From relegation to dark horse! How was the Crystal Palace miracle created?

In the star-studded Premier League arena, a team without sky-high signings and lacking top superstars is quietly causing a storm. Led by coach Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace emerged as a new force, winning 18 games in various competitions across seasons, and even capturing Liverpool at home, shocking the football world.

Behind this "dark horse" miracle, there are no superheroes like Ronaldo and Messi. The protagonists are a group of "ordinary faces" who have been ignored and questioned - Chris Richards, Tyrik Mitchell, Kamada Dadi, and Edward Nketia. They are using collective power to write a counterattack chapter of grassroots heroes.

Glasner's "slow philosophy": Patience is the best tactic

Glasner once thought of himself as "lack of patience", but it was he who learned to wait that allowed Crystal Palace to transform. Instead of rushing to abandon the players because they were in poor condition in the beginning, he gave them time to gradually adapt to the tactical system of high-intensity oppression and fast-paced transformation.

This "slow philosophy" has received amazing returns: unbeaten in 18 games, one of the best starts in team history, and all this is based on a group of players who are not from the "six major" giants.

Richards: From the marginal man to the backbone of the defense at the beginning of the season, US central defender Chris Richards was almost forgotten due to injury. But with Charoba leaving the team, he seized the opportunity and quickly became a key link in the three-center-back system. He has a tough style and accurate predictions. In the matches against Manchester City and Liverpool, he successfully frozen Haaland and Isaac one after another, which is impressive.

The defense line formed by him, Gee and Lacroix, completed 11 clean sheets in 21 joint games, and his defensive stability is comparable to that of the top giants. Richards' rise is the best embodiment of Glasner's concept of "no doubt about employing people".

Leftback Terrik Mitchell, who was once named by the head coach for being criticized for being "not actively taking the ball", has now been reborn. Not only did he score a world-wide wave against West Ham United, but he also created a first-time corner kick against Liverpool, but also successfully locked Salah's breakthrough route.

He formed a perfect echo with Munos on the right, and both offense and defense were both on the sides, making Crystal Palace's offensive levels clear and difficult to prevent. From "criticized" to "Key Mr.", Mitchell's growth is a microcosm of the team's overall mental outlook.

Kamada Dadi: The "invisible brain" in the midfield

Japanese international Kamada Dadi was questioned when joining - the technology is delicate but the body is thin. Can he adapt to the strength of the Premier League? Glasner, however, disagreed with his opponent and placed him in the front midfielder with a defensive midfielder like Hughes or Walton.

Now, Kamada Dadi has become the team's "midfield hub". He is not good at confrontation, but he controls the rhythm with calm ball control and precise dispatch. He is the "melodder" for the team to crack high-pressures and organize offenses. His role is silent, but indispensable.

Nketia: After the trusted "Redener"

left Arsenal, Nketia fell into a low point. But an accident of teammates being injured gave him a chance. He did not let down his trust and made great achievements in his limited playing time.

What is even more touching is that coach Glasner personally talked to him at the end of the season: "You are still part of the team's plan." This trust made him stick to the end. After returning from injury, he scored a final victory in the 97th minute against Liverpool, and returned the coach's belief in the most dramatic way - "The effort will be rewarded", which is the spiritual core of this Crystal Palace.

is not a miracle, it is the victory of the system, the rise of the Crystal Palace, and it is by no means a result of luck. This is a "system revolution" led by Glasner: he does not rely on individual stars to shine, but creates a whole with clear structure, strong execution, and everyone can shine.

When the "nameless people" are stimulated under the correct system, a team that once struggled with relegation can also be transformed into a strong competitor for European war qualifications.