Crystal Palace Beat Middlesbrough 3-0, but New Squad Depth Must Still Prove It Can Offset Key Departures

Crystal Palace defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 in the English League Cup on Tuesday night, with Jorgen Strand Larsen opening the scoring with a headed goal. Head coach Pierre Sage made major changes to the starting lineup, with only Jeremy Pino among the starters being a regular first-team player last season, while the other seven were all new signings.

The unfamiliarity caused by rotation in the first half

The team clearly lacked understanding in the first half, similar to their situation in the 3-2 win over Fulham last Saturday, although the greater level of rotation this time provided more explanation. Middlesbrough failed to take advantage of Palace's period of unfamiliarity and instead saw the game opened up in the second half.

High touches allowed in the box reveal defensive openness

Despite the victory, Crystal Palace once again allowed their opponents to register a high number of touches inside their penalty area. Sage said after the match that he preferred to maintain a stable lineup, and as players gradually become more familiar with each other and his tactical demands, this openness should improve over time. He also suggested that if there is no improvement in the future, it could cost him his job.

New signing depth and key departures exist at the same time

Crystal Palace signed 11 new players during the summer window with the aim of avoiding a repeat of last season, when injuries and Africa Cup of Nations call-ups caused the squad to collapse. Last season, Daniel Munoz, Daichi Kamada and Mateta suffered injuries one after another, while Ismaila Sarr left for the Africa Cup of Nations, and the team gradually lost competitiveness during a congested schedule. Now Sage appears to have a second option in every position, with significantly greater rotation options.

However, important players also left during the recruitment process. Maxence Lacroix joined Chelsea, and Crystal Palace did not directly bring in a centre-back of the same profile as a replacement. Right-back Munoz also departed, and although the club signed young winger Anan Khalaili from Union Saint-Gilloise, he will be difficult to fully replace in the short term. Lacroix and Munoz were both key figures under former head coach Oliver Glasner, with Lacroix building strong leadership and recognition among the dressing room and supporters.

Squad decisions under European pressure

Sage must deal with a guaranteed schedule of at least eight Europa League matches, meaning rotation is not optional but necessary. Glasner had not previously carried such a European workload, regardless of the reason. Although Sage prefers a settled starting lineup, he now has more adjustment options and must learn how to manage fitness between domestic league matches and European competition.

From a financial perspective, selling Lacroix was a good deal, but the team lost an experienced player familiar with the club's culture. Whether the depth provided by new signings can make up for the lack of experience in key positions still needs to be tested by stronger opponents. Middlesbrough failed to punish Palace's open defending, but upcoming Europa League and Premier League opponents will not all be so forgiving.