Champions League: Stade Brestois hopes to stop the bleeding against PSV Eindhoven

How far away seems the euphoria of the debut of Little Thumb from Brest on the big continental stage. It is a suffering, if not sick, team which is heading towards its sixth European meeting on Tuesday evening in Guingamp against the Dutch PSV Eindhoven. Beaten 4 times in his last 5 matcheswith 3 goals conceded each time, Brest is “a crumbly and very permissive team” recognized Eric Roy after the setback in Lille (3-1). The Pirates coach knows that it is essential to regain a certain solidity to hope to achieve a result and extend the state of grace in the Champions League (11th in the ranking with 10 points).

Seven players unavailable

But how can we do better with fewer forces involved? Deprived of its injured Bradley Loko, Pierre Lees-Melou, Soumaïla Coulibaly, Jonas Martin, Romain Faivre and Kenny Lala (who will however be in the group), Stade Brestois will also not be able to field its suspended striker Ludovic Ajorque.“We have fewer arguments, but I am counting on the state of mindexplained the Brest coach on Monday at a press conference. Even though the team will be very weak, I hope they will be very excited and happy to be able to play this match, because I think it is a fantastic match to play. I hope there will be this positive energy.”

Energy will not be enough, Brest will absolutely have to be more tight in defense. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot is aware of this: “When we concede a goal in the first 10-15 minutes, it’s very hard for us to get back into the match. If we can change that, it will be better for us.” In difficulty for several weeks, the Dutch goalkeeper will also have to reassure: the Ty-Zefs will need a great Bizot to sign a new coup in the Champions League.

Opposite, the second best attack in Europe

Undisputed leader of the Eredivisie with a 7-point lead, PSV is only 18th in the Champions League (2 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats). But the team coached by Peter Bosz is full of confidence after six consecutive victories during which it has scored… 26 goals. His 66 goals in 20 matches since the start of the season make it the second best attack on the continent, behind FC Barcelona (68 in 22 matches).

“It’s a very strong team with a lot of quality, in the middle and up frontanalyse Eric Roy. For me it’s of the same caliber as Bayer Leverkusen. It’s going to be a very complicated challenge. We will try to do our best, hoping to be able to meet the expectations of our supporters and once again show the beautiful face of Stade Brestois.”