Real Sociedad U21

Premier League International Cup

Manchester City

Premier League

Crystal Palace

Selhurst Park

Leeds United

Elland Road

Tottenham Hotspur

Crystal Palace U21

Total shots

Shots on target

Corners

Passes completed

Free kicks

Offsides

### Summary

- Powell names side featuring Obou and Grehan for the first time this season

- 1: Real Sociedad score within 30 seconds via Osazuwa

- 4: Marsh drags Palace’s first chance wide

- 16: Moulden makes a fingertip save to deny a long-range effort

- 26: Browne does well to deny Osazuwa inside the box

- 29: Head coach Powell is shown two yellows in quick succession

- 36: Mustapha sees a shot turned behind

- 45: Nascimento levels with a great effort before the break

- 45+4: Umolu and Mustapha almost combine for a late goal in the first-half

- **HT: Palace 1-1 Sociedad**

- 50: Moulden makes routine stops to deny Sociedad early on in the second-half

- 54: Devenny fires a free-kick narrowly wide of the post

- 61: Umolu puts Palace ahead on the hour-mark

- 69: Agote equalises for Sociedad

- 84: Devenny’s effort on the edge of the box is saved

- 90+5: Moulden makes a stunning stop to deny Sociedad late on

- **FT: Palace 2-2 Sociedad**

International Cup Highlights: Crystal Palace 2-2 Real Sociedad

Just over two weeks on from their [1-1 draw away at Leeds United](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/leeds-united-crystal-palace-premier-league-2-2425/), Crystal Palace Under-21s began their defence of the Premier League International Cup by welcoming Real Sociedad to the VBS Community Stadium.

Head coach Darren Powell made four changes to the side which drew with Leeds, with Seán Grehan, David Obou, Luke Browne and Adler Nascimento returning for Jake Grante, Joe Sheridan, Franco Umeh and Asher Agbinone.

Obou and Grehan were making their first starts of the season, while Umeh and Agbinone featured in the first-team matchday squad against QPR in the Carabao Cup.

Despite the backing of a decent crowd at Sutton United’s ground, the Eagles were on the backfoot early on after conceding within the opening 30 seconds. 

Forward Sydney Osazuwa picked up a loose ball, raced into the box and managed to finish to put the visitors in front. 

Palace looked to hit back immediately and nearly did so through Zach Marsh. Obou and Adler Nascimento worked it well to the number 9, but he dragged his effort just wide of the mark.

The Basque outfit looked to double their lead as the half went on. Palace ‘keeper Louie Moulden was forced into a fingertip save a quarter of an hour in to deny a long-range effort, while Browne slid in well to deny Osazuwa a second.

Towards the end of the half, Palace started to grow into the game and create more chances. Hindolo Mustapha, who [scored his first ever senior international goal for Sierra Leone](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/hindolo-mustapha-sierra-leone-senior-squad-call-up/) during the international break, saw an effort turned behind.

On the stroke of half-time, Palace managed to draw level. Excellent hold-up play from Browne and substitute Jemiah Umolu saw the ball worked out wide to Nascimento. The No. 7 skipped past three Sociedad challenges and tucked the ball home from inside the box.

Palace almost went into the break ahead, though Mustapha’s shot was saved and the follow-up from Umolu was cleared off the line by the recovering Sociedad defenders.

The visitors started the second-half brightly, enjoying more of the ball and creating a number of chances, but Moulden and the Palace defence dealt with their early pressure.

The Eagles were in search of a go-ahead goal and duly found it on the hour-mark. Excellent work down the right hand side from Caleb Kporha saw him find a cross into an unmarked Umolu inside the box, who finished at the first time of asking.

Palace’s lead lasted less than 10 minutes, as the Spanish side drew level with 20 minutes to play. Unax Agote found himself on the scoresheet, finishing after the ball wasn’t properly cleared away from a Sociedad attack.

Chances came and went for both sides as the game went on, with captain Justin Devenny seeing an effort on the edge of the box saved and Moulden standing tall to deny a late Sociedad flurry.

The result means that Palace begin their defence of their trophy with a point. They sit in second place of Group D - two points behind RB Leipzig.

**Palace:** Moulden (GK), Kporha, Jemide, Browne, Grehan, Rodney, Nascimento, Devenny, Marsh (Akinwale, 74), Mustapha (Gibbard, 81), Obou (Umolu, 44).

Subs not used: Izquierdo (GK), Sheridan, Austin, Grante.

**Sociedad:** Olasagasti (GK), Diaz de Alda, Agote, Beitia, Astigarraga, Lebarbier, Ramirez (Cabo, 58), Carbonnell (Agirre, 74), Osazuwa (Gorosabel, 58), Gorosabel (Garro, 77), Diaz (Samuyiwa, 77).

Subs not used: Zango (GK), Ropero.

Crystal Palace Under-21s began their defence of the Premier League International Cup with a draw against Real Sociedad. Adler Nascimento levelled proceedings with his first goal of the season while Jemiah Umolu briefly put Palace ahead.

Report & Highlights: Point apiece as Palace draw PL International Cup opener v Sociedad

Crystal Palace U21 v Real Sociedad U21 (2024-09-17)

### The Premier League International Cup

The Premier League International Cup structure pits the top 16 sides from last season’s Premier League 2 against 16 of the best European sides in four separate groups of eight.

In each group, four English sides have been drawn against four European sides. The English sides will play the European sides once, the English sides will not play each other. All ties will be contested in England.

The top two from each group will progress to the quarter-finals, where the matches will then become one-off single elimination fixtures with extra-time and penalties, if required.

This is Palace’s third entry into the competition, [having won it last season](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/academy/crystal-palace-under-21s-season-review-2324/) and finished as runners-up in their inaugural campaign in 2022/23.

The Eagles have been drawn in Group D and will face Real Sociedad, RB Leipzig, RSC Anderlecht and Sporting CP as they look to defend their title.

Premier League International Cup Final Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-0 PSV Eindhoven

### Real Sociedad

The first opponents for Darren Powell’s side in this season's tournament will be Real Sociedad. Based in the Basque Country -  an autonomous region in the north of Spain and southwestern France - the side are fierce rivals with Athletic Club, whom Palace faced last season.

Though they are in the Basque region, La Txuri-Urdin (the White and Blues), don’t adopt the Basque-only player policy of their rivals. Their youth system has produced the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Mikel Oyarzabal, Xabi Alonso and Txiki Begiristain.

Real Sociedad B, as their youth side are known, are in the Primera Federación Group I, the third tier of Spanish football. They play against professional sides, as well as other La Liga youth sides at this level.

They finished mid-table in ninth last season and are currently coached by former player Sergio Francisco, who took over from Xabi Alonso as the latter departed to manage Bayer Leverkusen.

This is the first time Real Sociedad have competed in the Premier League International Cup.

**One to watch: Jon Martín.** The 18-year-old centre-back was one of the first names on the team sheet for Real Sociedad B last season, and he even made his debut for the first-team in 23/24.

#### Fixture details

- Tuesday, 17th September

- VBS Community Stadium

- Kick-off: 19:00 BST

### Sporting CP

Sporting Clube de Portugal, or Sporting CP, are one of the three giants of Portuguese football, alongside FC Porto and SL Benfica.

The Lisbon-based side have produced global football superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão, Luis Figo, João Palhinha and even former Palace brothers José and Rui Fonte.

Sporting CP B, as they are known, currently compete in Liga 3, the third tier of Portuguese football. They also face professional sides as well as the youth teams of sides in the Primeira Liga.

Like Real Sociedad, this is the first time that Sporting CP B will be competing in the Premier League International Cup.

**One to watch: Diogo Pinto.** The 20-year-old goalkeeper has been at the club since the age of 13 and recently made his debut in the Primeira Liga last season and also featured in the Taça de Portugal final against FC Porto in 2023/24.

#### Fixture details

- Friday, 18th October

- Selhurst Park

- Kick-off: 19:00 BST

- Stream details to be confirmed

### RSC Anderlecht

The most decorated club in Belgian football and the most prevalent Belgian side in Europe.

Anderlecht’s Academy has produced a number of notable stars such as Jérémy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Vincent Kompany, as well as Belgium legends Paul Van Himst and Jef Mermans.

RSCA Futures, as their youth side is known, currently compete in the Challenger Pro League, the second tier of Belgian football. They play against professional sides and youth teams of teams in the top division.

RSCA Futures are also competing in the Premier League International Cup for the very first time this season. They are also the first side from Belgium to feature in the competition’s nine-season history.

**One to watch: Lars Montegnies.** The 18-year-old Belgian midfielder joined RSCA Futures from KV Kortrijk last season, having already made his debut in the top flight.

#### Fixture details

- Tuesday, 10th December

- VBS Community Stadium

- Kick-off: 19:00 GMT

- Stream details to be confirmed

### RB Leipzig

Palace’s final opponents in the group will be RB Leipzig. The German side have been pushing at the top of the Bundesliga in recent seasons, having only been formed 15 years ago.

Despite being a relatively new side, they have produced the likes of Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt, German international Lukas Klostermann and Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Ermedin Demirovic.

RB Leipzig’s youth side compete in the A-Junioren Bundesliga, Staffel Nord/Nordost. They field an Under-19s side and compete against other U19 sides of other senior German teams.

The German outfit are also competing in their first ever Premier League International Cup, and have made a strong start by beating Chelsea 4-2 in the opening game of Group D.

**One to watch: Viggo Gebel.** Despite being only 16 years old, Viggo Gebel made his debut for Leipzig’s first-team in August as a substitute in the DFB Pokal first round against RW Essen.

#### Fixture details

- Friday, 17th January 2025

- VBS Community Stadium

- Kick-off: 19:00 GMT

- Stream details to be confirmed

Crystal Palace Under-21s face Real Sociedad, Sporting Clube de Portugal, RSC Anderlecht and RB Leipzig in this year's Premier League International Cup group - here’s everything you need to know about them and the tournament.

All you need to know about the Premier League International Cup

Crystal Palace U21 v RB Leipzig U21 (2025-01-17)

Crystal Palace U21 v RSC Anderlecht U21 (2024-12-10)

Crystal Palace U21 v Sporting CP U21 (2024-10-18)

Premier League International CupVBS Community Stadium

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