Palace boss Sage ready for 'special moment' against former side Lyon

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage called their upcoming Europa League clash with Lyon a “special moment” as he prepares to face his former club at Groupama Stadium.

Sage managed Lyon between 2023 and 2025, guiding them to a runners-up finish in the 2023–24 Coupe de France. His connection to the city remains strong.

“I must say I feel a little bit that part of me is still in Lyon,” he said at the pre-match press conference. “I still have a house here.

“Even though I'm in London at the moment, I still say I live in Lyon. I think the last time I was here was May 17. So for me, it's a special moment.”

Palace arrive following a 3–1 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, but Sage is wary of the threat his former side will pose. Lyon are fourth in Ligue 1 after six games, having followed a 4–0 victory over Rennes with a 2–1 defeat against Lens.

“Lyon have made a few changes from last season. I think that the first half they played against Lens is not up to par with what they've done this season,” Sage said.

“There were a few changes in the summer that were logical in terms of how they want to build this team.

“Their real game is what they showed against Rennes, for example. It's a team that loves to attack, they're a really strong side.”

A first meeting with Lyon

Lyon and Palace have never faced each other in any competition. The French side are winless in four Europa League games against English opposition, with two draws and two defeats. Their most recent such encounter was a 5–4 extra-time loss to Manchester United in April 2025.

Palace opened their Europa League campaign with a 4–0 win over Lech Poznan, despite facing 17 shots and attempting 16 themselves.

They were the first side to win by a four-goal margin despite a negative shot differential since Molde beat Hacken 5–1 in October 2023, when the Norwegian side attempted 17 shots and faced 21.

Palace’s only previous European meeting with a French team came in the Conference League last season, when they lost 2–1 to Strasbourg.