Crystal Palace will look to put their derby disappointment behind them when they travel to face Besiktas in the third matchday of their Europa League campaign on Thursday. Pierre Sage has called for a much-improved display after the Eagles were beaten 5-0 by Brighton on Sunday.
Palace were already three goals behind after just 10 minutes at the Amex, with Diego Gomez adding a long-range strike among Brighton's goals. The result leaves Sage's side with 17 goals conceded in their opening seven Premier League fixtures, their highest total at that stage in the top four divisions since 1980-81, when they had allowed 21.
The result has also prompted speculation over Sage's position at Selhurst Park, while the next challenge comes in a difficult atmosphere at the Tüpraş Stadium. Palace began their European campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Lyon, but Sage believes the trip to Besiktas offers his players an opportunity to show a stronger version of themselves.
Palace have never previously faced Besiktas. Their last meeting with a Turkish club came in the 1998 Intertoto Cup, when Samsunspor defeated them 2-0 in both legs. The Eagles have not suffered successive defeats in European competition, including qualifying rounds, since those matches.
Besiktas have won all four of their European home matches this season, including a 4-1 victory over Marseille on the second matchday and three wins in qualifying. A fifth consecutive home European victory would be a club first for the Turkish side. They last faced English opposition in the 2019-20 Europa League, losing home and away to Wolves.
Sage confirmed that Palace will be without Takehiro Tomiyasu, Quinten Timber and Dean Henderson for Thursday's fixture. Tomiyasu is expected to remain out until after the next international break, while Henderson only began team training on Monday. Ben Chilwell, who has missed the last three matches, is available again for the trip.
