Stade Brestois was unable to create the feat at Montjuïc: the Finistériens suffered the entire meeting against a Barça a notch above and a cold 100 Robert Lewandowski (3-0). SB29 is now 9th in the league phase while the Catalans are on the 2nd step of the podium.
All of Finistère went to Montjuïc for this poster which still seemed improbable and distant at the time of the draw. But it’s good being in front of the FC Barcelona in this league phase that the Brest Stadium arrived in the county town, accompanied by 3,000 festive supporters, full of their joy at witnessing such a match and, why not, at a new feat which would put them at the top of the ranking of the queen of European competitions.
Lewandowski centenary
Sans Lamine Yamalinjured, nor Alejandro Baldéin the group but too tight to start, Barça started with Raphinha right side and Gerard Martin left side. The first possession was blaugrana, with several crossbars to stretch the opposing block but it was Ludovic Ajorque who headed a cross, despite a slight offside position (3rd). The imprint of the match was already taken while the Breton yard jumped in rhythm. The Ty’Zefs dug into this match with desire and the incursions of Massadio Haidara et Abdallah Sima reinforced this impression.
But this enthusiasm came at a price. On a stitched center of Pedri, Robert Lewandowskiwith his back to the game, controlled his chest before Marco Bizot don’t hit him. The Pole was happy to convert this penalty, his 100th goal in the Champions League (10th).
Barça did not take their opponent lightly, but on the contrary very seriously. With 10 players in the Pirates camp, Barcelona’s possessions offered both play between the lines and turnovers, while forcing the Finisterians to deal with the most urgent in the recovery phase. The goal of the break was already close when Jules Koundé saw his cross cross the entire penalty area (16th) then when Fermin Lopez came up against Bizot before seeing his cross pushed back at the last minute (19th). The midfielder missed the target a few minutes later, after Koundé’s pressure at the corner post allowed Raphinha, captain of the evening, to cross back (24th).
Despite everything, Brest held on, although shaky, like Haïdara who climbed on Raphinha to counter a powerful attempt from a corner (29th), then when Lewandowski came close to a double on a pass from the former Rennais ( 30th). Combative, the SB29 lowered the tempo, without approaching the cages.Iñaki Peña who warmed up by boxing a cross from the right (36th). Guilty on the penalty, Bizot made up for it in style, after a corner, Marc Casadó played the second and found Fermín’s head: the Batavian goalkeeper turned away with his foot (40th).
Olmo finishes the job
Courageous, Stade Brestois knew that it would not be a Fest Noz but they were still within reach of Barça, which was no small thing. In the 50th minute, in front of their yard, the Bretons finally had a move to play: Sima went to the end of the action and forced Peña to save but he was flagged offside very later.
A jolt which did not cause Barça to sway as they regained control of the match, maintaining strong pressure in the final third but still unable to make the adequate connection to take off. And when he succeeded, with a brilliant backheel from Lewandowski, Bizot once again put Fermín in check (53rd).
Eric Roy then wanted to bring more impact by attacking by taking out Sima for the benefit of Mama Balde (60th). But the Blaugrana threat has gone up a notch. Staggered by Raphinha, Koundé centered, Julien Le Cardinal beat Bizot in the air and it was Brendan Chardonnet who heroically saved his people on the line while the resumption of Dani Olmo was going to finish at the bottom (61st).
Brest showed more harshness in the duels. But to this, Olmo responded with a technical festival to recover a cross from Martín before erasing Chardonnet and adjusting Bizot (66th). Number 20 could leave his place to the light-hearted Gavi (67th). Roy responded with the entries of Mathias Pereira Lage et Romain Faivre pour Mahdi Camara et Kamory Doumbia (70e).
A legitimate part of frustration has taken hold of the Finisterians. But they gave their supporters a great thrill: Pereira Lage’s cross shot was lodged in Peña’s small net… but the attacker had gone a good two meters in front of the defense (76th).
Former player of Betis, Jonas Martin found a Spanish lawn with Romain del Castillo (pour Edimilson Fernandes and Ajorque), while Baldé replaced Barça’s Martín and Pablo Torre succeeded Fermín (79th). This Barça was not as irresistible as against Bayern and he finished the match without forcing too much. Torre came up against Bizot before being flagged offside (85th), Hansi Flick gave Pedri a standing ovation the day after his 22nd birthday, replaced by Frenkie de Jong who was whistled (88th)… and Lewandowski added a third goal, with an unstoppable inside right after catching two defenders on control (90th+2).
This match was a suspended time for Stade Brestois, falling back to 9th place. He will have to quickly return to Ligue 1 against Strasbourg this weekend. For the C1, it will be next December 10 at Roudourou, against a PSV at the back of the pack in 24th place. For its part, Barça reaches 2nd place and has taken a big step towards direct access to the 1/8 finals.
