Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Our Senegalese Sarr

> Ismaïla Sarr became the club’s third signing of the 2024/25 summer transfer window after joining on a five-year deal from Olympique de Marseille.

The 26-year-old attacker possesses plenty of experience of English football, having spent four years at Watford – recording 34 goals and 22 assists in 131 games – prior to joining Marseille, whom he helped reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League last season.

Sarr's career began in French football with Metz, before moving to Rennes and leading the club into Europe, as well as winning their first Coupe de France in almost half a century.

At international level, he has been a mainstay of the Senegal national side, earning 64 caps, scoring 13 goals and winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.

His career has also been defined by his eye for the spectacular, having won Goal of the Season awards in both the Football League and the Europa League.

Sarr was ever-present in every Premier League matchday squad in his first season at the club, playing in all 38 games, while also featuring in a further nine cup games. He scored 11 goals across all competitions, with eight additional assists - including a stunning effort against rivals Brighton & Hove Albion and a brace against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final.

2022/23, Watford (v West Bromwich Albion)

EFL Goal of the Season

Watford, 2020/21

Player of the Season

Players' Player of the Season

2018/19, Rennes (v Jablonec)

UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season

December 2024

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

Sarr

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Access All Over | Spurs (A)

Slow Motion v Tottenham Hotspur

All Angles | Ismaïla Sarr's Second Goal

Extended Highlights: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Goal of the month contenders | February 2026

Last time out | Zrinjski Mostar on Super8 

UEFA Conference League Match highlights: Zrinjski Mostar 1-1 Crystal Palace 

Sarr Previews Burnley

All Angles of Ismaïla Sarr's Goal v Brighton

The Full 90: Brighton v Crystal Palace | Palace TV+

Extended Highlights: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace | Palace TV +

Match Action: Brighton 0-1 Crystal Palace

Strand Larsen presents Sarr with Premier League Man of the Match

Ismaïla Sarr Returns From AFCON

Pre-match Press Conference | RC Strasbourg (A)

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

Pre-match Press Conference | AEK Larnaca (H)

- **[Tickets remain available for Thursday night's game](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/information/tv-information-how-to-follow-our-home-ro16-leg-vs-aek-larnaca/).**
- **[How to watch & follow Palace v Larnaca](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/information/tv-information-how-to-follow-our-home-ro16-leg-vs-aek-larnaca/).**

The Eagles’ inaugural venture into European competition continues with a rematch with the Cypriot Cup holders, with [tickets on general sale](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/tickets/home-ticket-details-crystal-palace-aek-larnaca-conference-league-march-2026/) for Thursday night’s first leg, which kicks off at 20:00 GMT (12th March) in SE25.

With both the home and away leg – plus a home Premier League match with Leeds United – to come in the next eight days, Palace will be bolstered by the return of three players to contention for selection.

“We have players coming back,” the Manager confirmed in his pre-match press conference. **“Maxence [Lacroix]** is back [from his one-match suspension], and can play tomorrow.

“**Jeff Lerma** was already in the squad [after a four-game absence with injury] at Tottenham, but we could rest him. He is fine.

“**JP [Mateta]** started to train with us on Monday this week, and he will be in the squad. Everything goes in the right direction.”

The Eagles will, however, be without **Daniel Muñoz** on Thursday night, the Colombian having sustained a shoulder injury early on in last week’s win at Tottenham.

“**Daniel Muñoz** will miss this game,” Glasner confirmed. “He’s working hard with our medical staff to be ready for the Leeds game.

“All the others are fine, in good shape, and looking forward to tomorrow’s game.”

On Mateta, who has been nursing a knee injury since January, the Manager added: “No [he is not ready for 90 minutes] – he didn’t train for five or six weeks on the pitch, and he’s now back for three days, so no chance [of 90 minutes].

“But it’s good to have him back. He showed in training he’s always able to create chances, score goals, and that’s why it’s good to have him back.”

Mateta’s return sees Palace’s strength in attacking depth further bolstered, following the additions of Brennan Johnson, Evann Guessand and Jørgen Strand Larsen in the winter transfer window.

Glasner added: “That was the target of the winter transfer window: to strengthen our attack, because we were often short of numbers, and I think the club did a great job regarding the strengthening our attack.

“The new players are really getting integrated [with the group] very well. It’s not one-way, it’s two-ways, but it’s quite easy because the player who are here are great lads, and so are the new ones as well, so it’s maybe easier.

“It just gives us more options and we need this now. We have a three-game week again, and are expecting a very physical and intense game against Leeds, where we got punished at Elland Road [in December].

“Therefore, we need all these options, and it’s good to have them.”

### Match Details

**Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca**

- **Thursday, 12th March**
- **20:00 GMT**
- **Selhurst Park**
- **UEFA Conference League play-off round, second leg**
- **[Tickets available to purchase here](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/979?position=1&utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStory060325_Tickets).**

Oliver Glasner expects three of his Crystal Palace players to return for tomorrow’s UEFA Conference League Round of 16 first leg against AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park.

Team News: Three Eagles to return for Larnaca, plus Muñoz update

Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca (2026-03-12)

Crystal Palace

Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur

Last Match

AEK Larnaca

UEFA Conference League

Next Match

Shop Palace Shirts

Following last month's draw, the Eagles now know the identity of all of the European clubs they could potentially face in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, semi-finals and – in late May – the Final.

First, however, they must overcome the challenge posed by Cypriot Cup holders AEK Larnaca – the team, of course, who we faced in our first major European match at Selhurst Park earlier this season.

So to mark the historic rematch – the first leg of our Round of 16 tie – make sure you pick up our **special edition programme**, available from vendors around the ground for **just £3.50**.

The issue includes:

- **An in-depth knockout round wallchart,** perfect for tracking Palace’s progress towards Leipzig;
- A glittering **foil cover,** celebrating a special night at Selhurst Park as the Eagles look to book a place in the last eight;
- An in-depth **feature interview** with '90s Palace cult icon **Dean Gordon**, who played over 200 times for the Eagles – including three Premier League stints – before a later switch to Cyprus;
- Hear from Manager **Oliver Glasner,** captain **Dean Henderson** and Chairman **Steve Parish** ahead of huge night of European football.
- A **comprehensive guide** to Thursday's opponents, AEK Larnaca; plus,
- A huge variety of other special **Europe-focused features**, including another story of South London's impact on continental football, and a round-up of what could lie ahead for us in the UEFA Conference League – the ideal accompaniment to our continental adventure!

### Match Details

**Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca**

- Thursday, 12th March
- 20:00 GMT
- Selhurst Park
- UEFA Conference League play-off round, second leg
- [Tickets available to purchase here](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/979?position=1&utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStory060325_Tickets).

The Road to Leipzig lies in front of us – and the best way to follow it is with your FREE UEFA Conference League knockout-round wallchart, inside this week's special-edition matchday programme!

FREE wallchart inside!: Your special edition AEK Larnaca programme

Having secured victory in our first-ever major European knockout tie, beating HSK Zrinjski Mostar 3-1 on aggregate, our continental campaign continues against Cypriot Cup holders AEK Larnaca in the Round of 16.

The first leg will be played at home on **Thursday (20:00 GMT)** – and if you haven't yet leant your voice to this historic moment in the club's history, now is the perfect time to do so.

Ticketing information can be found below, with prices the same as in previous stages.

*More information regarding tickets for the second leg in Larnaca – scheduled for Thursday, 19th March – [can be found here](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/tickets/ticket-details-aek-larnaca-crystal-palace-march-2026/).*

**Supporters are urged to read the below information about the home leg in full before purchasing tickets.**

Buy tickets

#### Ticket Distribution

All tickets for this fixture will be emailed approximately one week before the game to the transaction owner.

Tickets will be available as PDF Print at Home tickets, or Digital tickets to download to your Apple or Google Wallet.

#### Prices

- **Adults:** £40
- **Seniors (65+) and 18-21s:** £30
- **Under 18s:** £25

#### Important Information

All tickets can be purchased in the standard way via our **[Ticketing website](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/)**.

To purchase tickets on behalf of a friend or family member, you must have a strong relationship, which can be set in the **Friends and Family section** of the Ticketing website. **[Click here to find out how to do this](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/how-to-use-palace-app-and-website).**

Unfortunately, due to UEFA requirements and the addition of a singing section, a small number of Season Ticket Holders have been displaced and were instead offered a priority on all remaining seats in Phase 2. All displaced supporters were emailed in advance of tickets going on sale.

#### Premium Matchday Packages

This historic European clash under the Selhurst Park lights is the perfect time to experience one of our Premium lounges, offering a range of modern dining and inclusive drinks to enjoy amongst friends, family or colleagues.

**[Premium Experiences are now available to purchase](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Hospitality/Index/980)**, with no Membership required. Experiences start from just £210 inc. VAT.

Alternatively, speak to one of our team by **[enquiring now](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/hospitality/enquire/).**

#### Match Details

**Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca**

- Thursday, 12th March
- 20:00 GMT
- Selhurst Park
- UEFA Conference League Round of 16, first leg
- [Click here to buy tickets.](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/EDP/Event/Index/979?position=1&utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStory060325_Tickets)

Join the journey: tickets for the first leg of our UEFA Conference League Round of 16 tie against AEK Larnaca, which will be played at Selhurst Park on Thursday (12th March, 20:00 GMT), are on general sale!

Our European journey continues Thursday; tickets on sale for AEK Larnaca (H)!

First-team

First-team

Team News: Three Eagles to return for Larnaca, plus Muñoz update

FREE wallchart inside!: Your special edition AEK Larnaca programme

Our European journey continues Thursday; tickets on sale for AEK Larnaca (H)!

Shop Palace Shirts

7Ismaïla
Sarr

First-team

First-team

Team News: Three Eagles to return for Larnaca, plus Muñoz update

FREE wallchart inside!: Your special edition AEK Larnaca programme

Our European journey continues Thursday; tickets on sale for AEK Larnaca (H)!

Shop Palace Shirts

7IsmaïlaSarr

7Ismaïla
Sarr