Two of the more unfancied Champions League teams face off on Matchday One as tournament debutants Brest host Sturm Graz.
The French side qualified for the Champions League for the first time via a top four finish in Ligue 1 last season.
Match Preview
Brest Recent Form
Brest have been disappointing in Ligue 1 in 2024/25 as they have lost three out of their opening five games, though two of those losses did come against giants Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain.
They beat Toulouse and Saint-Etienne.
Brest Injury News
Brest are missing three key players as Bradley Locko, Achraf Dari and Pierre Lees-Melou remain absent due to Achilles, ankle and leg fracture injuries respectively.
Last Brest Lineup
Here’s how Brest lined up against PSG.
Sturm Graz Recent Form
Sturm Graz have made a perfect start to the new campaign as they have won five straight matches across the Austrian Bundesliga and the Austrian Cup.
In the league, they’ve beat Hartberg, Klagenfurt, Altach and Tirol.
Sturm Graz Injury News
Sturm Graz have one major injury to a key player as Alexander Borkovic remains sidelined with an ACL problem.
Manprit Sarkaria was not included in the squad for Europe.
Last Sturm Graz Lineup
Here’s how Sturm Graz lined up against Tirol.
(4-1-3-2): Scherpen; Johnston, Aiwu, Lavalee, Gazibegovic; Stankovic; Horvat, Kiteishvili, Zvonarek; Biereth, Vick.
Brest – Player To Watch
Romain Del Castillo has been one of Brest’s best players this season, with three goal contributions to his name already. He scored against PSG at the weekend as Brest took the lead, only to eventually lose 3-1.
Sturm Graz – Player To Watch
Mika Biereth signed from Arsenal on a permanent basis in the summer and he’s already repaid the faith with four goals so far in the new campaign.
For all of the analysis of Brest vs Sturm Graz as it happens live, check out our Live Update page for the game.
Brest vs Sturm Graz – Prediction
This isn’t just Brest’s first Champions League game, but their first game in Europe at all so there isn’t…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/uefa-champions-league-stade-brestois-29-sk-puntigamer-sturm-graz/preview/3516619
Author : [email protected] (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-09-18 12:45:51
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