Since the start of the season, Stade Brestois has experienced unique European weeks. Amazing in the Champions League (ten points after four days), the Finistère team was as disappointing during the previous matches (one point) in the championship as it was relentless in those after (nine points in three matches). After the success obtained in Prague (1-2), the trip to Montpellier, bottom of Ligue 1, therefore seems to be the perfect opportunity to continue this series (read elsewhere).
At least five changes after the Champions League
In view of the numerous uncertainties raised after a block of six matches played in three weeks, Éric Roy should renew the turnover operation, which he orchestrates perfectly. By having changed nine, five then seven players compared to the team fielded in the Champions League, the Brest coach has managed, for the moment, to involve the majority of elements of his squad while injecting new blood.
“It’s not spinning for the sake of spinning. I always field the team I think is most likely to win the match. Afterwards, when you have close matches, you also need to have players who are fresher than others, specifies the Brest coach. As long as you have players who respond when you call on them, you have no fear of calling them on. So today, the reality is that if a player complains about his playing time, he is the one who has the key, not me. »
“This team would be at the top at the end of October, beginning of November”
Beyond the starting eleven, Brest's ability to change a match by taking advantage of the five changes made available remains one of their strengths. “Being able, during the match, to deliver another shot, to maintain the intensity, to even increase it sometimes, with the enthusiasm of the finishers. This year, I want it to be part of our DNA even if I have more difficult choices to make but it's my job. »
This bench depth represents one of the main differences with last season. In 2023-2024, Stade Brestois was the team to have used the fewest players (25), as many as during this exercise after only ten days. In France, the Breton club is only ahead of Montpellier, Saint-Étienne and Lyon in this area.
Except that, inevitably, the Brest staff had to get everyone in tune, especially the many recruits and that this integration takes time. “We had to put everyone back on the same physical level. Afterwards, on the game project, on our principles, that everyone absorbs them, understands them, what we want. When we had a lot of movement at the end of the transfer window, in the last two days, I said that this team would potentially be at the top at the end of October, beginning of November, recalls the Brest coach. So there we are. Honestly, I think that the best of this team, we will see it now. » Start of response at La Mosson this Sunday (5 p.m.).
France
Soccer
