Crystal Palace boss explains Mateta withdrawal as he admits to tactical error

Oliver Glasner has acknowledged making a tactical error at half-time as his Crystal Palace side attempted to get back into their 5-2 defeat against Manchester City.

The Eagles enjoyed a dream start after taking an early lead through Eberechi Eze, before doubling their advantage through a Chris Richards header from Adam Wharton’s corner delivery.

Two quick goals from City drew the hosts level before the stroke of half-time, with Glasner electing to withdraw top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta for Will Hughes in an attempt to secure more control in the midfield.

“The Mateta substitution was a tactical decision, but now I have to say it was the wrong decision,” said the Austrian boss. “Not to take him off, but to change the system to a 3-5-2. We wanted to control the middle more, the pockets, but it did not work.

“He can do better than he did in the first half. He lost too many duels, lost too many balls, and that is why we thought to change something. The mistake I made was to change the system, not to substitute Mateta.”

Despite the tactical error and result, Glasner did not seem dispirited about his tactical options going forward into a congested fixture schedule that sees his side play four games in 11 days.

“Regardless if you play on three days or four days in one week, we are always analysing,” said Glasner. “I could see a great effort from the team again, and when analysing what we can do better we do not point with the finger.

“We have to support the players, we have to show them how we can solve these situations and be better prepared. This is our job and it is what we will do.”