Crystal Palace Must Wake Up To Larnaca Style Ahead Of Conference League Last-16

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Crystal Palace face a tense second leg after a 0-0 draw with AEK Larnaca in their UEFA Conference League last-16 tie, despite controlling long spells at Selhurst Park. The quarter-final place will now be decided in Cyprus next week, where Oliver Glasner expects a very different contest.

Palace created far more attacking threat in the first leg, registering 13 attempts and producing 2.0 expected goals, yet could not find a breakthrough. AEK Larnaca did not hit the target once, but extended a strong defensive record, having allowed only one goal in seven Conference League matches this season.

Glasner hinted that Crystal Palace might alter tactics for the third meeting with AEK Larnaca this season, after two frustrating draws. The head coach accepted that a more flexible approach in Cyprus could be needed if Palace are to finally break down a defence that has proved stubborn in Europe.

Glasner told TNT Sports: "I think the performance was OKnot top. We had enough chances to win the game. We were very well-organised. We knew it was not easy to create chances and score goals. We had chances to score at least two, credit to the keeper. We were dominant, but set-plays were not easy with the wind and credit to them. It's the first leg and the [tie] will be [decided] in Cyprus. We will play the third game against them, and it's time to score. We will maybe change a few things."

Crystal Palace delivered another strong defensive display in Europe, preventing an opponent from registering a shot on target for the second time in this Conference League campaign, more than any other club in the competition. However, that solidity has not yet translated into victory against AEK Larnaca in 2025-26.

AEK Larnaca’s resilience has become a major feature of this tie. Since the league phase began in September, the Cypriot side have faced 83 shots in UEFA competition, with only one finding the net, underlining why Palace struggled to convert pressure into goals during the first leg in London.

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Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca Conference League key chances and goalkeeper displays

The best opportunity of the evening fell to Tyrick Mitchell shortly before half-time, but Zlatan Alomerovic reacted sharply to deny the defender. Alomerovic finished with four saves, while Chris Richards missed another notable opening when heading over from close range during the second period.

Glasner acknowledged the scale of AEK Larnaca’s defensive record and suggested Palace must adapt. "It's clear if they [only] concede one in the group stage, they won't concede three or four against us tonight. Maybe we have to wake up to their style a little bit."

Alomerovic described how AEK Larnaca approached the first leg with a compact game plan, expecting long spells without the ball. The visitors accepted limited attacking chances, preferring to sit deep and target moments from transitions and set-pieces, a strategy that frustrated Palace’s attempts to use width and crosses.

Alomerovic explained the mindset: "We understand we are the underdog, so, for us, it was a game to sacrifice, to be low and hope to have some counter-attacks or set-pieces. Everyone knows defending low with a [back] five makes it very difficult to create chances. That was the plan. We are happy with the result, and well see what happens in Cyprus."

The second leg in Cyprus now carries high stakes for both clubs, with the tie finely balanced and no away goals rule to separate them. Palace travel knowing another solid defensive display is required, but the main focus will be solving AEK Larnaca’s organised back line to reach the Conference League quarter-finals.