Ismaila Sarr explosive, defender with 50 per cent passing accuracy woeful – Crystal Palace’s three winners and losers from win vs AZ Alkmaar
Crystal Palace secured their first win in the Conference League as they beat AZ Alkmaar 3-1 on 6 November.
The Crystal Palace fixture congestion continued as they turned their attention to demands of Europe once again.
Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace were without the injured Eddie Nketiah as they try to cope with the inability to rotate due to their lack of squad depth.
However, the Austrian would’ve been thrilled with his side’s victory as Football Insider reviews the winners and losers from against AZ Alkmaar.
Crystal Palace winners
Ismaila Sarr
The Senegal international was once again on the scoresheet, just as he was a week prior in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win over Liverpool.
Ismaila Sarr remained a threat all-night long as he scored twice, accruing 1.72xG from his four shots at goal, even striking the post.
Maxence Lacroix
Maxence Lacroix got Selhurst Park rocking when he smashed home a rocket from just inside the 18-yard box in the 22nd minute.
The Frenchman was also superb with his passing in his own half, landing 13 of his 13 passes on a great night for the Eagles.
Jefferson Lerma
The Colombian has had a recent resurgence in south London, principally due to the absence of Adam Wharton, and continued his excellent displays against the Dutch side.
Jefferson Lerma delivered two key passes, winning five of his nine duels as he bossed the midfield alongside Will Hughes.
Crystal Palace losers
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Tottenham target Jean-Philippe Mateta is known as a magnet for chances, yet was poor in front of goal for the Eagles against the Dutch outfit.
Whilst the Frenchman bagged the assist for Sarr’s second goal with a delightful through ball, he skewed a plethora of goalscoring opportunities.
Mateta had the chance to open the scoring but missed a penalty, also failing to find the target with his two other shots on the AZ Alkmaar goal with two of them deemed big chances.
Daniel Munoz
Usually a dependable man for Glasner, the Colombian was a bit off-colour under the lights at Selhurst Park.
Daniel Munoz completed nine of his 18 passes, accruing a 50 per cent passing accuracy rate as he was wasteful with the ball.
Moreover, he won just four of his 11 duels and was dribbled past once in a disappointing performance for the Eagles.
Dean Henderson
On what was a rather quiet evening for the Englishman, Palace’s shotstopper could’ve done better to keep AZ Alkmaar out.
Dean Henderson made three saves but would’ve been disappointed to not save Sven Mijnans’ hidden shot, losing the clean sheet in the process.