Zrinjski Mostar 1, Crystal Palace 1: Oliver Glasner Faces Growing Pressure After Eagles Stumble Against Underdogs in Bosnia

IN THE city of daredevils, Crystal Palace refused to take any risks – and could not even put one tentative foot in the Conference League last 16.

Mostar, two hours south-west of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital Sarajevo, is famous for thrillseekers diving off the old bridge 24m down into the Neretva River.

Crystal Palace failed to beat Zrinjski Mostar in BosniaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial Zrinjski remain unbeaten at their unusual home ground in the Conference LeagueCredit: Reuters Oliver Glasner is feeling the heatCredit: AP

But there was very little excitement to be found at Zrinjski Mostar’s building site Bijeli Brijeg Stadium.

Now Crystal Palace must take a much bigger leap of faith in the return leg at Selhurst Park to progress.

Oliver Glasner started new record signings Brennan Johnson and Jorgen Strand Larsen in attack.

But it was their fellow forward and bargain buy Ismaila Sarr who wasted no time getting in behind and threatening before Adam Wharton flashed over.

Ironically, £12.5million man Sarr tucked in from a recycled set-piece after 12 minutes to breach Bosnia’s best defence but the flag cut short the celebrations of the hardy 700 travelling fans.

For all their possession, the out-of-form Eagles’ lacked confidence and fluidity in a drab, cagey performance.

Zrinjski, where Luka Modric started his pro career, had a glorious chance to take a shock lead but Antonio Ivancic spooned over with the goal gaping.

And Sarr made the Bosnian champions pay on 44 minutes.

Palace finally put together a slick move before Strand Larsen touched back Borna Sosa’s drilled, deflected cross to the Senegal star on the edge of the area.

Backpedaling Sarr produced a neat first-time finish, passing expertly into the bottom corner.

Zrinjski, who like Palace are playing their first-ever European knockout tie, were level ten minutes after the break, though.

Wharton had his pocket picked and Leo Mikic fed Karlo Abramovic, who arrowed into the bottom corner, giving new Palace captain Dean Henderson no chance.

Daniel Munoz escaped a late penalty for handball after a long VAR checkCredit: AP

No penalty given for THS challenge in Bosnia and Herzegovina.. 👀 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/4iInFXtS1M

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It could have been 2-1 when Mario Cuze broke clear but miscued wide.

At the other end, Wharton, still looking for his first Palace goal, crashed against the crossbar after another Strand Larsen lay off before Chris Richards fluffed a free header.

Henderson saved low from Matej Sakota but Daniel Munoz accidentally handled in the scramble clear.

A lengthy VAR check of the pitchside monitor usually means one thing but the referee refused to award a late home penalty.

Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring just before half-timeCredit: Reuters He gave Crystal Palace the advantage against Zrinjski MostarCredit: Reuters The equaliser sparked wild celebrationsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial Adam Wharton took a whack in the first halfCredit: Reuters Dean Henderson led his team out at the unique stadiumCredit: Getty A new stand is under constructionCredit: Shutterstock Editorial Sarr was denied early on as he proved a threatCredit: Getty