Safety secured and thin squad, why Brest have slowed in Ligue 1 | OneFootball

Brest have stalled across four matches and looked flat, and must find a spark before hosting Lens on Friday at 20:45.

According to L'Équipe, Eric Roy’s mid-table side have been safe for four matches but short on thrills. He lamented the poverty of their play after the 1-1 draw at Nantes, which halted three defeats with a scarcely merited equaliser.

Roy questioned whether they can improve given absentees and some out of form, and hinted at changes despite limited options. Uncertainty over loanees and others whose contracts run to June 2027 has not helped, and he accepts none of the loanees will stay next season, naming Majecki, Coulibaly, Diaz, Dina Ebimbe, who has a seven million euro option, and Labeau Lascary.

With four rounds left, chances may come for youngsters. Raphaël Le Guen, 19, still awaits a first Ligue 1 start, and full-back Luck Zogbé, 21, could challenge Kenny Lala for minutes.

On the left, Daouda Guindo struggled in Nantes, reopening competition with the injury-hit Bradley Locko, whose season might be over.

In midfield, Lucas Tousart has only five Ligue 1 starts after an August thigh injury and has not dislodged Hugo Magnetti and Joris Chotard in the preferred 4-2-3-1. Hamidou Makalou, 19, still looks raw.

Up front, Pathé Mboup has eight starts and one goal since joining from Pau, while Saliou Diop has barely featured. Brightest news is Mama Baldé’s return from Clairefontaine, back in the squad after a thigh issue, not a starter since 4 January.

Source: L'Équipe