PLAYER RATINGS | Brest 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen: Pirates extend Champions League unbeaten run | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Round 3, 23/10/24

Brest hosted their first European powerhouse in the Champions League with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen coming to town. The fearless Pirates took the fight to Xabi Alonso’s team and clinched a valuable point in their quest to qualify for the latter stages of the tournament.

The Match

Spurred on by their two inaugural wins against Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg, Brest started without fear against the Bundesliga champions. The hosts’ tactical discipline posed some difficulties to Xabi Alonso’s side – the Spaniard opted to field a second-string XI against the Pirates. But they still had serious talent to show for with Florian Wirtz taking centre-stage. The Germany international playmaker opened the scoring with a powerful low shot after his side had swiftly moved the ball down the left.

In the wake of the opener, the visitors were well in the ascendancy with Jonas Hofmann, who provided the assist for Wirtz, enjoying plenty of freedom between the lines. Brest struggled to provide their forwards with clear goalscoring opportunities. The hosts registered no shots on target until the 39th minute when Pierre Lees-Melou blew the Roudourou roof off with a well-taken right-footed volley into Matek Kovar’s bottom right corner – a fair reward for Brest given how they kept their composure despite trailing behind.

In the second half, Brest picked up where they left off, piling the pressure on Leverkusen with Lees-Melou pulling the strings from midfield. The Ligue 1 failed to make their domination count, with the decision going to the wire between the two teams with a perfect record in the Champions League this season. Substitute Mama Baldé missed a glorious chance to put his side ahead in side-netting in one-on-one against Kovar.

Brest were then lucky to escape a penalty with VAR denying Leverkusen a rather blatant spot-kick with Soumaïla Coulibaly clattering into Hofmann. The chances had passed for both teams, who eventually shared the spoils to remain unbeaten in the Champions League. Sparta Prague are next for the Ligue 1 underdogs.

Brest players ratings

Marco Bizot, 5

Kenny Lala, 7

Brendan Chardonnet, 6

Soumaïla Coulibaly, 7

An excellent shift from the centre-back, who has nullified Patrik Schick with the Czech international hooked at the hour mark. Lucky to escape a penalty in injury time.

Massadio Haïdara, 7

Mahdi Camara, 6

Pierre Lees-Melou, 8

Even when returning from a serious fibula injury, the former Norwich City midfielder shone through and provided his side the spark it needed, perfectly timing his connection to volley home the equalizing goal. The central midfielder proved he belongs to the big stage, winning most of his duels and recovering countless balls. Instrumental.

Hugo Magnetti, 5

Romain Del Castillo, 4

Ludovic Ajorque, 5

Abdallah Sima, 4

The Brighton loanee just returned from injury and it showed, lacking energy and precision in the final third. Replaced by Mama Baldé at the hour mark.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval