Glasner Stands Behind Canvot After European Defeat
Selhurst Park witnessed an unexpected setback for Crystal Palace as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night. Despite the Eagles' dominance in possession and creating several chances, Riad Bajic's 51st-minute strike secured an unlikely victory for the Cypriot side. The goal came after a costly error from young Palace defender Jaydee Canvot, but manager Oliver Glasner was quick to absolve the teenager of any blame.
The defeat marks Crystal Palace's first loss at Selhurst Park since February and their third successive game without a win. The team, fresh off an FA Cup triumph, had been looking to make a strong start in their first major European home match. However, they struggled to convert their opportunities, failing to register a shot on target until the 70th minute. Jean-Philippe Mateta came closest to scoring in the first half, his volley hitting the crossbar.
Despite Canvot's mistake leading to the decisive goal, Glasner firmly defended the young player. "Nobody is blaming Jaydee for this mistake," Glasner stated. "This happens, it's part of football, especially when you're a young player, this is part of your development". He assured Canvot of the team's unwavering support, emphasizing that such errors are a common part of a player's growth. "You will get all the support and then it's no problem. Of course he's not delighted to make this mistake, but every player with a big career, I think, missed a few chances and made some mistakes that led to a goal," Glasner added.
Glasner instead focused on the team's overall lack of "efficiency" in front of goal. He lamented the missed opportunities, describing it as a case of "deja-vu". "This is what we can blame us for, but on the other side, no player does it on purpose. And now it's to support them, not to blame anybody," he said. He urged the team to learn from the experience and strive to create even more chances in future matches. "If we have five clear chances and don't score, we will try to create seven, eight or nine the next time," Glasner affirmed.
Canvot, a 19-year-old French U21 international, joined Crystal Palace from Toulouse this summer with a reputation as a promising defensive prospect. Known for his athleticism, technical ability, and versatility, Canvot has quickly integrated into the Palace squad. Prior to the match against AEK Larnaca, Glasner had mentioned Canvot as one of the players deserving of more minutes.
Crystal Palace will look to bounce back from this defeat as they travel to face Premier League leaders Arsenal in their next match. Glasner will be hoping his team can rediscover their clinical edge and convert their chances, while Canvot will be aiming to put in a strong performance and repay the manager's faith in him.
