Because the problem is that, conversely, his players clearly did not show the face he expected of them. Powerless up front, non-existent in midfield and guilty of big mistakes behind, the Brestois paid a high price after two largely avoidable mistakes.
The first on a ball lost in the opposing half of the field by a Chardonnet mounted very high and far from being in a great evening: an offering that Kevin was quick to convert, winning his face-to-face with Bizot (1-0, 18'). The second, through Bizot, mounted at the wrong time and guilty of too late intervention on Azarov. Already at fault in Barcelona, the Brest goalkeeper was once again penalized with a penalty, transformed by Sudakov with a subtle Panenka (2-0, 37'). The break was over. But the reaction did not come.
Second defeat in the Champions League
Constantly caught by the speed and physical impact of their opponents, Brest seemed without a solution, only targeting their first shot after the Ukrainian break, but Magnetti did not cross his shot sufficiently (40'). And if their coach tried to change things, making a triple change before the hour mark and modifying the face of his 4-4-2 in the process, the threat continued to come from opposite. The long-range free kick, taken very well by Mathias Pereira-Lage (79')? One of the far too rare feats of arms of Finisterians as groggy, and condemned to drink the chalice to the dregs.
Because if Zubkov's goal, who thought he had hit the nail on the head in stoppage time, was ultimately going to be canceled, the action which preceded it alone illustrates the errors displayed by the Brestois.
Their defeat, the second of their European campaign after that conceded to Barcelona, is undisputed. Defeated by a team in exile, which had only one victory in six games until then, they will have to quickly turn to the future, and Real Madrid in a week, aware of having missed their chance to win. avoid roadblocks. A result which cannot, however, tarnish a European campaign which, whatever happens, will remain successful.
The technical sheet
Arbitrator : M. Schärer (SUI).
-BUTS. Kevin (18’), Sudakov (sp, 37’).
Warnings. Shakhtar Donetsk: Stepanenko (77'); Stade Brestois : Ndiaye (22').
SHAKHTAR DONETSK : Riznyk, Azarovi, Matviienko, Bondar, Tobias (Konoplia 71'), Kryskiv, Kevin, Sudakov (Bondarenko 83'), Gomes (Stepanenko 71'), Pedrinho (Zubkov 83'), Eguinaldo (Traoré 55').
Non entrés en jeu : Faryna, Fesiun, Newerton, Nazaryna, Hlushchenko, Shved, Tvardovskyi.
Coach: Marino Pusic (CRO).
BREST : Bizot, Pereira Lage, Ndiaye, Chardonnet, Lala, Magnetti, Fernandes (Coulibaly 85'), Doumbia (Faivre 60'), Camara (Del Castillo 60'), Baldé (Salah 71'), Ajorque (Sima 60').
