We lack superlatives to describe the performance of Stade Brestois in the Champions League. And the outing against PSV Eindhoven, who had managed to score a draw against PSG, this Tuesday evening, left us speechless. Especially since the Bretons were coming out of a complicated series in the championship and arrived at Roudourou with a plethora of absentees (Ajorque, Lala, Lees-Melou…).
Eric Roy even brought only 20 players to Guingamp for this meeting. “We know we have some absentees, but we have confidence in the group,” explained Pirates captain Brendan Chardonnet on Canal+. There were only 20 of us today, but 20 died of starvation. » And, among the 20, there is one who counted for 2 or 3: Marco Bizot. The Dutch goalkeeper had a huge match against his compatriots, especially in the first half, making incredible saves.
Bizot was able to keep Brest in the match
A beautiful save at ground level against Tillman, a reflex on a half-volley from Boscagli, a release in front of De Jong, another cuff on De Jong… The Batavian attacks continued, but the keeper of the Brest lighthouse held firm. “He made the saves when necessary, he knew how to keep us in the match,” rejoiced Romain Del Castillo on the encrypted channel. They could have scored goals but we held on, that's what makes us values. For us players, it gives us confidence and we knew how to take advantage of it. »
And in what way. A few moments before the lemons, on a harmless free kick in midfield, Mama Baldé made a completely random shoulder throw, which fell directly at the far post on the local child, Julien Le Cardinal, who sent a strike one meter from the goals to trigger madness in the Breton stadium.
All these beautiful people could have fallen into total ecstasy if Mama Baldé had not wasted two big opportunities after returning from the locker room. Nevermind. Because, despite these failures, Brest held on, united and a little lucky, like this curled and powerful shot from Saibari which ended up on the post while Bizot had not moved. Or on this penalty finally canceled by the VAR after a handball from Chardonnet. Add to that unfailing solidity and you have another historic victory for Stade Brestois.
The top 8 in sight?
“We found a team, everyone gave 100% from start to finish, there was not one who gave up, we were on all the balls,” reacted Del Castillo. With this fourth victory in six matches, Brest is officially qualified for the play-offs. While waiting for better, according to Brendan Chardonnet, who does not want to stop there, before facing Shakhtar Donetsk in Gelsenkirchen and Real Madrid at Roudourou:
« We wanted to bring back something to make history. We are qualified at least for the play-offs, it's a first for the club, we become a little more part of the club's legend. There is something to do, we will go to Germany to take the three points, if we can qualify directly for the top 8, we will not deprive ourselves of it. Now, we're not panicking, but it's true that all the points that are taken are no longer up for grabs. »
While waiting for Wednesday's matches, Stade Brestois is fifth in this unique group. A victory against the Ukrainians could almost guarantee them this place in the top 8. Impossible is not Brest after all. And this even if half the workforce is on the floor.
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