Key Highlights
- AEK Larnaca secured their first win over an English team in a competitive match.
- Crystal Palace suffered their first home defeat in all competitions since February 2023.
- Riad Bajic scored the winning goal for AEK Larnaca after Jaydee Canvot’s error.
- AEK Larnaca’s victory moved them to joint top of the group with Fiorentina.
AEK Larnaca Upsets Crystal Palace in Conference League First Home Game
Cyprus-based AEK Larnaca made history by defeating English Premier League side Crystal Palace 1-0 in their first competitive match against an English team. The game took place on October 24, 2023, at Selhurst Park, marking a significant upset for the Cypriot Cup winners.
Game Summary
AEK Larnaca’s victory was secured by Riad Bajic in the 51st minute when Crystal Palace defender Jaydee Canvot mistakenly passed the ball to Marcus Rohden. Rohden then played a precise pass for Bajic, who capitalized on the opportunity with a powerful finish.
The match began with an enthusiastic crowd at Selhurst Park, hoping to see their team perform well in this significant European competition. Palace had been dominating early and created several scoring chances.
Notably, Jean-Philippe Mateta hit the crossbar with a bouncing hooked volley from close range in the first half and narrowly headed a free-kick wide just before halftime.
Despite these opportunities, Mateta’s performance was disappointing as he failed to convert on numerous occasions. Palace’s substitute, Eddie Nketiah, had a chance late in the game but missed completely from five yards out when he should have leveled the score.
Match Analysis
This result can be seen as a blip for Crystal Palace and their star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The team finished on top with possession, but they were unable to break down Larnaca’s resilient defense. This is particularly disappointing considering the strong starting lineup of Palace.
AEK Larnaca, who previously had only played against English teams twice (both in 2023), showed their potential by securing this historic win. Their next game will be another Conference League match on November 6, 2023, where they face Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
Player Ratings and Match Analysis
Airton Lacroix received the lowest rating among AEK Larnaca players with an average of 4.36. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta was rated at 3.76, reflecting his underwhelming performance despite having several chances.
This defeat marks a challenging start for Crystal Palace in this season’s Conference League and will be closely watched by fans ahead of their next Premier League match against Arsenal on October 26, 2023.
