Palace humbled as Larnaca disrupt European campaign

When the wind tore through Crystal Palace's latest message of defiance against Uefa, knocking over a handful of the ultras propping the flailing banner up, it felt almost symbolic.

- WILL CASTLE AT SELHURST PARK

That after a summer of perceived injustice, they are fighting a battle against something far bigger, an almighty force, that cannot be won.

A first European home night (proper) in the club's history, there was still a slight air of animosity on what should have been a solely euphoric occasion. “We are the boys who will win your little game” was the statement branded onto a bright red banner that stretched across the width of the Holmesdale before kick- off - another shot fired at Uefa following their European demotion. Yet the spectacular tifo that accompanied it, now a fixture of matchdays at Selhurst Park, spoke to a change of tone among the Palace faithful. No longer were they focussing on ill- feeling. Ambition was prevailing.

The tifo, funded and created by the fans, depicted Palace's European tour on a map you'd find atop a war table, showing where they intend to strike on the continent. The final point of attack was no longer Uefa's HQ of Nyon. Leipzig, the stage of the Conference League final, is the intended destination.

Oliver Glasner's men did not inspire to the same ferocity of the artwork. A bouncing Selhurst Park could not lift what was a flat Palace performance against AEK Larnaca, a Cypriot team of far inferior quality, despite Glasner fielding a near-full-strength team. Instead of a statement of intent for more silverware, Palace slumped to humiliation.

The Austrian made just three changes from the side that fought back to draw with Bournemouth on the weekend but struggled to break down their opposition. Opportunities were sparse for much of the first half, Jean-Philippe Mateta coming the closest with two efforts approaching the break. It wouldn’t be his night.