UCL Recap: Brest stay perfect in Salzburg
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Shaking off a poor performance in Ligue 1 McDonald's on Friday, a 3-0 loss to Auxerre, Stade Brestois made it two wins from two in their maiden UEFA Champions League campaign with a 4-0 victory away to RB Salzburg. Powered by a double from Abdallah Sima, Les Pirates had a few nervy moments but ultimately were too much for a callow home side, converting their chances with machine-like precision.
A welcome flag
After a galling loss on the first matchday away to Sparta Prague, the onus was on the Austrian champions, playing at home, to come into form against an opponent still missing the likes of Bradley Locko and Pierre Lees-Melou. A young Salzburg side had plenty of their own absences, though, and fielded a very young side as a result. That inexperience manifested itself as energy in the match's early going, though, as an aggressive press saw Brest concede several fouls.
The hosts then thought they had the lead as Brest struggled to clear a corner and the ball was bundled into the goal, but an intervention from VAR saw it ruled out. Despite continuing to be under pressure from Salzburg, with Ivory Coast international Karim Konaté leading the way, the decision seemed to calm Éric Roy's side, and it wasn't long before they had the opening goal, as Sima, who had been on the scoresheet a fortnight earlier against Sturm Graz, swept in a sublime ball from Ludovic Ajorque.
A sensational win for Brest 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/0eUOQ7Ce2M
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 1, 2024
second-half domination
Despite taking the lead, the start to the second half was somewhat nervy for Brest, as they saw Salzburg dominate the ball, but without creating any real chances of note. Salzburg coach Pep Reijnders made a pair of changes just before the hour, hoping to turn the tide, but from there, Brest were in the ascendancy. Roy made his own changes, bringing on the veteran Jonas Martin and summer signing Mama Baldé, and the latter wasn't long in getting involved, setting up Mahdi Camara as Brest doubled their lead.
From there, Brest grew in confidence, and just four minutes later, had a third as Sima pounced on a rebound to get his brace, before Mathias Pereira Lage added the coup de grace with Baldé again playing the provider fifteen minutes from time. Tougher tests will come for the Bretons, with Barcelona and Real Madrid on the horizon, but for now they are joint top of the competition's table and will hope for their confidence to be boosted come this weekend against Le Havre.
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