Mateta set to start for Crystal Palace against Fiorentina after failed Milan move
Quick summary
Jean-Philippe Mateta is expected to start for Crystal Palace against Fiorentina in the Conference League quarter-final first leg. It would be his first start since January, after his proposed transfer to AC Milan collapsed because of knee concerns.
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Attributed to Football ItaliaThursday’s reports suggest that Crystal Palace will hand a starting opportunity to striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta in this evening’s Conference League quarter-final first leg against Fiorentina, just over three months after the Frenchman’s January transfer to Milan fell through.
Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here What happened with Milan and Mateta?
Multiple outlets, including Sky Sport Italia and La Gazzetta dello Sport , claim that Mateta will lead the line for Palace when they host Fiorentina in the Conference League quarter-final first leg at Selhurst Park on Thursday night.
Mateta has not started for Palace in any competition since their 3-1 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League on January 25.
Mateta had been on the verge of joining Milan in the final days of the January transfer window. The clubs had shaken hands over a transfer fee in excess of €30m and Palace decided to bring in a replacement in the form of Jorgen Strand Larsen.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace runs for the ball during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Crystal Palace FC and AZ Alkmaar at Selhurst Park on November 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) The Mateta transfer stalled, however, over concerns surrounding an underlying knee issue. Reports in Italy claimed that three different experts warned Milan against the signing due to the knee issue, and Palace head coach Oliver Glasner later admitted that it ‘wasn’t a big surprise’ to see the transfer fall through.
There had been concerns in the UK that Mateta would need surgery to fix the damage in his knee. Glasner later revealed that there was an option for Mateta to go through a rehabilitation process, which might be better for his chances of featuring for France at the 2026 World Cup.
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – NOVEMBER 16: 19 Jean-Philippe Mateta of France during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Azerbaijan and France at Tofig Bahramov Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Aziz Karimov/Getty Images) “There are two ways we can do it: Either manage it, like we did. We can manage the knee until after the World Cup, because this is especially what JP is considering, his dream, playing for France at the World Cup. Or, the other one is that he undergoes the surgery,” Glasner explained in February.
In the end, Mateta decided against having surgery, which has facilitated a return to action three months on from his failed Milan transfer. Tonight’s Conference League clash against Fiorentina is expected to be his first start since then.
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What happened
Reports from Italy say Mateta will lead the line for Crystal Palace against Fiorentina on Thursday night. The striker has not started since January 25 and had been close to joining AC Milan for more than €30m before medical concerns over an underlying knee issue stopped the deal. Palace manager Oliver Glasner previously said Mateta could either manage the injury through rehabilitation or undergo surgery. Mateta chose rehab over surgery, allowing him to return to the starting picture ahead of an important European tie.
Chance analysis
This matters because Palace may regain a more proven central striker for a high-level knockout match, which can improve their attacking focal point and finishing threat. However, the background knee issue adds uncertainty over durability and physical sharpness, so the news is positive for availability but not fully clean from a performance-risk perspective.
Mateta's expected return as a starter should modestly improve Crystal Palace's attacking outlook against Fiorentina.
Treat this as a likely lineup boost for Crystal Palace's attack, but discount slightly for fitness and minutes risk due to the managed knee issue.