One stat for each of the UEFA Conference League teams after the round of 16 return legs

Favourites advance in the early games

2: Rakow Czestochowa's time in European competition has ended after another 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina. The Polish team took the lead in their home fixture, yet they let in a goal with 22 minutes remaining, which left them needing to push forward. In the end, Marin Pongracic netted right at the finish to confirm their exit. This outcome represents only the second instance in European matches where Rakow found the net at home without securing victory.

3: Fiorentina have developed a pattern of progressing far in the Conference League, with La Viola returning to the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive season. An Italian club has made it to at least the semi-finals in every one of the competition's initial four years, a feat that Paolo Vanoli's squad aims to repeat. Notably, this is just the third occasion when Fiore triumphed in both legs of a UECL knockout tie, the previous instances occurring three years earlier.

20: Mainz also moved into the quarter-finals, achieving their finest performance yet in a UEFA club event. The German side beat Sigma Olomouc 2-0 on home soil, matching the overall aggregate. Stefan Posch and Armindo Sieb got the goals, while the Czech team finished with ten players. Mainz have now recorded five shutouts in European fixtures this season, a record last matched two decades ago during the UEFA Cup.

10: Sigma's European adventure has concluded, complete with plenty of ups and downs. From almost dropping out in the league stage to reaching the round of 16, the Czech group saw it all. Yet it finishes now, in their initial loss to a German opponent in a key continental tournament. They must now aim to earn a spot back in Europe via their league, although their record away from home has been poor, shipping goals in each of their past ten trips.

28: AEK Athens joined two other clubs in qualifying for the last eight even after a defeat in the return leg. The Greek side faced tough resistance from Celje, losing 2-0 at home to the Slovenes, but Dikefalos progressed 4-2 on aggregate. They are the third Greek team to reach this stage in the UECL. The previous one to do so claimed the title, which they hope to emulate. AEK's last quarter-final appearance was 28 years back in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

5: Celje exit Europe a stage sooner than in the previous campaign, when they achieved remarkable feats to reach the quarters. They leave with pride after a strong showing and a win. In the past, the Slovenian team struggled on away days. That shifted in the 2025/26 season, as they picked up their fifth victory on the road in European play on Thursday.

4: AEK Larnaca, who allowed only one goal in the league phase, struggled to maintain their surprise form against Crystal Palace. The Cypriot club pushed the game into extra time at home before falling 2-1 to the clear favourites. This is the second time their UECL run stops here, following a knockout by West Ham three years prior. The Larnaca outfit have not won any of their four matches at this level in UEFA competitions (0 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses).

29: Crystal Palace worked hard for their success, with much of the action in Larnaca's defensive area. Ultimately, Ismaila Sarr's strike in the ninth minute of extra time secured it for the London club, who reached the quarter-finals in their first European venture. It proved a fitting result for Palace, given their impressive 29 attempts across the full 120 minutes.

Shakhtar, Rayo hold on

11: As they did early in the 2000s, Rayo Vallecano have reached a European quarter-final. They endured a setback with Samsunspor claiming a 1-0 win in Madrid, yet Los Franjirrojos advanced 3-2 overall. This equals their UEFA Cup run from 2000/01, ended by another Spanish team, Deportivo Alaves, in the last eight. Twenty-five years on, they return. It was their first home loss in 11 European outings.

6: Samsunspor's first season in European football wraps up, after an exciting journey. The Turkish club started in the Europa League play-offs last August and made it beyond the league phase and knockout play-offs. They remain in contention for a European spot via the league, potentially leading to another chance next year. Kirmizi Simsekler recorded their sixth clean sheet in the victory.

7: Shakhtar Donetsk, among those who have lifted a UEFA club trophy, fended off Lech Poznan. The Pitmen dropped a 2-1 decision in Krakow, but it sufficed to go through 4-3 aggregate. This is their sixth quarter-final in continental play, six years since the prior one. Still, it marks a second loss to a Polish side, with seven goals conceded in those encounters.

15: Lech hoped for a second quarter-final spot in the UECL. However, they fell short of a third goal that might have extended the tie. Kolejorz will now follow the rest of the event from afar, pondering missed opportunities. They gave it their all, firing 15 shots in total, five more than Shakhtar.

16: Greater things seemed possible for Sparta Praha against AZ Alkmaar. Instead, the Czech side faltered with a 4-0 home loss to the Dutch team. That sealed their departure, 6-1 on aggregate. Rudi and supporters will feel let down by the chances squandered. It was the third time they drew a blank versus Dutch foes, the previous being 16 years ago.

18: AZ's strong record against Czech teams persists, unbeaten in 10 meetings. Their sixth win in those earned a quarter-final return, three years after the last. The Alkmaar club might claim two prizes this season, with a KNVB Beker final to come. Against Czech opposition, AZ have netted an impressive 18 times.

9: Strasbourg, tops in the league phase, advance despite a tougher than anticipated tie with Rijeka. Le Racing drew 1-1 at home to progress 3-2 overall. Not their sharpest display from the French team, but they remain in contention with real potential to win it all. They stay undefeated in Europe this season and have scored in nine straight matches.

1: Rijeka's strongest European campaign to date has ended. The Croatian side can reflect positively on their continental efforts, hard to overcome. Even so, they exit to a French opponent again. In six clashes with Ligue 1 clubs, Rijeka lack a victory, though they held firm on the road for the first time.