On a bright European night at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace delivered one of their most assertive performances of the season, defeating AZ Alkmaar 3–1 in a match that showcased both individual brilliance and collective growth under Oliver Glasner. The victory pushed Palace up to ninth in the Conference League standings, but the story of the night belonged unmistakably to Ismaila Sarr. The Senegalese winger scored twice, played with infectious confidence, and embodied the attacking freedom Glasner has been trying to instill since his arrival.
Facing an AZ Alkmaar side known for its technical quality and fluid attacking style, Palace were expected to encounter a stern challenge. Yet from the opening whistle, the Eagles demonstrated their desire to control the narrative, pressing intelligently, transitioning sharply, and exploiting spaces with purpose. It was a performance that revealed a squad not only adjusting to Glasner’s methods but beginning to thrive within them.
The win marks a significant shift in momentum. Palace, often inconsistent in European play, now find themselves climbing up the group standings with renewed belief. And if they can maintain the cohesion and dynamism displayed against AZ, their ambitions in the competition may soon grow beyond merely advancing.
A Confident Start Sets the Tone
Selhurst Park was buzzing long before kickoff, with supporters sensing that this match held the potential to redefine Palace’s European campaign. Glasner responded by fielding a balanced yet adventurous lineup, featuring a front three designed to expose AZ’s vulnerabilities on the counterattack. Sarr, positioned on the left, immediately looked threatening, repeatedly testing the pace and discipline of the Dutch side’s back line.
From the opening minutes, Palace showed far more intention than in previous group-stage matches. Their passes were quicker, their pressing more coordinated, and their defensive shape notably compact. Glasner had emphasized during midweek training sessions that Palace needed to “trust their structure” against an opponent as technical as AZ. That trust was evident early on.
Just five minutes into the match, a swift move nearly produced the opening goal. A precise diagonal from Adam Wharton found Michael Olise in space, whose cutback landed at the feet of Jean-Philippe Mateta. The French striker’s effort, however, fizzled inches past the post. Though the attempt did not find the net, it was an early warning sign of what was to come.
AZ attempted to assert control through their midfield trio, but Palace disrupted their rhythm with energetic challenges and rapid ball recoveries. It became clear that Palace had no intention of sitting back. They wanted to take the game to AZ—and they did just that.
Sarr Opens the Scoring with Electric Precision
The breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute, and it was Sarr who delivered, igniting the stadium with a moment of pure attacking instinct.
Receiving the ball on the left flank, Sarr danced past his marker with a quick step-over before cutting inside. Instead of rushing the shot, he allowed the defender to overcommit, creating just enough space to unleash a low-driven effort into the far corner. The AZ keeper, rooted to the spot, had no chance. Selhurst Park erupted.
More than just the goal, it was Sarr’s calmness and decision-making that stood out. His ability to read the movement of defenders, manipulative yet patient, demonstrated a level of maturity that Palace fans had been waiting to see consistently. Under Glasner, Sarr appears to be evolving—not just a winger reliant on pace, but a complete attacking weapon capable of influencing games in numerous ways.
The opening goal settled Palace and forced AZ to adjust their approach, pushing their lines higher and leaving more space behind for Sarr and Olise to exploit.
AZ Alkmaar Respond but Palace Hold Their Ground
To their credit, AZ did not fold. Instead, they increased their tempo, utilizing short passing combinations to escape Palace’s pressing lines. Their equalizer came in the 34th minute, the result of sustained possession and a momentary lapse in concentration from the Palace back line.
A cross from the right flank found its way through a crowded box, landing perfectly for the onrushing Tijjani Reijnders, who struck powerfully past Dean Henderson. The goal was a reminder of AZ’s technical sharpness and Palace’s continued need to refine their defensive coordination.
At 1–1, the game could have shifted in multiple directions. But Palace responded with maturity, regrouping quickly rather than allowing the setback to unsettle them. Glasner’s touchline demeanor—focused yet composed—reflected a coach confident in the structure of his team even after conceding.
The first half closed with chances on both ends, but Palace entered the break with the stronger rhythm. Their transitions remained dangerous, and Sarr looked poised to create more magic.
Glasner’s Tactical Adjustments Propel Palace Forward
Halftime offered Glasner an opportunity to fine-tune Palace’s approach, and the adjustments were immediately visible. He instructed his midfielders to push slightly higher during pressing phases, cutting off AZ’s central build-up routes and forcing them to play wider. This subtle shift paid dividends almost instantly.
Within the first ten minutes of the second half, Palace regained control of the midfield. Wharton and Doucouré played with greater verticality, breaking lines with forward passes that repeatedly caught AZ’s defensive unit scrambling.
Sarr remained a constant threat, now given more freedom to drift centrally as Mateta occasionally moved out wide to drag defenders with him. Palace’s fluid front three pulled AZ’s back line apart, creating gaps that Glasner’s side repeatedly sought to exploit.
Sarr Strikes Again Selhurst Park Erupts
The moment that defined the match arrived in the 58th minute, once again crafted by the brilliance of Ismaila Sarr.
A quick turnover in midfield allowed Palace to spring forward. Olise broke down the right wing, attracting two defenders before threading a delicate pass into the path of Sarr, who had timed his run expertly. Clean through on goal, Sarr showed no hesitation—one touch to settle, one touch to finish.
He smashed the ball beyond the goalkeeper with clinical power, completing his brace and sending the crowd into delirium. The celebration that followed—arms raised, teammates swarming him—reflected not only the significance of the goal but the growing belief coursing through the team.
Sarr’s second goal felt like a turning point. Suddenly, Palace were not just holding their own—they were dictating the match with authority. Confidence grew with every touch, passes became crisper, movements more synchronized. Glasner’s system, still in its developmental stages, seemed to click into place.
Palace Extend Their Lead Through Mateta
With AZ pushing bodies forward in search of an equalizer, Palace capitalized on the space that inevitably opened up.
In the 72nd minute, a well-worked transition culminated in Palace’s third goal. Doucouré intercepted a loose pass and immediately sparked the counter. Olise, ever the orchestrator, delivered a perfectly weighted through-ball to Mateta, who held off his marker and finished smartly into the bottom corner.
At 3–1, the match felt all but over. AZ attempted to rally, but Palace’s defensive structure improved significantly in the latter stages. Glasner introduced fresh legs to maintain intensity, but the core of the team remained intact, ensuring continuity and control until the final whistle.
Sarr’s Night A Breakthrough or the Beginning of Something Bigger
Ismaila Sarr’s brace will dominate the headlines—and deservedly so. This was not just a performance of goals, but of influence, intelligence, and confidence. Sarr embodied everything Glasner aims to build at Crystal Palace: pace, tactical discipline, vertical threat, and match-winning quality.
For a player who has occasionally struggled with consistency, this match could mark a turning point. The freedom he was given to drift inside, interchange with Olise, and stay high in transitional moments played perfectly to his strengths.
Sarr’s performance also raises questions for opposing defenses in the Conference League. If he continues to grow under Glasner, Palace could become one of the competition’s most difficult sides to contain.
Glasner’s Influence Growing Stronger Each Match
While Sarr shone, this victory also highlighted Oliver Glasner’s growing impact on the squad.
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Tactical Clarity
Palace played with a clear identity—pressing with coordination, attacking with speed, and defending in compact blocks.
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Player Development
Young talents like Wharton and Ahamada are flourishing under Glasner’s structured yet expressive system.
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Improved Mentality
Even after AZ equalized, Palace remained composed rather than unraveling, a sign of improved psychological resilience.
Glasner’s emphasis on maintaining shape during transitions and controlling central spaces paid substantial dividends, particularly in the second half. His ability to adapt mid-match continues to be one of his biggest strengths.
AZ Alkmaar Struggle to Contain Palace’s Rhythms
Despite moments of quality, AZ ultimately struggled with Palace’s pace, physicality, and tactical organization. Their midfield was repeatedly overwhelmed during transitions, and their back line failed to cope with the fluidity of Palace’s front three.
AZ manager Pascal Jansen acknowledged after the match that Palace “executed their game plan with more conviction,” while noting his side’s inability to withstand pressing phases or stop Sarr’s movement.
The loss leaves AZ with work to do in the group standings. While qualification remains within reach, their defensive vulnerabilities were on full display.
Palace Rise to Ninth What It Means for Their Campaign
With the win, Palace climb to ninth in the Conference League table—a significant leap considering their rocky start to the campaign. The result provides both momentum and belief, key ingredients for progressing in European competitions.
To climb higher, Palace must maintain consistency. The victory over AZ demonstrated their potential, but Glasner will be aware that tougher tests lie ahead. The squad will need to manage fatigue, avoid complacency, and continue improving tactically.
Still, for now, Palace fans can enjoy the view. For a club that has often struggled for European consistency, ninth place represents both achievement and opportunity.
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