This Sunday at 8:45 PM (CET), Paris Saint-Germain (13th) face Brest (7th) at the Stade Francis Le-Blé in Matchday 4 of the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season. In a press conference, Brest coach Julien Lachuer spoke about the match and their Parisian opponents.
Lachuer: “The best tribute is to give it our all against Paris Saint-Germain”
There will inevitably be a lot of emotion surrounding the tribute to Éric Roy. How do you prepare the players for that?
“Éric didn’t talk about it. So, it’s hard to discuss or anticipate, because I don’t think he would have wanted that. He was focused; he’s a fierce competitor. For him, the match was what mattered. We know the emotion this will likely stir up among the players, the fans, and the staff, because he was someone dear to us—beyond just the results he delivered.
The best tribute is to give it our all against Paris Saint-Germain, and then we’ll see the result at the end.”
Lachuer: “When you play Paris, you know it’s dangerous”
What kind of match do you expect against PSG?
“When you play Paris, you know it’s dangerous. We expect a team that controls the tempo and the game, thanks to their technical quality and attacking principles, and one that will put us under defensive pressure. For us, it’s about continuing our progress with that same commitment and intensity, and playing according to our own principles. We hope those will allow us to cause problems for this opponent.”
Lachuer: “Matches against Paris are easy to prepare for”
Is it ultimately easy or difficult to prepare for a match against such a strong team?
“It’s easy to prepare for because, more or less, we know what they’re going to do. In fact, they serve as a model for us, too, because even though everyone knows what they’re going to do, they still win so many matches.
Of course, they have individual quality, but their playing principles also show us that we need to have a style of our own.” Matches against Paris are easy to prepare for because we know what they’re going to do. Actually playing the game, however, is a different story. They have depth on the bench, quality on the pitch, and plenty of talent.
Lachuer: “They are the best team in Europe”
How do you plan to counter Paris’s quality in playing out from the back?
“We aren’t going to change our approach. The quality of the opposition is what might force us to sit a bit deeper or focus on defending. Paris Saint-Germain—and saying this isn’t a lack of humility—are the best team in Europe. What we want to do is press high, cause them problems, and attack their goal. There may be times, however, when we have to dig in inside our own defensive third.”
Lachuer: “We should take inspiration from what he does”
What is your take on Luis Enrique?
“You have to admire the work he’s doing, especially considering how many coaches have passed through Paris. Whenever there’s a report or an interview with or about him, I read or watch it, because we should take inspiration from what he does. Simply put, because he’s the best. He manages to handle a squad full of stars and create a real atmosphere. The energy he instills in his team is something to be inspired by.”
Lachuer: “If there’s one person who embodies PSG, it’s the coach”
Among all the PSG players, is there one who impresses you the most?
“No, as I told you, it’s the coach. Paris has had top players—Neymar, Mbappé, Messi—but they never won anything in Europe. If there’s one person who truly embodies what PSG is right now, it’s the coach and his staff, because he manages to get everyone to buy into his vision.” “And that’s the hardest part about being a coach: managing to build that buy-in and establish a style that everyone recognizes.”
Lachuer: “We have to be determined to hurt them.”
Does Brest’s very difficult record against PSG change your approach?
“To beat Paris, we’ll need to score at least one goal—maybe two—because we know how potent their attack is. We know it’s a tough challenge against Paris, but that’s football. It often comes down to a battle of wills. We have to be determined to hurt them, to create chances. We’re going to play the Brest way. We’ll try to be tough in the duels, push forward, and make it a gritty, physical match.”
