Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace have secured their places in the next phase of European competition. Forest's team, despite a 1-2 home defeat to Fenerbahçe, maintained their advantage from the first leg, winning the tie 4-2 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace defeated Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar 2-0, sealing their place in the UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16. The draw for the next round paired Nottingham with Danish side Midtjylland, while Oliver Glasner's men will face AEK Larnaca.

Nottingham Forest withstands the pressure

Despite a 1-2 loss to Fenerbahçe, Forest advanced thanks to goals scored in their first-leg victory in Istanbul.

Convincing triumph for Crystal Palace

The Londoners defeated Zrinjski Mostar 2-0 at home (3-1 on aggregate) and will play in the Conference League round of 16.

Round of 16 opponents confirmed

Nottingham Forest drew FC Midtjylland, while Crystal Palace will face Cypriot side AEK Larnaca.

English clubs from the bottom half of the Premier League table enjoyed a successful evening on the international stage, although their paths to qualification were drastically different. Nottingham Forest entered the second leg against Fenerbahçe with a solid cushion, but fans at the City Ground endured moments of terror. Despite the 1-2 loss, thanks to a goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi and their victory in the first match, manager Vitor Pereira's team booked their place in the Europa League round of 16. The Portuguese coach admitted after the match that he took a risk by rotating the squad, which nearly ended in disaster against the determined Turks. In the next phase, Forest will face FC Midtjylland, a draw which the media assesses gives them a realistic chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Nottingham Forest are two-time winners of the European Cup (the predecessor to the Champions League) in 1979 and 1980, making them one of the most historically decorated English clubs in Europe despite their current league struggles. Completely different moods prevail in London. Crystal Palace, under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, confidently defeated Zrinjski Mostar 2-0. Maxence Lacroix scored the opening goal, and the second strike sealed the hosts' dominance and progression with a 3-1 aggregate win. Advancing to the Conference League round of 16 is seen as a turning point in the chaotic season for the 'Eagles', who will face Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in March. This victory temporarily silenced speculation about the Austrian manager's future, building positive momentum ahead of the fight for Premier League survival. „I knew I was taking a risk by shaking up the team, but we have to manage energy for two fronts.” — Vitor Pereira Both Forest and Palace must now face the challenge of balancing cup competitions with their difficult situation in the Premier League. For both clubs, the European adventure becomes a chance to salvage prestige in a season dominated by the relegation battle. Experts note that squad depth will be crucial, as the intensity of matches in March could impact form in key league fixtures. Since 2021, UEFA has changed the competition system, introducing a knockout phase combined with playoffs, which increased the number of matches for teams finishing lower in the group stage.

Mentioned People

  • Vitor Pereira — Manager of Nottingham Forest, who admitted to risky squad rotation.
  • Oliver Glasner — Manager of Crystal Palace, whose position strengthened after cup progress.
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi — Scorer of the crucial goal for Nottingham Forest against Fenerbahçe.
  • Maxence Lacroix — Crystal Palace defender, scorer of the goal against Zrinjski.