The shadow of Oliver Glasner’s departure hung large over Selhurst Park this summer, but Pierre Sage is wastefully squandering no time making his presence felt.
In his first extensive interview since stepping into the hot seat, the 47-year-old Frenchman offered a cool, calculated assessment of life in London, his expectations for the 2026/27 campaign, and crucially, how quickly his new squad is adapting to his tactical blueprint.
And for those who wondered whether a seamless transition was possible, Sage offered a resoundingly positive update. Pierre Sage says Crystal Palace players are “in line” with his “objectives.”
Familiar foundations, fresh philosophy
The tactical framework under Sage won’t be alien to the Palace faithful. Like Glasner before him, Sage relies heavily on a flexible three-at-the-back system anchored by wide wing-backs. But do not mistake continuity for carbon-copying.
There remains a steep learning curve for the squad, yet the manager insists the groundwork is clicking into place right on schedule.
Speaking to Palace TV, Sage outlined the meticulous process required to reshape the team’s identity:
“We have to take control of what’s happening on the pitch for the players, for the rotations, all these kinds of things. It’s not only about the process too, because players have to understand the process, to embody our way of playing, and that’s a big challenge of pre-season. But I think we are in line with our objectives in these subjects.”
That philosophy was laid bare in their summer outings, most notably in an eye-catching 3-1 victory over Al Ula. Brave, line-breaking passes out of the backline, aggressive width from the wing-backs, and a relentless high press were all on display. Matheus Franca embodied that intent, pickpocketing a hesitation-prone defender before setting up Eddie Nketiah for a clinical finish.
Pre-season is rarely about pure scorelines, but Sage’s warm-up schedule offered plenty of talking points:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Venue | Key Takeaway |
| Jul 18, 2026 | Swindon Town | W 5-1 | Home | Attacking fluency early on |
| Jul 25, 2026 | Bromley | L 0-3 | Away | Fitness rotated; rusty display |
| Jul 28, 2026 | RC Lens | L 0-3 | Home | Tough reality check against French opposition |
| Jul 31, 2026 | Al Ula | W 3-1 | Neutral | Sage tactics fully on display |
| Aug 7, 2026 | Fulham | W 2-1 | Away | Impressive Premier League comeback victory |
| Aug 15, 2026 | SC Freiburg | L 0-2 | Away | Final test in South-West Germany |
As Palace prepare to travel north for their opening Premier League clash, history suggests a tight battle. Last season saw two tightly contested encounters between the Eagles and the Toffees:
| Matchup | Venue | Score | Key Scorers |
| Oct 5, 2025 | Hill Dickinson Stadium | Everton 2 – 1 Crystal Palace | Beto, Tarkowski / Eze |
| May 10, 2026 | Selhurst Park | Crystal Palace 2 – 2 Everton | Sarr (34′), Mateta (77′) / Tarkowski (6′), Beto (47′) |
What Palace fans can expect away at Hill Dickinson stadium
The real test comes this weekend as Crystal Palace kick off the Premier League season away against Everton at their new home, Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Travelling support can expect a front-foot, aggressive approach from Sage’s side. While tactical progress is evident, squad depth remains a looming question mark. As a side preparing for UEFA Europa League football, recruitment needs to match the club’s growing status.
Nevertheless, as long as the board can secure two or three quality additions in other areas, the foundation is laid for a big year.
Pierre Sage enters the opening weekend with a squad clearly aligned with his tactical vision. The 2026/27 campaign presents a demanding dual challenge across domestic and European fronts, but if the club delivers two or three late additions in the market, Palace fans have every reason to expect another exciting season.
