Crystal Palace continued their scouting work in Portugal on Wednesday night, with club representatives watching Benfica v Sporting Braga in Leiria, a Taça da Liga semi-final decided by a 3-1 Braga win.
Portuguese outlet Record reported Crystal Palace’s presence at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa. It was part of a sustained monitoring effort from the Eagles in Portugal.
Benfica: flashes in a difficult night
Despite the result, Benfica still offered points of interest. Argentine wonderkid Gianluca Prestianni made a strong impact from the bench. His direct running and sharper tempo helped Benfica improve after the break, and he was central to the move that resulted in a penalty.
That chance was converted by Vangelis Pavlidis, who once again showed composure from the spot. Even while well marked and often forced away from goal, he remained decisive when the opportunity arrived.
The rest of the night proved more challenging. Popular names such as Tomás Araújo (23), Georgiy Sudakov (23) and Samuel Dahl (22) all struggled to impose themselves.
Braga: control, balance and standout quality
From Crystal Palace’s perspective, Braga’s collective display provided several clear reference points. In goal, 23-year-old Lukáš Horníček delivered an assured performance, stepping in confidently during Benfica’s best moments and helping his side keep control.
Ahead of him, 22-year-old Bright Arrey-Mbi produced a disciplined first half. The centre-back read the game well, dealt with deliveries into the box and limited space for Benfica’s forwards.
Further forward, striker Pau Victor combined efficiency with calm decision-making. He took his goal well and later came close to adding another, underlining his growing maturity.
The defining figure, however, was midfielder Rodrigo Zalazar. His solo goal, driven from deep into Benfica territory, shifted the tone of the match early. An assist followed, reinforcing the widespread view in Portugal that the 26-year-old “magician” continues to operate at a level above his surroundings.
Crystal Palace continue their transfer groundwork in Portugal. Whether that will see action now or in the summer remains to be seen.