The former Mainz Jean-Philippe Mateta in the service of Crystal Palace is certain that the Millwall goalkeeper only wanted to “do his best”.
Difficult, but not resentful: The former Bundesliga professional Jean-Philippe Mateta has protected goalkeeper Liam Roberts from the English second division club FC Millwall after the horror step in the FA Cup.
“I do not think that Liam has woken up in the morning and has planned to give me such a wound,” said the former Mainz in the service of the Premier League club Crystal Palace to the English broadcaster Sky Sports : “We are all under pressure and he just wanted to give his best, but too many emotions let you do crazy things. It was just a mistake, you learn from it.” Roberts had already “contacted the hospital and apologized”.
25 stitches to horror foul
The 30-year-old goalkeeper had brutally met Mateta in the FA Cup round of 16 against the first division club (3-1 for Palace) after an unsuccessful rescue operation, whereupon the striker had to be sewn with 25 stitches on the left. Mateta was not even aware of how violent he had been caught.
“After I was hit, I was lying on the floor and waiting for the red card,” he said: “After that I wanted to continue. The team doctor saw the wound, I didn’t. I thought it was just a little cut, my ear dangled.” Roberts was closed to the English Football Association for six games for the foul and had to deal with violent social media attacks.
For Matetas Palace on March 29, the FA Cup against FC Fulham will continue in the next London duel. There is hope for an assignment for the striker who has started the individual training again. “Hopefully I’ll be there again, but I will have to wear a mask,” said Mateta.