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Stade Brestois: The Pirates on course for their best ever finish in Ligue 1

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This season has thrown up a host of underdog stories throughout Europe. Yet perhaps none have been as impressive as Stade Brestois’ remarkable campaign in Ligue 1. The Breton side have exceeded all expectations and currently occupy second spot – their highest ever position at this stage of a top flight season in France.

By Luke Bissett

And what a difference a year has made at the Stade Francis Le Blé. Brest were engulfed in a fierce relegation battle upon manager Eric Roy’s arrival in January 2023, while several doubts were cast over his appointment. It was Roy’s first managerial job since a spell at Nice in 2011, with the Frenchman having worked as a sporting director at Watford and Lens. 

Following just one league win in Roy’s first two months in charge, Brest seemed destined for the drop with a tally of 20 points from their opening 25 games. In fact, it was their worst start to a Ligue 1 season since the in over 30 years. A further cause for concern was the fact that four sides were relegated from Ligue 1 last term as the league system was rejigged and the division was reduced to 18 clubs. Yet the turning point in the Pirates’ season soon arrived. Brest lost just two of their final 11 matches, steering well clear of the relegation zone and finishing in 14th spot. 

However, survival seemed an equally difficult task ahead of the current campaign – most notably due to the sale of key attacker Franck Honorat to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Honorat had been directly involved in more goals than any other Brest player since his arrival in 2020-21 (38 goal involvements). This was also furthered by the departures of key players Haris Belkebla and Jean-Kévin Duverne, while the club’s financial capabilities were extremely limited due to the Mediapro broadcast fiasco. The Pirates seemed to be a sinking ship. 

Yet against all odds, Eric Roy’s side have taken Ligue 1 by storm this season. They currently sit in second spot with 53 points – already more than they managed across the entirety of each of their last eight Ligue 1 campaigns. Indeed, the highest position that Brest have ever previously held this far into a top-flight term was sixth. 

This season has been nothing short of remarkable at the Stade Francis Le Blé, with this their most wins (15) and fewest losses (5) ever at this stage. Roy has developed his side into one of the most consistent performers across France, and they have lost just one of their last 17 league games. 

Their imperious form has been largely built on boasting one of the sternest defences across the big five European leagues. Brest have conceded the second-fewest goals of any side in the  French top tier (23) – half as many as they had shipped after 28 games in 2022-23 (46).  Furthermore, only Nice (15) and Lille (14) have kept more clean sheets than Roy’s side (13). 

The side from Brittany have certainly caught Ligue 1 by surprise with their direct approach. They typically set up in a variation of a 4-3-3 and place a huge emphasis on progressing the ball upfield as quickly as possible – they have the third highest percentage of long passes in Ligue 1 (15.5%). The Pirates average the fifth fewest passes per sequence (3.4),  showcasing just how keen they are on advancing the ball as soon as possible. 

Remarkably, Brest have completed more long passes than any other side in Europe’s big five leagues (1118). Roy’s side utilise this via the aerial prowess of loanee striker Martin Satriano, with the team’s midfielders and wide players then flooding the central areas to challenge for second balls. 

Another extremely impressive trait of this Brest side is their wing-play. They look to use the full width of the pitch and work the ball into dangerous positions, before delivering inviting crosses into the penalty area. In fact, they have the third highest absolute width per sequence in Ligue 1 this season (26 metres), while no side has attempted (654) or completed (166) more crosses in the competition. 

Though that is not to say their attacking sequences are completely one-dimensional. In Romain Del Castillo, Brest have one of the most effective technicians within their side. The attacker has made the second-most passes into the penalty area in Ligue 1 this term (276), alongside boasting the third highest xA (Expected Assists) tally in the division (7.55). The forward-thinking Del Castillo is always looking to progress play, and is a huge factor in the fact that Brest have made the fourth most passes into the opposition’s box (884). This enables the Pirates to generate a large volume of chances – they have attempted the third most shots in the division (404). 

However, there is little doubt that Brest’s success has been due to their out-of-possession work. Roy’s charges are one of the most effective pressing units in France. They look to suffocate opponents into making mistakes, with only Monaco (278) making more high turnovers than them in 2023-24 (260). A staggering 43 of those high turnovers have ended in a shot – the third most in the division. The Pirates give opponents very little time on the ball, which is displayed through them also having the third lowest PPDA figure in Ligue 1 (9.9). 

Furthermore, only Monaco (442) and PSG (430) have completed more press sequences – the number of sequences starting in the defensive third where the opposition has three or fewer passes, and the sequence ends in their own half – than Brest’s 426. Roy’s side seek to force opponents out wide, offering significantly fewer opportunities to advance the ball. While they press aggressively to protect central passing lanes, making more tackles (561) and winning more duels (1673) than any other Ligue 1 outfit. 

This has worked to great effect for the Pirates and limited their opponents to very few chances – only Lille (266) have faced less shots than them (285). The Bretons’ defence has been impenetrable at times. This has seen Roy’s side become extremely difficult to peg back, with nine of their 15 victories coming via a one-goal margin. Impressively, no side has dropped fewer points from winning positions than them in Ligue 1 (four). 

It has been a season like no other for Brest – who have never finished higher than eighth in the French top-flight – with Champions League qualification now firmly within their grasp. Due to the competition’s impending expansion, fourth spot in Ligue 1 will see the Pirates set sail for the high seas of the Europe’s biggest club competition for the very first time.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every Ligue 1 match live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Stade Brestois: The Pirates on course for their best ever finish in Ligue 1

This season has thrown up a host of underdog stories throughout Europe. Yet perhaps none have been as impressive as Stade Brestois’ remarkable campaign in Ligue 1. The Breton side have exceeded all expectations and currently occupy second spot – their highest ever position at this stage of a top flight season in France.

By Luke Bissett

And what a difference a year has made at the Stade Francis Le Blé. Brest were engulfed in a fierce relegation battle upon manager Eric Roy’s arrival in January 2023, while several doubts were cast over his appointment. It was Roy’s first managerial job since a spell at Nice in 2011, with the Frenchman having worked as a sporting director at Watford and Lens. 

Following just one league win in Roy’s first two months in charge, Brest seemed destined for the drop with a tally of 20 points from their opening 25 games. In fact, it was their worst start to a Ligue 1 season since the in over 30 years. A further cause for concern was the fact that four sides were relegated from Ligue 1 last term as the league system was rejigged and the division was reduced to 18 clubs. Yet the turning point in the Pirates’ season soon arrived. Brest lost just two of their final 11 matches, steering well clear of the relegation zone and finishing in 14th spot. 

However, survival seemed an equally difficult task ahead of the current campaign – most notably due to the sale of key attacker Franck Honorat to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Honorat had been directly involved in more goals than any other Brest player since his arrival in 2020-21 (38 goal involvements). This was also furthered by the departures of key players Haris Belkebla and Jean-Kévin Duverne, while the club’s financial capabilities were extremely limited due to the Mediapro broadcast fiasco. The Pirates seemed to be a sinking ship. 

Yet against all odds, Eric Roy’s side have taken Ligue 1 by storm this season. They currently sit in second spot with 53 points – already more than they managed across the entirety of each of their last eight Ligue 1 campaigns. Indeed, the highest position that Brest have ever previously held this far into a top-flight term was sixth. 

This season has been nothing short of remarkable at the Stade Francis Le Blé, with this their most wins (15) and fewest losses (5) ever at this stage. Roy has developed his side into one of the most consistent performers across France, and they have lost just one of their last 17 league games. 

Their imperious form has been largely built on boasting one of the sternest defences across the big five European leagues. Brest have conceded the second-fewest goals of any side in the  French top tier (23) – half as many as they had shipped after 28 games in 2022-23 (46).  Furthermore, only Nice (15) and Lille (14) have kept more clean sheets than Roy’s side (13). 

The side from Brittany have certainly caught Ligue 1 by surprise with their direct approach. They typically set up in a variation of a 4-3-3 and place a huge emphasis on progressing the ball upfield as quickly as possible – they have the third highest percentage of long passes in Ligue 1 (15.5%). The Pirates average the fifth fewest passes per sequence (3.4),  showcasing just how keen they are on advancing the ball as soon as possible. 

Remarkably, Brest have completed more long passes than any other side in Europe’s big five leagues (1118). Roy’s side utilise this via the aerial prowess of loanee striker Martin Satriano, with the team’s midfielders and wide players then flooding the central areas to challenge for second balls. 

Another extremely impressive trait of this Brest side is their wing-play. They look to use the full width of the pitch and work the ball into dangerous positions, before delivering inviting crosses into the penalty area. In fact, they have the third highest absolute width per sequence in Ligue 1 this season (26 metres), while no side has attempted (654) or completed (166) more crosses in the competition. 

Though that is not to say their attacking sequences are completely one-dimensional. In Romain Del Castillo, Brest have one of the most effective technicians within their side. The attacker has made the second-most passes into the penalty area in Ligue 1 this term (276), alongside boasting the third highest xA (Expected Assists) tally in the division (7.55). The forward-thinking Del Castillo is always looking to progress play, and is a huge factor in the fact that Brest have made the fourth most passes into the opposition’s box (884). This enables the Pirates to generate a large volume of chances – they have attempted the third most shots in the division (404). 

However, there is little doubt that Brest’s success has been due to their out-of-possession work. Roy’s charges are one of the most effective pressing units in France. They look to suffocate opponents into making mistakes, with only Monaco (278) making more high turnovers than them in 2023-24 (260). A staggering 43 of those high turnovers have ended in a shot – the third most in the division. The Pirates give opponents very little time on the ball, which is displayed through them also having the third lowest PPDA figure in Ligue 1 (9.9). 

Furthermore, only Monaco (442) and PSG (430) have completed more press sequences – the number of sequences starting in the defensive third where the opposition has three or fewer passes, and the sequence ends in their own half – than Brest’s 426. Roy’s side seek to force opponents out wide, offering significantly fewer opportunities to advance the ball. While they press aggressively to protect central passing lanes, making more tackles (561) and winning more duels (1673) than any other Ligue 1 outfit. 

This has worked to great effect for the Pirates and limited their opponents to very few chances – only Lille (266) have faced less shots than them (285). The Bretons’ defence has been impenetrable at times. This has seen Roy’s side become extremely difficult to peg back, with nine of their 15 victories coming via a one-goal margin. Impressively, no side has dropped fewer points from winning positions than them in Ligue 1 (four). 

It has been a season like no other for Brest – who have never finished higher than eighth in the French top-flight – with Champions League qualification now firmly within their grasp. Due to the competition’s impending expansion, fourth spot in Ligue 1 will see the Pirates set sail for the high seas of the Europe’s biggest club competition for the very first time.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every Ligue 1 match live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.