Our goal will be to still be alive before the return match ,” declared Éric Roy before this Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday between “his” Brest and PSG. Failed. Merciless, Luis Enrique’s men won 3-0 at the Stade de Roudourou, in Guingamp, with a penalty from Vitinha and a double from the man in form at the moment, Ousmane Dembélé . In form, a mild understatement… With great control, the Parisians showed off their talent, but also their collective values. They will have to finish the job on February 19, at the Parc des Princes, to reach the round of 16, against Liverpool or Barcelona. The capital club signed a 31st match without defeat against Brest, a record in the club’s history. Brest’s last success over Paris? 40 years ago, in January 1985.
To discover
The match was tight at the start, with the Parisians stumbling against the Brest wall. The Parisians nevertheless breathed a big sigh of relief: in a hurry, Donnarumma cleared the ball right to Ajorque, it went just wide of the goal (12th ) . No gift from heaven for the Bretons. In fact, the sky was falling on their heads: Lees-Melou’s handball in the area (17th ) , penalty converted by Vitinha (0-1, 21st ) . Having been cautious until then, Eric Roy’s players (finally) moved up a gear, as illustrated by this cross from Lala for Ajorque (23rd ) . No more energy, no more desire, no more play. Not for long. The Parisian machine continued to crush the locals. In addition, the danger was getting closer to Bizot’s goal (27th , 30th ) . An accident happened quickly: Pacho found himself in front of Sima… before making a crazy save (34th ) . Corner. And… Sima’s header hit the post (35th ) ! Brest’s strong moment for a long time, but Paris broke away before the break, through the inevitable Dembélé (0-2, 45th ) . A final free kick from Lala, and it was half-time. Merciless PSG (0-2 half-time).
Dembélé drives the point home
One of the great strengths of this Paris-SG 2024-25 vintage is to be strong in its weak moments. This goal from “Dembouz” showed it again… The Brestois were not far from paying the price once again, the goal from Doué, after a great start to the second half by the locals and this save from Donnarumma in front of Sima (48th ) , was finally disallowed (50th ) . The Brest supporters welcomed this decision as a goal from their protégés and redoubled their efforts, Dembélé being on the verge of turning on the air conditioning, after a marvelous backheel from “Viti” (57th ) . And Barcola too (62nd ) .
Parisian control was once again very strong. And there was more and more space behind Chardonnet and his teammates. But it was on a confused action, with as much success as power, that Dembélé hammered the nail in (0-3, 66th ) . Brest tried to fight back, with this beautiful strike from Camara (67th ) . Minimal success for Brest, like this strong and low cross from Chardonnet which passed in front of everyone (80th ) . No, the Tizefs were not going to succeed in this encounter. They would have had to play the perfect match and have that hint of luck, that spark to ignite the debates. It didn’t happen. And Luis Enrique’s players continued to push, with the incoming “Kvara” or Vitinha. There was indeed this cross-shot from Pereira-Lage that Donnarumma had to save for a corner (90th ) , but the score was not there, even if Brest fought until the end. The public was not mistaken and applauded their heroes, beaten but so valiant. ” We are not in the same world as PSG “, said coach Roy on Monday. We saw that on the (bad) pitch at Guingamp (0-3 final score).
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