- Mateta set to start for Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina
- A chance for France striker to regain supporters’ love
- Pressure on to earn a summer move
Crystal Palace’s French striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta scored a hat-trick in a behind-closed-doors friendly against the Under-21 side, as revealed by Bobby Manzi.
Mateta has been absent from the side since his failed January move to AC Milan, which fell through at the last minute when an issue with his knee was discovered during his medical.
After taking time to recover, he slowly rejoined the squad over the last couple of games before the international break, and will likely start in tomorrow’s European Conference League quarter-final clash against Fiorentina.
Mateta set to start
In Palace’s second-leg victory over AEK Larnaca, club-record signing Jørgen Strand Larsen was shown a yellow card, his second of the campaign, and will therefore miss the first leg through suspension.
The booking, which triggered the suspension, was particularly soft, but Palace fans will be hoping that Mateta is able to step back in and find his form again.
Mateta’s last start for the club was back in January, as Glasner’s side lost 3-1 to Chelsea. In that time, he has certainly tarnished his reputation amongst a fanbase that once idolised him.
Pushing so firmly and publicly for a January departure was a bold move, especially considering the underlying injury issues Mateta had been facing, as well as his poor form this season.
Booed on his return to action against Leeds United, the message has certainly been made clear to the player, and perhaps it is now time to move on.
This is the single biggest game in the club’s history, second only to the FA Cup final almost a year ago.
The fans, players and coaching staff need to be on the same side if Palace are to make further history later this season.
Pressure is on
For Mateta, it would certainly be in his best interests to return to the form that created the whisperings from some of Europe’s elite clubs.
With the Italian league a likely destination should he depart in the summer, an opportunity to impress against Fiorentina, and demonstrate how his abilities could translate to that league is one Mateta should be keen to capitalise on.
It goes without saying that it would also be in Palace’s best interests, too. A return to form will allow Palace to demand a fee similar to that agreed with AC Milan in January and, of course, benefit the club on the pitch.
Mateta is still a top striker, and his physicality, paired with his ability to bring teammates into play and serve as a springboard for counterattacks, could play a key role in improving Palace’s chances of winning.
His first big chance will potentially be decisive. Score, and the fans will be well behind him. Skewer another big opportunity, as he has done many times this campaign, and the tension around the ground may begin to build.
Either way, tomorrow night feels overwhelmingly important for Mateta and his legacy at Crystal Palace.
