Crystal Palace tasted defeat at the hands of Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in their first home game in the main phase of a European competition.
The Eagles struggled to break down Larnaca's low-block while being inefficient in front of goal, and were punished by Riad Bajic’s stunning left-footed shot into the top corner in the 51st minute after Jaydee Canvot had gifted Marcus Rohdén possession.
Palace tried to throw the kitchen sink at Larnaca, introducing Eddie Nketiah, Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada to become a more progressive outfit – but mustered no shots in the final ten minutes as they went out with a whimper.
Match Highlights
To follow shortly...
Crystal Palace Player Ratings
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GK - Dean Henderson - 6/10
Did not have a save to make. Nothing he could have done to deny Riad Bajic, whose effort rifled into the top corner and left the England number two rooted. However, his choice to play the ball to Canvot in the build-up to the goal was questionable as he put Canvot under unnecessary pressure.
CB - Jaydee Canvot - 4/10
Hooked on the hour mark after a dreadful mistake gave AEK Larnaca the lead. Played the ball straight to Marcus Rohden with Palace out of shape at the back, the Swede roamed into the area before squaring to Bajic, who found the top corner. Took too long on the ball, at times. Showed poor judgement when Rohdén nipped past him in the first half. Had a decent shot from range, but failed to test the goalkeeper.
CB - Maxence Lacroix - 6.5/10
Fantastic chance missed when he guided Will Hughes’ tempting delivery wide from a short corner just after half-time. Outstanding recovery run when Larnaca were on the break, outpacing and outmuscling Bajic to reclaim possession.
CB - Marc Guehi - 7/10
Had possession a lot as Palace struggled to move the ball from back to front. Not much to do defensively, but won his battles. Routine for him, unlike Palace as a whole.
RWB - Daniel Munoz - 7/10
Can be said every time he enters the pitch: relentless. Charged up and down the right flank all evening. If only the rest of his side had the same energy.
CM - Will Hughes - 6.5/10
Won the ball well and offered an abundance of energy, but did not have a progressive passer next to him, which limited the effectiveness of the pivot, as there was nobody playing forward to complete the turnovers. He did his job, though.
CM - Jefferson Lerma - 6/10
Problematic for Palace in midfield. Defensively solid, but had little to offer going forward. Palace lacked a midfielder who could break the low-block of Larnaca down.
LWB - Tyrick Mitchell - 7/10
Played extremely high, especially in the first half. Took a narrow forward position at one point. Rarely beaten, effective in possession.
RW - Ismaila Sarr - 6/10
Typically struggles against the defensive sides and this was no different. Looked to roam in behind, but rarely had the space to do so. A flick-on from a Palace corner fell to him at the back post, a decent chance blocked.
LW - Yeremy Pino - 5/10
Ineffective. Often detached from play. Took a tumble when attempting a cross-field pass. A couple of bad touches. Failed to offer much against a low-block, which he is most suited to playing against.
ST - Jean-Philippe Mateta - 5/10
Another night packed with misses for the Frenchman, who scored a hat-trick against Bournemouth at the weekend. His shot into the ground struck the crossbar, and with the goalkeeper scrambling, he should have scored. Rose the highest to meet a deep cross from Will Hughes, but could not guide his header on target. A right-footed attempt to curl into the top corner flew wide before half-time.
SUB - Eddie Nketiah for Canvot (60) - 6/10
Introduction signalled a rare move into a back four for Palace. Extremely lively, bolted to the byline and his cutback but a chance on a plate for Mateta, who hit the goalkeeper from a matter of yards. Poor miss when the ball fell for him at the back post, and he failed to get the connection required to level things. Offered Palace life, but not enough.
SUB - Adam Wharton for Lerma (70) - 6/10
SUB - Daichi Kamada for Pino (70) - 6/10
SUB - Christantus Uche for Sarr (87) - N/A
SUB - Romain Esse for Hughes (87) - N/A
AEK Larnaca Player Ratings
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Alomerovic 8; Miramon 7, Milicevic 7, Roberge 6, Saborit 6, Gnali 6, Pons 6, Ledes 6, Rohden 8, Chacon NA (‘19 for Ivanovic 7), Bajic 8, Angielski 80' for Bajic - N/A, Suarez for Pere Pons - N/A