Crystal Palace kicked off their inaugural European campaign with a slim but significant 1–0 victoryover Norway’s Fredrikstad in the UEFA Conference League Play-Off First Leg at Selhurst Park.
Match Summary
- Final Score: Crystal Palace 1–0 Fredrikstad
- Goal: Jean-Philippe Mateta struck in the 54th minute, heading home from a Will Hughes volley to deliver Palace’s first-ever European goal.
- Venue & Attendance: Selhurst Park, with a spirited home crowd witnessing this historic night.
Setbacks & Squad News
Eberechi Eze, who was expected to feature, withdrew
on matchday due to illness as he nears a record move to Arsenal. His absence disrupted Palace’s creative dynamics. Manager Oliver Glasnerexpressed frustration at the late change, emphasising the challenge of losing a key playmaker right before their European debut.
Game Flow & Insights
In the first half, Palace lacked attacking spark—struggles partly blamed on Eze’s absence. Still, Mateta came close with a first-half header that hit the post, and Ismaila Sarr forced a save from Fredrikstad’s keeper, Martin Børsheim.
After taking the lead, Palace controlled much of the game’s rhythm, while Fredrikstad came close to leveling late on with a swift counter, only to narrowly miss. The win puts Palace in a favorable position heading into the second leg in Norway next week.
What This Means Going Forward
This marks a monumental milestone for Palace - their first-ever win in European competition.
- Despite a lackluster performance, the result delivers momentum ahead of the second leg.
- Manager Glasner will be eager to solidify squad depth and find creative solutions without Eze’s talents.
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