EA Guingamp’s Stade du Roudourou is set to host a thrilling UEFA Champions League knockout round playoff on Tuesday, featuring an all-French matchup between Stade Brestois 29 and Paris Saint-Germain. This unique fixture arises from the results of the Ligue 1 season, highlighting the strength of French clubs as all four representatives reached the playoffs.
Stade Brestois, managed by Eric Roy, comes into the match with positive momentum, following victories against Troyes in the Coupe de France and Nantes in Ligue 1 last week. Meanwhile, PSG, under the leadership of Luis Enrique, is riding a remarkable wave of form, having recently decimated their opponents 5-2 and maintaining a stunning 30-game unbeaten streak against Brest, dating back to 1985.
The Parisians are continuing their quest for a first Champions League title, alongside becoming only the second French club to achieve this honor after Olympique de Marseille. After a slow start in this season’s competition, PSG bounced back with strong performances in their final group matches, culminating in crucial away wins against Red Bull Salzburg and VfB Stuttgart, as well as a dramatic victory over Manchester City. This successful run is part of an overall unbeaten streak that now stretches to 16 matches, further boosted by a recent win over AS Monaco.
Stade Brestois had a promising league phase, securing three wins in four matches, including a commendable draw against Bayer Leverkusen. However, they faced challenges against larger European clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, with their only win coming against PSV Eindhoven, which saw them advance to the playoffs. Both Brest and PSG ended the league phase at 13 points, but PSG’s goal difference earned them a seeded playoff position.
In terms of team news, Brest will be without Bradley Locko and Karamoko Dembele, while Jonas Martin is uncertain to play. Roy will likely field Ludovic Ajorque, who was a standout performer throughout the league phase. For PSG, manager Luis Enrique will be missing Warren Zaire-Emery and Ibrahim Mbaye, but the debut of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia adds a fresh dynamic. Ousmane Dembele, who has scored eight goals in three matches, is expected to take the lead in attack.
As for predictions, PSG is widely expected to emerge victorious in this matchup, with potential for both teams to find the net in the opening leg. The anticipated scoreline leans towards a convincing 3-1 win for the Parisians.
Overall, this playoff serves as an exciting opportunity for both teams to showcase their talent on a prestigious European stage, with the hopes of advancing further in the tournament. The match promises to be a festive occasion for French football and a showcase of its evolving competitiveness in Europe.