One key stat per team following the Conference League quarter-final second legs as Rayo Vallecano prevail
19 - AZ Alkmaar failed to repeat their 2022/23 achievement of reaching the semi-finals. They played out a 2-2 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk, which saw the Ukrainian outfit advance 5-2 across the two matches. De Kaasboeren became the final Eredivisie representative in a challenging campaign for Dutch clubs in European competitions. AZ have now drawn four times in 14 fixtures versus Ukrainian sides (6-4-4), bringing their scoring total in those encounters to 19.
9 - Shakhtar Donetsk return to the semi-finals of a UEFA club tournament, marking them as the inaugural Ukrainian team to achieve this in the UECL. The Pitmen avenged their 2004/05 UEFA Cup last-16 exit, where they suffered defeats in both legs. In total, they have extended their unbeaten run on the road to nine outings (6-3-0).
42 - Trailing by three goals from the initial encounter, AEK Athens overturned the deficit against Rayo Vallecano to level the aggregate by the 51st minute. Yet, Dikefalos Aetos failed to hold firm against the Spaniards, as Isaac Palazon's strike on the hour sealed the outcome. AEK secured a 3-1 victory in the return leg but exited 4-3 overall. That conceded effort represented their 42nd against a LaLiga opponent, exceeding concessions to any other nationality.
4 - Having exited at the UEFA Cup quarter-finals around the turn of the millennium, Rayo Vallecano have now advanced at least one stage further. Rayito stayed calm, clinching the tie just nine minutes after AEK equalised on aggregate. Their prize includes a debut semi-final appearance in a UEFA club event. Rayo might need to bolster their away form for the next round, however, with the Greek defeat marking their fourth loss in European fixtures.
33 - Fiorentina's run in the Conference League has concluded sooner than in previous editions. La Viola were unable to reverse their 3-0 setback from the first leg in England versus Crystal Palace. Although they triumphed 2-1 at Stadio Artemio Franchi, they departed 4-2 on aggregate. The two-time finalists will miss European action next season, concluding a four-year UECL involvement, during which they recorded 33 victories, outpacing all rivals.
3 - Crystal Palace's inaugural European campaign has exceeded expectations, propelling Oliver Glasner's team into the semi-finals. Ismaila Sarr's headed goal after 17 minutes gave the Eagles a commanding edge. Ultimately, they resisted the Italian challenge despite shipping two strikes. They face Shakhtar Donetsk in the last four, yet another past European champion. The Thursday outcome was their third UECL defeat this season, while they registered three efforts on target in the home leg.
0 - Strasbourg stood as the sole side to reverse a first-leg reversal, defeating Mainz 4-0 in the return to progress 4-2 overall. Multiple titles remain within reach for Le Racing, who also contest the Coupe de France semi-finals. Two strikes per half sealed their passage to a first-ever continental semi-final. In their third matchup against German opposition, Strasbourg have shipped no goals on home soil.
17 - Mainz endured a shocking reversal after an impressive home showing the prior week. They now find themselves on the receiving end of a heavy loss that ended their Conference League involvement. Die Nullfünfer managed only one shot on target across the full match, contributing to their elimination. In their five all-time European away defeats, they have leaked 17 goals.