Match Preview
Surprise package Brest continues their remarkable Champions League adventure on Wednesday, welcoming German champions Bayer Leverkusen to their European headquarters at Stade Roudourou. Playing home fixtures in Guingamp due to their home ground not meeting UEFA regulations, the Ligue 1 upstarts have secured victories in both matches so far, positioning themselves near the top of the league-phase standings alongside Leverkusen.
Having clinched a spot at Europe’s top table by finishing third in France last term, Brest has unexpectedly thrived at the start of their first-ever Champions League campaign. Making their debut in any continental competition, the Breton side achieved back-to-back victories over Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg, currently sitting fourth in the league-phase standings.
In their first European away match earlier this month, Brest delivered a stunning 4-0 win in Austria, where Abdallah Sima netted twice, and goalkeeper Marco Bizot made several crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay. Les Pirates displayed ruthless efficiency on the break against a naive Salzburg side and could become the first French club to win their first three games in the European Cup or Champions League. However, they now face a significant step up in class.
At the weekend, Eric Roy’s side drew 1-1 against local rivals Rennes, leaving them in the bottom half of the Ligue 1 table after eight matches.
Bayer Leverkusen arrives in Brittany after posting maximum points in their Champions League campaign, having recorded a convincing 4-0 win over Feyenoord and a 1-0 victory against AC Milan. In their opener, Florian Wirtz became the first German player to score twice on his Champions League debut, marking a historic moment for Die Werkself. Victor Boniface’s decisive goal against Milan two weeks later further solidified their position.
Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, who led them to an unbeaten Bundesliga title last season and a close finish in the Europa League final, Leverkusen seeks to win their opening three games in UEFA’s top club competition for the first time since 2001. They are also on a strong run in the Bundesliga, currently just three points off the summit after a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, in which Boniface scored the winner despite missing a penalty earlier in the match.
Team News
Brest’s main attacking threat has stemmed from the partnership between Ludovic Ajorque and Abdallah Sima, with Ajorque providing two assists for Sima’s three Champions League goals so far. However, Sima missed the derby against Rennes due to a hamstring issue. Eric Roy will welcome back Massadio Haidara from suspension, but Julien Le Cardinal pulled out during the warm-up, which could see either Soumaila Coulibaly or Abdoulaye Ndiaye partner captain Brendan Chardonnet in central defense.
Influential midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou made his first start since May in the weekend match, but full-back Bradley Locko is still sidelined with a ruptured Achilles tendon.
For Leverkusen, star player Florian Wirtz recently suffered an ankle injury while on international duty but made a cameo appearance against Frankfurt, raising hopes he could start in Guingamp. Former Rennes star Martin Terrier is expected to feature prominently, having registered three goals and one assist in eight previous meetings with Brest. However, first-choice striker Victor Boniface was involved in a car accident and is undergoing checks, making his participation uncertain.
Possible Starting Lineups:
Brest: Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Haidara; Camara, Lees-Melou, Magnetti; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Pereira Lage
Bayer Leverkusen: Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Garcia, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Schick
Despite keeping successive clean sheets in Europe, Leverkusen has conceded 13 goals in their first seven league matches, while Brest has demonstrated their potential on the counter-attack. Les Pirates may exploit Leverkusen’s defensive vulnerabilities, but Xabi Alonso’s dynamic side possesses the firepower to score at least twice at Stade Roudourou.
