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Crystal Palace's European journey hit an early stumbling block as they suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat at the hands of AEK Larnaca.
Despite dominating the game against their resolute Cypriot opponents, they couldn't find a way through and were punished by Riad Bajic's stunning strike as he seized on a defensive error.
The Eagles put their opponents under huge late pressure, but the defeat is a setback for Oliver Glasner's side after they beat Dynamo Kyiv earlier this month in their UEFA Conference League opener.
Daily Mail Sport's WILL PICKWORTH was at Selhurst Park and has picked out some key talking points from the clash.
Crystal Palace suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League
Palace’s European challenge
At their best Palace are dynamic and incisive in attack, but with their recent success has come respect, particularly in the Conference League where they are one of the best sides.
With that acclaim there is an alteration to how opposing teams approach games by letting them have most of the ball. It is no secret Glasner’s side are better in transition - and they average just 42.7 per cent of possession in the Premier League this season.
In Europe it is a different story, and they struggled to break down Larnaca despite having 67 per cent of it.
They did miss some big chances again, most notably through Mateta, yet they rarely progressed things through midfield until Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada were introduced.
It was a similar story against Fredrikstad in qualifying and while the Cypriot side did defend well, Palace must find that magic spark on the continent.
It was a frustrating night for Palace as they struggled to break down their opponents
Profligacy strikes again
The game changed when Eddie Nketiah, Kamada and Wharton were introduced and the final 20 minutes was a barrage on Larnaca's goal.
But as has been the case in the Premier League, where Palace have scored 12 times from an xG of 19.10, they were guilty of spurning chance after chance.
Mateta hit the bar from six yards out and had three other opportunities, while Nketiah squandered two late on.
From 15 efforts on goal, just one was on target, and that is not good enough.
When Palace did create chances on Thursday, they were hugely wasteful in front of goal
Glasner’s ruthless streak
There was much excitement among fans when young French centre back Jaydee Canvot was named in the starting XI.
Canvot, 20, impressed in an EFL Cup tie against Millwall in his only other appearance, and with Marc Guehi set to leave next summer, this campaign will be useful as he adapts to English football before hopefully becoming a regular next season.
But after enduring a couple of shaky moments in the first half, disaster struck early in the second.
The Frenchman inexplicably gave the ball away in a dangerous area and was punished by Bajic's stunner in what was a real sucker punch.
Canvot is well thought of at Palace, but just minutes later Glasner had no hesitation in substituting him.
The Austrian did something similar to Romaine Esse at half-time last month against Millwall when unhappy with the youngster's display.
