Frustration In Bosnia As Palace Held In First Leg

The Eagles took part in their first European knockout tie which ended all square as the Bosnian champions fought back to take a creditable draw to Selhurst Park next week for the second leg.

MATCH INFORMATION

PLAYER RATINGS

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 17 Nathaniel CLYNE, 19 Will HUGHES, 31 Remi MATTHEWS, 42 Kaden RODNEY, 44 Walter BENITEZ, 55 Justin DEVENNY, 59 Rio CARDINES

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES – 1 Matej BOGDAN, 6 David KARACIC, 15 Antonio ARAPOVIC, 22 Adi NALIC, 23 Stefano SURDANOVIC, 32 Tin SAJKO, 42 Marijan CAVAR, 90 Toni MAJIC

POST GAME QUOTES

OLIVER GLASNER

“It was the same against Burnley, controlling the game with the lead and then we made two easy mistakes. Even when you see all the opportunities, we always had an overload but then we can’t defend the one-on-one.

When you have the lead and controlling the game, just don’t give them easy opportunities. We must be very self-critical. We controlled the game but we gave away momentum with easy mistakes. Maybe that’s what we must learn, with a few young players in defence the learning should be quick.

They are well organised in defence, good on transitions and this is what we will analyse. In attack it was a little bit too slow. Sometimes it’s a lack of creativity in attack and we miss runs in behind. When we did we were dangerous and created chances. We were very dominant. But it’s not just having possession. We need to be more dominant in the box.”

CHRIS RICHARDS

“It’s mixed emotions, but in the grand scheme of things, we must take care of business at home. There’s also a reason they’re in the Conference League. They’re a good team. They defend well.

Again, we didn’t make the most of our chances and defensively we made a few mistakes. Regardless, it’s a performance that we can work on and we can continue with. A bit frustrating that we kind of lacked a little bit in both areas this evening.”

MATCH STATISTICS

TEB VERDICT

After a first half of Palace seemingly finding their way out in Bosnia, they found a way to go in at the break ahead after good link up play with Jorgen Strand Larsen and Ismaila Sarr, before the AFCON winner netted.

From there on in, it was ultimately a wasteful performance full of mistakes and the visitors not taking their chances which has become a story of the season. Not only that, it was another team that Palace failed to break down successfully which will remain a challenge in the second leg.

The Eagles should really have taken advantage of their dominance but the first leg encounter ended level with the return at Selhurst Park next Thursday.

There really was a lack or urgency throughout and no real spark from any of the players that made it on to the pitch out in Bosnia which was hugely disappointing. However, the season will stand on a knife edge under the South London lights next week, and Oliver Glasner will need to find a way to beat another stubborn underdog.

Perhaps we should reserve judgment on this performance until we know the outcome of the tow legged affair come this time next week.

UPCOMING FIXTURES