MATETA PAHLAWAN, Eberechi Eze is absent in the historic match of the Conference League

Gilabola.com -Crystal Palace won a narrow 1-0 victory over Fredrikstad in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League Play-off at Selhurst Park, Saturday morning WIB.

However, the main focus was on the absence of the main star, Eberechi Eze, who was said to have been prepared to leave the club towards Arsenal.

Eberechi Eze is absent, transfer to Arsenal is getting closer

Palace manager, Oliver Glasner, confirmed that Eze resigned from the squad in the morning of the match.

The coach said the 26 -year -old player felt “not ready to play” before his move to Arsenal. Interestingly, Eze was not even present at the stadium to give the last farewell to supporters.

The absence of Eze made Justin Devenny lowered as an emergency substitute. This situation makes the atmosphere of the action even hotter.

Before kick-off, Palace fans expressed their disappointment by cheering the Anthem Conference League and shouting the Anti-EFA chant, as a form of protest after their team descended caste from the Europa League.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is the decisive victory

Even without Eze, Palace is still able to master the game. Jean-Philippe Mateta became a hero after scoring a goal at the beginning of the second half. The goal was created through a clever header that directed Will Hughes’s shot against Fredrikstad’s goal.

Previously, Mateta almost opened the score in the first half after his shot hit the right pole. In the final minutes, Daniel Munoz also had a chance to make a dangerous opportunity with a header on the ruler, but the score 1-0 remained until the long whistle sounded.

Despite losing, Fredrikstad still has the opportunity to turn things around in the second leg that will be played at home on Thursday, August 28.