Freiburg
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace ended their pre-season programme with a 3-0 defeat away to Freiburg at the Europa-Park Stadion. The result leaves Pierre Sageās side with work to do before next weekās Premier League opener against Everton, although the performance contained encouraging passages, particularly after the interval and during the closing stages.
Palace grew into a cagey first half after Freiburg made the sharper start. Dean Henderson made several routine saves, while Palace created pressure through inswinging corners and purposeful passes into the final third. Wharton had an effort deflected wide, but the visitors could not turn their possession and territorial control into a breakthrough.
The second half began positively, with Tyrick Mitchell supplying JĆørgen Strand Larsen for two promising opportunities. Freiburg then took control of the contest, and Hendersonās one-on-one save from Yuito Suzuki was followed by Yannick Engelhardt reacting quickest to score from the rebound in the 56th minute. Lucas Hƶler added a second shortly after the hour mark. The verified result was 3-0, although the supplied match report does not detail the third Freiburg goal.
Palace finished with greater urgency. Matheus FranƧa sent a dangerous low ball across goal, Eddie Nketiah forced a save with a clever dink, and a Daichi Kamada corner produced another scramble. Freiburg survived that late pressure without conceding.
Palaceās attacking approach was built around possession, territory and attempts to break Freiburgās defensive line with forward passes. Their set-piece delivery also created several crowded situations, particularly through inswinging corners. The first half showed the limitation of that control: Palace often reached promising positions but lacked the final pass or decisive finish.
After the break, Mitchellās delivery and Strand Larsenās movement created immediate danger, but Freiburgās attacking pressure then exposed Palace to turnovers and repeated defensive work. Henderson kept the score level on several occasions before the opener, yet the loose ball after his save ultimately changed the game. Sageās planned substitutions, including the introduction of Evann Guessand, ensured players received minutes before the league opener, while the later arrival of Nketiah, FranƧa and MuƱoz added attacking intent without producing a goal.
Dean Henderson was Palaceās clearest individual positive. Returning for his first pre-season appearance, he made multiple saves, including an excellent one-on-one stop against Yuito Suzuki, and also dealt with earlier Freiburg efforts.
Matheus FranƧa and Eddie Nketiah contributed positively after entering the match late. FranƧa created a dangerous low delivery from the left, while Nketiahās dink required the Freiburg goalkeeper to recover quickly and tip the ball around the post. Evann Guessand also showed alertness by winning possession near the Freiburg area, though Palace could not convert the opening.
Palace responded well after Freiburgās bright opening and enjoyed substantial possession and territorial control for spells. Their line-breaking passing caused problems for the home defence, while corners and late deliveries generated several goalmouth scrambles. The final stages were particularly encouraging, with FranƧa, Nketiah and Kamada involved in moves that came close to producing a consolation goal.
The match also provided useful minutes for Henderson on his return, McNeil on his unofficial debut and several other players ahead of the Premier League season.
Palace need to make more of their periods of control. Despite pressure, promising passes and repeated set pieces, the final ball and finishing were not consistent enough to reward their first-half dominance. The response to Freiburgās second-half attacks also requires attention, as the hosts created enough pressure to force repeated saves before opening the scoring.
The most immediate improvement is greater decisiveness in both boxes: turning crowded penalty-area situations into clear shots, while reacting more quickly to second balls and limiting the danger created after turnovers.
