Brendan Chardonnet (31), a central defender for Stade Brestois, faced Paris Saint-Germain during the two-legged tie between the clubs in the 2024-2025 Champions League play-off round. Speaking to L’Équipe, the Brest player explains how the intensity brought by the Parisians—combined with the sheer variety of threats they pose—forces opponents to adjust their game plan.
Chardonnet: “They are the flagship team of Ligue 1.”
“They are the flagship team of Ligue 1. You don’t necessarily do things differently, but the danger comes from everywhere. Everyone in their squad is capable of being decisive, which makes them difficult to read. You still go into the match aiming to win—especially when you’ve put specific tactics in place and you truly believe in your plan and your project.”
Chardonnet: “But, ultimately, they are the ones who dictate the tempo.”
“But, ultimately, they are the ones who dictate the tempo. You can’t play the same way because the intensity is on a different level. We have to adapt to them. And to their credit, they don’t show us any disrespect—you have to give them that: they respect us, even if it does sometimes lead to lopsided, high-scoring results.”
For a central defender, stepping out to challenge a Parisian player operating between the lines requires a teammate to cover the space left behind. If a second player then surges into that same area, the entire defensive line must make a quick, collective decision. This is where the “tempo” mentioned by Chardonnet becomes a game-changer; even with clear instructions, you still need the time to actually execute them.
The return leg of the play-off tie provided a rather brutal illustration of this tactical variety: seven goals, scored by seven different players. When a full-back or a midfielder is just as likely to finish an attacking move as a forward, simply locking down the most prominent threat only solves part of the problem. And it was precisely after experiencing that 7–0 defeat that Chardonnet spoke of respect. He saw a team that, even after widening the gap, continued to play with the same high standards.
