When the wind tore through Crystal Palace’s latest message of defiance against Uefa, knocking over a handful of the ultras propping the flailing banner up, it felt almost symbolic. That after a summer of perceived injustice, they are fighting a battle against something far bigger, an almighty force, that cannot be won.
A first European home night (proper) in the club’s history, there was still a slight air of animosity on what should have been a solely euphoric occasion. “We are the boys who will win your little game” was the statement branded onto a bright red banner that stretched across the width of the Holmesdale before kick-off – another shot fired at Uefa following their European demotion. Yet the spectacular tifo that accompanied it, now a fixture of matchdays at Selhurst Park, spoke to a change of tone among the Palace faithful. No longer were they focussing on ill-feeling. Ambition was prevailing.
