Outmatched: Nijmegen's CL Dream Shatters on Polster's Debut

For Nikolas Polster, the Champions League dream ends with a personal premiere.

The 24-year-old Austrian international unexpectedly makes his debut for NEC Nijmegen in the Champions League playoff second leg against Bodø/Glimt. The Dutch side loses to the Norwegians 0-3 and, after a 1-3 loss in the first leg, must now enter the Europa League with an aggregate score of 1-6.

Polster initially sits on the bench, just as in previous matches. However, regular number one Gonzalo Crettaz causes a completely unexpected turn of events as early as the third minute.

Cold Start for Polster

Crettaz is shown a straight red card for a handball outside his penalty area. Coach Dick Schreuder reacts immediately and brings on Polster for field player Kaj Sierhuis in the fifth minute.

Thus, the Austrian's first competitive match for Nijmegen begins out of nowhere – and of all places, in a Champions League playoff.

Polster is immediately tested in the opening phase. The Austrian keeper confidently saves long-range shots from Sondre Auklend (8') and Patrick Berg (19'). However, Polster appears somewhat unsure with his goal kicks; a misguided attempt in the early stages can still be covered by a defender.

In the 30th minute, the Austrian truly distinguishes himself for the first time. Polster brilliantly deflects a precise header from Andreas Helmersen for a corner kick.

Polster Keeps Nijmegen in the Game for a Long Time

Polster is also on hand against the prominent Berg in the 37th minute. Shortly before halftime, the 24-year-old again saves his team from conceding a goal, throwing himself at the ball in front of the ready-to-shoot Auklend in the 45th minute.

Nijmegen manages to keep their goal clean for a long time despite being a man down. However, it finally happens in first-half stoppage time.

After a counter-attack, Auklend is free again and lays it across to the onrushing Fredrik Björkan, who taps in for 1-0. Polster is helpless against the close-range finish.

And it gets even worse: In the sixth minute of stoppage time, the outstanding Auklend is played free on the right edge of the penalty area. The Norwegian has a clear shot and finds the far corner – 2-0.

Black Day for Nijmegen

After the change of ends, Polster has to pick the ball out of his net once more. Following a low cross from Jens Petter Hauge, his own defender Deveron Fonville deflects the ball unstoppably into his own goal (74').

With that, the match is definitively decided.

Despite a nervous start, Polster delivers an overall solid performance in his unexpected debut, preventing an even higher score with several strong saves. However, even the Austrian cannot change his team's clear elimination.

Bodø/Glimt ultimately wins 3-0, advancing with an aggregate score of 6-1. The Norwegians thus qualify for the Champions League league phase for the second time in a row. For Nijmegen and Polster, however, the journey continues in the Europa League.