Crystal Palace were forced to settle for a frustrating 0-0 draw against AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League last-16 tie. Despite controlling the match for long periods, the FA Cup holders from last season could not turn their dominance into goals.
Oliver Glasner’s side enjoyed more than 70% possession and produced 13 attempts on goal, yet a breakthrough never arrived. The visitors from Cyprus struggled to offer an attacking threat, failing to register a single shot during the opening half.
Palace came close to taking the lead inside the first eight minutes. Evann Guessand met Jorgen Strand Larsen’s delivery inside the penalty area but was denied by goalkeeper Zlatan Alomerovic, who reacted quickly to keep the effort out.
The home team maintained their pressure as the first half progressed. Larsen and Ismaila Sarr both threatened, while Alomerovic delivered another impressive stop by keeping out Tyrick Mitchell’s effort at the far post.
Visitors hold firm with defensive discipline
AEK Larnaca, who appointed a new manager earlier in the week, relied heavily on their organised back line to frustrate Palace throughout the contest. Their compact five-man defence proved extremely difficult for the hosts to break down.
The pattern continued after the interval, with Palace dominating territory but lacking the decisive touch in the final third. A pair of dangerous deliveries from January arrival Brennan Johnson created opportunities, yet Sarr and Chris Richards were unable to direct their headers on target.
Glasner attempted to inject new energy into the attack by introducing Jean-Philippe Mateta with around 15 minutes remaining. It was the striker’s first appearance since January after a proposed transfer to AC Milan failed to materialise.
Mateta nearly had an instant impact. Just moments after coming on, he slid in to meet Guessand’s cross but was unable to turn the ball into the net, leaving Palace still searching for a goal.
Mateta’s return draws mixed reaction from supporters
The France international received a frosty reception from sections of the Selhurst Park crowd when he entered the pitch. Some supporters jeered the striker following his attempt to push through a move away from the club during the January transfer window.
Had Mateta converted his late opportunity, however, the mood might have shifted dramatically. A winning goal would likely have softened the anger among fans who remain frustrated by the recent transfer saga.
Former Palace defender James Tomkins acknowledged the complicated situation while speaking on TNT Sports. He noted that the reception was not ideal for a player trying to help his side secure a result, though he added that supporters’ frustration was understandable given the circumstances.
With the tie still level, the return leg in Cyprus will determine which team advances to the quarter-finals. The winner will meet either Fiorentina or Poland’s Rakow Czestochowa, with the Italian side currently holding a 2-1 advantage after the first meeting in Florence.