On February 11, 2025, at 14:45 (Brasília time), Brest will face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade du Roudourou, marking the first leg of their playoff round for the UEFA Champions League 2024/25. This clash of French teams is not only significant for the teams' standings but also for their aspirations to advance to the latter stages of Europe's premier club competition.
PSG arrives at this matchup as the firm favorite, riding high on their recent performances, including an impressive streak of 16 matches unbeaten, with 12 wins and 4 draws. Their most recent outing saw them defeat Monaco 4-1, showcasing their attacking prowess. On the contrary, Brest has struggled recently, managing only two wins out of their last ten matches. They secured victories against Nantes and Troyes but were also heavily beaten by PSG, losing 5-2 just days before this playoff match.
The historical record between these two sides heavily favors PSG, who have won 25 out of their 40 encounters across all competitions, with Brest managing just three victories and 12 matches ending in draws. The last time Brest defeated PSG was back in the 1984/85 Ligue 1 season, illustrating the challenges they face.
Brest will look to leverage their home-field advantage, hoping to pull off what would be considered a massive upset. Their manager, Éric Roy, has emphasized playing without pressure, aiming to create scoring opportunities against the defending champions. The team, ranked 18th at the end of the group stage, finished with 13 points, struggling to maintain consistency throughout the tournament.
Looking at the current squads, Brest is poised to field Marco Bizot as goalkeeper, with Kenny Lala, Brendan Chardonnet, Soumaila Coulibaly, and Massadio Haidara forming the defensive line. The midfield will include Mahdi Camara, Pierre Lees-Melou, and Hugo Magnetti, supporting forwards like Abdallah Sima and Ludovic Ajorque. The team has shown resilience at home with two wins, one draw, and one loss, and they hope to build upon this record.
PSG, managed by Luis Enrique, will likely employ their tried-and-true 4-3-3 formation, featuring Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, flanked by Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, and Nuno Mendes. The standout attacking trio will likely consist of Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, who is having a spectacular season, and newcomer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who scored his first PSG goal last week. Dembélé has been particularly noteworthy, having scored 21 goals across all competitions this season.
Betting insights indicate PSG's superiority, with odds on PSG victory at around 1.38. Predictions suggest possible outcomes such as over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.50, reflecting the high-scoring nature of previous encounters, where the last match between the two teams alone resulted in seven goals. Another interesting bet is on Kvaratskhelia to score or assist, particularly as he establishes himself within the squad.
Despite the odds favoring PSG, Brest's home ground could provide the necessary impetus for them to challenge their more illustrious opponents. Both sides are expected to create chances, and with Brest's inconsistent defense, the likelihood of both teams scoring is high. The match promises excitement, with history, statistics, and player form playing pivotal roles.
Fans across Brazil can catch the action live, with broadcasts available on TNT and streaming via MAX. Will Brest be able to defy the odds and pull off a spectacular victory, or will PSG continue their dominance over their rivals? Only time will tell as these two teams face off for the chance to progress to the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.