The Eagles set up their semi-final clash with the Ukrainian side after winning their two-legged quarter-final 4-2, despite a 2-1 loss in Italy on Thursday night.
“Everybody is very excited for what’s to come next. Shakhtar in the semis,” said Richards.
“If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Our next challenge is beating Shakhtar. They’ve done really well. They deserve to be in the semi-finals. So if we go in there and give them two hard games, we’ll hopefully come out on top.”
Ismaila Sarr had put the visitors ahead just before the 20-minute mark, before a penalty 10 minutes later and an early second half strike saw Palace fall to defeat on the night. But their buffer from the first leg was enough to see them through.
“They’re a good team and there’s a reason why they were in the quarter-finals as well.
“Once they had the momentum, it was hard to take it back, especially with them being at home.
“But me, Chadi (Riad), Jaydee (Canvot) and whoever was in the back with me, we did really well.
“Even though maybe we don’t have many games under our belts together, we did really well.
“We went back to our principles, which is box defending, and that’s exactly what we did.”
(Image: UEFA)
Richards also took time out to praise fellow centre back Jaydee Canvot, with the 19-year-old impressing since former club captain Marc Guehi joined Manchester City in the winter transfer window.
“Everybody saw his talent coming in. I remember being 19 and playing at a decent level.
“Sometimes you’re rough around the edges, but one of the things about him is that he’s willing to learn.
“He’s asking the right questions and leaning on people for advice. I’m really happy that everybody else is also starting to see how well he is doing. He’ll be a big part of our future.”
That future could see another trophy come to SE25, following the FA Cup and FA Community Shield, with the UEFA Conference League title potentially just 270 minutes away.
And after 14 games already in the competition, Richards is quick to acknowledge that for him – as well as the team – the European experience has been a learning exercise.
“You have to sometimes adapt to different playing styles, different countries, how they play, different referees.
“Everything’s different to the Premier League. You can’t necessarily be as ‘handsy’ at corners and things like that.
“You can’t talk to the ref. It’s different things that you have to learn, and it’s only experience that you can gain by playing in Europe.
“So every game, regardless of if we won, lost or drew, was a learning experience, and we’ll be taking that into the next round.
“My job is go out there and put in good performances for this club and if it results in history, then so be it, but we’re trying not to look too far ahead,” he added.
“We do understand this is our first time playing in Europe, and being able to bring a semi-final to Selhurst will be amazing.
“Hopefully we can give them (the fans) a win and progress to the next round. But every chapter, every game that we play has been history for Crystal Palace.”
Next up for Palace is hosting relegation contenders West Ham United at Selhurst Park on Monday.
“West Ham are a team fighting for their survival,” Richards said. “They’ve cut a hot streak as of late, so hopefully we can cool it down a little bit.
“Regardless, we want to continue to climb up the table and we want to be very competitive in both competitions we’re in,” Richards said.
“We’re not taking our foot off the gas at all, and hopefully we get a win on Monday night.
“We don’t expect an easy game against West Ham. They are still fighting. Hopefully, we can score a few more and concede fewer than we did on Thursday night.
“We’re going to go out there for 90 plus on Monday night and hopefully come out with the win.”