Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to return to the squad for the Europa Conference League clash with AEK Larnaca after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him for six weeks. This marks a significant development for Crystal Palace, as Mateta has not featured for the team since January 25.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Mateta’s progress, stating, “JP is back.” However, he also noted that Mateta is not expected to start the match due to a lack of match fitness, having missed extensive training. Glasner remarked, “He didn’t train for five or six weeks on the pitch,” but acknowledged Mateta’s ability to create scoring opportunities in training.
Mateta has scored eight league goals for Palace this season, making him the club’s second-highest scorer in European competitions. Despite this, he has struggled recently, managing only one goal in his last 12 matches across all competitions.
In their previous encounter, Crystal Palace faced AEK Larnaca at Selhurst Park, where they settled for a goalless draw despite an expected goals (xG) tally of 2.23. The match highlighted the team’s ongoing challenges in converting chances into goals.
Additionally, Daniel Munoz remains unavailable for the match due to a shoulder injury. The team will look to improve their performance against AEK Larnaca, as they aim to secure a win in the Europa Conference League.
As Mateta makes his return, the impact of his presence on the pitch remains to be seen. The upcoming match will be crucial for both teams as they seek to advance in the tournament.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full squad for the match, but the return of Mateta is a positive sign for Crystal Palace fans.
