Oliver Glasner unearths new transfer priority – Five things learned from Crystal Palace’s draw vs Fredrikstad
Crystal Palace narrowly progressed to the league stage of the Europa Conference League, though there are concerns Oliver Glasner will need to address.
Jean-Phillippe Mateta’s solitary goal in the first leg was enough for Crystal Palace to fend off Norwegian outfit Fredrikstad.
A 0-0 draw in Norway sealed Crystal Palace’s place in the league stage draw for their very first foray into European competition.
Here are five things we learned from the contest on a successful night for the South London club.
Oliver Glasner needs to be backed in the transfer market
Glasner’s first substitution of the match came in the 78th minute, when opening the scoring to double their lead on aggregate would have avoided a nervy ending.
Options on the bench were limited to the likes of 21-year-old Justin Devenny who failed to make an impact against Fredrikstad in the first leg.
Now in the league stages of European competition with stronger opponents awaiting, Glasner needs to be backed in the final days of the transfer window or Crystal Palace may not have the squad to go far in the competition.
Eberechi Eze void remains
Eberechi Eze was always going to be a big loss creatively for Crystal Palace and in these two legs, a lack of a direct replacement has showed.
Options are being explored to strengthen their attack including Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott who has held talks with Crystal Palace over a move.
A game changer off the bench was also missing with Crystal Palace’s front three all playing 90 minutes despite their lack of impact going forward.
Marc Guehi remains Crystal Palace’s star player
Whilst their attacking display across the two legs leaves a lot for Glasner to work on, defensively Crystal Palace were solid and shut the door on any way back into the tie for Fredrikstad in Norway.
Fredrikstad only had one shot on target at home and a key part of that was Liverpool linked Marc Guehi at the back.
The Crystal Palace captain organised his defence superbly, looked comfortable in possession and the quality he possesses was the difference between the two sides.
Daichi Kamada rusty on first start of the season
Due to an injury sustained in the first half against Liverpool in the Community Shield, Daichi Kamada has yet to properly begin the new season.
Kamada looked liked a player who had not completed a full 90 minutes this season, was outfought in the match, had just two touches in the opposition box and didn’t have a shot.
Glasner requires players like Kamada to step up now Eze has departed, and the Austrian will be hoping this was just a rusty beginning to his season.
Borna Sosa and Tyrick Mitchell dynamic
Whilst Tyrick Mitchell has started both of Crystal Palace’s Premier League games this season, summer arrival Borna Sosa began both legs against Fredrikstad.
The move may point to Glasner rotating his wing-back’s between domestic and European competition to keep them fresh.
Mitchell came on with 12 minutes remaining to see the game out, and the 25-year-old still looks to be number one in the pecking order down the left side.
With more options at his disposal it would be interesting to see whether Glasner does this in any other positions as Crystal Palace compete in the Premier League and in Europe this season.