Crystal Palace Confident in Creativity Ahead of Larnaca Clash Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner remains optimistic about his team’s ability to generate scoring opportunities in their upcoming Conference League second-leg clash against AEK Larnaca, despite failing to find the net in their previous two encounters with the Cypriot side. The Eagles face a daunting challenge as Larnaca has kept a clean sheet in both meetings this season, having conceded just once across their entire Conference League campaign. Glasner emphasized the need for his players to create multiple chances to overcome the visitors, who have proven difficult to break down. The first leg ended in a goalless draw at Selhurst Park, though Palace dominated possession and shot accuracy, finishing with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.98 from 13 attempts. In contrast, Larnaca managed only 0.23 xG from two shots. Glasner acknowledged the difficulty of facing a team that has consistently defended well against European opponents, noting their ability to neutralize crosses and cut out threats in the box. “We have huge respect for AEK Larnaca,” he said. “All the teams in the UEFA Conference League have struggled to score against them.” The second leg at AEK Arena is poised to be a tightly contested affair, with Larnaca aiming to become the first Cypriot side to eliminate an English team in a knockout stage tie in major European competition. This would mark a historic milestone for the club, as they have yet to achieve such a feat. Palace, meanwhile, will be the second English side to face Larnaca in Cyprus, following West Ham’s 2-0 victory in the 2022-23 Conference League. Glasner also highlighted the importance of Yeremy Pino in the upcoming match, hoping the Colombian forward can rediscover his goal-scoring form.#crystal_palace #uefa_conference_league #oliver_glasner #ae_k_larnaca #yeremy_pino
UECL: Fiorentina vs. Rakow Czestochowa – Probable Line-Ups and Viewing Details Fiorentina will face Rakow Czestochowa in the UEFA Conference League round of 16 on Thursday, with Roberto Piccoli set to start as the team’s centre-forward in place of injured Italy international Moise Kean. Kean is expected to return for his Serie A club, Cremonese, in a match on Monday, leaving Piccoli as the primary option up front. The Italian side, managed by Paolo Vanoli, will look to build on their recent success in the competition, having defeated Jagiellonia Białystok in a two-leg play-off to secure their place in the knockout stage. Rakow Czestochowa, which finished second in their league group, qualified directly for the round of 16. The Polish side will be a tough opponent, with their attacking options including Fabiano Parisi and Jacopo Fazzini, both of whom could feature in a heavily rotated Fiorentina lineup. Vanoli is expected to make several changes to his squad, resting key players such as Dodo and Nicolo Fagioli while giving opportunities to younger talents like goalkeeper Oliver Christensen, who will replace David De Gea in goal. The match is scheduled for 19:45 GMT, with live coverage available in the UK on TNT Sports 6 and online via Discovery+. American fans can watch the game on Paramount+. The contest will be accompanied by extensive pre-match analysis, live commentary, and post-match reactions on Football Italia’s liveblog. Probable line-ups for the encounter include Fiorentina’s 4-3-3 formation: Christensen in goal, with Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, and Gosens forming the defense. Midfielders Fabbian, Mandragora, and Ndour will support the attack, while Parisi, Piccoli, and Fazzini will lead the front line.#uefa_conference_league #fiorentina #rakow_czestochowa #roberto_piccoli #paolo_vanoli
HNK Rijeka vs Strasbourg Round of 16 Preview HNK Rijeka are set to face RC Strasbourg Alsace in the UEFA Conference League round of 16, with the first leg scheduled for Thursday at Stadion HNK Rijeka. The Croatian side, currently two matches away from the quarter-finals, will host the French club in a two-leg tie, with the return fixture taking place a week later in France. Both teams aim to advance to the final in Leipzig, where the competition will conclude in May. Rijeka’s journey in the tournament has been marked by resilience and tactical discipline. After navigating the league phase of the Europa Conference League, the club secured their place in the knockout rounds with strong performances, including a 3–0 victory over NK Celje and a goalless draw against Shakhtar Donetsk. Their recent success in the knockout play-offs, where they defeated AC Omonia in both legs, has positioned them as a formidable force in the competition. The team’s attacking threat has been driven by key players such as Toni Fruk, Dion Drena Beljo, and Niko Petrovic, who have contributed crucial goals and creative play. However, Rijeka faces a significant challenge against Strasbourg, who finished top of the league phase and entered the knockout stage as a seeded side. The French club’s unbeaten run in the group stage has earned them automatic qualification for the round of 16, and their consistency has been a defining factor in their progress. Strasbourg, led by manager Gary O’Neil, has built their success on an energetic attacking approach and standout individual performances. Forward Martial Godo has been a key asset, scoring three goals and providing two assists in the tournament. The team’s ability to maintain momentum in Europe has been evident, and they will look to continue their strong form against Rijeka.#hnk_rijeka #rc_strasbourg_alsace #stadion_hnk_rijeka #uefa_conference_league #gary_oneil
