PLAYER RATINGS | Barcelona 3-0 Brest: Overpowered Pirates concede first Champions League defeat

UEFA Champions League, Matchday 5, 26/11/24

Brest were up against one of the best teams in Europe for their maiden Champions League campaign and were no match against a vastly superior Barcelona side. Still, the Bretons can hold their head high.

The Match

The hosts wasted little time to take the lead against the plucky Ligue 1 team. Marco Bizot mistimed his run in his attempt to catch Pedri’s cross, clattering into Robert Lewandowski. From the spot, the free-scoring Polish striker scored his century goal in the Champions League.

From then on, Brest were on the ropes, wasting their rare incursions in Barcelona’s half and putting out fires when the hosts turned on the heat. Pedri and Raphinha were particularly excellent for the La Liga leaders while Brest strikers cut isolated figures up front.

Barcelona had numerous opportunities to double their lead and put the game out of sight, but Fermin Lopez proved too wasteful, curling an effort wide and denied by Bizot at point-blank range. In the second half, the Spain international again again found the Dutch keeper in his path.

Brest would eventually break after the hour mark. Hector Martin fed Dani OImo, who danced past Brendan Chardonnet before firing past Bizot. Brest substitute Mathias Pereira Lage thought for a moment he halved the deficit, but he was rightfully flagged offside, with Flick’s Barcelona mastering the art of the high line.

Even with a two-goal lead, Barcelona pressed on to clinch a third, which they eventually got courtesy of a world-class injury-time poacher’s goal from Robert Lewandowski. Brest can take solace in the fact they kept the scoreline respectable but, in the end, Barcelona proved way too good.

Brest player ratings

Marco Bizot – 5

The Dutch goalkeeper had all but himself to blame for needlessly conceding a penalty in the early exchanges. He made amends for it and displayed some fine saves to prevent Barcelona from swelling their lead, until Olmo’s 66th-minute goal

Kenny Lala – 4

Brendan Chardonnet – 6

The skipper put in an assured performance against some of Europe’s best and brightest strikers. He delayed the inevitable, clearing Dani Olmo’s shot from his goal line, before being dribbled past by the former RB Leipzig striker for Barcelona’s second.

Julien Le Cardinal – 5

Massadio Haïdara – 4

Mahdi Camara – 4

Edimilson Fernandes – 4

Hugo Magnetti – 4

Kamory Doumbia – 3

Ludovic Ajorque – 4

Abdallah Sima – 4

The Brighton loanee returned from injury and looked short of rhythm and it showed against Jules Koundé, one of the best right-backs in Europe. Hooked before the hour mark and replaced by Mama Baldé.

Selected Barcelona player ratings

Pedri – 8

Robert Lewandowski – 7

Fermin Lopez – 4

GFFN | Bastien Cheval