Crystal Palace defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 in the sixth round of the Premier League. After the match, Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage discussed the game in an interview. Details below:

Reporter: It must feel great to secure your first home Premier League win, especially against a team managed by the club's former manager?

Sage: I'm very pleased with our first home Premier League win, but it's not about who manages the opposition. As I've said, I have great respect for him and everything he achieved here. I thought today they showed the quality of a good team and perhaps deserved a better result.

Reporter: Your team made a slow start, but some fantastic saves from your goalkeeper changed the course of the match. Can you comment on Benitez's performance?

Sage: Apart from that early mistake, we started reasonably well. But for the next 20 minutes we played poorly, and Benitez made some crucial, confident saves. I think he kept us in the game, which was vital at that moment. As you saw, we went in 2-1 at half-time. If we'd been 0-2 down by then, the team's mentality and the situation would have been very difficult. His performance today was incredible, and I have to congratulate him. It's never easy playing as a backup goalkeeper. At the moment we're very happy with all our goalkeepers; they give the team reliable assurance in matches.

Reporter: You just mentioned that Nottingham Forest perhaps deserved a better result. Do you think your team played well today, or well in patches?

Sage: I think shortly after we conceded, we had an excellent chance to make it 1-1, but our shot went wide. During certain periods, after we scored the first goal, we controlled the game. We changed our initial shape and played more direct, fighting harder for second balls. The players dealt well with set pieces in tight spaces. The first goal was very nice, and I think the third goal was scored in a similar fashion. That's the fighting spirit of this team, and we need to maintain that control when we're ahead. Although our play after going ahead today wasn't as good as before, we won, so we have to accept that and work on those details.

Reporter: Nottingham Forest created plenty of good chances and, as you said, the goalkeeper played brilliantly, but they also missed some opportunities. Are you concerned that the team is missing so many chances?

Sage: Yes, missing that many chances today is unusual. We had problems in the first half, particularly in the area where they pulled Lerma into a deep position and then competed for second balls. In the second half we still struggled with that. They stretched the game down the flanks, creating one-on-one situations through dribbling. Today we found it very difficult to defend against that player. His strengths are pace and technique, but we need to be more effective in one-on-one defending.

Reporter: Most importantly, you got the win. Do you feel relief after this home victory? And has this win boosted the players' confidence?

Sage: As I said, a win always helps us work and improve tactically, but we have to be honest about what happened on the pitch. I think everyone recognizes that, and each player understands it. But I want to emphasize that they fought hard on the pitch, and sometimes that's also a good way to win. We need to do that and be more clinical in our play. With more games we'll achieve that, because sometimes you can't display all your quality, but you must never lose it entirely. We need to maintain consistency, and I think such a good result after the international break will help us perform better in future matches.

Reporter: Before the match you mentioned that the team could build confidence and team spirit, which would help over the next three games. Do you think the team showed good team spirit today? How much do you think that will help in future matches?

Sage: It's difficult to quantify that benefit, but you know, after a win you always want to keep playing. We have an important match in Lyon on Thursday, and we need to be ready. I think when your mindset is calmer and you don't have doubts, you can progress quickly. But we know today's performance wasn't perfect, and we have to accept that, but also understand that sometimes you have to win like this. If you had to choose between "playing perfectly today but losing before the Lyon match" and "winning today," I think our current situation is more favorable for preparing for that match and beyond. I don't like saying it that way because I want to see better football and results, but the team's form is currently inconsistent, and we need to keep working hard.

Reporter: You mentioned this match has nothing to do with the former manager, but media attention before the game was largely focused on Glasner's return. How did you keep the players calm and focused and shield them from this media distraction before the match?

Sage: I didn't discuss that topic. During our preparation I never mentioned the former manager to the players. They knew because, as you said, there was a lot of noise from outside, but this match was against Nottingham Forest, not against Glasner, and that's what matters. For any player it's not about revenge or trying to prove something; it's just one game in a long season. We have a packed October schedule, and we need to win many games because we have ambitions across all competitions. The former manager wasn't the key to this match. I think we simply need to respect him and everything he did for this club. He helped me greatly, and this team understands his abilities, and I must thank him for that.

Reporter: You mentioned the team has ambitions across all competitions. Obviously you've been in charge only a short time. How far do you think the team is from playing the style of football you want?

Sage: We're capable of doing it, but now we need to do it in every game, every minute of the game, and that's the most difficult part when you're starting a project like this. But as I just said, although today wasn't perfect, you saw something of what we want to show, and most importantly, you saw our style of play. When we can do that, I think that's a good sign. The same goes for set pieces; our second goal was carefully worked on in exactly that way. That's why I must mention our set-piece coach; he does excellent work in our set-piece training and provides tremendous help to the players.

Переведено ИИ.

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