Finnish Champions KuPS almost caused an upset at Selhurst Park in their last game of 2025, coming back from one goal down to lead 2-1 before a red card to Clinton Antwi changed the balance of the game with Justin Devenny snatching an equaliser resulting in a 2-2 draw.
The way KuPS played could serve as a future blueprint for Finnish teams competing in European competitions.
1. Defensive solidity, game state and physicality
KuPS defended with a 5-4-1, with man-to-man marking in the backline and two midfielders. Though Crystal Palace centre-backs had time on the ball, the compactness and man-marking made Palace penetration difficult. It would have been fair for Palace to lead 1-0 at half time as KuPS did not manage a shot on goal but defensively they limited Palace to very few clear-cut chances.
KuPS also happened to be the most physical team in Finland – players were strong and robust in duels, an example being Doni Arifi, who had just transferred to SpVgg Greuther Fürth in 2.Bundesliga, holding off Palace players in midfield. However, the way centre-back Ibrahim Cissé got spun Christantus Uche for the Palace’s first goal suggested much S&C work would be required.
2. Use the strengths
KuPS liked to play with attacking midfielders in wing positions drifting in field creating overloads, with 19-year-old Otto Ruoppi finding in between the lines in the first half. It was no surprise then that his run from midfield generated KuPS’ first shot and goal in the 2nd half. Of all the ways a no.10 could pick up the ball in between the lines, Ruoppi’s simple receive and play in the right half-space was super effective.
3. Set piece threat
Against a mix of squad and academy players in this changed Crystal Palace team, the one area that a team would get less practice in would be set-piece attacking and defending, particularly in the 2nd phase. Ibrahim Cissé redeemed himself with a quick reaction to a long shot, deflecting the ball into the Palace goal, sending the away fans into ecstasy.
The player who stood out in this match:
Christantus Uche, centre forward, Crystal Palace
During this frustrated spell at Palace on loan from Getafe, Uche scored one of Palace’s best goals of the season with a sharp cut to the left to beat the defender and curled the ball in with the outside of the right boot. He knew how to draw fouls and made strong channel runs as well. However, there was a lack of combination plays with the teammates around him. With manager Oliver Glasner coming from Eintracht Frankfurt, a player would require both individual qualities and group play to succeed.
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