Crystal Palace v Botafogo programme by Crystal Palace F.C.

Crystal Palace √ BOTAFOGO saturday, DECEMBER 03 2022 | 12:30

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palace √ botafogo sat 03 dec | 12:30

08 captain 10 chairman 23 follow-up 33 test yourself 34 palace & brazil 36 international eagles 39 through the lens 41 from the archive 42 ben bailey smith 44 palace for life 46 from the terraces 50 season so far

Directors Chairman Steve Parish, David Blitzer, Joshua Harris, John Textor Chief Financial Officer Sean O’Loughlin Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Club Secretary Christine Dowdeswell Head of Sports Medicine Dr. Zaf Iqbal Academy Director Gary Issott Director of U21 Development Mark Bright Chief Operating Officer Sharon Lacey Chief Commercial Officer Barry Webber General Counsel David Nichol Head of Ticketing Paul McGowan Head of Retail Foz Bowers Chief Marketing and Communications Officer James Woodroof Head of Safeguarding Cassi Wright Head Groundsman Bruce Elliott Editor Ben Mountain Design Billy Cooke, Stu Ellmer Contributors Will Robinson, Ben Bailey Smith, Tommy Macarthur Photography Neil Everitt, Sebastian Frej, Pinnacle Photo Agency, Getty Printer Bishops Printers

contents

It was a little bit intimidating at first because he was the goalkeeper in Brazil I most look up to. When he starts to be your manager you can’t have this feeling

palace √ botafogo sat 03 dec | 12:30

Olise wins november Player of the Month Michael Olise has won Crystal Palace’s cinch Player of the Month award for November. The attacker scooped the trophy after scoring a 94thminute winner over West Ham United and having featured in all but 12 minutes of the month’s other three games. With 35% of the fans’ vote he beat Eberechi Eze (19.2%)

and Joachim Andersen (11.7%) to the award. It is his third Player of the Month title in 13 possible months, having also scooped the trophy in January and February this year. Overall Olise has five goals and 10 assists from 46 Palace appearances since joining in July 2021.

Fan update Fans can donate to Palace for Life’s foodbank appeal on matchdays at the Fanzone or nonmatchdays at main reception up to and including Boxing Day. Find more details on Page 44.

On this day: December 3rd Journeyman goalkeeper John Burridge was born in 1951, and represented 29 clubs during a 29-year career. He recently played a charity game aged 70.

What’s inside Find out… Patrick Vieira’s schedule for training (Page 6), why a Ghanaian fan’s dream is to sing Glad All Over (Page 36) and what poetry Doc Brown’s been reading (Page 42). briefing

manager

Welcome to Selhurst Park to everyone supporting us today, and welcome also to Luis Castro, the Botafogo coaching staff, players and visiting fans.

understand today’s visitors are bringing a large following from Brazil, so it will be good to meet a club that is part of our family. Of course I’m also looking forward to seeing you all again – I hope you’ve had an enjoyable few weeks since we last came together. Over the break the players were instructed to enjoy two weeks off before coming back to work hard during a busy second part of the season in which they’ll have relatively little time off. The team returned on Monday and we stepped up our intensity day by day. The schedule for these first two weeks has been to train every day, with double sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, then to play today and travel to Turkey tomorrow. On tour we’ll be on the field training or playing every day, so it’s a busy programme for the players. This is the time to get miles in our legs. The trip to Turkey is important because of our split squad in preseason. We will take the majority of the players and look to enhance our togetherness while away as a collective. We’ll also be joined by some of the younger players for the

duration of the break, which is always good because with several games we want to have a large squad. Premier League matches will resume almost immediately after the World Cup ends, so we have to be ready, and the best way to do that is to play. We have four friendlies before the Fulham game

it’s a busy programme for the players. This is the time to get miles in our legs and then a good period of time in training to go into more detail about how we want to approach the second phase of the season. On the World Cup, I’ve been in contact with Jordan and Joachim, wishing them luck and getting their thoughts on the matches. Both of them have done well, with Jordan having a good game against South Korea in which he earned two manager

assists, and Joachim looking really solid at the back with Denmark. I hope they have both progressed by the time you read this. Looking at the domestic season so far, I always focus on performances rather than results or numbers, and the performances have been okay. But there is space for us to do better, and a lack of consistency has prevented us from getting the points we deserve. The message for the second phase is all about consistency: we know how well we can perform as a team, now we have to do it more often. I want the players to focus on three things for us to become more competitive. Firstly, playing better as a team in the final third and improving our collective threat. Secondly, defending better as a team and strengthening out of possession. Finally, penetrating when in possession. These three areas are important for us to improve, which we have time to do before Fulham. Today is the first match back together, and I am looking forward to seeing the team play in front of you all again. Thank you for your support

captain

A very warm welcome to Selhurst Park to each Crystal Palace and Botafogo supporter here today – if it is your first or thousandth time at Selhurst Park!

s the Premier League is now on a break the players and I spent a bit of time with our families, switching off for a short period and recharging to come back fresher. Now we are back and into a busy schedule of training, with some double sessions and of course the trip to Turkey next week. This approach will help us not only regain our fitness but go to a stronger level, and the four friendlies will improve this more. It is important to keep playing during the six weeks out, because you have to stay sharp and retain your fitness when the Premier League returns. The manager is clear in what he wants us to focus on over the next few weeks and we have the time to do this in games and training. So I am looking forward to league football returning and having the opportunity to build on the season so far. I think we have done okay in the matches from the first part of the campaign, and sometimes our performances have been better than

our results. We’ve had some hardfought wins and draws and matches to be pleased with, but also some where we feel we could have done better and others where maybe the game did not go our way.

The manager is clear in what he wants us to focus on over the next few weeks and we have the time to do this in games and training

But we entered the break sitting 11th in a tight table, with a game in hand over most teams. With a bit more consistency we would be higher I’m sure, and this captain

is our task when we get into our fixtures after Christmas. We are all eager to get back into regular league football and return to our challenge of competing in the Premier League. The squad, staff and I were very pleased to see Jordan and Joachim get called-up for the World Cup, although it was not a surprise. They have both done well so far and will hopefully have more chances to do so – we are certainly behind them here. Our trip to Turkey will be a good chance for the squad to spend some time together and have the opportunity to work on all aspects of our game while in new surroundings. These trips are invaluable because you spend a whole week as a squad rather than just part of the day, so they have an impact off the pitch as well as on it. I have no doubt we will see one or two of you out there, and many more of you today. I look forward to being in front of you again, and hope you enjoy the afternoon’s match. Make some noise!

chairman

A warm welcome to everyone at Selhurst Park today for this one-of-a-kind fixture between Botafogo and Crystal Palace – our first against top-flight Brazilian opposition. With more than 1,000 visitors in the Whitehorse Lane stand it promises to be a memorable occasion for all involved.

’d like to begin by commending Botafogo on an excellent season in Brazil, finishing 11th, and thank them for travelling over so soon after the campaign’s conclusion – when most players would usually look to get away on holiday for a well-earned rest. It is of course a special day for my co-owner John Textor, who is also the largest shareholder of Botafogo. It is remarkable to think that today’s match will be live on terrestrial television in Brazil, with a potential to reach 50 million homes across six states, such is the attractiveness of this fixture. This mid-season break made necessary due to the World Cup has presented us with a fascinating, albeit challenging, period of time in which to regroup before the league begins again on Boxing Day. We have chosen to bookend the period with two fixtures at Selhurst Park – today against Botafogo, and then Real Valladolid on December 16th. On Sunday, the squad travel to Turkey for two more fixtures against Trabzonspor and Napoli. The strength of these opposition

are such that our squad should be in peak condition entering the festive fixtures. It has been brilliant to see such positive contributions from Jordan and Joachim at the World Cup, and I am sure you are all rooting for them as they hopefully progress further. I managed to see Jordan against Portugal live in Qatar where Ghana were more than a little unlucky, so it was fantastic to see them get a well-deserved victory against South Korea with Jordan playing a starring role. I wish Gareth, his staff and the team the very best of luck for the challenge ahead. It’s a source of great pride for the club that such an accomplished person spent so long here and was such a distinguished player for us. The tournament has had its share of controversy and I echo all the concerns made, especially by members of the LBGTQ+ community. I for one believe that every culture can learn from the other. I hope we will look back and feel that the tournament brought issues to the fore, allowed chairman

different ideas to confront each other, and perhaps in the longterm brought about permanent change. I would say the football and organisation in Qatar was superb, and from that perspective I am looking forward to seeing the culmination of the competition. I would finally like to take this opportunity to wish our outgoing Media Relations Manager Harriet the very best of luck as she leaves the club for a new challenge after a brilliant seven years. It’s been a pleasure to work with you, Harriet, and you will be missed by the players, coaching staff and of course all of your colleagues. We wish you every success in your new role at BT Sport and look forward to seeing you back at Selhurst. Fixtures such as today provide us with a great opportunity to welcome new supporters to the club, as every league game is selling out in record time. So if you’re with us for the first time today, welcome – enjoy your time with us, and we very much hope to see you again soon. Enjoy the game today

Palace’s history of Brazilian players is fairly sparse, with just four having been on their books overall. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is the most recent, joining on loan for six months in 2019. Having signed for Botafogo in summer he will today return to south London for the first time, and here talks Rio, London and Julián Speroni. Interview: Ben Mountain

In Brazil I believe every child wants to be a football player main interview

What are your earliest memories of being a football fan and aspiring player in Brazil?

You’ve said before that Rogério Ceni was your idol. What was it about him?

I watched football since I was a kid and started playing at age four. My life, everything, was around football. So ever since I was a child I’ve always watched football, European football, and the Premier League. In Brazil I believe every child wants to be a football player, if it’s a boy or a girl. In the beginning of their life they really love football and try to be a professional athlete. The culture in Brazil is great for it.

He was a goalkeeper that took free-kicks and penalties, and I believe he has the most goals in history as a goalkeeper in football. Ever since I was young I always watched him play and really liked to see him. Not as a free-kick taker, but in the last minute of the game [I’d try] to get a header from a corner… I actually scored once when I was in the Under-17s. It was crazy – I just kicked the ball way, way far from the goal and the goalkeeper messed up and I actually scored.

Were you a São Paulo fan growing up? Did you used to go and watch them? Yes, as a child I was a São Paulo fan… Where I lived is a bit far from São Paulo’s stadium. I went to a club in the second division closer to my city and when I was a kid I went more to that stadium to watch that team play than any others. [The atmosphere] was crazy. When you’re a kid you see everything bigger than it was. So you had the great derby there in Campinas, which is amazing. It’s madness. The city stops for the game. A week before the game it stops and the game is unbelievable, the atmosphere is unbelievable. As a fan who lived near the city, what did it mean to join the São Paulo academy? It was a great feeling. Fantastic. The academy of São Paulo is one of the top in Brazil, so it was a fantastic feeling. I was really happy and honoured to be a part of it at that moment. And to make your debut six years later? At first I couldn’t have imagined that would happen so fast, or happen [at all]. It was a dream come true that in the same moment I was making my debut in professional football I would play for São Paulo. It was great. Lucas Perri

Ceni managed you for six months at São Paulo. What was that like? He was a manager in 2017 and is there again now. It was a little bit intimidating at first because he was the goalkeeper in Brazil I most look up to. When he starts to be your manager you can’t have this feeling, you need to listen to him and understand what he wants from you as a goalkeeper. But he’s a great personality, a great character, and was really good to work with. Do goalkeeper-turned-managers as accomplished as he was use goalkeeper coaches? You have a goalkeeper coach as well… I think the manager has a lot of things to think, a lot of things to manage, and the goalkeeper coach has the most of the job with the goalkeepers. He coached me at a really young age, 19-years-old. So I looked up to him the most I could and tried to absorb as much information as I could. It was a fantastic experience.

How did your loan to Palace come about?

What were your teammates Julián Speroni, Wayne Hennessey and Vicente Guaita like towards you?

It was a long negotiation between the clubs. São Paulo didn’t make an easy path for me to go to Palace but I really wanted the opportunity and experience. I was really happy when things were sorted out and I could go to London to play for Palace. [Did you ask São Paulo to see the deal through?] Yes, yes, a little!

I spent most of the time with Jules because he’s from Argentina and we had that little connection. The goalkeepers were amazing. Guaita and Deano [Kiely] the goalkeeper coach are still at Palace. I learned a lot, became a way better goalkeeper in the time I spent there and I’m grateful for that.

Why was that loan so important to make, in your eyes?

Since the first day he came with me to show me the whole Training Ground and was close to me in everything I needed: meetings, breakfast, everything. We developed a friendship and it was a really good time I spent there. I was happy it was his last season and on the last game of the season the whole stadium was there, clapping and giving him a standing ovation. In the stadium was a really special moment for him and his family and I was happy to be there.

Crystal Palace is a great club, a fantastic club in the Premier League and I really wanted to have this experience in my life. It was a great opportunity, I learned a lot from the time I spent there. I really wanted this moment to happen. When you’re in the negotiation you don’t know if things are going to happen or not, so when things got sorted out I was really happy. In what ways did the loan help develop you? It was an unbelievable experience. Everything was new. Go and live on another continent in another country with a different language, it was really hard at first. But the place, the country, and the environment of football and Crystal Palace was amazing. It was a whole different level of competitiveness, strength, velocity and speed of football. It was incredible for me as a player to be involved in that scenario.

Julián was known to be a welcoming figure. What did he do to make you feel at home?

What did you make of living in London? For me it’s the most incredible city in the world. I lived in a pretty nice area with a view of the London Eye and Big Ben, so it was amazing, fantastic. I couldn’t believe it would be so beautiful. In my time there I used to take the subway – do you call it the subway? I used to walk around the city, go to Oxford Street and do all the things. You enjoyed a very successful loan to Náutico after returning to Brazil. What sort of form were you in then? When I came back to São Paulo after Palace I was unlucky and had to have two surgeries on my knee. I had one surgery and when I recovered I needed to do another. I lost a bit of the time in professional football. I had a meniscus tear. I had to do one surgery and when I recovered I needed to do a second one… The meniscus recovery is a little less time: three-four months. But the moment after you spend three-four Lucas Perri

I spent most of the time with Jules because he’s from Argentina and we had that little connection

For me personally it’s the most beautiful city in the world. The natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro is incredible main interview

months to get ready and then get hurt again is the most difficult part of being a professional athlete, to deal with injuries. The loan to Náutico was incredible for me because I played really good games there and we won the State Championship – I saved two penalties in the shootout. It was an extremely good moment to be there.

Série A, we say here in Brazil, is one of the most difficult leagues across the world, because when it starts it’s 12-13 teams with a real chance to win What’s the standard of Série A football like? Really good. Série A, we say here in Brazil, is one of the most difficult leagues across the world, because when it starts it’s 12-13 teams with a real chance to win. You have four great teams in São Paulo, four great teams in Rio de Janeiro and across Brazil. What’s life like in Rio? For me personally it’s the most beautiful city in the world. The natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro is incredible, amazing. It has the crazy parts of Rio as well like every other city in the world, but it’s amazing. The natural beauty is something incredible. Lucas Perri

This is a great opportunity for the culture between the clubs main interview

You’ve been seen throwing the ball up and punching it as a form of distribution lately. Where did that come from? It started with a joke – I saw a video of a goalkeeper who I believe plays in the Portuguese league. I saw him do that, started to joke with the other players about it and started to do it a lot in training. I started getting stronger and a little bit technical in the movement. I don’t usually do in games, but in the moment you don’t think too much. The ball was in my hands, I saw a player and it was instinctive. How do you feel about coming back to south London? I’m really looking forward to it. Selhurst, I only played there with the Under-23s, but for every game Palace played I was in the stadium and it was an incredible atmosphere. The fans were crazy, incredible, and I saw how much football impacts the community there in south London. I’m looking forward to going back.

The fans were crazy, incredible, and I saw how much football impacts the community there in south London. I’m looking forward to going back

There’s a good crowd of Botafogo fans coming today. What atmosphere should we expect?

amazed at the stadium, the fans, everything. This is a great opportunity for the culture between the clubs. We have a shared investor and I think personally the fans are similar in their passion for the club and desire to win, desire to see the club getting better and better. I see the connection

The atmosphere at Selhurst is out of this world, it’s incredible. I used to tell my wife when we were there, we’d listen to the chants the fans had. I believe the fans here from Botafogo taking the plane to London to watch the game are going to be Lucas Perri

the follow -up

Lucas Perri spent six months in south London before returning to Brazil. Before he joins his Botafogo teammates back in SE25, he shares a little more about himself.

#8 What is on your bucket list? That’s difficult. One thing I’d really like to do in my life is go to the Super Bowl in the stadium.

#46 If you could get free food for life from one restaurant, what would it be? A Japanese place in São Paulo. Me and my wife love it.

#47 Do you have a nickname? No, just my last name.

#20 Who is your favourite Formula One driver?

#51 Which sport do you watch the most (apart from football)?

Max Verstappen. I don’t know if he’s going to be able to win seven Championships and surpass Michael [Schumacher] and Lewis [Hamilton], but I think he’s going to win more.

American football! the follow-up

Worth a try? Probably. Discover the refreshing, crisp and perfectly balanced taste of Carlsberg Danish Pilsner.

Brewed in the UK, the Danish way. Enjoy responsibly.

botafogo

Did you know? Botafogo hold the illustrious Brazilian record of having produced the country’s longest unbeaten run (52 games between 1977-78).

opposition

botafogo Botafogo will become the first top-flight Brazilian team to play at Selhurst Park when they walk-out for Palace’s first winter friendly.

match preview With the World Cup suspending Premier League football Patrick Vieira’s men will look to remain sharp against testing opposition this afternoon. Botafogo won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B in 2021 and enjoyed a strong return to Série A, finishing 11th – six points ahead of Santos. A late run of eight wins and two draws from their final 14 games saw Botafogo end the season in strong form, securing their highest finishing position since 2018. Based in Rio de Janeiro, Botafogo won the Série A in 1968 and 1995, and included on a roster of impressive club icons are World Cup winners Didi, Garrincha, Jairzinho and Bebeto. Today’s star is ex-Man United defender Rafael.

2022 season

Position Points Top scorer

Home

away

third

recent matches Opposition

fourth most recent = bottom

score

h/a

Scorers

2-1

Pires, Neves

0-2

N/A

2-0

Sá, Soares

3-0

Fernandes (2), Soares

0-3

N/A

11th

Garrincha

Two-time World Cup winner Garrincha played 323 games for Botafogo over 12 years as one of Brazil’s greatest ever.

Erison (7)

Most assists

Jeffinho/Fernandes/Borges (3)

Most matches

Gatito Fernández (32)

opposition

Club legend

last five seasons

Boot in both camps

Season

Position

Points

Top scorer

2021

1st (Série B)

Navarro (15)

2020/21

20th

Babi (10)

2019

15th

Souza (7)

2018

9th

Lindoso/Kieza (7)

2017

10th

Roger (10)

Lucas Perri Perri was loaned to Palace from boyhood club São Paulo in January 2019. He joined Botafogo in 2022 and has kept three clean sheets from four games.

Recent clash

3-0 Sun Nov 13th Arena da Baixada

starting xi 12

L. Perri

Marçal

V. Cuesta

21 47

34 Adryelson 15

20 D. Borges 6

T. Tchê

P. de Paula

6 18

47 Jeffinho 18

L. Fernandes

37 J. Santos 9

Tiquinho

subs 3 7 10 16 22 23

J. Carli Rafael G. Sauer Hugo D. Borges R. Del Piage

29 43 52 90 94 99

V. Sá L. Piazon I. Gabriel Santos Pereira M. Nascimento P. Sampaio L. Henrique

opposition

03 04 Joel Carli

Kanu

POS DEFENDER

NAT ARGENTINA

NAT BRAZIL

007 Lucas Perri

Rafael

Marçal

POS GOALKEEPER

POS DEFENDER

NAT BRAZIL

1 yellow card

03 clean sheets

Age

Height

1.96m

Joined

August 17th, 2022

Debut

September 29th, 2022 v Goiás EC

Perri was loaned to Palace under Roy Hodgson for half a season in 2019 from his boyhood club São Paulo. He had to recover from consecutive knee operations before regaining his form on loan to Náutico and then signing a permanent deal with Botafogo. opposition

player profile

4 apps

career history: São Paulo, Crystal Palace and Náutico.

34 94 Adryelson

Philipe Sampaio

POS DEFENDER

NAT BRAZIL

08 10 Gustavo Sauer

Victor Cuesta

POS MIDFIELDER

POS DEFENDER

NAT BRAZIL

NAT ARGENTINA

player profile

Patrick de Paula

Age

Height

1.87m

Joined

April 12th, 2022

Debut

April 24th, 2022 v Atlético-GO

career history: Arsenal de Sarandí, Defensa y Justicia, Huracán, Independiente and Internacional.

29 apps 2 assists

goals

On loan from fellow Série A side Internacional, Cuesta is a regular for Botafogo as one of the league’s most experienced players. He holds three Argentina caps and scored against Bolivia in June 2016. opposition

Gabriel Pires

18 Lucas Fernandes

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT BRAZIL

32 43 Tchê Tchê

Jacob Montes

Lucas Piazon

POS MIDFIELDER

NAT BRAZIL

NAT USA

NAT BRAZIL

0 assists

01 goals

Age

Height

1.75m

Joined

April 12th, 2022

Debut

May 1st, 2022 v Juventude

So good they named him twice, Danilo das Neves Pinheiro, known by his nickname Tchê Tchê, has played across Brazil and had a brief stint in Kyiv where he won the Ukrainian Super Cup. He holds a host of accolades from his native country, too, including the Série A title, and was named Paulistão Best Newcomer for 2016. opposition

player profile

31 apps

career history: Audax, Guaratinguetá, Ponte Preta, Boa Esporte, Palmeiras, Dynamo Kyiv, São Paulo and Atlético Mineiro.

29 37 Victor Sá

Júnior Santos

POS FORWARD

NAT BRAZIL

47 99 Jeffinho

Luis Henrique

Tiquinho Soares

POS FORWARD

NAT BRAZIL

player profile

POS FORWARD

Age

Height

1.87m

Joined

August 12th, 2022

Debut

September 4th, 2022 v Fortaleza

14 apps 2 assists

goals

career history: América de Natal, Botafogo-PBm Sousa, CSP, Caicó, Visão Celeste, Cerâmica, Treze, Veranópolis, Pelotas, Lucena, Nacional, Vitória Guimarães, Porto, Tianjin TEDA and Olympiacos.

With a journeyman career behind him, Tiquinho has played for clubs across the country, including São Paulo Crystal Futebol Clube (formerly Lucena), who based their crest on Crystal Palace’s – “in a tribute to a great world club.”

opposition

botafogo quiz You’ve ready plenty about our South American guests today, now put that knowledge to the test.

Botafogo are based in which city?

Which Botafogo goalkeeper joined Palace on loan in 2019?

Against whom did former Palace man André Moritz score a brace of free-kicks?

Botafogo legends Garrincha and Didi won consecutive World Cups in which years?

The following is an anagram of which Botafogo and Brazil icon? TEBBOE

Palace travel to Turkey next week. Which tournament did they compete in on their last visit there?

Which Palace manager shares a name with a former Botafogo youth player?

Gary Brazil was a youth player at Palace, and went on to have five caretaker spells across two clubs in which city?

What was the score between Patrick Vieira’s France and Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final?

Finally, which two English clubs did Brazil’s ‘father of football’ Charles William Miller play for?

1) Rio de Janeiro 2) Lucas Perri 3) Wolves 4) 1958 and 1962 5) Bebeto 6) Intertoto Cup 7) Patrick Vieira 8) Nottingham 9) 3-0 to France 10) Corinthians and Southampton (then St Mary’s) opposition

Today Palace host a Brazilian side for the first time since 1961. For the majority of us who don’t recall Bangu Atlético Clube’s visit over 60 years ago, get a taste of Brazilian fandom below, and find out why the sport means so much to fans from the South Atlantic coast.

rystal Palace’s first game against a Brazilian side since 1961 takes place this afternoon, with the south Londoners hosting top-flight team Botafogo on English shores after their successful return to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2022. It’s been a while since we last welcomed a Brazilian crowd to SE25, but the nation’s passion for football and the noise, colour and energy they bring to stadia are well known. Few understand that better than ex-Palace midfielder André Moritz. Born in Florianópolis, 700 miles from Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro, Moritz represented Avaí and Internacional as a youth player before a short stint at Fluminense – Botafogo’s arch rivals. He returned to Brazil with Avaí in 2018 before joining Londrina and Confiança. He faced Botafogo twice, losing both times, and was sent off thanks to VAR with Avaí. Sorry to raise those memories, André…

Brazil is often referred to as ‘the country of football’, partly due to their natural competence for the game – no country has won more World Cups – and partly due to a deeply ingrained passion.

“Brazil is really emotional,” he says of his compatriots. “Like in England, it’s the same here and in Turkey [where Moritz also played]. We could compare these three countries: people are so in love with their football club they would do almost anything. “Botafogo and Crystal Palace share an investor [John Textor], so now in England I’m a Crystal Palace fan. That’s the way it happens in Brazil; if we share an owner, I’m now a Crystal Palace fan. I will follow Crystal Palace on Twitter, Instagram, and buy their shirt. You will see them go to Botafogo games with the Crystal Palace shirt.” getting to know you

Botafogo and Crystal Palace share an investor [John Textor], so now in England I’m a Crystal Palace fan. That’s the way it happens in Brazil; if we share an owner, I’m now a Crystal Palace fan An estimated 16,000 Brazilians play professional football globally and there are just over 800 clubs in the country. Football is the most significant

socio-economic activity and has become a part of national culture in a way rarely seen elsewhere, with Brazilians breaking down initial racial and class barriers to football when it first arrived to make it a nationally-loved game. British football holds a unique place in the Brazilian imagination, too. Scots introduced the sport to the country in the 1800s, when immigrant workers on a railroad construction in São Paulo began to play. Scotsman Thomas Donohoe organised Brazil’s first football match by marking out a pitch in Bangu (where Palace’s 1961 Brazilian opposition were founded) in April 1894.

Brazil is really emotional, people are so in love with their football club they would do almost anything Later, Brazil’s ‘father of football’ Charles William Miller was sent from Brazil to England to study. There he learned to play football, joining the Corinthians and St Mary’s (now Southampton), and when he returned to South America in 1894 he brought with him a set of Hampshire FA rules and two balls.

He taught members of São Paulo Athletic Club how to play, and thus football began to spread through the country. Famously, amateur English side Corinthians toured Brazil in 1910 and subsequently Corinthians Paulista formed. The English club dissolved in 1939 and merged with Casuals, forming today’s most prominent non-league team: Corinthian-Casuals. Corinthian-Casuals returned to Brazil in 2014, where, Chairman Brian Vandervilt told the Palace programme: “We were treated like Manchester United. We were mobbed at the airport by the fans. We had an open day when we got there, and sold signed shirts – there were hundreds of people queuing up to come and buy a shirt and have it signed. “We were lauded like pop stars. They were ripping our clothes off! Anything to do with Corinthian-Casuals they were crying out for. It was televised live throughout Brazil. It was amazing.” So English football in Brazil is sacrosanct – and Moritz says it shows: “It is a totally different mindset because English football now is the centre of the world; everybody watches the Premier League,” he says. “Even if you are addicted to Botafogo or Flamengo or whatever it’s a different kind of football. People just love to watch it. Every player I’ve getting to know you

even the players love English football, the way it’s played, the way it’s moved, everything behind the scenes. It’s not just a football match, it’s a show played with once I came back from England said: ‘Jesus, man, you’ve played in England. How is English football?’ “Even the players love English football, the way it’s played, the way it’s moved, everything behind the scenes. It’s not just a football match, it’s a show. You go there and before kick-off have your magazine [programme] to read things. Then the whole world talks about English football. It’s normal. “You [English fans] cannot imagine it the other way around, but trust me it’s really normal.” Let’s see if we learn today Bring on the Brazilians

All eyes are turned towards internationals for Crystal Palace: be it their players in the World Cup or upcoming friendlies with foreign opposition. But the club has long had a presence abroad, with ex-pats and locals following the south Londoners across the world. Here, we get to know two fan groups: Crystal Palace France and Ghana.

s Ghana kicked-off their World Cup campaign against Portugal, a familiar group gathered in a lively neighbourhood of the capital Accra. Laughter filled the air, and good-natured debate broke out about lineups, formations and more. It was like any other gathering across the country – and indeed the world – but with one noticeable difference: every member of the assembled crowd was in the red and blue of Crystal Palace. Watching the national team on the sport’s biggest stage was a football side with a clear ethos of their own. This is Crystal Palace Ghana, a community club dedicated to south London’s finest. “When we were growing up, we had older brothers and sisters who were already in the area team,” Elvis, one of the club’s players, explains. “Quite a number of them travelled to the UK and were based in Croydon. They were Palace fans, so it’s from there that everything started.” But Elvis and his teammates have long since become more than fans – soon their devotion to Palace caught the eye.

We watch all the games. We have a place that we all gather with the whole team, about 30 players. It’s a whole community thing. Down here we are very popular

“Everything became Palace, Palace, Palace,” he says. “For years we had been representing fan groups

the club until we decided to get the official jersey in 2020. “We created the official Twitter account and we were able to have access to Palace fans in the UK. They supported us and raised £5,700 to help us. One person who contributed was one of Palace’s investors, John Textor, who gave us £5,000 to purchase jerseys and other football materials.” The squad now play in full kit, beating opposition up and down the country and converting swathes of new Palace fans in the process. “It got to a time where we won 10 consecutive matches and people started supporting Palace,” Elvis laughs. “Any time Palace are playing they come and watch with us.

“We watch all the games. We have a place that we all gather with the whole team, about 30 players. It’s a whole community thing. Down here we are very popular in the community. Any time [Palace] concede a goal everyone is down, but when we score we disturb the whole place!”

We have a lot of French players. For me, the best were Mathieu Flamini and Yohan Cabaye – and we have excellent players now like Olise, Edouard and Mateta

As we speak, conversation inevitably turns to the coming season. Elvis sings the praises of Patrick Vieira: “This is the man – he’s such a huge name,” he says. But almost 4,000 miles away is a group who know the manager even better.

“I was really happy with the appointment of Patrick Vieira,” says Julien, leader of Crystal Palace France. “We also have a lot of French players. For me, the best were Mathieu Flamini and Yohan Cabaye – and we have excellent players now like [Michael] Olise, [Odsonne] Edouard and [Jean-Philippe] Mateta.” Julien’s route to Palace is a strange one, stretching back three generations. “My grandfather became a fan of Crystal Palace thanks to English friends he met during a trip,” he explains. “He convinced me thanks to his passion every time he talks about Palace and Selhurst Park, so I became a fan.” With 50 supporters spread across France, Julien is more accustomed to watching games at home with a burger and a beer – but his group often arrange trips to Selhurst Park, where he first saw Palace beat Watford almost two decades ago. Supporting a Premier Leagues side gives him a certain soft spot for England, and his outlook on French chances at this World Cup is pessimistic: “England will go all the way to the final.” Elvis has little time for pessimism – after predicting Palace to win the FA Cup, the League Cup and qualify for the Europa League this season, he turns his focus to Ghanaian revenge against Uruguay following their controversial meeting in 2010. They faced one another again yesterday. fan groups

“It’s a must-win match, we have to beat them. What they did was painful. It was every Ghanaian’s nightmare… Uruguay is a must-win for us.” His hopes are pinned on a familiar name. “We are looking to Jordan Ayew – he continues to raise Ghana and Palace high. Even as I’m talking to you now I’m in a Palace jersey.” As you can tell, the line separating international and club loyalties is becoming increasingly blurred. From all four corners of the globe, eyes are turned to the World Cup – but far and wide, in France, Ghana and more, there are fans with hearts of red and blue. We ask Elvis what would constitute ‘living the dream’, fully expecting an answer related to the World Cup. “I don’t know much about England because I haven’t been there before,” he says. “I would really love to visit. “I would love to play at Selhurst Park and score, and go to the fans and sing Glad All Over in front of them. That would be the dream.”

THROUGH THE LENS

JOACHIM ANDERSEN v FRANCE

through the lens

from the

Palace’s last clash with a Brazilian team came in 1961, when the club seemingly had a penchant for a crowd-drawing international clash. Below are the match reports from Palace 0-2 Bangu and Palace 3-4 Real Madrid. Let’s hope for better luck today…

bangu rob palace Crystal Pal. 0 Bangu (Brazil) 2 BANGU, the Brazilian side who won the New York International tournament last year, saved their reputation with two late goals. Until substitute Paulo Cezar – one of two that Bangu brought on during the second half – put them ahead seven minutes from time with a scrambled goal, Palace were as good as the Brazilians. But for some great saves by Bangu keeper Ubirajara, Palace would have had the game won before Paulo Cezar scored. Bangu made certain in the 88th minute through Beto.

Real Madrid slip shown by Palace CRYSTAL PALACE, middle of the Third Division, scored as many goals against Real last night as the Spanish club have conceded in all 11 games they needed to reach this season’s European Cup-final.

And the only gifts the Spaniards brought for this friendly were pennants and badges, for Real, five times European Cup winners, need their toughest defensive tactics to be really effective nowadays. The free-kicks against Real reached double figures – and the slips began to show long before the end. Palace have not won any of their last nine League games, yet their Arthur Rowe brand of football was almost as good as Real provided. But in the first half Palace could not match the goal-taking of the famous Madrid men. Di Stefano scored with a sixth-minute header and within a minute Gento made it 2-0. Heckman turned a centre from Palace old boy Byrne into a goal and it was 2-1. Then Puskas scored the third Real goal direct from a free-kick and Sanchez walked the ball in after a Puskas-Di Stefano move when the ball was passed five times in the penalty area. from the archive

Astonished Perhaps a change of goalkeepers made the difference. Certainly 19-year-old Glazier, substitute for Rouse, brought off three great second-half saves. Another explanation could be the Real half-time changes at centre half and goalkeeper. Whatever the reason, Smillie scored after 54 minutes to cut Real’s lead to 4-2 and after 69 minutes Long drove home a great 20-yard shot. Palace were back in the game. For the last 20 minutes Real had to forget their exhibition style and play at their most dour to keep ahead. Afterwards Real coach Miguel Munoz said he was astonished that Johnny Byrne, now with West Ham, had been left out of England’s World Cup party. Real first – half centrehalf Santamaria agreed: “He was one of the most difficult players to stop I have ever played against.”

The above copy is printed verbatim.

doc brown Ben Bailey Smith, aka Doc Brown, does it all – acting, rapping, writing, directing, you name it. The multifaceted Palace fan is also a patron of Palace for Life Foundation. In each edition, he offers his unique take on the world in SE25.

The universal language of love Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date. As I’m sure you already know, those are the famous opening lines from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and by now I’m sure you’ll also know I love Palace enough to make the same comparison. That last line referencing how short a British summer is has always had a particular resonance with me, especially when sat with buttocks frozen to an Arthur Wait seat in mid-May. It made me think: if you support a club like today’s opponents, Botafogo, who play in the thoroughly more lovely and temperate Rio de Janeiro, to what or whom do you compare your team when expressing your love?

Weirdly enough, you could do a lot worse than comparing them to Palace. Formed nearly 120 years ago – like us – but with origins that can be traced back further – like us – Botafogo also have a full name (‘Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, yes, ‘and Rowing’) that is, like Crystal Palace, incomparable to any other name in the country – not simply another City, United, Town or Athletic (yawn). A big city team, but with the likes of big city giants Vasco, Fluminense and Flamengo Ben Bailey Smith

Botafogo are a smaller but cooler outfit, draped in colours inspired by a European great (insert Juve here instead of Barca) engulfing them, hoovering up accolades and fans, Botafogo are that smaller but cooler outfit, draped in colours inspired by a European great (insert Juve here instead of Barca). Their best loved mascot was an actual animal, in their case a dog named Biriba, who became legendary for peeing

I would go on with these similarities but I don’t want to because it only ends with the starkest of differences: Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas have actually won a shedload of trophies over the years

on players in a season that saw them enjoy some fantastic luck. It really makes me think we missed a trick in not overfeeding Kayla and bringing the team out early into the firing line of her iconic fly-pasts. The list goes on: their biggest rivals aren’t even from their own city (hey, Santos, meet Brighton. Brighton, Santos). And we each have a player who did their thing at Manchester United for a bit – together in fact! (Hey, Wilf, meet Rafael – again – Rafael, Wilf). In recent years? They’ve been too good to go down but have gone down anyway, then forced their way back despite dire financial circumstances nearly pushing them out existence. *Pointedly scratches hipster chin* I would go on with these similarities but I don’t want to because it only ends with the starkest of differences: Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas have actually won a shedload of trophies over the years. But that takes the shine off this column and its central conceit, so you can go and research that in your own sweet time. Of course, the most genuine, topical and exciting comparison is that John Textor has a hand in both clubs. In fact, having spoken to one of my oldest friends in preparation for writing this (João Castelo Branco, Brazilian football correspondent for ESPN, Ben Bailey Smith

without whom today’s column would’ve been pretty darn short – so thanks, mate, owe ya one!) it appears that John is hailed as something of a hero over there, effectively saving this unique club from potential extinction. And we know how much that means – right, Steve? Most of all it just feels really cool that we get to play a major Brazilian team at Selhurst Park – it’s almost like our own mini World Cup in the midst of the actual one actually happening elsewhere. It’s got a whiff of a Mexico v Denmark or Colombia v Croatia – a little Latin flair against European grit. Southeast Rio v south-east London. Coxinhas v saltfish dumplings. Exchange pennants, exchange a few colloquialisms, a few cold beers and gosh darn it Botafogo, I shall compare thee to a summer’s day. Heck, it’s a World Cup in the middle of winter, we might as well pretend it’s summer. So, yes, a full-on cultural exchange? I’m all for it. Apart from half and half scarves. Sorry, I’m not doing those. Come on then, let’s end where we began – with a bit of poetry. This time from the Nilton Santos stadium: Hoje tem jogo do Botafogo O Glorioso é o meu grande amor! Today is the game of Botafogo Glorious is my great love!

palace for life

SUPPORT THE PALACE CHRISTMAS FOODBANK APPEAL This Christmas, we are asking Palace fans to donate non-perishable goods at collection points at Selhurst Park to help support our community amidst the continuing cost of living crisis.

ll items donated will be shared with local people via the Norwood and Brixton Foodbank and City Harvest, a charity that distribute food to vulnerable people in London. Alongside any generous food donations, we are raising money for our Made in South London campaign to fund the Palace for Life Holidays, Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free food and physical activities for children who are on free school meals during the school holidays. Donations can be made online at palaceforlife.org. How do I donate food? Fans can donate items at Selhurst Park until December 27th, the day after Palace’s Boxing Day fixture against Fulham. On matchdays fans can come by the Fanzone to our Palace for Life collection zone (or at the main reception). On non-matchdays, fans can donate at the main reception any time during the week between 09:00 and 16:30.

Fans will be able to donate on the following matchdays: • Botafogo – December 3rd • Real Valladolid – December 16th • Fulham – December 26th What kind of items can I donate? Foodbanks will only take longer-life products that they can store for those in need – fresh food can spoil quickly and not all banks have chiller facilities. The best items to donate are: • Cereals • Tinned soups and stew • Pasta, rice, and pasta sauce palace for life

• • • • • • •

Tinned meat and fish Tinned beans and vegetables Tinned fruit Condiments and spices Canola and olive oil sprays Broth and stock All-natural juice

Non-food items are also extremely important – products such as the below can prove essential for families who need them: • Toiletries – deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shaving gel, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand wipes

• Household items – liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid • Feminine products – sanitary towels and tampons • Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food I don’t live locally, or am unable to visit Selhurst Park. Can I still support the campaign? Yes! Supporters can donate to our Christmas appeal to help fund the Palace for Life Holidays, Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free food and physical activities for children who are on free school meals during the school holidays. You can do so online at palaceforlife.org. Why are you doing this? As the official charity of Crystal Palace F.C, we are at the heart of the local community and it’s our ambition to support as many people as we can. Unfortunately, foodbanks have reported a surge in demand over recent years, with the number of people receiving three days’ worth of emergency food from the Trussell Trust foodbanks in the UK rising from 25,899 in 2008 to 2,537,198 in 2021. The cost of living crisis has increased poverty for individuals and families all over the country, which means even more are relying on foodbanks as a result. That’s why we’re calling on Palace fans to help those most in need this Christmas

Support Palace for Life in our mission to raise £1 million to help us transform thousands of more young south Londoners’ lives.

visit palaceforlife.org or scan below

palace for life

from the

The page for Palace supporters: taking your comments from the terraces into the programme. This week, we print your messages, introduce today’s mascots and share a few tweets from Palace Twitter.

Jensen Rixon-Wilson

Lucas Pope

AGE:

Daniel Ottley

AGE:

Joshua Pope

AGE:

Max Thompson

AGE:

Alex Thompson

Want to feature as a mascot? -

Kenzie Smith

AGE:

Email: liam.connery@cpfc.co.uk

from the terraces

AGE:

@cpfc_w

November 20th, 2022

Another RECORDBREAKING attendance: 1,969! A MASSIVE thanks to our incredible fans for their support today. #CPFC

Happy birthday to Jacquelineanne McMillan Yarwood. I love you. Hope you have an amazing day. Love Nicola Palmer xxx

Big shout out to our main man Dave Taylor thanks for taking us to cheer on the Palace. Dave’s favourite player is Joel Ward and hopes to see him today.

@cpfcdsa

November 20th, 2022

Thanks to everyone who made last night a great success. Thanks to everyone who came along, to @CPFC for their support and providing the room & refreshments, special thanks to all of the staff at Speroni’s who were fantastic all night.

For Fred Fairs 1937-2022, an avid fan right up until the end. Always in our hearts.

Ernie Organ, aka Pupa! The man, the legend; first attended a Crystal Palace game when he was just 6 years old, now 95 & still a dedicated Crystal Palace supporter, through thick & thin. Crystal Palace supporter for life!

Welcome to 7 year old Dominic Callis who is attending his first ever game on his Dad’s birthday today. Dominic is wearing his Dad’s original striped sash shirt he wore as a child in the early 80’s!

Gerald Bolton celebrates his 70th birthday today and 35 years running Magnex Scientific Social Club F.C, thanks for all you do for us, Happy Birthday Gaffer!

from the terraces

Email programme@cpfc.co.uk with a message of 30 words or fewer and an image to feature on our messageboard.

An ex-Palace ‘keeper, Doc Brown and Elvis the Palace fan. Catch-up on what you might have missed in this edition, check out our winter fixtures and fill the time pre-match below.

did you spot?

quote of the week “I would love to play at Selhurst Park and score, and go to the fans and sing Glad All Over in front of them. That would be the dream.” Elvis, Crystal Palace Ghana player The elephant on Page 65. Find out why this one paraded around Selhurst Park in the 1990s.

André Moritz on Page 34.

carl fletcher Carl Fletcher played for Palace for almost three years, and ended his time with loans to Nottingham Forest and Plymouth Argyle. A Wales international, he managed Plymouth and Leyton Orient, and is now Loans Manager at AFC Bournemouth.

round-up

next up: the winter break If you thought Palace were in for a quiet few weeks during the World Cup break, think again. With four friendlies and a host of Academy or women’s matches, there’s plenty going on. Check out the full schedule below. √

Lewes v Palace Women

14:00 - Sunday, December 4th

√

Palace v Bristol City U21s

14:00 - Monday, December 5th

√

Palace v Trabzonspor

16:00 - Wednesday, December 7th

√

Palace v Sheffield United U21s

13:00 - Friday, December 9th

√

Palace v Man United U18s

14:00 - Saturday, December 10th (TBC)

√

Palace v Napoli

15:00 - Sunday, December 11th

√

Palace v Dinamo Zagreb U21s

19:00 - Wednesday, December 14th

√

Palace v Real Valladolid

18:00 - Friday, December 16th

√

Palace v Arsenal U18s

11:00 - Saturday, December 17th

√

Palace v Newcastle U21s

13:00 - Monday, December 19th

√

Palace v Fulham

15:00 - Monday, December 26th

HOW TO BE THERE

HOW TO WATCH LIVE

Head to tickets.cpfc.co.uk to buy match tickets for first-team, Academy and women’s games.

Search ‘Palace TV+’ to watch selected live matches, get audio commentary, 90-minute replays and access to documentaries.

round-up

PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE 22/23

pos

Pts

Club arsenal

+22

manchester city

+26

newcastle united

+18

tottenham hotspur

+10

manchester united

liverpool

+11

Brighton & Hove Albion

chelsea

fulham

-2

brentford

-2

crystal palace

-3

aston villa

-6

leicester city

bournemouth

-14

leeds united

-4

west ham united

-5

everton

-6

nottingham forest

-19

Southampton

-14

Wolverhampton Wanderers

-16

All statistics correct as of 17:00 Tuesday, November 29th

1-1

3-1

0-2

PL gameweek 1

PL gameweek 2

PL gameweek 3

Carabao Cup second round

4-2

1-1

0-0

1-2

PL gameweek 4

PL gameweek 5

PL gameweek 6

PL gameweek 7

2-1

0-0

2-1

3-0

PL gameweek 8

PL gameweek 9

PL gameweek 10

PL gameweek 11

1-0

1-2

PL gameweek 12

PL gameweek 13

0-0 (3-2)

1-0

Carabao Cup third round

PL gameweek 14

season so far

results so far

0-2

Crystal palace f.c.

BOTAFOGO f.c.

Jack BUTLAND (GK) Joel WARD Tyrick MITCHELL Luka MILIVOJEVIC James TOMKINS Marc GUÉHI Michael OLISE Jordan AYEW Eberechi EZE Wilfried ZAHA Vicente GUAITA (GK) Jean-Philippe MATETA Jeffrey SCHLUPP Joachim ANDERSEN Nathaniel CLYNE James McARTHUR Will HUGHES Sam JOHNSTONE (GK) Odsonne EDOUARD Malcolm EBIOWEI Chris RICHARDS Cheick DOUCOURÉ Nathan FERGUSON Jaïro RIEDEWALD Killian PHILLIPS Kaden RODNEY

03 04 06 07 08 09 10 12 14 15 18 20 21 22 23 29 32 34 37 43 47 52 90 94 99

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 09 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26 28 36 44 55 78

A. Marriner N. Davies E. Smart

For Ticketing, reaction and highlights download the Official Palace App

Joel CARLI KANU Tchê TCHÊ RAFAEL Patrick DE PAULA Tiquinho SOARES Gustavo SAUER Lucas PERRI (GK) Gabriel PIRES Victor CUESTA Lucas FERNANDES Daniel BORGES MARÇAL Douglas BORGES (GK) Bernardo VALIM Victor SÁ Jacob MONTES ADRYELSON Júnior SANTOS Lucas PIAZON JEFFINHO Igo GABRIEL (GK) Matheus NASCIMENTO Philipe SAMPAIO Luis HENRIQUE