This Wednesday, February 19, Paris Saint-Germain take on Brest at the Parc des Princes (kick-off 9pm, UTC+1) as part of the Champions League 2024-2025 return play-offs (0-3 first leg). And as before every match, here’s a look at the Parisians’ opponents.
The Brest situation –
After a 9-year absence, Stade Brestois returned to Ligue 1 in the summer of 2019. Since then, it has maintained its position, but not without a few difficult periods. There was an attempt with coach Michel Der Zakarian, but it didn’t work out and he was replaced by Eric Roy in January 2023.
The man who had been a consultant for several years was able to maintain his position. The 2023-2024 season is one of consecration, of euphoria, with a race in the first places during the year to finish 3rd and thus qualify for the Champions League for the first time in its history.
The current situation is still interesting. There’s the immense joy of being in the Champions League play-offs after a remarkable run, even if elimination is looming. As well as a European race that’s still possible in Ligue 1, although last year’s 3rd place looks difficult. But it’s hard to make a habit of it for the Brestois.
The 2024 summer mercato –
Source : Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
The winter mercato 2024/2025 –
Source : Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics –
This season, Brest is among the league’s 7th-best attackers with 29 goals scored (first-placed PSG have 49, and last-placed Le Havre have 14), and has the 14th-best defense with 31 goals conceded (PSG have the best defense with 17, and last-placed Montpellier have 44).
Brest’s top scorer is 30-year-old Ludovic Ajorque, who ranks 10th in the league with 7 goals (Ligue 1’s top scorer is Mason Greenwood with 12). Romain Del Castillo (28-year-old midfielder) is Brest’s top passer with 3 assists and is 32nd in Ligue 1 (João Neves and Dilane Bakwa are first with 6 assists).
Brest’s last 5 games –
Only Brest’s possession is shown and Brest’s shots are put first (when data is available).
01/02/2025 (Ligue 1) – Brest/PSG – 2-5. In 4-2-3-1. 34% possession. 14 shots (7 on target) against 14 shots (7 on target).
04/02/2025 (French Cup) – Troyes/Brest : 1-2. In 4-3-1-2. 65% possession. 12 shots, including 5 on target, against 14 shots (3 on target).
07/02/2025 (Ligue 1) – Nantes/Brest: 0-2. In 4-3-3. 41% possession. 10 shots, including 6 on target, against 15 shots (2 on target).
11/02/2025 (Champions League) -Brest/PSG: 0-3. In 4-3-1-2. 56% possession. 17 shots, including 9 on target, against 11 shots (1 on target).
29/01/2025 (Ligue 1) – Brest/Auxerre: 0-3. 4-2-3-1. 64% possession. 18 shots, including 6 on target, against 11 shots (6 on target).
Squad and probable line-up.
𝗝-𝟭 | 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁-𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻 – 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗶𝘀 𝟮𝟵 👊
Voici les 2⃣1⃣ joueurs convoqués par Éric Roy pour affronter le PSG ce mercredi à 21h au Parc des Princes. #PSGSB29 ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/VEqEvJwIMd
— Stade Brestois 29 (@SB29) February 18, 2025
Out – Amavi, Bourgault, Del Castillo, Locko, Salah (injuries).
The team according to the press in 4-3-1-2 (L’Equipe) :
Sima – Ajorque
Doumbia
Magnetti – Lees-Melou – Camara
Haïdara – Coulibaly – Chardonnet – Lala
Bizot
Brest’s style of play.
Faced with defensive concerns, coach Eric Roy has returned to a slightly more cautious style of play, with the idea of first defending well and then trying to hurt them by attacking quickly. This can involve intense pressing, which is difficult to escape. Then there’s a fast-paced game that can cause a lot of damage if the defence doesn’t settle quickly. As for Ajorque, he’s good at picking up the ball or acting as a fulcrum for long-range play.
There are also real qualities at set-pieces. This is an area in which PSG will naturally have to be wary, despite the fact that it is one of their weaknesses. In fact, they came close to conceding a goal in this situation in the first leg. They will then need to show maximum pace and precision if they are to avoid the Breton trap.
We mustn’t think we’re already in the last 8. Brest will come to take their chances and make the most of them, so we need to respond and avoid giving our opponents hope. As we saw during the 2-5 defeat in Ligue 1, slackness can quickly pay off.
