Paris Saint-Germain supervisor Luis Enrique has stated soccer is “stuffed with surprises” as European rookies Brest try and beat the Ligue 1 leaders for the primary time in additional than 40 years when the groups meet within the Champions League play-offs on Tuesday (5.45pm GMT).
Brest have been within the Ligue 1 relegation zone lower than two years in the past however have had a meteoric rise since Eric Roy ended a 12-year hiatus from administration to take over in January 2023, main them to European soccer for the primary time of their historical past on the finish of his first full season in cost.
PSG final misplaced to Brest in January 1985 and gained 5-2 away when the groups met on February 1, leaving Luis Enrique suitably eager to speak up the eighth-placed aspect within the French prime flight.
“Soccer doesn’t essentially reward the crew that performs one of the best,” stated the 2014/15 Champions League winner throughout his Barcelona tenure, discussing opponents with the worst defensive document of any crew above the Ligue 1 relegation zone.
“In opposition to Brest, we all the time had the sensation we may rating – however they’ll rating rapidly, they’ll maintain on to the ball. You’ll be able to lead towards them 1-0 or 2-0 and so they [can make it] 2-2. It’s straightforward for Brest to create hazard.”
Brest vs Paris St-Germain
The 54-year-old stated he was cautious of Brest’s willingness to ship in crosses, the inventive potential of attacker Romain Del Castillo and the hold-up play of on-loan Mainz ahead Ludovic Ajorque.
Regardless of PSG dominating possession when the groups final met, either side had 14 makes an attempt at aim and 7 heading in the right direction, with Brest scoring via Del Castillo and Ajorque and remaining stage till the 57th minute.
PSG led 3-2 till Goncalo Ramos scored twice after the 88th minute, making certain Brest haven’t overwhelmed them in 13 makes an attempt since profitable promotion from Ligue 2 in 2018/19.
Brest ‘can rating’ vs PSG
“We’re a crew that presses extraordinarily nicely however… they’ll deploy a brief sport and an extended sport with expertise,” stated Luis Enrique.
“It’s sophisticated. We’re favourites however soccer is stuffed with surprises. Brest can rating targets towards us and we need to play in addition to doable and put together in addition to doable.
“It is vitally straightforward for Brest to generate hazard, particularly within the collective sport. They’re a well-constructed crew and it’s arduous to defend towards them.
“Brest are fairly able to getting end result. They’re good defensively, offensively and on second balls. It’s by no means a straightforward match towards Brest.”
Champions League playoffs: Brest vs PSG
The hosts have been making a 70-mile journey to Guingamp’s Stade de Roudourou as a result of their Stade Francis-Le Ble residence doesn’t meet the necessities of competitors organisers Uefa.
Round 950 PSG followers are anticipated to attend within the hope of avoiding a shock towards Roy’s crew, who reached the play-offs regardless of shedding 3-0 at residence to Real Madrid on Matchday 8.
Brest beat PSV, Sparta Prague, Salzburg and Sturm Graz through the league part, taking seven factors from 4 residence matches.
Newly-crowned Ligue 1 Participant of the Month Ousmane Dembele scored a 34-minute hat-trick at Stade Francis-Le Ble and the ahead will purpose to proceed his scintillating kind, netting 15 instances in his final 9 appearances in all competitions.
PSG will hope to make expertise inform of their thirteenth successive Champions League marketing campaign, having reached the semi-finals final time round and the 2019/20 final.
The second leg is on the Parc des Princes on February 19 (8pm).
