Jean-Philippe Mateta marked his return with a goal, but he won’t be leading the line when Crystal Palace face Newcastle this weekend.
Oliver Glasner has confirmed the striker will be rested, despite impressing in Thursday night’s 3-0 win over Fiorentina.
Mateta to be rested after injury return
Mateta made his first start since January after recovering from a knee injury and didn’t waste time making an impact, opening the scoring at Selhurst Park.
It was a timely reminder of what he offers, especially after a difficult spell on the sidelines. However, Palace aren’t taking any risks just yet.
“He had a tough period… six weeks without being able to train properly. He worked hard to come back.” — Oliver Glasner
Glasner made it clear the plan is to manage his minutes carefully, with a quick turnaround between fixtures.
Strand Larsen set to return vs Newcastle
With Mateta stepping out of the starting XI, Jørgen Strand Larsen is expected to come straight back in.
The forward missed the Fiorentina clash through suspension but is now available again, giving Palace a natural replacement without forcing Mateta too soon.
“I think he will need to rest against Newcastle. But it’s great to have Jørgen back.” — Oliver Glasner
From what we’ve seen in recent weeks, Palace have been careful with returning players, and this looks like another example of that approach. However, much will depend on how Mateta responds in training over the next few days.
Palace building momentum in Europe
The win over Fiorentina wasn’t just comfortable — it felt significant.
Palace controlled the game and created chances with confidence, something that has become more consistent during this European run.
“It was a special atmosphere and a special performance.” — Oliver Glasner
Having followed Palace’s recent matches, there’s been a noticeable shift in belief when they play in Europe, with Selhurst Park turning into a real advantage.
Key Insights
- Jean-Philippe Mateta scored on his first start since January
- The striker will be rested against Newcastle
- Jørgen Strand Larsen is set to return to the lineup
- Palace beat Fiorentina 3-0 in the Conference League
- Glasner is managing player fitness carefully
What’s next for Crystal Palace?
Palace now turn their attention back to the Premier League, hosting Newcastle before preparing for the second leg against Fiorentina.
Managing the squad will be key, especially with European progression within reach. Glasner is likely to continue rotating where possible to keep players fresh for both competitions.
Do you agree with resting Mateta, or should Palace stick with him while he’s finding form?
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