This is called beating the odds. While few observers gave much of their skin when seeing them engage in the very first European campaign in the history of the club, the Brestois did better than put all their chances on their side. With already seven points taken out of nine possible, they would be, in the event of victory in Prague, assured – let's say 99% – of being at least play-offs at the end of the first phase of this new formula Champions League. And this, from November, and with still four matches to play. Clearly, who would have believed it?
Seen from Prague, Brest is “totally unknown”
Having had the very good idea of optimizing their capital by overcoming Sturm Graz and Salzburg, two of their most “affordable” opponents on paper, and by taking a very good point against Leverkusen, the Finisterians are surfing on a magnificent dynamic in C1. Above all, they gave themselves the right to have a very good card to play this Wednesday in the Czech Republic, against a team from hat 4, like them.
“Today, after 3 games and 7 points, we are not going to be choosy: we hope to grab at least one of the first 24 places. »
Opposition between the current 5th in the provisional ranking (Brest) and the 21st (Prague), out of 36 teams, this meeting has, unsurprisingly, also been targeted as a potential source of points by Lars Friis' players. Facing an opponent who, it is true and seen from Prague, does not say much to many people. “There are questions here in relation to this Brest team which is completely unknown”, does not hide Guillaume Narguet, journalist at Radio Prague International. Before adding: “When we play the Champions League, Brest is not necessarily the opponent we dream of welcoming. But we say to ourselves that it could be good for the ranking…”
Magnetti: “Securing one of the first 24 places…”
But the people of Brest made a similar calculation. Faced with an opponent who is not in the best shape (read elsewhere), Éric Roy's players will be able to play in an even more uninhibited manner as they will have, whatever happens, other cartridges to fire in the event of of defeat on Wednesday. Maybe not against Barcelona or Real, but against Eindhoven and, above all, Shakhtar, hope will be in order. But first, “Prague will perhaps be the turning point. If we lose, we will still be in the race but if we win, I think we will have a good cushion,” summarizes Hugo Magnetti.
After recalling that if they had “not set (an objective) points before the first three matches”, “today, after three matches and seven points, we are not going to be choosy. We hope to secure at least one of the first 24 places,” continues the Brest midfielder. A goal which, as Éric Roy himself explained after the match against Leverkusen, has been “in our heads since our first two victories, even since the one against Sturm Graz”. No need to hide any longer.
