Crystal Palace will make their first appearance in the UEFA Europa League when they host Lech Poznań on Thursday, and Pierre Sage believes the occasion could mark the start of another memorable European run for the club.
Palace lifted the Conference League trophy in Leipzig in May, and Sage is now targeting further continental success. The manager has stressed that character will be essential if his side are to compete seriously in the competition, while also demanding an improvement on both their performance and result from Saturday.
Sage views the Europa League as a major test because Palace will face opponents from different countries and football cultures. He says the team must adapt to each challenge while staying true to its own approach, with every match in the opening phase expected to be difficult.
Lech Poznań provide a significant challenge. The Polish champions began their season in Champions League qualifying before progressing through the Europa League route, and Sage’s staff have reviewed seven of their matches. He expects the visitors to arrive with clear intentions, but believes Palace must first concentrate on producing their best performance.
Mikael Ishak is one of the main threats Palace will need to manage. The Sweden international scored eight times in 10 European appearances for Lech last season, finishing one goal behind Palace forward Ismaïla Sarr in the Conference League scoring standings. Sage has warned that Ishak deserves close attention, while insisting the entire Lech team must be respected.
With tickets still available, Palace’s home meeting with Lech offers the Eagles an opportunity to launch their latest European campaign strongly. Sage has made clear that ambition alone will not be enough: Palace must show the character, focus and adaptability required to compete at the highest level.
