Stade Brestois has advanced to the Round of 16 of the Coupe de France with a narrow but significant 1-0 victory over La Roche-sur-Yon, held at Stade Henri-Desgrange on Saturday, December 21. The match witnessed Ludovic Ajorque netting the sole goal, which proved decisive for the Brittany side.
Despite battling through numerous injuries, which left the squad with only two central defenders available, Brest showcased commendable resilience. La Roche-sur-Yon, competing at the National 2 level, put up a valiant effort but fell just short of scoring. The heavy and deteriorated pitch, shared with the local rugby team, complicated play for both teams, as reported by La Nouvelle République.
Early excitement filled the stands, where approximately 7,000 spectators generated a charged atmosphere. Matthieu Villette almost electrified the crowd just eleven minutes in, executing a breathtaking chest control followed by an acrobatic overhead kick, only for Brest’s goalkeeper, Grégoire Coudert, to deflect the shot safely over the bar.
The visitors continued to persevere, though they struggled to impose their game with limited manpower. The key moment of the match unfolded just before halftime. After Jordan Amavi won the ball back high up the pitch, Romain Faivre let Ajorque take the lead, who struck powerfully. The shot proved too much for Imbad Ahamada, the Yonnais keeper, who could only weakly push it past the goalline, giving Brest the lead at the 40-minute mark.
Manager Éric Roy commended his team’s determination and praised the performance, stating, „Pas de but encaissé, ni de blessés, ce n’était pas arrivé depuis longtemps. And we didn’t receive any yellow cards, preserving our players from suspension risks.” This strategic approach seems to have contributed to the team's morale, especially considering their fragile condition going forward.
Upon resumption, La Roche-sur-Yon attempted to equalize, and Axel Dablin had what appeared to be the perfect opportunity to restore parity. Unfortunately for the home side, the surface once again affected the play; he mishit the shot after the ball struck an unexpected mound of earth, missing the target completely.
The compétition intensified as the match progressed, with La Roche pushing back against the professional side. The Yonnais came nearest to equalizing in the closing moments. First, Chérif Diallo saw his powerful strike well saved by Coudert, who remained alert and decisive throughout the contest. Then, Anthony Civet could not find the target with time expiring, leaving La Roche on the brink of fortune.
After the match, Ajorque expressed mixed feelings about his goal, emphasizing the importance of the victory over personal accolades, stating, „Bien sûr que je suis content d’avoir aidé Brest (en marquant), mais le plus important était de se qualifier.” Such reflections hint at the team spirit and the importance of this win as they look toward the knockout stages.
Securing this victory allows Brest to enjoy the holiday period with much-needed optimism, as they continue to aim for greater successes both domestically and potentially on the European front, now sitting comfortably mid-table at the 11th position in Ligue 1 after their exhausting start to the season.
Head coach Éric Roy appeared satisfied with the alignment of strategy against the circumstances, acknowledging the fine balance of intensity and judicious play required throughout the match. He now looks forward to the return of injured players hoping to build upon their current momentum.
The success of the match showcases the peculiar beauty of cup football, where every moment counts and the fervor from supporters makes for unforgettable experiences. For the fans of Brest, this liten victory against La Roche-sur-Yon will long be remembered as another chapter of triumph on their quest for Coupe de France glory.
