Brest vs Paris: At the crossroads

ROAD TO THE PLAY-OFFS

In their first ever Champions League campaign, SB29 has stunned Europe with their energetic football. The Brittany-based outfit hit the ground running with wins over Sturm Graz (2-1) and FC Salzburg (0-4). Many thought the Ty-Zefs would come bumping back to earth, but it didn’t happen. After holding German champions Bayer Leverkusen (1-1), Brest picked up another six points away to Sparta Prague (1-2) and at home to PSV Eindhoven (1-0). Defeats against FC Barcelona (3-0) and Real Madrid (0-3), failed to take the shine off the campaign as the side that finished third in Ligue 1 last season qualified for the knockout phase play-offs.

For Paris Saint-Germain, it's been a very different trajectory. Narrow defeats to Atlético de Madrid (1-2), Bayern Munich (1-0) and Arsenal (2-0), and a draw with PSV Eindhoven (1-1), had Les Rouge et Bleu in danger early on. But the French champions, who had won their opening game against Girona (1-0), finally got the rewards their football deserved as they trounced Salzburg 3-0, before stunning Manchester City 4-2 at the Parc des Princes and finishing with a third consecutive win, 4-1 away to VfB Stuttgart.

KEY STATS

OPPOSITION STRENGTHS

Eric Roy and his charges generally turn out in a 4-3-3 formation. In goal, Marco Bizot is the first-choice goalkeeper. In front of him, the central defensive duo is comprised of captain Brendan Chardonnet and youngster Soumaïla Coulibaly (21 yrs), on loan from Borussia Dortmund, who has slowly forced his way into the side. He should get the nod ahead of OL academy graduate Abdoulaye Ndiaye, on loan from ESTAC, and Julien Le Cardinal, back from injury. On the right side of the defence, the former Strasbourg man Kenny Lala is expected to start.

There is uncertainty as to who will start on the left, with Bradley Locko and Jordan Amavi still sidelined. New signing Justin Bourgault could feature, as could 19-year-old Luck Zogbé but Massadio Haïdara is the most likely candidate. In midfield, Pierre Lees-Melou looks like holding down the No.6 role in front of the defence with regulars Hugo Magnetti and Mahdi Camara (4 goals and 3 assists in all competitions this season).

That would mean a place on the bench for Switzerland international Edimilson Fernandes, while Jonas Martin is struggling to be fit. Higher up the pitch, Romain Faivre (2 goals, 3 assists) and Kamory Doumbia, have both been used in the central playmaker role, but are both options in the wide roles where the former can operate on the right and the latter, on the left. However, in the likely absence of Romain Del Castillo (5 goals, 4 assists), it looks Mama Baldé (2 goals, 3 assists) could start.

On the left, it looks a choice between Kamory Doumbia and Abdallah Sima (8 goals, 2 assists), one of Stade Brestois 29’s real threats in attack. Mathias Pereira Lage (2 goals,3 assists) and Ibrahim Salah (2 goals, 1 assist) look likely to miss out. Finally, at the point of the attack, Brest will start with Ludovic Ajorque. The big centre forward has been in outstanding form in recent weeks and has scored 10 goals and provided five assists this term.