Crystal Palace Faces Tough Challenge After Goalless Draw with AEK Larnaca
Crystal Palace faces a challenging away leg in their Conference League last-16 tie after a frustrating goalless draw against AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park. The match, played in blustery conditions, saw both teams struggle to find the back of the net. The two sides had recently met during the league phase in October, where Crystal Palace suffered a surprising 1-0 defeat. This latest encounter required them to improve after a lackluster performance that left them needing a strong showing in the second leg. Jean-Philippe Mateta made his return to the squad following a knee injury, and his presence was welcomed by fans despite a tumultuous January transfer window. Mateta replaced Jorgen Strand Larsen late in the match, but the substitutions did not yield the desired result. Key moments from the match include: Evann Guessand had the first significant chance for Palace, but his shot was saved by Larnaca's keeper Zlatan Alomerovic. Ismaila Sarr came close to scoring after recovering from a challenge, only to curl his shot just over the bar. A late opportunity for Tyrick Mitchell went begging as he failed to convert from close range. Despite continued pressure from Palace, including efforts from Adam Wharton and Chris Richards, they could not break through Larnaca's defense. With Javi Rozada newly appointed as Larnaca's head coach, the Cypriot side managed to frustrate their Premier League opponents, setting up a tense return leg for Crystal Palace.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-03-12