Jean-Philippe Mateta made a triumphant return to Crystal Palace's starting lineup, scoring his first goal since January as the Eagles dominated Fiorentina 3-0 in the Conference League quarterfinals. Mateta converted a penalty kick before Tyrick Mitchell doubled the lead, capitalizing on a defensive mishap by Fiorentina. Ismaila Sarr sealed the victory with a late goal, putting Palace in a commanding position ahead of the second leg in Florence.
The win marked Palace's fifth consecutive match without a defeat and extended their unbeaten run in the Conference League to seven games. Crystal Palace's lineup showed renewed energy following a three-week break, with Oliver Glasner's side displaying a different level of intensity from the start.
Fiorentina, who are struggling to avoid relegation in Serie A, found it challenging to cope with Palace's relentless pressure. The hosts' dominant performance was capped off by Sarr's goal, which ensured a comfortable advantage for the second leg. In a post-match interview, Mateta expressed his delight at scoring and praised his teammate Mitchell.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner also commended Mateta's work ethic and dedication, highlighting the striker's importance to the team. Glasner praised the overall performance of his team, acknowledging a brief period of struggle in the second half but ultimately expressing satisfaction with the result and the energy displayed by the team and the fans.