guess who

mitchell

answers

?

We asked Palace left-back, Tyrick Mitchell, on the best way to improve your speed – after all, as second-fastest in the squad, he would know!

“I think there’s loads of exercise you can do to maximise your speed.

Some people aren’t blessed with the greatest speed but you can always make it better by pre-hab, stretching out your muscles and making sure your muscles are ready.

Gym work, lower body, getting your legs strong enough to be able to go that extra distance, get that extra speed. Getting the mechanics, how you sprint and run. The way you run.

Some people can naturally run differently. If you can get a certain sprint done or sprint start done it will improve your running.

How you hold your hands, how you place your feet, that can give you a little extra boost.

I try to focus on that stuff but in a match you forget and just run, so I focus in training. A lot of resistance work will help: sprinting with bands. You put the bands around your waist and get someone to hold them. Then sprint on a treadmill and it will pull you back and you’re fighting against the band.

When you don’t have the resistance you’ll find that extra burst.”

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tyrick

?

?

QUIZ: 1.7 2.15 3. Nottingham Forest 4. 31 5. James McArthur 6.7 7.122 8. Cheikhou Kouyaté 9.2 10.Mamadou Sakho GUESS WHO: Vicente Guaita, Jeffrey Schlupp, Christian Benteke SCORE: 4-1 to Palace.

Palace played Toulouse in last year’s pre-season friendly at Selhurst Park, but can you remember who is missing from the starting XI that day?

Bonus point if you can remember the score, too!

palace vs Toulouse

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2 1

4 3

6 28

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8 7

10 9

12 11

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MESSAGEBOARD MATCHDAY

Send your message (max 25 words) with a picture to programme@cpfc.co.uk for a chance to be in a future edition.

1. Edwin Parsons 1949-2019

7. Happy 8th Birthday Hugo!

Selhurst Park. Love Mummy,

Eddy tragically passed

Have a great day and a

Daddy and Uncle James.

away in March.

fantastic 2019/20 season.

Eddy was a fanatical

Come on you Palace!!! Love

Palace fan for 65 years.

Dad, Mum & Pablo xxx

He will be sadly missed.

-

Daisy and Max Austin

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8. Congratulations to Mike

Have a great day and enjoy

2. Happy 30th Birthday to super

Pappas, Sam Dickerson,

the match together

Palace fan Helen Rumble. Love

and the lads for another

from your nearest and dearest.

successful tour of Clapham.

Lots of love Daddy - Jay xxx

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3. Well done for another

9. Happy birthday Wayner

fantastic year at school. Enjoy

from all the Block C lads

glad all over watching Die Alte

your summer holidays lots

(and block J Jerrys)

Dame at your first game in

of love Mum and Dad xxx.

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England! Lots of love, James x

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10. Happy 40th birthday

4. Hope you have fun at

Matt Fisher, have a great

your first Crystal Palace

day! Much love from your

match Mova!!!

friends and family.

forward to our time together

-

-

every game we get to see.

5. Charlie West aged three-

11. Welcome to the Palace

You make it so special. Dad.

and-a-half. His first of many

family Toby! You are one of

Palace matches. Enjoy the

us now. Love from Dad, Uncle

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game with the boys!

Dan and Grandad Dave

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6. To Zoe, on her first Palace

12. Mason, we hope you

me, my Dad (Chris) and Uncle

game. Love from Matt and Jack x

enjoy your first game at

(Paul). Come on the Palace!

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14. Lukas, I hope you’re feeling

15. Max and Izzy, I look

16. Being a Palace fan born in Berlin this is a special game for

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13. To Hazel, Grandad, Ronnie,

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PROUD PARTNER

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JDX LIVE ON THE APP NOW

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DIE ALTE DAME

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HERTHA BERLIN DIE ALTE DAME

PREVEIW 32

Valentino Lazaro left the Bundesliga outfit for Inter Milan this season for £19.8million - a club-record for a transfer fee received.

FROM THE DUGOUT

HERTHA WERE NEVER AN ORDINARY EMPLOYER FOR ME. HERTHA ARE MY PASSION AND MY DEVOTION. I WANT TO BRING THIS PASSION AND EMOTION TO THE TEAM.

Thank you to Jack from Hertha Berlin’s official supporters’ club in the UK for providing the below insight into our German opposition.

Hertha have (in most games!) a gritty determination about them to have a go and get something out of the game.

The club have had a few changes this summer: firstly we’ve promoted Ante Covic from the U23s as coach after the departure of Pal Dardai and his style is still a bit rough around the edges. Furthermore, Hertha have managed to secure the loan signing for another season of Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic, arguably the best all-round midfielder we’ve had at the club in a decade.

Hertha also welcome Eduard Löwen, who was the standout player in an otherwise poor Nürnberg side that were relegated

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last season. And powerhouse defender Dedryck Boyata has also joined on a free from Celtic.

The current midfield is probably the greatest asset. Pace from Dilrosun in particular, the skill of Marko Grujic, Ondrej Duda, experience of Salomon Kalou and defensive ability of Maier balances out a very gifted central midfield.

Hertha’s weakness is scoring goals, we were the seventh lowest scoring team in the Bundesliga last season. Captain Vedad Ibiševic is experienced as is Salomon Kalou but Ibiševic is a fox in the box type, and lacks pace. Davie Selke is young and vastly talented, and has the ability to cut defences apart with speed and skill. Aside from that, our remaining goal threats come from midfield or the youth players on the fringes of the first team.

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The club got its colours from the blue and white smoke stacks of the Hertha steamboat it was named after.

DID YOU KNOW?

MOST GOALS

MOST GAMES

Michael Preetz

Pál Dárdai

108

373 Holger Brück

Erich Beer

356

HOME

101

Michael Sziedat

Lorenz Horr

91

353 Andreas Schmidt

Theo Gries

79

Fiedler Friedrich Šimunic Madlung Cagara Marcelinho Pinto Schmidt Neuendorf Wichniarek Bobic

01 03

17

14

23

19 32

10 13

CLASSIC

12 03 14 17 23 10 16 19 20 11 13

3-1

16 24

SUBS 01 Király 24 Rafael 32 Rehmer

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KIRÁLY’S LAST TIME OUT FOR HERTHA BERLIN

AWAY

336

FORM GUIDE

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D

L

W

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Rebrewed from head to hop.

Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.

NEW Brew NEW Glass NEW Fount Still iconically Danish.

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Proud to support

Crystal Palace Football Club

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STEPHEN BROWETT

SHEFFIELD UNITED AWAY

Former owner and current club shareholder, Stephen Browett, is a veteran when it comes to Palace away days. For those of you heading to Sheffield for our clash against the Blades on Sunday 18th August, Stephen has all you need to know.

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AWAY AT

SHEFFIELD UNITED

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HISTORY This is our first game here since November 2010. In fact, the Eagles didn’t play our first league game at Bramall Lane until Boxing Day 1968 as the Blades had never been outside the First or Second Division at that time, with Palace spending most of the first 59 years of their existence in the third and fourth tiers.

In fact, Sheffield United have spent a total of 60 seasons in the top-flight, which is way ahead of the Palace, although only three of these have been in the Premier League - we’re 10-3 up on that one!

MEMORABLE MATCHES We’ve got a 100% win record at Bramall Lane in the Premier League – but that’s helped by the fact that we’ve only played them there once in this competition.

It was in March 1993 and we won 1-0 thanks to a Chris Coleman goal. Although he was a centreback, Chris was playing up front with Chris Armstrong at that time.

“ WE’VE GOT A

100%

WIN RECORD AT BRAMALL LANE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE ”

That was the season when we were relegated on 49 points (it still hurts). The Blades stayed up with 52 but were relegated the following year.

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For me, and most fans of my generation, the standout match against Sheffield United was played neither home or away, but at Wembley Stadium on May 26th 1997.

Hopkin looking to curl one, anyone?

TRAVEL It’s a near 200-mile journey from south London to Sheffield, going round the M25 and straight up the M1 – a route I’d allow a good four hours to do.

The best option is normally an East Midlands train from St Pancras. Unfortunately, the journey that takes two hours in the week takes nearly three on a Sunday morning - with 11 stops en route.

But something to consider as a potential quicker route is changing at Doncaster after jumping on a LNER train from London King’s Cross.

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I don’t think that I’ve ever been to United or Wednesday away and not visited the Fat Cat. This lovely little pub, in an old industrial area, has been the home of the Kelham Island Brewery since 1981.

Their ‘Pale Rider’ strong pale ale has made several appearances at the CPFC Beer Festival and is a classic modern blond bitter.

You’ll find plenty of great Yorkshire beers in the many other Sheffield free houses and I’d always look out for those from breweries like Abbeydale, Saltaire, Timothy Taylor, Exit 33, Magic Rock and Roosters.

WHAT ELSE IS SHEFFIELD KNOWN FOR? Stainless steel – especially cutlery - The Full Monty, lots of hills, The Human League, Pulp and Joe Cocker.

FAMOUS SHEFFIELD UNITED FANS Sean Bean – who has the tattoo ‘100% Blade’ on his left shoulder Jessica Ennis-Hill, Joe Root, Paul Heaton, Michael Palin and Neil Warnock.

A SHEFFIELD FACT No English manager has ever won the Premier League. The last time an English manager won ‘the top-flight’ was when Howard Wilkinson – born in Sheffield – won the First Division title with Leeds United in 1991/1992, the season before the Premier League was created.

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PUBS & BEER According to a report published by the University of Sheffield, the city is the “Real Ale Capital of the World” and also the birthplace of the craft beer revolution.

The local region boasts over 50 independent breweries (23 within the city itself) and I’m told that on a typical day in Sheffield you can find more than 400 different beers on sale in the city’s pubs – this alone makes this game unmissable for Palace fans who appreciate a good pint.

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Join Andy Johnson, Mark Bright and many more for the third Palace for Life Marathon March! Walk 26.2 miles and help young people in the communities around Selhurst Park lead healthier, safer lives.

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Sign up today at palaceforlife.org CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN

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PALACE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION

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Mark Silverstein raised more than £2000 for Palace for Life at the 2018 Marathon March. He told us how he found the day and why he’s already signed up for this year’s event on Saturday 12th October.

The walk lived up to its billing, it did not matter that I had not joined last year; I was talking with people, nearly all of whom I had never met before, virtually every minute of the way.

I will not go through the stories of all the people I talked to on the walk but will just mention Tony and Pat. Tony is a Sussex-based Palace supporter, who mentioned he would love to get a photo with Andy Johnson holding up three fingers to share with his Seaweed-supporting friends. Tony got his wish – Andy was at the tea break and of course was delighted to oblige.

We spotted Pat hobbling about halfway through. He hurt his knee

after he signed up for the march but was determined to do it. Having found out about his predicament we got talking and after a while he was walking quicker, in less pain and confident that he would make the finish line. Eventually, he ended up ahead of us!

The miles flew by and although the last few along the Embankment were a bit of a grind, we chatted (with a bit of grumbling too) through the last stretch and at last we made it to the finish line. Photos taken, medals received – it was time for the pub!

By the time we got to the designated watering hole, the party was in full swing, Steve Parish gave a speech thanking everyone

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involved, followed by one of Palace for Life’s Downs Syndrome footballers who wanted to thank everyone for their support. The look of pure joy on that boy’s face after his speech was met with a roar of “Eagles, Eagles!” from the whole room and that made the day all the more worthwhile.

I cannot finish without a final word of thanks to all involved including my fellow 152 walkers, all of whom made the Marathon March a memorable and enjoyable day out. Best of all, it was all in the name of a very worthwhile cause which will help hundreds of people in numerous ways.

Join Mark this year by signing up at palaceforlife.org

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WHAT’S ON

SAT 10 AUG | 3pm Selhurst Park

SAT 31 AUG | 3pm Selhurst Park

SAT 21 SEP | 3pm Selhurst Park

SAT 28 SEP | 3pm Selhurst Park

TICKETS ON SALE NOW - HEAD TO TICKETS.CPFC.CO.UK FOR DETAILS 19/20 MEMBERSHIPS

DIGITAL PROGRAMME

The club offers a whole host of different membership products with a varying range of benefits from an exclusive 72-hour head start for ticket access to a free 2019/20 home or away shirt of your choosing for our Junior Gold members.

To view the range of memberships on offer, head over to cpfc.co.uk search ‘Memberships’ and choose the one that is right for you.

Already a Season Ticket Holder? You’ll receive a further discount on our Gold Memberships.

If you want a head start on the content, insight and entertainment that the Palace programme always brings then a digital matchday subscription can be purchased for £30.

You will receive a link to view the Palace programme in pdf form 24 hours before each of the 19 home league matches on your phone, computer or tablet.

This subscription offer is only available if purchased before kickoff of the Premier League opener against Everton on 10 August

CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN

(15:00 BST), after which the digital matchday programmes will only be available on a match-by-match basis, priced at £1.99 per issue.

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SELHURST PARK

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STEP BACK The curious game in 1978 when referee Edward Hughes blew his whistle for full-time before the end of 90 mins. The teams went off and then came back on to complete the remaining six minutes that were left of the game, however, by then half of the stadium had emptied.

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BESPOKE JACKETS 44

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CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN 13 Pall Mall | www.apsleytailors.com | info@apsleytailors.com

Apsley Bespoke Tailors: The Smart Choice!

03.08.2019

PALACEXI IN TIME

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By Ian King

Club historian, Ian King, looks back at Gábor Király’s last ever game between the sticks for Crystal Palace, with the Hungarian shot-stopper’s final 90 minutes coming against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst Park.

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STARTINGXI “I remember in 2001, I was playing FIFA with my teammates and I selected ‘Random’ and the team that came up were Crystal Palace; I loved the kit.”

Gabor Kiraly

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Gabor Kiraly

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Matt Lawrence

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Gary Borrowdale

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Carl Fletcher

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Mark Hudson

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Leon Cort

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Jobi McAnuff

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Ben Watson

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Shefki Kuqi

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Clinton Morrison

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Tom Soares

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Crystal Palace 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 14th April 2007

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Paul Ifill

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James Scowcroft

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Mark Kennedy

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PALACEXI IN TIME

THE FINAL 90 MINUTES On a sweltering Sunday, mid-table Palace faced a Wolves team in the Championship play-off places. All the goals came during the first-half as Mark Hudson put the Eagles in the lead after just 12 minutes. However, 60 seconds later Jay Bothroyd, who had been on trial with Palace in the pre-season, equalised.

Midway through the first half the Wolves striker added a second. However, eight minutes from the half time whistle, Palace’s burly Finnish international, Shefki Kuqi, provided the pass for Jobi McAnuff to level the scores again.

Wayne Hennessey was on the bench for Wolves that day.

POST-MATCH With his Palace future in doubt manager Peter Taylor decided to put Julián Speroni in goal for the final three games.

In July Gábor joined Burnley and then two years later in 2009 signed for 1860 Munich followed by a brief spell with Fulham in 2014.

He returned to his hometown club in the summer of 2015,

notching up another century of appearances before finally hanging up his tracksuit bottoms earlier this year, with over 800 first team appearances to his name.

DESTINED TO PLAY FOR PALACE Fun fact, when speaking to us for the interview at the front of the programme, Gábor Király revealed his links to Palace predated actually joining the club: “I remember in 2001, I was playing FIFA with my teammates and I selected ‘Random’ and the team that came up were Crystal Palace; I loved the kit.”

There you have it, Eagles! EA Sports helped map the career path of our Hungarian cult hero – but we haven’t forgiven the makers of FIFA for only rating Király at 78 on FIFA 06 and for the image chosen of him on 08! Doesn’t even look like him.

THOSE TRACKSUIT BOTTOMS Gábor began wearing tracksuit bottoms early in his career and carried this tradition throughout.

And when asked on his unique approach to goalkeeping attire,

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the former Palace No.1 said: “I’m a goalie not a model. It’s a question of comfort; the end result is more important than the look.”

Originally, Kiraly wore black, however, when the kitman failed to wash these after a game, the grey pair were the only ones available and the Hungarian kept to that colour from thereon.

The only occasion he wore shorts for Palace ended disastrously with a 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea on 19th March 2005, with one of the goals slipping through Gábor’s hands!

INTERNATIONAL CAPS Gábor made his international debut in 1998 and went on to gain a total of 108 international caps for Hungary - 22 of those whilst with Palace.

It was during his spell at Selhurst Park that he was the only Hungarian player to appear in all ten qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup. And another record that the former Hertha Berlin shot-stopper has to his name happened during Euro 2016, when he became the oldest player to feature in a European championship.

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By Ian King

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PRE-SEASON ROUND-UP

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9th July 2019

LUZERN V PALACE 1-1 FC

CRYSTAL PALACE WON ON PENALTIES 6-5

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13th July 2019

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16th July 2019

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V PALACE 6-2 BARNET

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1-0

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0-5

BRISTOL CITY V PALACE

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20th July 2019

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30th July 2019

WIMBLEDON V PALACE 2-2 AFC CRYSTAL PALACE v HERTHA BERLIN

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OFFICIALS REFEREE ANDY MADLEY ASSISTANT PETER KIRKUP ASSISTANT GRAHAM KANE FOURTH OFFCIAL DAVID ROCK

hertha

Joel WARD Patrick VAN AANHOLT Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Scott DANN Max MEYER Cheikhou KOUYATÉ Alexander SØRLOTH Andros TOWNSEND Wilfried ZAHA Mamadou SAKHO Wayne HENNESSEY Jordan AYEW Jeffrey SCHLUPP Christian BENTEKE James McARTHUR Stephen HENDERSON Connor WICKHAM Vicente GUAITA Martin KELLY Jairo RIEDEWALD

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Thomas KRAFT Peter PEKARÍK Per SKJELBRED Karim REKIK Niklas STARK Vladimír DARIDA Eduard LÖWEN Salomon KALOU Alexander ESSWEIN Ondrej DUDA Mathew LECKIE Dennis SMARSCH Lukas KLÜNTER Pascal KÖPKE Marko GRUJIC Javairô DILROSUN Maximilian MITTELSTÄDT Vedad IBISEVIC Dedryck BOYATA Marvin PLATTENHARDT Rune JARSTEIN Arne MAIER Palko DÁRDAI Jordan TORUNARIGHA Sidney FRIEDE Davie SELKE Dodi LUKEBAKIO Florian BAAK Dennis JASTRZEMBSKI Maurice COVIC Muhammed KIPRIT Julian ALBRECHT