PLAYER RATINGS | Shakhtar 2-0 Brest: Bretons concede second Champions League defeat | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Round 7, 22/01/25

Having already qualified for the Champions League playoff rounds, Brest had the opportunity to edge closer to a top-eight finish against Shakhtar Donetsk FC. However, they were completely outmuscled by an energetic and pacy Ukrainian side who deservedly led 2-0 already at half-time courtesy of Kevin and Heorhiy Sudakov.

The Match

Given their future in the Champions League hung in the balance, the hosts – although the game was held at Gelsenkirchen’s Arena AufSchalke – dominated the early exchanges. Shakhtar went inches from the opener as Marlon’s back-heeled attempt trickled just wide. Brest were looking sluggish, a far cry from their previous inspired displays that propelled them to ninth place in the Champions League standings.

Symbolically, Shakhtar’s deserved opener came from an unforced error from reliable Brest captain Brendan Chardonnet. The centre-back’s touch was too heavy and Brazilian winger collected the rebound before running half the length of the pitch to beat Marco Bizot with a confident finish. The Dutch goalkeeper was on hand to prevent Shakhtar from doubling their lead by parrying away Pedrinho’s free-kick. But the goalkeeper was sanctioned after colliding with Irakli Azorov, whose run in the box was left unchecked. Sandro Schärer pointed to the spot and Sudakov made it 2-0 with a cheeky Panenka.

Only minutes before half-time, the visitors squandered a big opportunity to halve the deficit. Hugo Magnetti was at the receiving end of a good cross from the tireless Ludovic Ajorque, but the midfielder could only shoot straight at Dmytro Riznyk. Kevin also missed a chance to kill off the game in the dying minutes of the first half after making little work of Brest’s defense.

In the second half, Brest upped the tempo but they still scarcely thwarted Shakhtar’s tight 4-1-4-1 setup, and when they did, their final ball let them down. Roy saw enough and rang in the changes at the hour mark with Romain Del Castillo, Abdallah Sima and Romain Faivre all entering the fray. As Shakhtar players grew tired due to their lack of competitve games recently, the Ligue 1 team enjoyed more possession from the hour mark in mirrorring their opponents’ 4-1-4-1 formation.

Brest had the most of the ball but they didn’t seem to know what to do with it, which further highlighted Pierre Lees-Melou’s absence. Mathias Pereira Lage went close to open Brest’s account, but his powerful goalward free-kick was expertly parried away by Riznyk. Shakhtar would find the back of Bizot’s net for a third time after another defensive blunder from the visitors, but the referee disallowed it due to a foul in the build-up.

Brest would deservedly concede their second Champions League defeat of the campaign and probably settle for a playoff round spot. The Bretons have a week to regroup before their fixture list’s grandstand finish: Real Madrid at home.

Brest Player Ratings

Marco Bizot – 4

Kenny Lala – 4

Brendan Chardonnet – 3

The captain had an absolute mare in the second half. He left Marlon too much space for the latter’s early chance and could only blame himself for Shakhtar’s opener. In missing his control, he allowed Kevin a clear run at goal. From then on, Brest were heading to defeat.

Abdoulaye Ndiaye – 4

Mathias Pereira Lage – 4

In the absence of senior left-backs Massadio Haïdara and Jordan Amavi, the winger had to fill in and it showed. He lost too many balls and misplaced too many passes.

Mahdi Camara – 4

Edimilson Fernandes – 4

Hugo Magnetti – 4

Kamory Doumbia – 3

Playing at the tip of Brest’s midfield, the Mali international had a minimal influence and embodied his side’s inability to threaten Shakhtar. Hooked at the hour mark.

Mama Baldé – 3

Ludovic Ajorque – 4

GFFN | Bastien Cheval