By Crystal Palace were held to a 0–0 draw at home by AEK Larnaca in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League last-16 clash on Thursday.
Palace created numerous chances on a wet and windy night at Selhurst Park but were unable to find the breakthrough against their Cypriot opponents for the second time this season, having previously lost 1–0 to Larnaca during the league phase.
French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta made his return as a late substitute, marking his first appearance for Palace since January 25 after a proposed move to AC Milan collapsed due to concerns over a knee injury.
Manager Oliver Glasner will now see his side travel to Cyprus next week for the return leg as Palace aim to keep their maiden full European campaign alive.
If they progress, Palace could face two-time runners-up ACF Fiorentina in the quarter-finals. The Italian side edged past Raków Częstochowa of Poland 2–1 in Florence, courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty.
Elsewhere, RC Strasbourg Alsace — who topped the league phase — maintained their unbeaten European run this season with a 2–1 away victory over Croatian side HNK Rijeka.
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott scored twice as AZ Alkmaar secured a 2–1 win against Sparta Prague.
Spain’s Rayo Vallecano also recorded an impressive 3–1 away victory over Turkish side Samsunspor.
Meanwhile, AEK Athens moved closer to the quarter-finals with a dominant 4–0 win over Slovenia’s NK Celje.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Lech Poznań 3–1, while Bundesliga side 1. FSV Mainz 05 were held to a goalless draw by Czech club Sigma Olomouc.
