PLAYER RATINGS | Brest 3-1 Strasbourg: Experience wins out against youth as Le Racing suffer fourth consecutive loss

Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Round 13, 30/11/2024

It was experience versus youth as Stade Brestois hosted RC Strasbourg Alsace. The league’s youngest average squad travelling to meet the league’s oldest. Experience would prove to win out over youth today as Brest inflicted Strasbourg with their fourth defeat in a row (3-1). 

The Match

Strasbourg saw a lot of the ball in the first half recording 64% possession. However, the visitors were completely trapped with the ball as they rarely could launch forrays into the Brest half. Les Pirates pressed high forcing turnovers and attacking in transition, and their reward was an early goal. 

Guela Doué was caught by VAR having controlled the ball with his hand in the area. The referee was advised to go to review the incident and pointed to the spot. The right-back Kenny Lala stepped up for the occasion and waited for Petrović to blink first. The goalkeeper went left and Lala hit low and to the right. 

Brest never released their pressure. Romain Faivre acted as creator and finisher but was kept at bay by Djorde Petrović. The goalkeeper would not cover himself in glory when a delightful flick from Faivre found Mathias Pereira Lage. The winger looked for a pass which bounced fortunately off Petrović’s foot and into the net. VAR would come to Strasbourg’s rescue. 

Still, Pereira Lage would find the net before the end of the half. Julien Le Cardinal hit a long ball which found the winger courtesy of Mama Baldé’s inventive dummy. Pereira Lage entered the box and struck the ball first time from outside the box to give the hosts the 2-0 lead. 

Strasbourg’s struggles continued into the second half. Massadio Haïdara attacked the box where he was tripped by Saïdou Sow. Ludovic Ajorque stepped up this time to the spot but his attempt was saved by Petrović’s dive to the right. It was to a degree a turning point, not in result, but in feeling. Momentum swung in Le Racing’s favour and the young side came alive. 

The visitors could begin to occupy more advanced positions. Andrey Santos and Diego Moreira in particular impressed as they began to ask questions of Brest and put the hosts under pressure causing mistakes and finally troubling Marco Bizot’s goal. 

Strasbourg would halve the deficit with five minutes of regulation time remaining. The substitute Abdoul Ouattara would combine well with Sebastian Nanasi in a crowded box to beat Bizot. Belief from the visitors would dissipate in injury time as Brest’s own substitute Romain Del Castillo found himself with space to shoot. His low shot beat Petrović to claim all three points. 

Brest Player Ratings

Marco Bizot – 6

Massadio Haïdara – 7

Julien Le Cardinal – 7

Brendan Chardonnet – 6

Kenny Lala – 7

The fullback opened proceedings with his nicely taken penalty. It was a moment which put Strasbourg under pressure and rewarded Brest for smothering their opposition and not allowing them any breathing room. Lala further won his battle with Diego Moreira during the first half although the Strasbourg wing-back had a lot more to say for himself in the second act. 

Edimilson Fernandes – 5

Mahdi Camara – 6

Mama Baldé – 7

Romain Faivre – 7

A really impressive first half for the Bournemouth loanee. He was behind a lot of creative moments. However, this somewhat began to fade in the second half when Brest were playing in a far deeper shape which meant the midfielder was less able to influence matters. 

Mathias Pereira Lage – 8

Ludovic Ajorque – 4

The second-half penalty was a turning point in the game. Brest had controlled the match from the first whistle but following the miss from the striker, Strasbourg became more lively and started asking questions of their hosts. It’s hard to see that happening with a 3-0 deficit. 

Strasbourg Player Ratings

Đorđe Petrović – 3

Mamadou Sarr – 4

Saïdou Sow – 3

Guela Doué – 4

Diego Moreira – 6

Moreira has blossomed at Strasbourg in a position he had no prior experience with. The wing-back won the second-half battle against Kenny Lala, but in a way, it was reflective of a general theme for Le Racing – too little, too late. 

Habib Diarra – 5

Andrey Santos – 6

Somewhat anonymous in the first half but was far more impressive in the second. The game being played in more advanced areas with Brest sitting deeper following the penalty definitely helped Santos show why he is such an interesting talent. He could win the ball higher up and wasn’t asked to play constantly facing his own goal. 

Félix Lemaréchal – 4

Sebastian Nanasi – 6

His decision-making was far too frustrating and perhaps reflective of his young age. The most exciting Strasbourg player in the first half. However, in the second he missed the opportunity to halve the deficit and put a lot of pressure on Brest during a moment where they were wobbling. He would redeem himself by earning the assist that finally broke Brest’s defence. 

Sékou Mara – 4

Dilane Bakwa – 5

GFFN | Nick Hartland