PLAYER RATINGS | Brest 0-3 Real Madrid: Clinical Champions League winners defeat Bretons | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Round 8, 29/01/25

Brest have ended their Champions League phase with a 3-0 home defeat against a clinical Real Madrid side. Jude Bellingham and a brace from Rodrygo handed the Merengue the win.

The Match

With their play-off round berth firmly in possession, Brest had little to play for against serial Champions League winners Real Madrid. But Carlo Ancelotti’s Merengues certainly had no intention of finishing below the team with the lowest UEFA ranking in the UCL standings. Contrary to last week’s disappointing 2-0 away loss to Shakhtar, Brest felt way more up for it. Winger Mathias Pereira Lage – who again had to deputize as a left-back – aimed a precise free-kick in Thibaut Courtois’ top corner, but the Belgian international got a strong hand to it.

For his return to France, Kylian Mbappé was mostly kept at bay. The France captain notably misses the target twice in the first twenty minutes. The home fans greeted every successful Brest passes with rounds of “olé”, which might have hurt Real Madrid players’ egos. Lucas Vazquez’ cross found Rodrygo whose header was superbly palmed away by Marco Bizot. A couple of minutes later, the Brazil international would find the net, breezing past Brendan Chardonnet and striking a low and precise left-footed effort off the Bizot’s left post and in.

Brest brushed themselves up and continued to press the Merengues thanks to their tight 4-3-1-2 formation. The Bretons often forced the visitors into mistakes as both centre-backs – Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger – entered the books. Mama Baldé also went close from restoring parity but his powerful half-volley flew over Courtois’ bar. At half-time, Real had most of the possession, but Brest had more shot attempts.

Early in the second half, Roudourou erupted as Ludovic Ajorque’s shot crept his way past Courtois’ reach after taking a deflection from Tchouaméni. Unfortunately for Brest, the centre-forward was offside. Again, this passage of play woke Real up and the UCL winners only needed one well-worked team move to double the lead. Jude Bellingham darted from the right to create an opening on the left as Brahim Diaz and Lucas Vazquez for the latter to feed the England international for a tap-in.

It was a tough pill to swallow for Brest. The Bretons kept on knocking at Madrid’s door but the gulf in match-winning talent between the team with the lowest UEFA ranking and the 15-time winners were obvious, as proved by Courtois’ heroic save to deny Kenny Lala. In the final ten minutes, Rodrygo would get his second of the night, sticking the rebound home after Bizot had initially denied Mbappé. Like they did at Barcelona earlier in the season, Brest conceded three goals against an experienced table-topping La Liga side.

Brest put up a fight but more is needed to topple a side like Real Madrid in the Champions League, but Eric Roy’s Pirates can be proud of their efforts.

Brest Player Ratings

Marco Bizot – 5

Kenny Lala – 5

Brendan Chardonnet – 4

Soumaïla Coulibaly – 4

Mathias Pereira Lage – 5

Mahdi Camara – 6

Edimilson Fernandes – 5

Hugo Magnetti – 4

Kamory Doumbia – 5

Ludovic Ajorque – 6

The centre-forward could have been the hero if his equalizer had stood, unfortunately, he was marginally offside. Still, he was a thorn in Real Madrid’s defense.

Mama Baldé – 4

The former Lyon forward was effortless in his pressing, but he lacked clarity in the final third, wasting too many opportunities.

Real Madrid Player Ratings

Rodrygo – 8

The Brazil international was different class. He took the spotlight in the absence of the suspended Vinicius Jr. He tormented Brest’s defense and scored an impeccable brace.

Jude Bellingham – 7

Another quietly brilliant midfield performance from the England international. He engineered and scored Real Madrid’s all-important second goal.

Kylian Mbappé – 5

GFFN | Bastien Cheval