Stade Brestois missed an opportunity to inch closer toward UEFA Champions League football for next season after their 1-1 draw against Stade de Reims on Friday night at Stade Francis Le Blé.
Brest faced an early challenge in the first 45 minutes, conceding a goal midway through the first half to Reims. Midfielder Marshall Munetsi broke the scoreless deadlock for Les rouges et blancs in the 25th minute, allowing his side to take the lead on the road.
Despite giving up the game's first goal, Éric Roy and his team did respond right before halftime, thanks to a goal from Lilian Brassier in the first half's stoppage time, to level the scoring as both teams headed into the dressing room.
Les Pirates' attack was noticeable in the first half, generating ten shots in total, which resulted in the late goal. Even though Reims scored the opening goal, they only had three shots in total, but the amount of shots would balance in the second half.
📸🔥#SB29SDR 1⃣-1⃣ pic.twitter.com/UvSiAIYvfY
— Stade Brestois 29 (@SB29) May 10, 2024
As the two squads searched for the goal that would break the 1-1 deadlock, Brest recorded six shots in total in the second half, while Reims countered with five. Neither side could find the back of the net to secure all three points. Instead, both teams left the match with a point.
The draw opens the door for LOSC Lille and OGC Nice to move ahead of Brest and into the top four. Nice secured a 1-0 win over Le Havre on Wednesday, too, and have two games left on their schedule against Paris Saint-Germain and Lille.
As for Lille, a win over FC Nantes on Sunday allows them to leapfrog Brest for third place and sets up a high-stakes matchup against Nice on May 19, especially if Les Aiglons can secure a win over PSG on May 15.
Brest will have to watch the scoreboard to see if certain results go their way in the race for Champions League football next season. They now have one match left in their 2023-24 Ligue 1season, against Toulouse on May 19.
>>PROFILE: Veteran Benjamin Stambouli Raring to Go with Reims
