Brest had a strong start in their UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign, but they have suffered two losses in their last three league phase matches, which may hinder their chances of finishing in the top eight (W4, D1, L2). Despite their 2-0 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk last week, the French team has secured a spot in the knockout phase play-offs, a remarkable accomplishment in their first ever European campaign. Their final league phase game will be against current champions Real Madrid, but after their previous defeat against Barcelona, Brest could become the first UCL debutants to lose to both teams in one European campaign since Leeds in 2000/01. Brest will be determined to avoid this outcome, especially since they have remained unbeaten in their three UCL home games so far (W2, D1).
In contrast, Real Madrid had a slow start in their European journey, but they have improved throughout the season and are now only one point behind Brest (W4, L3). Like their opponents, Carlo Ancelotti’s team has secured a play-off spot, but they are aiming for a win in this match to secure a spot in the round of 16, following their impressive 5-1 victory over Salzburg in matchday seven. Real Madrid’s attacking power cannot be ignored, as they have scored 17 goals in four matches (W4), including their 3-0 win against Real Valladolid in La Liga on Saturday. However, their record in UCL away games this season is not perfect, having lost two out of three matches (W1), including a defeat in France (1-0 against Lille). This should make them cautious, especially since they have lost half of their UCL away matches in the country (W5, D2, L7).
Players to keep an eye on include Brest’s top scorer in the UCL, Abdallah Sima, who has scored three goals, two of which were in the second half during victories for the Pirates. On the other hand, Kylian Mbappé, who scored a hat-trick against Valladolid, will be returning to his home country as Real Madrid’s main threat, having scored nine goals in ten previous appearances against Brest, with four of those goals coming between the 25th and 40th minute. It is worth noting that in all seven of Brest’s UCL games this season, there have been either one or two goals scored in the first half (Brest HT: W3, D2, L2).
