Crystal Palace’s squad, 67x more expensive, wasn’t enough for a win

Crystal Palace were left frustrated after failing to turn their dominance into victory, settling for a draw against Zrinjski Mostar in the first leg of their Conference League play-off tie.

Despite controlling over 70% of possession and looking on track for a historic first European knockout win, the Eagles could not fully capitalise on their superiority. Ismaila Sarr had given Oliver Glasner’s side the lead just before the break, but a costly error early in the second half allowed Zrinjski to pull level and keep the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg at Selhurst Park.

Fresh from an eight-day break following their weekend off from FA Cup duties, Glasner named a strong starting XI, including Adam Wharton, Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen. Palace started with intent and nearly opened the scoring inside seven minutes when Sarr forced a save from Goran Karacic. Wharton then fired narrowly wide as the Premier League side kept the pressure on.

Sarr thought he had scored in the 12th minute after reacting quickest to a loose ball, but the goal was chalked off for offside against Chris Richards in the build-up. Zrinjski gradually found their feet and threatened through Antonio Ivancic before the break, though it was Palace who finally broke through when Strand Larsen’s clever touch set up Sarr for his third Conference League goal of the campaign.

The visitors’ momentum disappeared shortly after the restart. Wharton’s misplaced pass gifted Zrinjski an opening, and Karlo Abramovic made no mistake, firing into the far corner after a well-weighted assist from Leo Mikic. Wharton nearly redeemed himself later, rattling the crossbar as Palace searched for a winner.

Glasner cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as his team failed to convert their dominance into another goal. Richards headed wide from close range, and Palace had a nervous moment when a potential handball penalty was reviewed late on, though the decision ultimately went in their favour.

With both sides scoring once, the tie remains wide open ahead of the decisive second leg in London next week.

UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE - PLAYOFFS

First leg

Thursday

KuPs - Lech Poznan 0-2 (0-2)

/Kozubal 9, Ismaheel 41/

Noah - AZ Alkmaar 1-0 (0-0)

/Hambardzumyan 53/

Sigma - Lausanne 1-1 (0-1)

/Sturm 58 - Butler-Oyedeji 22/

Zrinjski - Crystal Palace 1-1 (0-1)

/Abramovic 55 - Sarr 43/

Drita Gjilan - Celje IN PROGRESS

Jagiellonia - Fiorentina IN PROGRESS

Omonia - Rijeka IN PROGRESS

Shkendija - Samsunspor IN PROGRESS