Palace Clinches Narrow Win in European Debut
Hey everyone, let's talk about Crystal Palace’s first step into European football this season. They faced off against Fredrikstad in the Conference League play-off first leg at Selhurst Park, and it was a match full of dominance, some frustration, and finally, that all-important breakthrough.
The game finished 1-0 in favor of Palace, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring what has officially become the club’s first-ever European goal. It came in the 54th minute, with a smart finish after Will Hughes’ shot deflected back into the box. Mateta described it as a simple case of being in the right place at the right time, doing his job, and hoping the ball would end up in the net. And it did.
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Palace controlled the game from the start, dominating possession with over 74% of the ball, and they took a total of 25 shots compared to Fredrikstad’s 5. Yet, despite the stats, breaking down the Norwegian side proved trickier than expected. Fredrikstad defended with a deep line, making Palace work hard for every chance. Several efforts, including a deflected Mateta shot and a header from Daniel Munoz, hit the post, reminding everyone that European football doesn’t make things easy.
The absence of Eberechi Eze was felt, as he was left out of the squad ahead of his expected move to Arsenal. Former players and pundits commented on this, suggesting that the team will need to adjust without his creativity and “X factor.” However, Palace’s captain Marc Guehi and the rest of the squad managed to stay focused, keeping their composure and seeing the game through.
Interestingly, Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson wasn’t really tested, as Fredrikstad rarely managed to create clear opportunities. The Norwegian team did try to push forward late on, even creating a couple of half-chances in the final minutes, but they couldn’t find a way past the solid Palace defense.
Manager Oliver Glasner’s experience in Europe will certainly be tested in the second leg, which takes place in Norway next Thursday. While the one-goal advantage is comforting, Palace will need to be sharper and more clinical if they want to secure a place in the group stage of the Conference League.
So, overall, it was a debut European win for Palace, marked by control, patience, and a historic goal for Mateta. There’s no doubt that the next leg will be tougher, but Palace has taken the crucial first step, and fans have plenty to look forward to as the European adventure continues.
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