The Stade Brestois faced off against Shakhtar Donetsk on January 22, 2023, and unfortunately came out on the losing end of a 2-0 scoreline. This match, held in Gelsenkirchen, marked the seventh round of their Champions League season, leaving Brest sitting at 11th place with only 13 points earned. While they have already secured their spot in the next round of playoffs, the defeat has significantly dimmed their hopes of breaking through to the coveted Top 8.
From the opening whistle, it was clear the match would not favor Brest. The Ukrainian side was aggressive and assertive, dominating possession of the ball to the tune of nearly 70% during the first half. They quickly proved their capability with opportunities to score. Early on, Eguinaldo showcased impressive footwork as he cut through the defense only for his assist to Marlon Gomes to narrowly miss the mark, hitting the side of the net instead.
Despite some efforts from Brest, such as Mama Baldé's attempt to capitalize on the ball, Shakhtar's steady dominance played heavily against them. A turning point occurred when Chardonnet miscontrolled a clearance, gifting Macedo the chance to strike first for Shakhtar, which he did, scoring the first goal of the match at 18 minutes.
Faced with the mounting pressure and consequences of their own errors, Brest was often left scrambling. By the 37th minute, Marco Bizot, the Brest goalkeeper, compounded their challenges by committing a foul inside the penalty area, leading to another score for Shakhtar, this time from Sudakov, who converted the penalty with style. A straightforward panenka left Brest hapless and trailing 2-0.
Brest showed signs of tapping back way before the halftime whistle—namely with Magnetti coming close to scoring—but those moments were scant and often ended with frustration. The lack of intensity and offensive precision underscored what has increasingly been their season's narrative—an unwillingness or inability to seize pivotal opportunities.
Returning from halftime, the Ty'Zefs, armed with another plan, seemed to level the playing field without resulting success; no new goal or scoring chances materialized. Although Baldé remained active on the left wing, he was often unable to weave through Shakhtar's stingy defense.
Then came the closest opportunity of the second half—an outstanding free-kick from Lala aimed precisely at the upper left corner. But once again, Shakhtar's keeper Riznyk was up to the task, producing an impressive save to deny Brest any hope.
While the final score remained written as 2-0, it felt more like the culmination of missed chances than of pure defeat as Brest struggled to find their rhythm. The match ended on something of a high note for Shakhtar as Traoré raced down the field to add what seemed like another goal, only to have it ruled offside.
The aftermath of the match leaves Brest at the precipice of their ambitions. With those slim chances of securing the Top 8 growing distant, they now shift their focus to facing Real Madrid at Roudourou on January 29. This meeting is pivotal not just for stature but for restoring morale as Brest aims to rekindle the fire needed to revitalize their league campaign.
The loss against Shakhtar speaks volumes about the team's need for improvement, against not only formidable opponents but also time management and cohesion on the field. Brest has decisions to make if they wish to avoid slipping even below their current playoff position. They remain hopeful but conscious of their uphill battle as they continue to navigate what has been, undoubtedly, a challenging season.