Pierre Sage expects an emotional return when Crystal Palace face Lyon in the Europa League, with the match taking him back to the club he managed from 2023 to 2025.
Sage guided Lyon to the runners-up spot in the 2023-24 Coupe de France and remains closely connected to the city. He still owns a house there and said he continues to regard Lyon as his home, despite now working in London. His last visit was on May 17.
The Palace manager was speaking after his side’s 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest on Sunday and warned that Lyon will present a significant challenge at the Groupama Stadium. He believes their strongest level was demonstrated in a 4-0 win over Rennes, rather than in the first half of their subsequent 2-1 defeat by Lens.
Lyon sit fourth in Ligue 1 after six matches and have made several changes during the summer as they continue to shape the squad. Sage described them as an attacking and powerful team, making clear that Palace will need to be ready for a difficult contest.
The clubs have never previously met in competitive football. Lyon are still searching for a first Europa League win against English opposition after four matches, recording two draws and two defeats. Their most recent meeting with an English side was a 5-4 extra-time loss to Manchester United in April 2025.
Palace began this Europa League campaign with a 4-0 victory over Lech Poznan on matchday one, despite facing 17 shots compared with their own total of 16. It was the first four-goal win in the competition by a team that had been outshot since Molde defeated Hacken 5-1 in October 2023. Palace’s only previous European fixture against French opposition came last season, when they lost 2-1 to Strasbourg in the Conference League.
