By carrying out its second summer training camp in Italy, Stade Brestois came looking for intensity, high-level opponents and to find certainties. If everything was not perfect, Éric Roy’s men left with a narrow defeat against Naples (1-0) and a deserved draw against Juventus (2-2). An honourable and reassuring record. “There was a lot of intensity, a lot of rhythm. I think it’s going in the right direction to prepare for the season,” rejoiced Éric Roy after the draw against Turin. It’s true that there are sequences where we can do better. Particularly in technical mastery, where we lose a few balls that we should have secured. But apart from that, I’m rather satisfied with the team’s collective behaviour.”
Having struggled more against Antonio Conte’s men last Wednesday, Brest were able to raise the bar three days later by learning from their mistakes. “I think we were better able to manage the strong and weak moments today (Saturday against Juventus) unlike Naples where we went at full speed. We wanted to continue, whereas you have to know how to manage these moments and come together as a unit.” A learning experience that will certainly be beneficial for the rest of the season.
“No matter who we’re up against, we want total commitment.”
This rise in power, as the resumption of the championship approaches, is partly explained by the desire to return to the same principles of play, already well assimilated and which made Brest successful last season. And it is not the Champions League that will change Finistère’s approach to matches with a desire to put intensity, high pressing and impact in the duels. “We want to keep all that. We have seen it, all our matches have been committed, whether against Lorient, Naples or Juve. No matter who we are facing, we want total commitment, and that is what works for us. We wanted to have a response and we found it”, assures Brendan Chardonnet, the Brest captain.
Even if, like Ludovic Ajorque, the entire Brest group is not yet completely physically ready to respond to this energy-consuming style of play. “Facing big teams, there is often a little more athletic density than us. But hey, I hope that with the players who will have to come soon, we will also be able to respond at this level”, continues his coach.
So while waiting for the end of the transfer window which promises to be hectic, where Éric Roy still hopes for “five to six players”, Stade Brestois does not intend to deny the values which allowed it to finish 3rd in Ligue 1 last May. And what’s more, it intends to cultivate them.
