Champions League 2024/25, Matchday 1, 19/09/2024 – Stade Brestois 29 v Sturm Graz (Roudourou)
For their first-ever European qualification, Brest hit the jackpot in booking their ticket for the revamped 36-team Champions League courtesy of their remarkable third-place finish last season. The lowest UEFA ranking team in the UCL were handed a winnable debut against Austrian champions Sturm Graz, who have not played a game since 31 August, due to their league match being postponed due to the severe flooding in Central Europe.
Unfazed by the circumstances, Brest started with intent against a rusty Sturm side. Kenny Lala had a moment to forget when he missed his clearance to allow Seedy Jatta to find the back of Marco Bizot’s net. Fortunately, the goal was disallowed for a tight offside call. This spot of bad luck proved a wake-up call for the Austrian side with Sturm Graz marginally growing into the game. Hugo Magnetti chose this moment to enter into Brest’s history book. Jon Gorenc Stankovič headed away a long throw outside the penalty box for the French midfielder to chest the ball down and score on the half-volley for Les Pirates‘ first-ever goal in European qualification.
The visitors went close to an immediate equalizer but Bizot was on hand to deny William Bøving. Despite missing several starters, including Romain Del Castillo and Pierre Lees-Melou, Brest were heading into half-time with a narrow but deserved lead. Unfortunately, their defense failed to keep up following a corner kick. William Bøving was clean through on goal and curled an effort that would have gone wide had Edimilson Fernandes not deflected the effort in Bizot’s net, although the Dutch keeper could have also done better.
Brest were back to square one but they remain on the front foot. Ten minutes into the second half, Lala’s deep cross was headed in by Ludovic Ajorque into the path of Abdallah Sima. The Brighton loanee kept Emanuel Aiwu on his right before applying a clever left-foot finish in the bottom corner for his first goal with the Brittany outfit. Sturm Graz were on the ropes and only relied on counter-attacks to threaten the hosts, who were pushing for a third goal rather than sitting deep.
Brest wasted several opportunities to put the game to bed in the dying minutes, more so following Dimitri Lavalée’s red card for the visitors. The Ligue 1 side eventually held on to three vital points in their Champions League journey that will see them lock horns with Bayer Leverkusen, Barcelona and Real Madrid. RB Salzburg will be next for Eric Roy’s fearless Pirates.
Brest players ratings
Marco Bizot, 5
Kenny Lala, 6
Brendan Chardonnet, 7
The skipper put in an impeccable shift at the back, leading by example until exhaustion and winning countless duels for fun. Sturm Graz strikers barely had a whiff at goal.
Soumaila Coulibaly, 6
Jordan Amavi, 4
Despite his experience in Europe’s premier club competition, the left-back was identified by Sturm Graz as Brest’s defensive weak link, and quite rightly so. No Brest player lost more balls than him (24).
Edimilson Fernandes, 4
Mahdi Camara, 6
Hugo Magnetti, 7
As a Marseille-born, the midfielder knows all about making French football history in the Champions League. The 26-year-old put in a tireless shift and scored his side’s first European goal with an inspired half-volley.
Romain Faivre, 4
Due to the unforeseen absence of Romain Del Castillo, the Bournemouth loanee got the nod and had a frustrating evening at Guingamp. The former Lyon player made little difference and was hooked at the hour mark.
Ludovic Ajorque, 5
Abdallah Sima, 6
Needlessly booked after elbowing Stankovic, the Brighton and Hove Albion had a rather forgettable night, until the 56th minute when he applied a great finish after outfoxing Emanuel Aiwu for his first goal with the Pirates.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
