PLAYER RATINGS | Brest 1-0 PSV: Heroic Pirates nearing Champions League qualification | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Matchday 6, 10/12/24

Brest have clinched their fourth win in six Champions League, all but confirming their qualification for, at least, the playoff rounds, thanks to Julien Le Cardinal’s goal before half-time.

The Match

After their maiden Champions League loss to Barcelona, Brest returned to their temporary Roudourou home to get one step closer to qualification. Despite enduring a slump in Ligue 1 and missing several key players, Brest took the game to the Dutch champions, pressing high with intent and forcing the visitors to uncommon unforced errors, which left Peter Bosz fuming on the touchline.

The Eredivisie side eventually matched Brest’s energy and grew into the game. Brest failed to threaten Walter Benitez but PSV certainly called Marco Bizot upon. The Brest shot-stopper came up big to deny his fellow countryman Luuk de Jong twice in the first half. In the dying minutes of half-time, Kamory Doumbia’s free-kick fell to Mama Baldé whose deflection took the PSV defenders by surprise, Julien Le Cardinal made them pay with a powerful effort at the back post.

The Pirates would have doubled their lead in the early exchanges of the second had Mama Baldé kept his composure, missing two one-on-one with Walter Benitez. Troubles deepened for Eric Roy with Julien Le Cardinal pulling out through injury. The Brest manager had no choice but to replace Edimilson Fernandes on the right, which considerably weakened Brest’s midfield.

From then on, PSV were dominating proceedings, pinning Brest in their half. Abdoulaye Ndiaye was sanctioned for a handball in his own penalty box, but Spanish referee José María Sánchez overturned his on-field decision, the Brest centre-back having first touched the ball with his knee.

The Pirates defended their slender lead with their lives to inflict PSV their first Champions League loss since their opening defeat to Juventus. With four wins in only six games, Brest have all but confirmed their place in the latter stages of the Champions League. An astonishing feat considering this is Brest’s first European competition.

Brest player ratings

Marco Bizot – 8

The Dutch goalkeeper arguably produced one of his best-ever games between Brest’s sticks, pulling some stunning saves in the first half, including two world-class efforts to deny fellow countryman Luuk de Jong.

Julien Le Cardinal – 7

In the absence of Kenny Lala, the centre-back was tasked to defend the right flank. He went above and beyond his defensive duties and scored his side’s winner just before half-time, powering home in an empty net on the follow-up of a free-kick. Booked and suspended for Brest’s next game against Shakhtar, he pulled out before the hour mark with an apparent hamstring issue.

Brendan Chardonnet – 7

Abdoulaye Ndiaye – 6

Massadio Haïdara – 6

Edimilson Fernandes – 6

Mahdi Camara – 7

Hugo Magnetti – 7

Kamory Doumbia – 6

Romain Del Castillo – 5

Mama Baldé – 4

The former Lyon forward could have eased Eric Roy’s fears of a PSV comeback had he retained his composure to double Brest’s lead. Despite his wastefulness, Baldé was heavily involved in Le Cardinal’s eventual winner.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval