The Bluebirds fell to a one-goal defeat against Braga on Wednesday, July 29th, 2023.
Banza's first half penalty settled the fixture, but it was a valiant performance from the Bluebirds against Champions League opposition.
It was a youthful City side that began the game against the team that finished third in the Primeira Liga last season. Despite this, the Bluebirds more than held their own in the opening half.
Kieron Evans almost gave City the perfect start after four minutes, but his goal bound effort was cleared off the line.
French forward Simon Banza will have been disappointed not to divert home four minutes later, when he tapped wide at close range.
Rubin Colwill was used as an advanced midfielder in the opening 45 minutes, and he saw a low effort drift wide 20 minutes in.
The Portuguese side were given a chance to take the lead 40 minutes in when Mahlon Romeo was punished for a pull in the box. Banza stepped up to slot beyond Jak Alnwick.
Erol Bulut made ten changes at the interval with only Alnwick remaining from the start. Callum Robinson, Yakou Méïté, Karlan Grant and Iké Ugbo took on attacking roles, while Mark McGuinness and Dimitrios Goutas began the second period in the heart of defence, flanked by Callum O'Dowda and Perry Ng. City skipper Joe Ralls and Ryan Wintle picked up their usual midfield spots.
Our new Greek centre-back Goutas made a miraculous challenge to keep the score at one with 54 minutes gone.
Robinson headed wide for City with 20 minutes remaining but chances late on were at a premium. Braga held onto the ball well late on, stopping the Bluebirds from creating any further clear cut opportunities to level.
While it did end with a loss, there were plenty of positives for City boss Bulut to take from this pre-season performance.
FINAL SCORE: BRAGA 1-0 CARDIFF CITY
Cardiff City: Alnwick, Romeo (Ng, 45'), Benjamin (McGuinness, 45'), Simpson (Goutas, 45'), Collins (O'Dowda, 45'), Rinomhota (Wintle, 45'), Adams (Ralls, 45'), Tanner (Méïté, 45'), Evans (Grant, 45'), R.Colwill (Robinson 45'), Etete (Ugbo, 45').
[Image credit: S.C. Braga]