After a month with 25 goals (12 scored, 13 conceded), and several unforgettable matches, Stade Brestois was more discreet this time, to sign its fourth 0-0 of the season. A week after the breathtaking and memorable success of his players in Rennes, Eric Roy decided to renew the same “eleven” as at Roazhon Park.
Fundamentals on which the Finistère club has relied since the start of the season to achieve a historic European place, a 4-3-3 that is more than well established and which has largely proven its effectiveness.
Two damaging premature changes
But after the good start to the match from his players, like a beautiful shot from Locko well deflected by Lafont (9′), and an almost unchallenged domination, the Brest coach, from the stands because suspended, did not could only note the premature exits of two of its senior players, two of its main creators, incidentally: Pierre Lees-Melou, first of all, visibly not well recovered from the blow received in Rennes a week earlier and replaced by Jonas Martin from the half-hour mark, then Romain Del Castillo, who dragged himself for long minutes along his right side before being replaced by Mathias Pereira Lage, still before the break.
This double change, inevitably detrimental for the Finisterians, immediately resulted in a resurgence in Nantes. Unable to create the slightest opportunity during the first forty minutes of the match, Antoine Kombouaré’s men put together three huge chances in the space of three minutes, all harvested by Mathis Abline.
Lack of freshness on the Brest side
Swept away by a drizzle worthy of a month of November, the meeting, an opposition between two teams with opposing ambitions – one aiming for the Champions League, the other fighting to maintain it – highlighted a certain lack of freshness on one side, and a form of caution on the other.
Obviously blunted by the very high intensity matches they have played in recent weeks (against Lyon, Monaco and Rennes), the Brestois seemed less sharp, less inspired. Constrained by the double change at the start of the match, the Brest staff did not have the freedom they usually enjoy to bring in new blood at the hour mark.
The general impression given off by the meeting, the start of the final sprint of the championship, strengthened over the minutes, each of the two teams seeming to be satisfied with sharing the points. With this point taken, Brest is two ahead of Lille, and therefore finds itself under threat from Fonseca’s men, even if they will have a hard time facing Lyon this Monday.
A point which could prove decisive at the end of the season, Brest having two matches within its reach (reception of Reims, trip to Toulouse) to close a championship that no one in Brest will soon forget, whatever happens.
Datasheet
Referee: Mr. Turpin.
Spectators: 15,159.
Warnings: Brest: Locko (21′), Lala (59′), Doumbia (87′); Nantes: Traoré (54′), Chirivella (89′)
BREST: Bizot – Lala, Chardonnet (cap.), Brassier, Locko – Lees-Melou (Martin, 28′), Magnetti, Camara (Doumbia, 74′) – Del Castillo (Pereira Lage, 41′), Mounié (Le Douaron, 74 ‘) Satriano.
Coach: Julien Lachuer.
Not entered into play: Coudert (l.), Zogbé, Amavi, Lebeau, Brahimi.
NANTES: Lafont (cap.) – Castelletto, Cömert, Pallois – Coco (Cozza, 89′), Sissoko, Moutoussamy (Chirivella, 71′), Duverne (Amian, 80′) – Traoré (Mollet, 71′), Kadewere, Abline ( Mohamed, 71′).
Coach: Antoine Kombouaré.
Not entered into play: Petric (l.), Zézé, Oger, Bamba.
