Brest vs PSG: Champions League underdogs can ‘create danger and score’, warns Luis Enrique

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has said football is “full of surprises” as European rookies Brest attempt to beat the Ligue 1 leaders for the first time in more than 40 years when the teams meet in the Champions League play-offs on Tuesday (5.45pm GMT).

Brest were in the Ligue 1 relegation zone less than two years ago but have had a meteoric rise since Eric Roy ended a 12-year hiatus from management to take over in January 2023, leading them to European football for the first time in their history at the end of his first full season in charge.

PSG last lost to Brest in January 1985 and won 5-2 away when the teams met on February 1, leaving Luis Enrique suitably keen to talk up the eighth-placed side in the French top flight.

“Football does not necessarily reward the team that plays the best,” said the 2014/15 Champions League winner during his Barcelona tenure, discussing opponents with the worst defensive record of any team above the Ligue 1 relegation zone.

“Against Brest, we always had the feeling we could score – but they can score quickly, they can hold on to the ball. You can lead against them 1-0 or 2-0 and they [can make it] 2-2. It’s easy for Brest to create danger.”

Brest vs Paris St-Germain

The 54-year-old said he was wary of Brest’s willingness to send in crosses, the creative ability of attacker Romain Del Castillo and the hold-up play of on-loan Mainz forward Ludovic Ajorque.

Despite PSG dominating possession when the teams last met, each side had 14 attempts at goal and seven on target, with Brest scoring through Del Castillo and Ajorque and remaining level until the 57th minute.

PSG led 3-2 until Goncalo Ramos scored twice after the 88th minute, ensuring Brest have not beaten them in 13 attempts since winning promotion from Ligue 2 in 2018/19.

Brest ‘can score’ vs PSG

“We are a team that presses extremely well but… they can deploy a short game and a long game with talent,” said Luis Enrique.

“It is complicated. We are favourites but football is full of surprises. Brest can score goals against us and we want to play as well as possible and prepare as well as possible.

“It is very easy for Brest to generate danger, especially in the collective game. They are a well-constructed team and it is hard to defend against them.

“Brest are quite capable of getting a good result. They are good defensively, offensively and on second balls. It’s never an easy match against Brest.”

Champions League playoffs: Brest vs PSG

The hosts have been making a 70-mile trip to Guingamp’s Stade de Roudourou because their Stade Francis-Le Ble home does not meet the requirements of competition organisers Uefa.

Around 950 PSG fans are expected to attend in the hope of avoiding a surprise against Roy’s team, who reached the play-offs despite losing 3-0 at home to Real Madrid on Matchday 8.

Brest beat PSV, Sparta Prague, Salzburg and Sturm Graz during the league phase, taking seven points from four home matches.

Newly-crowned Ligue 1 Player of the Month Ousmane Dembele scored a 34-minute hat-trick at Stade Francis-Le Ble and the forward will aim to continue his scintillating form, netting 15 times in his last nine appearances in all competitions.

PSG will hope to make experience tell in their 13th successive Champions League campaign, having reached the semi-finals last time around and the 2019/20 final.

The second leg is at the Parc des Princes on February 19 (8pm).