Pierre Sage is relishing the chance to compete on multiple fronts despite his position at Crystal Palace being under pressure ahead of facing Hoffenheim in the Europa League. 

Sage watched on as his team were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham last time out, with the result leaving the Eagles down in 18th in the Premier League. 

After defeats to Brighton, Newcastle United and Spurs, Palace have lost three consecutive Premier League games without scoring for the first time since March 2023. 

Prior to their loss against Roberto De Zerbi's side, however, the Eagles reached the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup after beating London rivals Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

But their attention now turns to the Europa League, with Sage's side without a win in their last two matches in the competition after drawing 2-2 with Besiktas last time out. 

Palace and Hoffenheim will meet for the first time on Thursday, with the Eagles aiming to avoid going three games in European competition without a victory for the first time.

"First of all, it's exciting, because if we play in a European cup, it's because the team did well last year and won the Conference League," Sage said of Palace's preparations.

"We have to deal with that, but it's a good thing. To deal with three different competitions, for the process, it's always the same because we prepare in the same way.

"The difference between the three competitions is the time we have before the games to prepare. This time we have three sessions before the game, one more than the two [games] before, and that's really important because we need time to work, especially when we’re in our situation.

"What we did during these sessions was really important for the confidence of the players, for their understanding of the game plan, and for their capacity to apply it."

European football this week https://t.co/wxAeS08VaR https://t.co/8OLwZg7KrG

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) November 2, 2026

Including qualifiers, Hoffenheim have lost all five of their games against English sides in Europe, despite scoring at least once in every match (seven for, 13 against).

But the Bundesliga side did beat Lyon 3-0 in their last Europa League clash, their biggest European win since December 2020 (4-1 v Gent). 

However, Sage revealed he had been handed a timely double injury boost ahead of welcoming Hoffenheim to Selhurst Park, with Quinten Timber and Jorgen Strand Larsen both back available for selection. 

"Both [players] will be back with us," Sage said. "They were training with us last week but not ready to play, but now they are ready to play. All [others] will be okay."

Jean-Philippe Mateta will also be available for Sage despite picking up a red card during Palace's defeat to Spurs for a late challenge on Micky van de Ven. 

Palace appealed the decision, which was upheld on Wednesday, meaning Mateta will miss the Eagles' league games against Liverpool, Coventry City and Hull City.