Report: Palace return to Europe with first leg draw in Mostar

The Eagles will go into next week’s second leg knowing a win will send them through, after Ismaïla Sarr’s fine finish was cancelled out by Karlo Abramovic’s second-half strike in Bosnia.

Summary:

• Manager Oliver Glasner makes three changes as the Eagles return to European action.
• 1: Palace kick off looking to establish an aggregate lead
• 7: Sarr shoots from a tight angle but his effort is well saved
• 10: Palace have the ball in the net through Sarr, after Richards is flagged offside
• 22: Muñoz makes a vital clearance after Zrinjski break down the right wing
• 39: Ivančić should test Henderson from only a few yards out, but misses the target from close range
• 42; Muñoz’s powerful half-volley inside the box is blocked by Mamic following Johnson cross
• 44 – GOAL: Sarr scores a crisp low finish from Strand Larsen’s lay-off on the edge of the area into the bottom-right corner
• HALF-TIME: Zrinjski 0-1 Palace
• 55 – GOAL: Abramovic makes the most of space in the penalty area to fire a low drive into the corner of Henderson’s goal
• 64: Pino and Canvot are introduced to proceedings from the bench
• 69: Muñoz’s tame effort is easily saved
• 71: Wharton smashes the crossbar after excellent play from Sosa and Strand Larsen
• 74: Pino forces a good save at the near post
• FULL-TIME: Zrinjski 1-1 Palace

The Eagles made the early running in Mostar amidst a partisan European atmosphere despite the unusual surrounding of a stadium undergoing significant redevelopment.

Glasner gave European Palace debuts to Brennan Johnson and Jørgen Strand Larsen, but it was the other member of the forward line, Ismaïla Sarr, who had the first sighting of goal.

The Senegal international managed to get his shot on target after beating Duje Dujmovic to the ball, but Goran Karačić kept his effort out.

Sarr then had the ball in the net as the Eagles looked to make a fast start. With the hosts struggling to clear a loose ball, Sarr slotted home from close range.

However, Palace's joy was cut short by the immediate offside flag, Chris Richards being in an offside position during the first phase of play.

Far from just sitting behind the ball, Zrinjski did show their own attacking intent.

Mario Cuze nearly nicked in after Dean Henderson’s pass to Maxence Lacroix, but Palace managed to recover, before Daniel Muñoz made a vital interception after a low cross from the right wing.

Despite forcing several set-pieces, clear cut chances were few and far between for Palace in the first-half.

At the other end, Zrinjski had a huge chance when the ball dropped to Antonio Ivančić after a Chris Richards header, only for him to miss the target from a few yards out.

And Palace made the hosts pay a few moments later. Strand Larsen produced a clever lay-off inside the box after Sosa’s cross, with Sarr bending the ball into the corner for his third European goal of the season.

The one moment of real quality in a tense first 45 minutes ensured the Eagles had a half-time lead.

Palace would suffer a blow less than ten minutes after the interval when Leo Mikic drove through the midfield and towards the box.

The Zrinjski forward had the presence of mind to pick out Karlo Abramovic, who fired a low effort into the far corner, Henderson with no chance.

The goal clearly meant a huge amount to the hosts, most of the Mostar bench joining in the celebrations, and left Palace with work to do.

Glasner responded by bringing on Yéremy Pino, while Jaydee Canvot replaced Maxence Lacroix who appeared to be struggling with injury.

Palace began to push the hosts back with some improved passing and more intense pressing. But that also left space at the back, with Igor Savić charging through in the 66th minute, only to fail to test Henderson.

Adam Wharton then came as close to a goal as at any point during his Palace career, with a fine strike after a lay-off from Strand Larsen. Karačić was beaten, but the crossbar intervened.

Pino then stung Karačić’s gloves with a low shot only moments later as the visitors started to dominate.

Substitute Matej Šakota nearly made a dramatic introduction for the hosts, twisting and turning in the area before getting a low drive on target, only for Henderson to react smartly at his near post.

But in the aftermath, as Henderson moved to regain control of the ball, it touched off of the arm of Muñoz. Originally not spotted by the official, a VAR review asked the referee to check, but no penalty was awarded.

There weren’t many chances in the final ten minutes as both teams struggled to create. Pino’s free-kick was nearly flicked in by Sarr at the near post, but Karačić was alert.

In the end Palace had to settle for a 1-1 draw, leaving the tie evenly poised ahead of the rematch in South London.

The Eagles return to action on Sunday when Wolves visit Selhurst Park in the Premier League (14:00 GMT), with the return leg of this tie taking place next Thursday (20:00 GMT).

Palace: Henderson (GK), Richards, Lacroix (Canvot, 64), Riad (Mitchell, 87), Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Sosa, Sarr, Strand Larsen (Guessand, 87), Johnson (Pino, 64).

Subs: Benítez (GK), Matthews (GK), Clyne, Cardines, Hughes, Rodney, Devenny.

Zrinjski Mostar: Karačić (GK), Vranjkovic, Barisic, Dujmovic, Mamic; Djurasek, Savic, Abramovic (Memija, 76), Ivancic (Lagumdzija, 89), Mikic (Sakota, 76), Cuze (Juric, 95).

Subs: Bogdan (GK), Sajko (GK), Karacic, Arapovic, Nalic, Surdanovic, Cavar, Majic.

AS IT HAPPENED