Chardonnet-Diaz at the back, Ajorque-Doumbia up front, the pairings powering Brest’s revival | OneFootball

Unbeaten in five, Brest host Le Havre on Sunday at 17:15, built on a refreshed spine and smart pairings in a 4-2-3-1. According to L'Équipe, goalkeeper Grégoire Coudert seized his chance after errors by Monaco loanee Radoslaw Majecki, and the club are ninth.

Captain Brendan Chardonnet has been the constant, adapting to a revolving cast. He started with Julien Le Cardinal, who left for Saint-Étienne in L2, then Junior Diaz on loan from Troyes in L2, before Soumaïla Coulibaly, on loan from Strasbourg, whose injury brought Diaz back.

The Ivorian international, 22 and capped once, was frustrated by limited minutes but has grown to the point he is hard to dislodge. Across his last four starts with Chardonnet, SB29 have conceded only one goal.

Hugo Magnetti, after Chardonnet the longest-serving, debuted in 2018 and became undroppable in the 2023-2024 third-place campaign as a left-sided relay. Now vice-captain in a double pivot, and with Lucas Tousart out long term, he gels with Joris Chotard, signed from Montpellier. The coach calls Chotard young but seasoned, with 200 Ligue 1 games.

Striker Ludovic Ajorque, six goals and seven assists, and playmaker Kamory Doumbia, five goals and two assists, have truly clicked this season after linking up in summer 2024. Roy has urged Ajorque to be more selfish at times, noting the five-match run includes four goals and two assists from the Réunionnais, and that team momentum is aiding his effectiveness.

Source: L'Équipe