Crystal Palace: Eagles’ Necessary Defeat in Larnaca Needed to ‘Stay Humble’

Crystal’s first home game in a top European competition did not go to plan as Aekarca beat them, but manager Oliver Glasner said “perhaps the whole environment should remain humble”.

Thursday was supposed to be a Big Night at Palace as Selhurst Park hosted a European match for the first time in its 101-year history.

There was an added buzz at Selhurst Station and inside the ground a salesman ran around chanting Glasner’s name and songs from last season.

Before starting a strange brick tone of the father planning the entrance to the Palace from South London in Leipzig saying “We are the Boyers who will win your little game”.

The stadium turned out to be a firing range for Palace, who went into the game against the Cypriots unbeaten at home since February in all competitions.

But the Eagles’ play did not reflect the hype. Yes they did many times, 15 in total, but only one target.

Jean-Philippe Mateeta hit the crossbar with a hooked volley from close range and substitute Eddie Nketiah should have leveled for the hosts, but completely missed a loose ball from five yards.

Does Glasner have a point?

“You are always told when you play in the Premier League that you win the conference league,” said the Palace boss.

“Stay humble. I don’t know if any debutant (can) win the competition. I’m not like that.

“We can learn from it, the players can learn. It was a disappointing, scary night, but maybe the whole environment needs it to stay humble.”