While Strasbourg failed to beat Brondby (0-0) despite numerous opportunities, Thursday evening at the Meinau, Crystal Palace won his first leg of the league conference league at the same time, against the Norwegians of Fredrikstad. A goal by Jean-Philippe Mateta made the Eagles happy, who will have to validate their qualification next week south of Oslo.
On a corner pushed by the opposing team, Mateta diverted a hit of Will Hughes with the head to explode the Selhurst Park before the time of play (54th). The striker of the French Olympic team of Thierry Henry last year, silver medalist of the Paris Olympics, continues to enter the hearts of London supporters. After scoring 17 goals last season, the native of Sevran (Seine-Saint-Denis) becomes the very first scorer in the history of the club in the European Cup!
Palace is playing for the first time a European competition after winning the FA Cup against Manchester City last May in Wembley (1-0). The Eagles had to compete in the Europa League but were relegated to the league conference due to the presence of OL in the Europa League (the sale of 40% of John Textor of Crystal Palace was validated too late and UEFA did not want to know).
Mateta scorer, Eze absent
The men of Oliver Glasner did not know how to make the break against Fredrikstad despite a total of 25 attempts. Eberechi Eze was absent while waiting for the finalization of his departure for Arsenal (for 78 million euros!), Ismaïla Sarr did not have the opportunity to shake the nets and Odsonne Édouard (who is on the start for Nice) was launched in game without being dangerous.
After the coronation of Chelsea against Real Betis (1-4), Crystal Palace will be among the conference favorites in the event of qualification. We will probably find Fiorentina, which has imposed itself 3-0 in Ukraine against Polissya. Rayo Vallecano, representative of La Liga, beat 1-0 in Grodno in Bélarus. On the other hand, in addition to Strasbourg, Mainz is in unfavorable bload after losing 2-1 in Rosenborg.
