Palace’s Missed Chances Turn Strasbourg Clash Into Costly Setback
So, this Strasbourg versus Crystal Palace match has really become the latest chapter in a frustrating trend for the Eagles. When you look at how the game unfolded, it feels like a story of dominance without the reward, and honestly, that’s what makes the result sting even more. Palace created plenty, controlled long stretches of the match, and still walked away with nothing to show for it.
The match started brightly for them. Tyrick Mitchell put Palace ahead with a composed first-half finish, and at that point it seemed like a third European win from four matches was lining up nicely. The team was pushing hard, moving the ball with confidence, and finding pockets of space in Strasbourg’s box. Sixteen shots, two open goals missed, and forty touches in the opposition penalty area tell you everything about how many chances were there for the taking. Yet somehow, none of that pressure was turned into the kind of cushion they desperately needed.
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And that’s where the turning point arrived. Strasbourg, who sit fifth in Ligue 1 and are managed by Liam Rosenior, didn’t panic. Their young talents stepped up, especially Emanuel Emegha—the Chelsea-bound striker who gave a real glimpse of what Premier League fans might see next season. He equalised early in the second half with a close-range finish and almost added another before a stunning late tackle from Chris Richards stopped him. But the momentum had already shifted. It was teenager Samir El Mourabet who sealed Strasbourg’s comeback with his first senior goal, completing a turnaround that Palace will feel they gifted more than lost.
Fans reacted exactly as you’d expect—frustration mixed with bewilderment. Many pointed out how Palace could have been two or three goals up before halftime. Even manager Oliver Glasner acknowledged the recurring issue: the team is simply not clinical enough. And in European football, you rarely get away with that.
This loss leaves Palace in a tricky position. With only six matches in the Conference League league phase, dropping to eighteenth in the standings means there’s now an uphill battle just to reach the top eight—something they need if they want to advance straight to the last 16. Falling outside the top 24 means elimination altogether, and that pressure is very real now.
On the Strasbourg side, there were subplots galore. Ben Chilwell, on loan there from Chelsea, played against his former club and continues to push for an England recall. Emegha’s performance sparked plenty of excitement from pundits, who believe he could make a strong impact when he joins Chelsea in 2026.
For Palace, though, the takeaway is simple: the chances are being created, but the finishing touch is missing. And until that part of their game sharpens up, more nights like this one are at risk of repeating themselves.
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