Iraola brands Crystal Palace draw a 'missed opportunity' as Bournemouth lose ground in push for Europe | OneFootball

Bournemouth slip up in the push for European qualification

Andoni Iraola bemoaned his Bournemouth side’s lack of creativity as they were held to a goalless draw by ten-man Crystal Palace.

They finished the tie with 73% possession but just four shots on target as they struggled to break down the defensively-minded Palace, who were content to sit back after the red card. A win would have put Bournemouth within three points of seventh-placed Chelsea, which the Spaniard highlighted as a misstep.

Speaking at full time, he said: “It feels like a missed opportunity. It is two points that would be lovely for us in our situation.

Iraola added that his side were confounded by the hosts’ low block.

Bournemouth failed to take advantage of Richards’ red card

REUTERS

He continued: “We didn't have the creativity. They were defending in the box, so we need to play in tight spaces and be super creative or shoot from very far.

“The low block was very low, very compact, and we didn’t find the chances.

“We couldn’t even have clear chances. There were a couple of shots, but nowhere near enough considering we were playing with one more player.”

But he maintained that Bournemouth are still serious contenders in the hotly-contested battle to qualify for European competition.

“We are still in the fight. Every small thing, every point can be decisive and we have to keep going.

“We did not finish with the best feelings [today] because we could have had three points and been in a very good position, but we have to focus now. We have five games remaining and are there in the fight.”