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Former Sunderland Defender Stars As Premier League Side Lose In Europe

Last night saw the return of both the UEFA Europa and Conference Leagues, with Dyche taking charge of his Nottingham Forest side for the very first time in the former competition. It was all smiles at the City Ground as they defeated FC Porto 2-0, who sit unbeaten at the top of Primera Liga.

The same could not be said for the rest of the Premier League contingent, as Aston Villa lost 1-2 away in the Netherlands to Go Ahead Eagles. In the Conference League the raptor theme continued, with the Eagles at Selhurst Park. The home fans were stunned as Crystal Palace lost to Cypriot outfit, AEK Larnaca 0-1 with one familiar face shining for the visitors.

AEK Larnaca's Defensive Warrior

Travelling to London from Larnaca as very much outsiders to get a result, the Cypriots surprised everyone with a display of true defiance in their defensive responsibilities. Every player worked in unison to read the danger that the hosts posed to them, and despite Crystal Palace fielding a very strong side, they were limited to just one shot on target.

Part of the reason that Palace were restricted to shots on target was down to the back five system that Larnaca deployed, with the man at the heart of their defence seemingly unbeatable. Valentin Roberge is a name that Sunderland fans will be very familiar with.

The 38-year-old French-born defender put in a Man of the Match performance for his side. He provided 14 defensive contributions, the most of any player, with 9 of those being clearances, and he also won 100% of his attempted tackles.

The organisation of the backline caused all sorts of problems for the South London side. Roberge used every part of his experience alongside Captain Hrovje Milicevic and Eric Saborit, particularly in the latter stages of the match, to keep his team focused, despite being visibly fatigued.

The defensive trio have a crazy combined age of 103 years, but were still able to keep a clean sheet against Premier League opposition. It's two wins from two for the Cypriots in the Conference League , putting them 2nd in the table on goal difference, after thrashing AZ Alkmaar 4-0 on the opening matchday.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐧, 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐬𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 💛💚#UECL #AEKLarnaca pic.twitter.com/vsAFj904L5
— AEK Larnaca (@AEKLARNACA) October 23, 2025

Short Stint For Roberge in the Premier League

Despite being born in Montreuil in France, Roberge would assert his alliance with Cyprus three years ago, making his international debut at the age of 35. His first appearance was a 1-0 victory in the UEFA Nations League against Greece. He has since gone on to earn 5 caps for his country.

But it was more than a decade ago when the defender first came to prominence when he signed for Sunderland in a free transfer from Portuguese side Marítimo in the summer of 2013. He arrived having helped his previous club finish 5th in the Portuguese top flight, earning them UEFA Europa League qualification.

Therefore, arriving at the Stadium of Light, Roberge had a level of reputation. Sunderland fans had hoped he could bring success to the club by helping them move up the Premier League table, following a season prior where they finished 17th place, three points from relegation.

Despite much anticipation over his arrival, he would only make 13 appearances for the club and just 10 in the league, and with 2 of those coming as a substitute. His only goal came in a League Cup match against Peterborough with a header in a 2-0 home win. Roberge would go on loan to Reims for the 2014/15 season, but largely struggled in the French first division also.

He was later phased out of the Sunderland team the following campaign, as he joined in a period where five different managers would be in charge of the club. He'd move to Cyprus in 2016, where he'd spend seven years at Apollon Limassol, before moving to his parent club and league rivals AEK Larnaca in 2023.

A very underwhelming spell for the veteran defender in the Premier League, who will have be pleased to return to England and prove he has more qualities than people in the past have given him credit for.

=3258. Valentin ROBERGE

Defender - 09.06.87 - CYP (5/1)

Prem Debut:
17/08/2013 (SUNDERLAND vs. Fulham, L 1-0)

Prem Clubs:
Sunderland (13-16)

Prem Apps: 10
Prem Goals: 0 pic.twitter.com/aQrJt3MqgA
— Premier League Players (@premlgeplayers) May 4, 2025

What Next For Oliver Glasner's Men?

As for Glasner's Palace side, it was a very poor performance. The current FA Cup holders were far from their best and lacked that extra quality when chances did arise. Maxence Lacroix should've scored his header, Eddie Nketiah missed a gilt-edged opportunity from six yards out, and Marc Guehi's cross somehow averted every Palace player in the box before the final whistle was blown.

Despite beating Liverpool last month, they're winless in the last three games, and travelling to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon means it won't get any easier for the Eagles. They have, however, only lost once away from home this season, and with Richards, Wharton and Kamada returning to the starting side, they will go to Arsenal with every ounce of confidence they can get a result.

Having said that, Arsenal have the best defensive record in the English top flight this season, conceding just three goals, and are projected to beat Chelsea's all-time record of just 15 goals conceded if they continue in this vein. Palace will be hoping their forward line will be on target at the weekend.

Speaking of forwards being on target, Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat-trick and should've had four in his last league outing against Bournemouth. It appears the French striker has squashed his feud with former teammate Wilfred Zaha after Mateta claimed that the Ivorian during his time at the club, laughed along with other teammates, regarding his chances of making it into the French National Team

Jean-Philippe Mateta (2) has now scored more Premier League hat-tricks than every other Crystal Palace player combined (1) in the competition's history. 🎩

◉ 64'
◉ 69'
◉ 90+7'

Keeping Palace's unbeaten home run in the PL going with a stoppage time equaliser. 👏 pic.twitter.com/3B04oDFclD
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 18, 2025

The Frenchman told L'Equipe, "I spoke with him. Everything is good." Perhaps outside noise got to some of the Crystal Palace players, who will now refocus, ready for a challenging and busy schedule over the next weeks.