Crystal Palace’s first-ever major European fixture at Selhurst Park ended in defeat as AEK Larnaca stunned the home side, prompting manager Oliver Glasner to suggest the result could help keep the club grounded.
Thursday’s game was meant to be a landmark night at the 101-year-old ground, with a sell-out crowd, loud chants of Glasner’s name and celebrations recalling last season’s FA Cup success. Supporters unveiled a Dad’s Army-inspired tifo before kick-off charting Palace’s route to last May’s Conference League final.
The hosts dominated large periods and created chances — 15 in total — but only managed one shot on target. Jean-Philippe Mateta struck the crossbar with a close-range hooked volley in the first half, and substitute Eddie Nketiah missed a gilt-edged opportunity, failing to connect with a loose ball from around five yards out during a late Palace rally.
The decisive moment arrived from a mistake. In the 51st minute Jaydee Canvot gave the ball away to Marcus Rohden, who set up Riad Bajic to convert with a powerful finish and put Larnaca ahead.
Palace have not won in their last three matches, having also lost to Everton in October — a game that ended a club record 19-match unbeaten run — and drawn 3-3 with Bournemouth last weekend. Despite spells of control in each of those fixtures, the finishing has often been lacking.
Glasner reflected on the evening and the expectations placed on Premier League sides in European competitions. He said: “You are always told when you play in the Premier League you win the Conference League,” and added: “Stay humble. I don’t know if any debutant [is able] to win the competition. I don’t think so.
“We will learn from it, the players will learn. It’s disappointing, a frustrating night, but maybe the whole environment needed it to stay humble.”
The manager also described the feeling during parts of the match as “a little bit deja vu”, saying his team didn’t “score when we should and we get punished”.
Palace captain Marc Guehi offered a blunt appraisal after the game, telling TNT Sports: “They scored, we didn’t, it’s that simple.
“Every team comes with a different type of gameplan. Today it was a team that sat back. They did well, they frustrated us.
“It is good opportunity to learn and understand that these European games are tough no matter who you play against.”
Read more on The Global Herald
