Oliver Glasner has admitted he was left feeling a sense of deja vu after Crystal Palace were punished for a wasteful display by AEK Larnaca in the Conference League.
Palace, hosting their first major European game at Selhurst Park, dominated possession against their Cypriot opponents, but mustered just one shot on target before conceding against the run of play through Riad Bajic.
Glasner’s side were made to rue Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late miss during last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Bournemouth and were also guilty of not taking their chances in defeat to Everton before the international break.
Palace’s failure to break teams down is fast becoming a theme of their season, and Glasner said his side must be more efficient in the final third.
“We didn't score from the chances we had. We made one mistake and they punished us. I think that's the summary,” Glasner said at full-time.
“We played against a very deep block and it was not so easy to create 10 clear chances.
“We were not clinical enough to take the lead or to score enough goals. They had in total, I think, four shots. We made one mistake.
“So, congratulations to Larnaca. They were very efficient. For us it's a little bit of deja vu.
“It happens in many games that we create these situations but we don't score enough and then we get punished. That's what we have to learn and what we have to improve.”
Palace had more than 67% possession on the night but still managed fewer shots on target than their guests.
Glasner bemoaned the fact his side were unable to turn promising opportunities into shots on goal, but said he wasn’t worried about their ability to create against low blocks.
“It’s about being efficient. So, again, if we don't have chances, I think, yes, we need to change a lot. But in the first half we have a free finish inside the six-yard box.
“In the second (half), we hit the head of the goalkeeper. Then we missed the ball inside the six-yard box. We have a set play where we are completely free.
“We missed the goal. So, we had 13 shots or 14 inside the box and just one was on target and this is what we can blame us for.
“But on the other side, no player does it on purpose, and then it's now to support them, not to blame anybody, and to keep going.
“If we need five clear chances and don't score, we will try to create seven, eight or nine the next time.”
