Pierre Sage is preparing for a significant and emotional return to Lyon as he leads Crystal Palace in their Europa League clash against his former club. Sage, 47, managed Lyon from 2023 to 2025, guiding the French side to qualification for the Europa League during his tenure. His connection to the city remains strong, as he still owns a home there, underscoring the personal significance of the upcoming match.

Speaking ahead of the game, Sage acknowledged the emotional weight of facing his former team. He noted that while Palace players may lack familiarity with Lyon’s style and tactics, part of his role is to educate them on how to approach the match strategically. “There will be emotion in the air — but the important thing is it’s a football game and we need a good performance,” he said, emphasizing the competitive nature of the fixture despite the personal ties.

Since taking charge at Crystal Palace, Sage has experienced mixed results but recently achieved a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. This positive momentum follows a strong start to the Europa League campaign, highlighted by a commanding 4-0 win over Lech Poznan last month. Palace aim to build on these performances as they face a Lyon side that currently sits fourth in Ligue 1.

Lyon began their European campaign with a 2-1 win over Anderlecht, signaling their intent to progress in the competition. The French club is now under the leadership of Paulo Fonseca, who expressed admiration for Sage’s managerial approach. Fonseca commented, “I really enjoy watching Pierre’s teams,” reflecting a mutual respect between the two coaches.

The match is set to be a test both tactically and emotionally for Sage, who will navigate the dual challenge of facing a former club while pursuing European success with Crystal Palace.