Sage reveals expectations & focus for Palace v Brighton rivalry

First-team

3 hours ago

Pierre Sage has done his research on Crystal Palace’s rivalry with Brighton & Hove Albion, ahead of Sunday’s trip to the Amex Stadium.

The Eagles’ second away game of the week sees them head to the home of their traditional rivals, having beaten Nottingham Forest last time out in the Premier League, but fallen to a midweek defeat at Olympique Lyonnais in Europe.

With Palace unbeaten in their last four meetings with Brighton – indeed, having won on both of their last two trips to the Amex – recent memories have been positive for Eagles supporters.

And Sage – a Premier League newcomer this season – says he hopes to write more positive history for Palace supporters come Sunday.

“First of all, the first day I came here, the first thing they told me is that [Palace and Brighton are rivals],” the Manager told his pre-match press conference. “And in the last days, I read a lot of articles about the rivalry. I understand why [it is].

“And you know, it's something special. And when it's something special, you have to do a special game, as I said before.

“But you have to keep in mind that this team has strengths. This team has weaknesses too. We have to be really smart in how we will build our way of playing and our game plan for this game, because we have to be not only in a rivalry game, but in a smart game.

“The most important thing is to understand the history, the context, why it's like this and how important it is for the club and the fans. And when you play for all these things, I think you can win 10%, 20% necessarily of these kind of games.

“But you have to be careful because when you are too much active, especially in your head, sometimes you will do badly.

Quote Icons

You have to keep in mind that it's a clever game
—Pierre Sage

“You have to keep in mind that it's football. You need energy. You need a fighting spirit. But you have to keep in mind that it's a clever game. And the tactical side of the play is very important too.

“We know it's a big game, it's a big game for the club, a big game for our fans and we have to show our better face – and I think our better face is one of the second-half of our two previous games.”

On Palace’s recent strong record against their rivals, Sage added: “It’s a good point but as I said last time, there's no memory in football.

“You can play one game 10 times against the same team and the 11th game is completely different, especially when you change the years, the players, the staff. That is really important.

“I just saw the starting 11 of this game and some of our players in the starting 11 this year were substitutes last year – and I think they have to take a personal revenge for that.”

Brighton have admittedly started this season strongly, sitting third in the Premier League table so far this season and leading the scoring charts with 18 goals – top scorers.

But Sage noted: “It’s only six games. It’s difficult to analyse that and to say it'll be true forever.

“But we just have to be aware that they are in good shape and we have to be in a better shape to realise in this game.

“I know that our team is able to do things in a positive way to say, and we just have to be aware that this game is special – and when the game is special, you have to be special too.

“They are really good in this first part of the beginning of the season. But every game is a new history – and we have to write a good history on Sunday.”

Sage was also asked whether he expected any players to return for Sunday’s game, such as Dean Henderson – but cited the quick turnaround from Thursday night’s game at Olympique Lyonnais ahead of the press conference: “I don't know because we will train after the press conference.

“That’s why we have to evaluate his [Henderson’s] chance to come back in the team, and it's the same for the other players. It’s not a way to not say it, but for the moment I don't really know.

“I prefer to wait for the session of today [to know if any players will come back] – maybe the one tomorrow too – but for the moment we hope, we expect it, but we don't know.”

Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace

Sunday, 18th October
14:00 BST
Premier League
Amex Stadium
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.

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