Mateta scores on first start in months as Crystal Palace take control against Fiorentina

Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrated his return to Crystal Palace's starting lineup with a goal, his first since the beginning of the year, as the team dominated Fiorentina 3-0 in the first leg of the Conference League quarterfinals. The victory puts Palace in a strong position heading into the second leg in Florence. Mateta, who hadn't started a game since January, converted a penalty kick before Tyrick Mitchell took advantage of a defensive mistake by Fiorentina to score the second goal. Ismaila Sarr sealed the win with a late goal, putting Palace on a five-game unbeaten streak and extending their Conference League unbeaten run to seven games. The team's performance was a significant improvement from their recent matches, with a renewed energy evident from the start. Fiorentina struggled to cope with Palace's intense pressure, and despite a brief spell of threat in the second half, they were unable to overcome the deficit. The win was a testament to the team's hard work during their three-week break, and manager Oliver Glasner praised Mateta's dedication and perseverance after the game. Mateta expressed his happiness with the win and acknowledged the support of his teammates, while also recognizing that the job is not yet done with the second leg still to come.