Maxence Lacroix has made a habit of fist-pumping with the Crystal Palace fans over the course of his first season at Selhurst Park.
And the French centre-back is hoping to add Wembley to his list of grounds where he can clench his hand and run up to the Eagles faithful to celebrate should they beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final tomorrow.
Lacroix joined the South Londoners from Wolfsburg in the summer and has been a vital part of Oliver Glasner’s side.
The 25-year-old has made 37 appearances in all competitions in his debut season in England and has become an instant hit in South London.
“Saturday is a really important moment for us,” said Lacroix.
“We have this game, of course, tomorrow, which is also really important. I think all our fans look at this semi-final in Wembley and we’re there to win, it’s normal.
“Our fans are like the 12th man on the pitch. When you play against us, especially in our stadium, the fans are incredible. I heard there’s going to be like 40,000 or 35,000 fans. So it’s more than our stadium. It’s going to be hard for us against Villa.
“It’s difficult when you play against these guys because they will push us. But they give us a new energy when it’s difficult on the pitch. When you hear them, they push you, you want to give everything for them.
“We know it’s only two games and then we can win a trophy – this is exciting. Of course, to play at Wembley is also different.
“Everyone knows we have the guns to win this cup and we’ll give everything to come back with this FA Cup.
“We have the ability, the talent. We have all the players. We can beat everyone if we stick together and play together.
“We can see on the pitch that everyone wants to fight for each other. This is why we are difficult to play because everyone wants to fight for each other.”
The French youth international played 36 times under Glasner at Wolfsburg during their time together in Germany.
He switched around positions in the back three after having a slow start to life at Palace, but since being played in the central role between Marc Guehi and Chris Richards, Lacroix has thrived.
“When I came here, it was because I wanted to see about the Premier League,” said Lacoix on his summer switch.
“I wanted to see what’s happening here because I watched some games. But I didn’t know if I could play there, if I had the ability to play in the Premier League. That’s why I moved here from the Bundesliga.”
“I knew I had everything to do well here, but I never did it because I was not here. So this is more like an achievement.”
Unai Emery’s Villa side head to Wembley on the back of exiting the Champions League following a spirited second-leg fightback against PSG.
Lacroix and his Palace team-mates have an unbeaten record against Villa this season, winning 2-1 in the EFL Cup back in October, before drawing at Villa Park in the Premier League and winning 4-1 in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park.
Palace last reached this stage of the competition under Patrick Vieira in the 2021-22 season, when they bowed out following a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.
“It would be beautiful to win a trophy and especially for Palace,” said Lacroix.
“We know we have a lot of fans. We have a lot of people who want to see this team also win because it’s not only the club.
“It’s also this team because we invest a lot. We do a lot and people want to see Palace win this season.
“I’m really proud of the guys and what we’re doing and we can finish this season with a better gift and this is what we want to give to our fans.”
Glasner lifted the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt and he guided Wolfsburg to the Champions League.
The Eagles are in contract negotiations with the Austrian over extending his Selhurst Park stay.
Lacroix added: “He’s doing well here and everyone likes him. He did well in Frankfurt, he did well in Wolfsburg with us and also here. I think he’s the right man for the situation.
“He takes the best of you. He can make a normal player into a good player because he helps you to give everything you have.
“I think this is the biggest point. He has a lot of players, but he takes the best of all the players.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
