Sage on first win of pre-season and why there's more to come

First-team

18 Jul 2026

Palace Manager Pierre Sage said he wants his team to move to “another level" this week after starting pre-season with a 5-1 win over Swindon.

Pierre Sage Post-Match Interview Swindon Pre-Season (H)

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The Frenchman saw his team run out comfortable winners over their League Two opponents, with the returning Eddie Nketiah on the scoresheet, while Matheus França got a second-half hat-trick.

Giving his verdict to Palace TV after the win, Sage said: "I'm ok with the second-half, we did what we decided to do.

"We had problems with the ball and I think we have to work on this to be better.

"But at the moment the players are only able to play 15-20 minutes at the top level. It's only the first week, so we need more sessions.

"We've only had five sessions together. And we won't have just five anymore, so I think the next game will be better.

"We have possibilities to play together over the coming weeks. That's a good thing for the team.

"During Como [later this month] we will play two games there with less sessions. That game will replace the training for this kind of competition.

"But we have a good condition. We have a group who want to work with us, I think they give their best every day.

"I think this a good way to improve, both as players and as the team. I think we will continue like this."

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