Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
Paris Saint-Germain supervisor Luis Enrique has mentioned soccer is “stuffed with surprises” as European rookies Brest try to beat the Ligue 1 leaders for the primary time in additional than 40 years when the groups meet within the Champions League play-offs on Tuesday (5.45pm GMT).
Brest had been within the Ligue 1 relegation zone lower than two years in the past however have had a meteoric rise since Eric Roy ended a 12-year hiatus from administration to take over in January 2023, main them to European soccer for the primary time of their historical past on the finish of his first full season in cost.
PSG final misplaced to Brest in January 1985 and received 5-2 away when the groups met on February 1, leaving Luis Enrique suitably eager to speak up the eighth-placed facet within the French prime flight.
“Soccer doesn’t essentially reward the crew that performs one of the best,” mentioned the 2014/15 Champions League winner throughout his Barcelona tenure, discussing opponents with the worst defensive report of any crew above the Ligue 1 relegation zone.
“Towards Brest, we all the time had the sensation we may rating – however they will rating shortly, they will maintain on to the ball. You’ll be able to lead towards them 1-0 or 2-0 and so they [can make it] 2-2. It’s straightforward for Brest to create hazard.”
Brest vs Paris St-Germain
The 54-year-old mentioned he was cautious of Brest’s willingness to ship in crosses, the artistic means of attacker Romain Del Castillo and the hold-up play of on-loan Mainz ahead Ludovic Ajorque.
Regardless of PSG dominating possession when the groups final met, either side had 14 makes an attempt at aim and 7 on course, with Brest scoring by means of Del Castillo and Ajorque and remaining stage till the 57th minute.
PSG led 3-2 till Goncalo Ramos scored twice after the 88th minute, making certain Brest haven’t overwhelmed them in 13 makes an attempt since successful promotion from Ligue 2 in 2018/19.
Brest ‘can rating’ vs PSG
“We’re a crew that presses extraordinarily effectively however… they will deploy a brief recreation and an extended recreation with expertise,” mentioned Luis Enrique.
“It’s sophisticated. We’re favourites however soccer is stuffed with surprises. Brest can rating objectives towards us and we wish to play in addition to attainable and put together in addition to attainable.
“It is vitally straightforward for Brest to generate hazard, particularly within the collective recreation. They’re a well-constructed crew and it’s laborious to defend towards them.
“Brest are fairly able to getting an excellent consequence. They’re good defensively, offensively and on second balls. It’s by no means a simple match towards Brest.”
Champions League playoffs: Brest vs PSG
The hosts have been making a 70-mile journey to Guingamp’s Stade de Roudourou as a result of their Stade Francis-Le Ble house doesn’t meet the necessities of competitors organisers Uefa.
Round 950 PSG followers are anticipated to attend within the hope of avoiding a shock towards Roy’s crew, who reached the play-offs regardless of shedding 3-0 at house to Actual Madrid on Matchday 8.
Brest beat PSV, Sparta Prague, Salzburg and Sturm Graz through the league part, taking seven factors from 4 house matches.
Newly-crowned Ligue 1 Participant of the Month Ousmane Dembele scored a 34-minute hat-trick at Stade Francis-Le Ble and the ahead will intention to proceed his scintillating kind, netting 15 occasions in his final 9 appearances in all competitions.
PSG will hope to make expertise inform of their thirteenth successive Champions League marketing campaign, having reached the semi-finals final time round and the 2019/20 ultimate.
The second leg is on the Parc des Princes on February 19 (8pm).
