Competition: UEFA Champions League
Date: September 19, 2024
Venue: Stade du Roudourou, Guingamp
Teams: Brest (Stade Brestois 29) vs Sturm Graz (SK Puntigamer Sturm Graz)
Final Score: Brest 2-1 Sturm Graz
Brest vs Sturm Graz marked the debut of Brest in European competitions, and they made their entry memorable by securing a thrilling 2-1 victory. In this Group Stage encounter of the Champions League, Brest capitalized on a solid team effort and key goals by Hugo Magnetti and Abdallah Sima to outclass the Austrian side, Sturm Graz. Despite a nervy moment with an own goal by Edimilson Fernandes, Brest managed to restore their lead and hold on for a historic win.
Brest vs Sturm Graz Head-to-Head
This was the first-ever competitive encounter between Brest and Sturm Graz in European football. Brest, being new to the European stage, entered the match with enthusiasm, while Sturm Graz came with the experience of previous European campaigns. However, it was Brest who made the most of the opportunity, overcoming early jitters to claim a well-deserved win.
Brest vs Sturm Graz Lineups and Substitutes
Here are the Brest vs Sturm Graz lineups today (Sep 19, 2024)
Brest Starting XI (4-4-2):
- Goalkeeper: Marco Bizot
- Defenders: Jordan Amavi, Brendan Chardonnet (C), Lilian Brassier, Kenny Lala
- Midfielders: Edimilson Fernandes, Hugo Magnetti, Mahdi Camara, Romain Faivre
- Forwards: Abdallah Sima, Ludovic Ajorque
Substitutes:
- Mathias Pereira Lage (for Abdallah Sima, 85′)
- Massadio Haïdara (for Jordan Amavi, 84′)
- Kamory Doumbia (for Edimilson Fernandes, 72′)
- Jonas Martin (for Mahdi Camara, 71′)
- Romain Del Castillo (for Romain Faivre, 62′)
Sturm Graz Starting XI (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Kjell Scherpen
- Defenders: Max Johnston, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Dimitri Lavalée, Emanuel Aiwu
- Midfielders: William Bøving, Otar Kiteishvili, Tomi Horvat
- Forwards: Seedy Jatta, Mika Biereth, Jusuf Gazibegovic
Substitutes:
- Malick Yalcouyé (for Tomi Horvat, 45′)
- Lovro Zvonarek (for Seedy Jatta, 60′)
- Amady Camara (for Otar Kiteishvili, 78′)
- Erencan Yardimci (for Mika Biereth, 78′)
Brest vs Sturm Graz Match Summary
Brest vs Sturm Graz First Half:
Brest vs Sturm Graz kicked off with both teams battling for control in midfield. Brest opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Hugo Magnetti chested down a cross and volleyed the ball into the bottom corner, giving Brest a 1-0 lead.
Sturm Graz struggled to find momentum but were gifted an equalizer just before the break when Edimilson Fernandes inadvertently sent the ball into his own net following a misplaced clearance, leveling the match at 1-1 in the 45’+1 minute.
Brest vs Sturm Graz Half-Time: Brest 1-1 Sturm Graz
Brest vs Sturm Graz Second Half:
Brest came out more aggressive in the second half. In the 56th minute, Abdallah Sima broke through the Sturm Graz defense with a well-timed run, slotting home with his left foot after receiving a perfect pass from Ludovic Ajorque to make it 2-1.
Sturm Graz struggled to gain control and their comeback hopes were dented further in the 88th minute when Dimitri Lavalée received his second yellow card and was sent off. Brest, with a numerical advantage, held firm to claim the win.
Brest vs Sturm Graz Full-Time: Brest 2-1 Sturm Graz
Brest vs Sturm Graz Stats
| Brest vs Sturm Graz Stats | Brest | Sturm Graz |
| Possession (%) | 55% | 45% |
| Total Attempts | 14 | 7 |
| Attempts on Target | 5 | 1 |
| Passing Accuracy (%) | 81% | 81% |
| Passes Completed | 292 | 237 |
| Corners | 6 | 1 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 6 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 1 |
| Fouls Committed | 14 | 23 |
| Distance Covered (km) | 112 | 115.4 |
Brest vs Sturm Graz Timeline
- 23′ – Goal! Brest 1-0 Sturm Graz: Hugo Magnetti (Brest) opens the scoring with a volley after chesting down a high ball.
- 45’+1′ – Own Goal! Brest 1-1 Sturm Graz: Edimilson Fernandes (Brest) mistakenly puts the ball into his own net.
- 56′ – Goal! Brest 2-1 Sturm Graz: Abdallah Sima (Brest) restores the lead with a composed finish.
- 88′ – Red Card: Dimitri Lavalée (Sturm Graz) receives a second yellow for a late tackle.
Brest vs Sturm Graz Impact on the Points Table
With this 2-1 victory, Brest earned a crucial 3 points, boosting their chances in the group stage of the Champions League. Sturm Graz, on the other hand, will have to bounce back in future games to avoid an early exit from the competition.
Brest vs Sturm Graz Player Achievements
- Man of the Match: Hugo Magnetti – Not only did he score Brest’s first-ever European goal, but his overall performance in midfield was pivotal in controlling the game.
- Abdallah Sima – Sima’s goal was the match-winner and capped off an impressive attacking display.
Brest’s first European adventure began with a bang as they triumphed over Sturm Graz 2-1. It was a performance full of grit, passion, and tactical discipline. With this historic win, Brest now has the momentum to continue their dream in the Champions League, while Sturm Graz must regroup to stay in contention.
