Palace frustrated by AEK Larnaca in Conference League last 16

2026-03-12 - 22:43

AEK Larnaca’s Enric Saborit (left) and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton tussle for the ball during the match. (EPA Images pic) LONDON: Crystal Palace laboured to a 0-0 draw at home to AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League last-16 tie on Thursday. Palace created a glut of chances on a wet and windy night at Selhurst Park but failed to score against their Cypriot opponents for the second time this season, having lost 1-0 to Larnaca in the league phase. French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta came on as a late substitute for his first Palace appearance since January 25 after a move to AC Milan collapsed due to concerns over a knee injury. Oliver Glasner’s side will go to Cyprus next week seeking to keep alive their first full venture into European football. Should they get through, they could meet two-time runners-up Fiorentina in the quarter-finals. The Italians edged past Rakow Czestochowa of Poland 2-1 in Florence thanks to a stoppage-time penalty. Strasbourg, who finished top in the league phase, maintained their unbeaten record in Europe this season with a 2-1 win away to Croatian side Rijeka. Former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott scored both goals for AZ Alkmaar in a 2-1 victory over Sparta Prague, while Spain’s Rayo Vallecano won 3-1 away to Turkish team Samsunspor. AEK Athens are on course for the quarter-finals after a 4-0 win at Slovenians Celje, while Shakhtar Donetsk won 3-1 at Lech Poznan. Bundesliga club Mainz drew 0-0 at Czech side Sigma Olomouc.