Matt Thacker
Crystal Palace’s European tour rolled on this week, touching down in Bosnia and Herzegovina for their first knockout tie of the competition against HŠK Zrinjski Mostar.
The journey alone felt special, landing in Sarajevo before driving alongside the emerald green Neretva River, snow unexpectedly dusting the mountain peaks and stunning backdrops. Then came Mostar, a city many Palace fans may not have known much about, yet one that instantly impressed. Calm, beautiful, and welcoming, generous people embracing the occasion.
Palace supporters were given their own street, bars dedicated to them, and everything prepared for their UEFA Conference League play-off first leg. It felt intimate, friendly and safe, a proper European football day!
Then there was the stadium. Compact, still developing, with one stand currently in use and further construction underway. It’s a very different setting to the stadiums Palace are used to domestically, but that’s part of European competition, new environments, new challenges and a reminder of how varied the football landscape really is.
Not for the first time on a European away trip, Palace fans were placed in a cage on the upper tier. They were safe, but it made for an unusual experience. Positioned in the corner of the stand, they occupied the entire level, with no home supporters alongside them.
There was an added subplot to the evening. Igor Štimac, a former player of West Ham and Derby County, now in charge of HŠK Zrinjski Mostar, bringing a familiar name to unfamiliar surroundings. Before kick-off, a small pocket of Millwall supporters appeared in the streets, backing the hosts, much to everyone’s bemusement.
On the pitch, Oliver Glasner went with a strong lineup. Palace needed it with just one win in 14 coming into the match. Palace started well. Ismaïla Sarr had the ball in the net early on, only for it to be ruled out. Just before half-time, Palace took the lead with a lovely move from Strand Larsen to Sarr, who curled the ball calmly into the bottom corner. 0–1 Palace going into the break.
Zrinjski responded well, Karlo Abramović finished a sharp counterattack on 55 minutes to make it 1–1. On the balance of play, it was deserved, Zrinjski stuck to their game plan, organised and hungry.
Then came a setback. Maxence Lacroix was forced off through injury, disrupting Palace’s defensive rhythm further in an already unsettled back line. Zrinjski sensed the opportunity and pushed forward, even having a strong penalty appeal turned down after VAR review.
Palace edged possession but were never entirely convincing, while Zrinjski remained a real threat. In the end, 1–1 felt fair. Half-time in the tie. Selhurst Park next week will decide it all.
After the match I had the opportunity to speak with Oliver Glasner. He reflected on a challenging evening and the difficulties his squad faces with injuries and fitness.
“Difficult game as we expected. We had a very good start to the game. We controlled it without being really dangerous. But we are missing consistency over 90 minutes,” Glasner said, acknowledging the struggle to maintain intensity. On conceding, he added: “When Zrinjski scored then it’s football, they get the belief back, the crowd back. It’s halftime, we are struggling with our back three.”
The manager highlighted the impact of injuries on his tactical options: “We haven’t got Lerma, Lacroix now injured. Chadi Riad trying to get to full fitness, it’s been a real struggle. I have to find solutions – it’s not too easy with our fixture pileup.”
Glasner concluded with praise for the supporters: “Thanks to all the Palace fans who’ve supported us to the end. We have been made very welcome in Mostar and they will face the same in London next week.”
I also had the chance to speak with Igor Štimac, manager of Zrinjski Mostar, who expressed pride in his team’s performance. “Very proud of the team tonight,” he said. Reflecting on the Millwall fans who had come to support Zrinjski, Štimac, looking surprised, added: “Really… Millwall fans?”
I then asked if West Ham and Derby supporters might come to Selhurst to cheer next week. Laughing, Štimac replied: “This wouldn’t surprise me, I have great support in the UK.” He added: “I hope all supporters from London had a great experience today.” His comments underlined both his pride in the team and his appreciation for the travelling fans.
Tomislav Glamuzina, journalist from FENA (Federal News Agency Bosnia and Herzegovina), shared his thoughts:
“First of all, making it through the group stage was a massive achievement for us; everything after that is a bonus. When we drew Crystal Palace, we knew it would be tough, but playing against a club from the strongest league in the world and the FA Cup winners at that was a great thing for both our club and our fans.
“What was truly wonderful to see on the streets of our city was the camaraderie and the singing between our fans and yours. You weren’t just confined to the designated fan zone; you were all over the city. I spoke with a few of them, and they all praised our city, our people, and our hospitality, something we are exceptionally proud of.
“Regarding the match, we knew who we were up against: an excellent team full of top-tier individuals… but football is played 11 vs 11, not by ‘squad value’ on paper. If you had asked any Zrinjski fan before the match if they would take a 1-1 draw, every single one would have said yes.”We believe we might be able to pull off a miracle in the second leg.”
It was exactly two years since Glasner took charge, two years that brought an FA Cup win, a Community Shield, and a record unbeaten run. But now, with just one win in their last fifteen matches, the pressure is intense, and the fans’ frustration is impossible to ignore.
On a positive note, in the lovely cobbled streets of Mostar, one Palace fan said, “Best night I’ve had with my boy.” And that’s what this competition is doing: regardless of what happens on the pitch, football unites and brings people together!
The new friends Palace fans have created in Mostar, the memories made, and the places it’s taking fans, is incredible! It’s taking supporters to places they never thought they’d see, creating memories that go beyond results. Let’s hope it continues for the club. Mostar played its part. Now it’s South London’s turn.
Palace fans in bars the next morning, walking around the lovely town, were all talking about Oliver Glasner, many wanting him to leave. One fan said, “His time is up, I think he should leave immediately.”
Speaking in a press conference the morning after Glasner said, “Let’s see what the future brings, we never know.”
Will Glasner be there next week? Will he lead Palace to European glory and can he turn it around?
