Pierre Sage was proud of Crystal Palace’s performance in Istanbul but frustrated that it did not produce three points, as the Eagles drew 2-2 with Besiktas on Thursday evening.
Palace twice took the lead during a spirited contest. Yéremy Pino produced a clever finish before Jean-Philippe Mateta marked his return to the team with a stunning strike, putting Sage’s side 2-1 ahead.
However, Besiktas responded in the 73rd minute when Junior Olaitan scored from outside the area. Sage felt Palace paid for lapses in concentration, including at the end of the first half and again after moving in front.
The Palace head coach said the players had given a great deal and deserved more from the match. Despite the disappointment, he viewed the result as a positive step forward and highlighted the importance of securing a win against Newcastle on Sunday.
Sage was also pleased with Mateta’s contribution on his return. The forward was not ready to play the full match and was withdrawn after appearing tired, but his determination to compete for every ball was rewarded with a memorable goal.
Alongside the individual displays, Sage emphasised Palace’s collective effort, pointing to the team’s willingness to attack and press. He felt the Eagles had played well overall, even though the final score did not reflect the performance he believed they delivered.
