At the end of a meeting with a crazy scenario, Brest overthrew Lens this Sunday and recovered a two-goal deficit against the vice-champion of France (3-2). Badly beaten for 40 minutes, the Bretons raised their level of intensity and took advantage of a double from Del Castillo on penalties to claim their first victory of the season on the 1st day of Ligue 1. Thomasson was sent off for the first of the season.
With its strongest starting lineup, the Lensois logically put the Bretons on the back foot from the first moments. Powerful and fast, the counter-attacks multiplied on Bizot’s goal. Frankowski was the first to light a fuse, but it was Sotoca who opened his goal counter. The artesian striker cut a corner from Fulgini at the near post, and his header came just over the line (10th, 0-1). The vice-champions of France did not relax their grip, and after a new counter-attack, it was Machado who found himself in the opposing area and shot Bizot close, powerless (22nd, 0-2 ).
A priori not disconcerted by the losses of Openda and Fofana, their scorer and captain last season, the visitors continued their good first period by being close to the K.O goal with a recovery from Fulgini, only countered involuntarily by Chardonnet… who was on the ground in his area (42nd). However, shortly before the break, an intervention by Gradit called into question the ideal first 45 minutes of the Sang et Or. Del Castillo took the opportunity to reduce the score with a cross shot (45 4th, 1-2). “The penalty spoils this good half,” summed up Sotoca at the break.
LIVE – Ligue 1: follow the multiplex of the first day
The start of the second act proved the former Grenoble player right: the Finisterians, 14th in Ligue 1 last season, raised their voices physically and after several situations from afar via Pereira Large (49th) and Magnetti (53rd), Lala put the two teams equal with a shot in the small net where Samba is not exempt from any reproach (55th, 2-2). The Ty-Zefs multiplied the opportunities to achieve an improbable comeback, with headers from Le Douarnon (69th, 77th). Nervous, Thomasson was sent off for a sole pressed on Del Castillo (82nd), and the latter scored the winning goal on a second penalty a few moments later with an uncrossed shot, for a foul on Mounié (85th).
Probably struck by this disaster scenario, Franck Haise’s men will be keen to raise their heads quickly because two deadlines, perhaps already decisive, are looming: a reception from Rennes on Sunday (8:45 p.m.), then a trip to the lawn of Paris-SG Saturday August 26 (9 p.m.). Brest will go to Le Havre next Sunday (3 p.m.) then to Marseille on Saturday August 26 (5 p.m.).