Buts : Kevin (18e), Sudakov (37e SP) for Shakhtar
You have to believe that it's a long time, four months with your head in the stars. We wouldn't go so far as to say that its astonishing baptism of fire in the Champions League since the start of the season positioned Stade Brestois as the favorite for its match against Shakhtar Donetsk, but it was on the 9e against the 28e and a team in good shape against another which had not played competitively since December 15. However, the Bretons missed their meeting like never before in this C1, this Wednesday evening at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, suffering the law of a Ukrainian team stronger in many areas (2-0).
A devil named Kevin
It's also the game and the risk when you have to deal with a squad reduced by injuries, and undoubtedly a little tired from playing three tables. The 1000 Brest supporters present in Germany gave their voice, but they also saw Shakhtar impose their rhythm, their physique and their technique. The Brazilian quartet, accompanied by virtuoso Georgiy Sudakov, made the Finistère defense dizzy, too often late and overwhelmed. Marlon Gomes had missed the first opportunity with a backheel grazing Marco Bizot's post (8e), he caught himself in a funny way, by throwing a hook in front to free himself. A seemingly innocuous dismissal, but which provoked the missed control of captain Brendan Chardonnet, who saw the twirling Kevin take advantage of it to rush towards the goal and adjust the last Breton rampart (1-0, 18e).
We must not beat around the bush, the Brestois missed their first period. In large widths, even. They did have a few approaches, Valeriy Bondar tackling in front of Ludovic Ajorque after a recovery from Mama Baldé (16e) and Hugo Magnetti warming the gloves of Dmytro Riznyk (40e), but above all they suffered. Bizot had to slam Pedrinho's off-center free kick (27e), Eguinaldo missed the break after yet another poor alignment from the visitors' defense (31e) and Kevin put on a show to alert Bizot (45e+2). Unsurprisingly, the 2-0 arrived, Sudakov delivering a marvelous pass for Irakli Azarovi, who went for a penalty in contact with Bizot, only touching Sudakov's panenka, again him (2-0, 37e). That it's hard, but that it's logical, too.
And now Real Madrid
The Bretons have been fans of exploits for four months, but they did not have the strength to reverse such a situation. First of all, it's not their specialty and it simply wasn't their evening. The proof with a new parade from Bizot in front of Sudakov after a nice Ukrainian movement (51e). Eguinaldo unfortunately had to leave the party earlier than expected due to a breakdown that left him in tears, while Ajorque vented his frustration on Plexiglas as he exited. Eric Roy's triple change at the hour mark also corresponded to the drop in form of the men in orange, remaining in management without conceding much, except this powerful free kick from Mathias Pereira Lage on which Riznyk had to fly to remove it from the top corner (79e). Brest saw Zubkov's third goal logically refused for a nice foul at the end of added time, after having managed to finish better, without this being enough to cast doubt on a Shakhtar who did not make their classification and who offered a (small) hope of finding a place in the 24, of which the Brestois will be part anyway. That's what's most important at the dawn of a gala match against the king of the competition, Real Madrid.
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Relive Shakhtar Donetsk-Brest (2-0)
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