Crystal Palace have their sights set on the Conference League
The London side edged past AEK Larnaca of Cyprus in the round of 16 of Europe’s third-tier competition.
Crystal Palace travelled to Cyprus with no advantage, having drawn 0-0 at Selhurst Park against AEK Larnaca. In the return leg, they played better and could have won the match within 90 minutes. However, they lacked the clinical finishing they displayed in extra time. In their first-ever European campaign, they want to keep dreaming.
In the other Champions League round of 16 ties, there were no major surprises. Rayo Vallecano, Strasbourg, Mainz and Fiorentina, the teams tipped to challenge for the title, lived up to expectations and will be in the quarter-finals. The representatives from the Premier League, LaLiga, Ligue 1, Serie A and the Bundesliga all progress.
Conference League round of 16 results
- Rakow 1-2 Fiorentina (2-4 on aggregate)
- Mainz 2-0 Sigma Olomouc (2-0 on aggregate)
- AEK Larnaca 1-2 Crystal Palace (1-2 on aggregate)
- AEK Athens 0-2 Celje (4-2 on aggregate)
- Spartak Prague 0-4 AZ Alkmaar (1-6 on aggregate)
- Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Lech Poznan (4-3 on aggregate)
- Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Samsunspor (3-2 on aggregate)
- Strasbourg 1-1 Rijeka (3-2 on aggregate)
In the quarter-finals, against Fiorentina
The quarter-final opponent is already a formidable side: Fiorentina. Despite the Tuscan side’s difficult season in Serie A, the Viola are one of the hot favourites to challenge for the Conference League. It is no coincidence that in the tournament’s three editions they have reached two finals and one semi-final, so they will not be an easy opponent for Crystal Palace.
The first leg will be played on Thursday 9 April at Selhurst Park, on a night where a great atmosphere is expected as the team looks to secure a solid lead ahead of the return leg in Italy. The return leg will take place in Florence a week later. The winner of the tie will face the winner of the clash between Shakhtar Donetsk and AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals.
The other two ties pit Rayo Vallecano against AEK Athens, with the first leg in Madrid and the second leg in the Greek capital, and Mainz against Strasbourg. The clash between the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 sides promises to be a thrilling encounter. The first leg will be played in Germany, whilst the second leg will take place on French soil.
Conference League quarter-finals
- Rayo Vallecano - AEK Athens
- Crystal Palace - Fiorentina
- Mainz - Strasbourg
- Shakhtar Donetsk - AZ Alkmaar
