Crystal Palace 0-0 Larnaca: Eagles Booed Off After Laboured Draw | Europa Conference League

SELHURST PARK – Crystal Palace’s European ambitions stalled Thursday night as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League Round of 16 tie. A largely labored performance from Oliver Glasner’s side, punctuated by missed chances and a resilient Cypriot defense, left the Eagles facing an uphill battle in next week’s return leg.

The match, played under challenging conditions with strong winds and driving rain, saw Palace struggle to break down a Larnaca side that has impressively conceded just one goal in seven Conference League matches this season. While Palace dominated possession, particularly in the first half, they lacked the clinical edge needed to convert their opportunities.

The first clear chance fell to Evann Guessand in the eighth minute, but his attempt to turn home Jorgen Strand Larsen’s cross was thwarted by a sharp save from Larnaca goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerović. That set the tone for the evening, as Alomerović proved to be a formidable obstacle, denying Tyrick Mitchell with an outstretched leg in the 38th minute after a clever run and shot.

Palace continued to press after the interval, with Chris Richards heading Brennan Johnson’s corner over the bar from close range. However, the Cypriot side remained resolute, limiting Palace to half-chances and frustrating the home crowd, who voiced their discontent with audible booing at times.

Larnaca, under modern head coach Javi Rozada, offered glimpses of threat on the counter-attack, and almost snatched a late winner when Enzo Cabrera’s header was deflected just wide by Richards. The narrow escape served as a reminder that Palace’s work is far from done.

Speaking after the match, Glasner acknowledged his side’s missed opportunities. “I consider the performance was absolutely okay. Maybe it was not a top, top performance, but it was okay. We had enough chances to win the game,” he told TNT Sports. “We were very well organised – we didn’t give them the transitions that they were waiting for. We knew that it’s not so easy to create chances and score goals. I think we had opportunities to score at least two. But also, credit to their keeper, especially in the first-half, two massive saves.”

Glasner also highlighted Larnaca’s defensive solidity, stating, “They won’t concede three or four against us. We have to be patient and learn from this game.”

Rozada, making his debut as Larnaca’s head coach, was pleased with his team’s effort, particularly given the limited preparation time. “I’d like to congratulate the players, I haven’t had much time with the team so we didn’t have much opportunity to prepare. We only had two chances to train before the game – once in Cyprus and once in England today,” he said. “It’s been a great effort by everyone. We have a great opportunity next Thursday in Cyprus to achieve something special for Cypriot football.”

The draw leaves Palace with a difficult task in the second leg, where they will need to score to progress. The Eagles’ struggles in front of goal are becoming a recurring theme, and Glasner will need to find a solution if his side are to advance in the competition.

The performance also drew criticism from Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop, who noted that Palace were one of only four English teams to avoid defeat in Europe this week, but delivered the most disappointing result. “Regardless of the fact that Larnaca did beat Palace earlier in the competition, this was a chance to exact revenge. But if anything, this was poorer as that added motivation wasn’t even remotely on display,” Bishop wrote. He also suggested that the impending departure of Glasner may be impacting the players, stating, “It just feels like they are walking in slow motion towards the end of this chapter in the club’s history.”

Adding to the frustration for Palace fans, Jean-Philippe Mateta was jeered by sections of the home crowd upon his return to the pitch, following a failed transfer to Milan during the recent transfer window. The incident underscores the growing tension between the club and its supporters, as the season draws to a close.

The second leg in Cyprus is scheduled for March 19th. The winners of the tie will advance to the quarter-finals, which are scheduled for April 9th and 16th. The semi-finals will take place on April 30th and May 7th, culminating in the final on May 27th at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.

Player Ratings (as provided):

Crystal Palace: Henderson (6), Richards (7), Lacroix (6), Canvot (6), Johnson (5), Wharton (6), Kamada (5), Mitchell (6), Sarr (7), Guessand (7), Strand Larsen (6).

Subs: Mateta (6), Pino (n/a).