PLAYER RATINGS | Strasbourg 2-1 Crystal Palace: Alsatians stun Eagles in entertaining Conference League comeback win | OneFootball

UEFA Conference League, Matchday 4, 27/11/2025

RC Strasbourg defeated FA Cup winners Crystal Palace FC in Matchday 4 of the Conference League. Tyrick Mitchell’s first half opener was cancelled out by Emanuel Emegha and Samir El Mourabet in the second half. The Ligue 1 side remains unbeaten in Europe this season.

The match

Strasbourg’s Conference League campaign reached his climax so far in hosting FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in their near-revamped Stade la Meinau. As expected, Liam Rosenior put his faith in his side’s youth. The Englishman’s starting line-up boasted no players over 23, which meant that England international left-back Ben Chilwell was benched. 

Strasbourg’s youthful exuberance and their bravery on and off the ball seemed to discombobulate Palace. Dean Henderson saved well at his near post from Samir El Mourabet. Julio Enciso lined up a tame shot towards the England international goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Palace found it harder to threaten Mike Penders.

Oliver Glasner was forced to turn to his bench as Will Hughes pulled off with an injury. Adam Wharton replaced him. Strasbourg’s grip loosened as Palace finally met their Premier League standards. Jean-Philippe Mateta proved too strong for Lucas Hogsberg before releasing Tyrick Mitchell with a clever outside-of-the-boot pass. From a tight angle, the left-back found the back of Penders’ net.

Palace could even have made it two on the spot as Hogsberg’s senseless back pass to Penders was easily recovered by Ismaïla Sarr, but the Senegalese missed the empty net. Rosenior saw enough and hooked the Danish centre-back for the experienced Chilwell.

Liam Rosenior’s half-time speech seems to have worked wonders. Strasbourg played with renewed confidence and belief, and their equaliser showed just that with Valentin Barco’s deflecting the ball into Nanasi’s path. The Swede drove forward and fed Moreira, whose precise cross met Emegha’s steady right foot.

Palace missed a glorious chance to restore their lead with Ismaël Doukouré losing the ball on his own on the edge of the box. Wharton collected and, with the empty goal at his mercy, could only find the bar. This miss will prove detrimental as Strasbourg went on to turn the tie on its head. Julio Enciso’s free-kick rattled Henderson’s crossbar and El Mourabet was on cue to stick home the rebound.

It was nothing less than Strasbourg deserved as Crystal Palace were second best in everything in the second half. It could be Strasbourg’s most significant wins of the BlueCo era. They are now joint-top at the peak of the Conference League standings. They’ll host Brest on Sunday.

Strasbourg player ratings

Mike Penders, 6

Valentin Barco, 7

The Argentine produced another tireless shift, dictating the press and recovering balls for fun. He never shies away from a fight and always seems to know what to do with the ball. He’s headed straight to the top.

Mamadou Sarr, 6

Lucas Høgsberg, N/A

The Dane looked to have a general hold on proceedings, until the 35th minute that is. In dealing with a long ball, he was outmuscled with ease by Mateta, which led to Mitchell’s opener. When play resumed, he was at fault again with a senseless back pass in no man’s land, that Sarr failed to convert. Recalled to the bench before half-time.

Guéla Doué, 5

Samir El Mourabet, 6

Ismaël Doukouré, 5

Sebastian Nanasi, 5

Julio Enciso, 5

Diego Moreira, 7

Emanuel Emegha, 7

The Netherlands international did his best to make sure Guéhi, Lacroix and Canvot were in for a tough evening. A constant threat upfront, he netted the equaliser early into the second half to breathe renewed hope into his side.

Selected Crystal Palace player ratings

Maxence Lacroix, 5

Jean-Philippe Mateta, 6

Adam Wharton, 4

GFFN | Bastien Cheval