Jean-Philippe Mateta praised the Selhurst Park atmosphere as Crystal Palace prepare for their latest big European night at Selhurst Park.
Jean-Philippe Mateta praised the atmosphere at Selhurst Park as Crystal Palace prepare for their biggest European night yet at Selhurst Park.
The Eagles welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to south London, a week on from the 3-1 win in Krakow.
That victory, coming thanks to Ismaila Sarr’s goal inside the first minute and second half strikes from Daichi Kamada and Jorgen Strand Larsen have put Palace in a new position entirely - with one foot in the final of a major European competition.
And now they are in the privileged position of having a two-goal cushion in front of their own supporters for a spot in that final.
It has been some journey for Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner, losing Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi but managing to win the FA Cup and the Community Shield.
Now, with the journey coming to an end, there is one final exciting chapter to be finished - European glory.
And another player whose journey at Palace could well come to an end with a European crown is Mateta.
The Frenchman came within a failed medical of departing Selhurst Park for the San Siro and Milan in January but has since regained the love and trust of the Palace faithful after his three goals in two games against Fiorentina and Newcastle after the international break.
And upon getting a good reception back from the fans, Mateta said: “It’s crazy,”
“Especially when you score, it’s just crazy.
“When I came back we played Fiorentina, and the atmosphere was really incredible. I hope the fans keep going.
“When I score, they’re happy and they shout ‘boom’! But when there are throw-ins during a game… or maybe there are fouls, I speak with the fans during the game. I ask them to keep shouting.
“And they do the same when we score. They return the favour. When I score, it’s just crazy!”
Mateta and Palace are understandably very pleased to have reached the Conference League semi-finals.
They are even happier to be in such a strong position with a two-goal lead after the first leg.
But the Frenchman has made it clear that they are not going to rest on their laurels and allow themselves to get complacent and that the only thing that truly matters is lifting the trophy at the end of May.
“We’re already very happy to have made it through to the semi-final. It’s an important step,” Mateta added.
“We’re taking this semi-final very seriously. It’s very significant indeed – and we will fight for the trophy.”