Crystal Palace launched their 2026 Como Cup campaign with a 45-minute pre-season test against French side RC Lens on Tuesday. The Eagles faced a familiar foe as manager Pierre Sage returned to the touchline against his former club, while former Palace striker Odsonne Édouard lined up for Lens in his first meeting with the Eagles since his summer transfer. League standing (final 2025 table -- new season not yet under way): 15th in Premier League, 45 pts, 11W-12D-15L from 38 games, recent form LDLDL.
What happened in the Como Cup opener?
The match at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in Como, Italy, marked Crystal Palace’s first Group A fixture in the unique tournament. Both teams competed in a condensed format designed to maximize playing time while managing workloads. Palace carefully rotated their squad, giving recovering players like Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucouré controlled minutes alongside young prospects Matheus França and David Ozoh.
Why this match matters for Crystal Palace
This encounter served as an early test for Pierre Sage’s side as they build fitness and adapt to his tactical ideas ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The match also carried extra significance as Sage faced the club he guided to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season. Meanwhile, Édouard’s return to face his former club added an emotional subplot.
What comes next for Crystal Palace?
After the Lens clash, Palace immediately prepared for a second 45-minute match against Portuguese side Famalicão later in the evening. Fans could watch the action live on Palace TV+ as the Eagles continued their pre-season preparations. Next fixture: vs Bournemouth (away, 2027-02-20) (6th in the table).
