Kudus SamuelCrystal Palace’s historic UEFA Conference League knockout debut in Bosnia turned from a dream into a defensive nightmare, leaving fans calling for the immediate removal of summer signing Borna Sosa from the starting XI. While the Eagles managed a 1-1 draw against Zrinjski Mostar, the Croatian international’s lackluster display at left wing-back has ignited a firestorm of criticism among the Selhurst Park faithful.
Sosa, who arrived with a reputation for elite crossing and European experience, looked completely off the pace at the Bijeli Brijeg Stadium. Despite Ismaïla Sarr giving Palace an early lead, the defense looked shaky whenever Zrinjski attacked the flanks. Fans pointed to Sosa’s positioning as a primary concern, noting that he was frequently caught high up the pitch, leaving the back three exposed to counter-attacks. The frustration boiled over after the equalizer, with many arguing that his defensive contributions were non-existent.
The reaction on social media was swift and merciless. One popular fan forum post, which garnered hundreds of likes within an hour of the final whistle, stated:
”Sosa is a luxury player we simply cannot afford in a knockout game. He’s a ‘vibes’ player with no defensive instinct. If Oliver Glasner starts him in the return leg, we are asking for an exit. He shouldn’t wear the shirt again until he learns how to track a runner.”
The anger from the “Holmesdale Fanatics” stems from the fact that Tyrick Mitchell—a homegrown talent known for his defensive solidity—was left on the bench while Sosa struggled to complete basic defensive rotations. Many supporters believe Sosa’s “lazy” performance was the main reason Palace failed to bring a lead back to South London.
While Adam Wharton also received criticism for a midfield turnover, it is Sosa who has become the lightning rod for the fans’ anger. With the second leg at Selhurst Park looming, the pressure on Glasner to drop the Croatian is immense. For a fanbase that prides itself on “blood and thunder” effort, Sosa’s casual demeanor in Mostar may have permanently soured his relationship with the Palace supporters.
