C Palace 0-0 AEK Larnaca (Mar 12, 2026) Game Analysis – ESPN Skip to main content Skip to navigation ESPN NFL NFL NBA NBA NCAAM NCAAM NCAAW NCAAW MLB MLB NHL NHL Soccer Soccer More Sports More Sports Watch Watch Fantasy Fantasy Where to Watch Search C Palace v AEK Larnaca 2025-26 UEFA Conference League, Round of 16 Crystal Palace C Palace CRY 0 FT AEK Larnaca AEK Larnaca AEK 0 1st Leg Summary Report Commentary Statistics Line-Ups Crystal Palace frustrated in goalless Larnaca first leg as Jean-Philippe Mateta returns By ESPN News Services Updated: Mar 12, 2026, 06:11 pm Facebook Facebook Messenger Twitter Email Crystal Palace will have to do it the hard way in the away leg of their Conference League last-16 tie after Cypriot side AEK Larnaca held them to a goalless draw at a blustery Selhurst Park. The sides were familiar foes, having faced each other in the league phase at Selhurst Park in October, when the hosts suffered a shock 1-0 loss and were ultimately forced to battle their way through a two-legged playoff with Zrinjski Mostar to reach the knockouts. Jean-Philippe Mateta was back in Oliver Glasner’s squad following a knee injury. The France international’s potential move to AC Milan — which fell through when the Italian side withdrew their interest — was one of several January plotlines that had soured the mood in South London that month, but he was largely greeted with warmth when he replaced Jorgen Strand Larsen late in the second half. Crystal Palace were frustrated by Larnaca in a goalless draw in the first leg. Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images Palace were not without their chances, but lacked the end product against a Larnaca side playing for the first time under new boss Javi Rozada. It was a very different Palace lineup than started for Glasner in October. Former captain Marc Guéhi joined Manchester City in January, while the arrivals of Strand Larsen, Evann Guessand and Brennan Johnson — all of whom started — infused new energy, but none were influential enough. Rozada was only appointed on Monday, and will likely be pleased with the way his visitors managed to frustrate their Premier League hosts once again. Guessand had the first chance for Palace after patient work by Strand Larsen to dodge a sliding challenge and tee up the Villa loanee, who fired into the chest of Larnaca keeper Zlatan Alomerovic. Ismaïla Sarr came close a few minutes later. The Senegal international had been tripped up between two defenders but recovered with the ball, and curled just over the crossbar. Alomerovic then tipped a Sarr cross-shot in the path of Guessand, who rushed forward to meet it but could only deflect the ball wide, and it remained goalless at the break after Tyrick Mitchell could not bury a late chance from close range. Adam Wharton called Alomerovic into action moments after the restart, and while the hosts continued to deliver balls into the penalty area, Glasner’s men could not apply the finishing touch as the final 15 minutes approached and Chris Richards nodded over. On came Mateta with just over 10 minutes remaining. He got involved early, sticking out a leg to try meeting a ball that had taken a deflection off of Guessand, but could not connect. A perfectly-timed Hrvoje Milicevic challenge denied Sarr a crack at a late opener, and there was a rare half-chance for Larnaca, but the breakthrough never came. Information from the Press Association and ESPN’s James Olley contributed to this report. Game Information Selhurst Park 4:00 PM , March 12, 2026 Coverage : Paramount+ London , England Referees : Igor Pajac UEFA Conference League News Crystal Palace frustrated in goalless Larnaca first leg as Jean-Philippe Mateta returns Crystal Palace will have to do it the hard way in the away leg of their Conference League last-16 tie after Cypriot side AEK Larnaca held them to a goalless draw at a blustery Selhurst Park. Best Champions League tifos: Bob Marley, The Beatles, 'Erling the Great' From legends of music to Erling Haaland as a Viking, tifos in this season's European competitions have had it all. But fans of one club stand apart. Oliver Glasner insists Crystal Palace not prioritising Conference League Oliver Glasner has insisted he is not thinking of prioritising one competition over another as his side progress further in the Europa Conference League while still trying to get back into the Premier League's top half. All UEFA Conference League News Terms of Use Privacy Policy Interest-Based Ads EU Privacy Rights Cookie Policy Manage Privacy Preferences © ESPN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
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