Crystal Palace play their first-ever Europa League match tonight, with Lech Poznań visiting Selhurst Park for a piece of club history. The occasion belongs to Palace; the contest will demand their full attention.
A new European chapter
Palace supporters have grown used to landmark nights after last season's Conference League triumph, but this is another first. The Eagles have never played in the Europa League before, and the opening match of the league phase brings the competition straight to south London.
That should make Selhurst Park feel different long before kick-off. The challenge for Palace is to use the energy without letting the size of the night turn into tension.
Palace need their sharper version
Recent results have swung in both directions. Palace beat Fulham 3-2 and Middlesbrough 3-0, showing they can carry a threat across league and cup matches. They have also lost three of their last five, including Saturday's 3-2 home defeat by Ipswich Town.
Nine goals scored and 11 conceded across those five matches tell the story of an entertaining but uneven spell. Palace have produced enough attacking football to believe in another big night, but they will need more control when the game begins to stretch.
Lech arrive ready to compete
Lech Poznań have won three of their latest five matches. They beat Widzew Łódź 3-2, Jagiellonia Białystok 2-1 and Raków Częstochowa 1-0 before Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Górnik Zabrze.
The Polish side have scored nine goals during that run, the same total as Palace. They have also already played through a European qualifier, drawing 2-2 away to Thun, so this will not feel like a step into the unknown for the visitors.
Can Palace settle into the night?
The opening spell matters. Palace will want to turn the noise and the novelty into pressure, while Lech will know that keeping the score level can shift some of that excitement into nerves.
If Palace move the ball with patience and defend transitions cleanly, the stage is there for a memorable start. If the match becomes loose, Lech's recent scoring record offers a clear warning.
Match details
Crystal Palace v Lech Poznań
Thursday 17 September, 20:00 BST
UEFA Europa League, league phase
Selhurst Park
Follow the fixture in the LiveFootballNow match centre for the latest score and match updates.
What to watch
This is a night Palace supporters will remember whatever happens. The football question is whether the Eagles can combine that sense of occasion with the calm required to beat opponents arriving with three recent wins of their own.