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Crystal Palace played out a unique pre-season situation at the Como Cup, as Pierre Sage named two different teams for two 45-minute friendlies against different sides.
The Eagles started with half a game against Sage’s former side RC Lens, which went badly as a double from former Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Edouard and a wonderful strike by Andrija Bulatovic saw the Coupe de France winners record a 3-0 victory.
It was not a great response from the UEFA Conference League winners, who named former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu on the bench as a trialist, after a 3-0 loss to Bromley last time out.
The versatile defender missed 113 games for club and country during his time at Arsenal… 🇯🇵
Would you offer Tomiyasu a contract? 🤔
However, there were still a couple of respectful performances against RC Lens, namely from Brennan Johnson.
Crystal Palace then put in a much stronger performance against Famalicao, which ended with the Eagles winning 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw, although it must be said that the Portuguese side are not at the same level as RC Lens.
Walter Benitez (4/10)
Made some good stops. Not at fault for any of the three goals. The Argentina international was left exposed by some poor defending.
Tyrick Mitchell (3/10)
Was caught out as Edouard made it 2-0 after a cross from Mitchell’s side. Still adapting to Sage’s apparent desire for his wing-backs to push incredibly high.
Borna Sosa (2/10)
Also nowhere to be seen for Edouard’s second goal.
Still playing in an unfamiliar role on the left of a back three, the Croatian hasn’t done much to impress Sage so far this summer.
Charlie Walker-Smith (3/10)
A tough 45 minutes for the 18-year-old.
Walker-Smith struggled to keep Edouard under wraps as the Frenchman evaded his marker to put RC Lens two goals ahead. Was, however, positive in possession once again.
Jaydee Canvot (4/10)
Made a very good block to prevent what could have been a tap-in for RC Lens. Also positive on the ball and tried to get us moving forward.
Rio Cardines (2/10)
Like Mitchell, Cardines was caught out a few times. Seems to lack the speed required to play so high up and get back to defend. Will take some doing to match what Daniel Munoz will offer in this system.
Blazed the ball high over the bar from a promising position where a cut-back would have made more sense.
Will Hughes (5/10)
Kept the ball well and tried to dribble forward where possible. Another solid display.
Cheick Doucoure (5/10)
Struggled against Bromley but looked to have made some progress in this match against his former side.
Doucoure still made a few sloppy decisions on the ball which saw us lose possession, but looked much more mobile than in recent games, which was good to see.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (4/10)
Another friendly in which Rak-Sakyi struggled to get on the ball. A tough 45 minutes for our three forwards as RC Lens attacked at will. Hardly received any service.
Eddie Nketiah (4/10)
Like Rak-Sakyi, struggled to see much of the ball. Made one poor challenge which suggested some frustration was creeping in.
Nketiah probably knows it won’t be long until Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jorgen Strand Larsen are going to be chosen ahead of him.
Brennan Johnson (6/10)
A much more promising display than what the Wales international delivered against Swindon and Bromley.
Made some clever runs. The best performer of the front three, although that isn’t saying much. Still needs to be more efficient with his finishing, but good to see the chances are coming.
Player ratings for the second 45-minute match against Famalicao to follow on We are Palace…
Photo by Sara Cavallini/Getty Images
Remi Matthews (5/10)
Did well on a rare outing. Made some good clearances – one almost resulting in an assist for Matheus Franca – and a few commanding aerial claims, as well as one brave stop right at the end which winded him.
Dean Benamar (4/10)
Didn’t really see much of the ball, but did well to win his duels and stop the majority of Famalicao’s attacks from coming down his side.
Tayo Adaramola (5/10)
Like Sosa, still being used as one of the three centre-backs, away from his natural position out on the left. Has struggled in other friendlies but much better on this occasion, used his pace well.
George King (8/10)
Arguably the best performer across both 45-minute friendlies. Made some exquisite tackles and played the ball forward between the lines confidently.
Mofe Jemide (4/10)
Not much to do for the 19-year-old, as Famalicao often attacked down the flanks and he was playing in the middle of the back three.
Still did well to position himself to cut out a few crosses.
Rio Cardines (3/10)
The only player to start both of the 45-minute friendlies. Similar to his display against RC Lens, Cardines struggled to offer much evidence that he can be an effective wing-back in Sage’s demanding system.
David Ozoh (7/10)
Showed great tenacity to win the ball high up and play Franca in on goal, but the Brazilian unfortunately missed.
Looks like a towering presence in midfield, and showed enough to suggest he could play a part under Sage this season.
Justin Devenny (6/10)
The Northern Ireland international was captain for the day, and the armband seemed to raise his level.
Devenny always showed for teammates and demanded the ball, using it well as he tried to play forward more often than not.
Romain Esse (3/10)
Still struggling to show the ability which led Dougie Freedman to pay Millwall £14.5m for his signature in January 2025.
Against Swindon, Bromley and now Famalicao, the England U21 international has done little to show that life at Crystal Palace will play out any differently under Sage to how it did under Oliver Glasner.
Matheus Franca (6/10)
Like we saw in the 3-0 loss to Bromley, Franca missed a few fantastic chances to score and add to his hat-trick from the 5-1 win over Swindon.
Nevertheless, did well to find space and showed great hunger to get on the end of a clearance from Matthews. Is one of the only fringe players who looks eager to impress Sage this summer.
Joel Drakes-Thomas (6/10)
Another bright display from the 17-year-old winger. Like Benamar, didn’t see too much of the ball as it often came down the right flank instead, but looked to take people on when he did get possession and was brave.
Two 45-minute friendlies for Crystal Palace in the Como Cup ✅
We’re obviously missing a LOT of talent, but I want to see far more from some fringe players… 😔
