Auxerre Vs Brest

Brest will be looking to continue their momentum and secure a third consecutive victory as they travel to Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps to face Auxerre on Friday for matchday six of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season. This encounter brings together two teams that have experienced contrasting fortunes so far in the campaign. Auxerre, newly promoted after a brief return to Ligue 2, are struggling to find their feet, while Brest have shown flashes of brilliance despite some inconsistencies in their performances.

As of now, Auxerre sits precariously in 16th place on the Ligue 1 table, with just three points from their first five matches. Their solitary victory came on the opening day, but since then, they have been unable to add to their tally. Meanwhile, Brest, who finished an impressive third last season, have had a somewhat turbulent start to their campaign, finding themselves in 11th place. With two wins and three losses, Brest has experienced both the highs and lows of the new season.

Auxerre, one of France's historic football clubs, has been on quite the journey in recent years. After a decade away from Ligue 1, they returned to the top flight for the 2022-23 season through a playoff victory. However, their stint in Ligue 1 was short-lived, as they were relegated after just one season, finishing 17th. Their relegation was a disappointment for the club and their supporters, as they had hoped for a more sustained run in the top division.

However, Auxerre bounced back quickly. In the 2023-24 Ligue 2 season, they displayed resilience and consistency, winning the league with 74 points from 38 matches. They finished six points ahead of second-placed Angers, ensuring an immediate return to Ligue 1. Christophe Pelissier, who has been in charge since October 2022, deserves credit for leading the team through this turbulent period, guiding them to promotion after a single season in Ligue 2.

Their return to the top division for the 2024-25 season began with promise, as they secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Nice. Lasso Coulibaly scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner, sending the fans into raptures and giving the team a much-needed morale boost. However, the early promise has since faded, as Auxerre has lost their last four league matches. Despite the defeats, there have been encouraging signs, particularly in their most recent 3-2 loss to Montpellier, where they went toe-to-toe with one of Ligue 1’s more established teams.

Pelissier will be hoping to build on the positive aspects of their performance against Montpellier as they prepare for Friday's clash with Brest. A victory would not only halt their losing streak but could also serve as a springboard for the rest of their campaign. With a struggling opponent in Brest coming to town, this match offers a prime opportunity for Auxerre to get back on track.

### **Auxerre’s Tactical Approach and Challenges**
Christophe Pelissier has employed a balanced tactical approach since taking charge of Auxerre, with an emphasis on a solid defensive structure and quick transitions into attack. However, this approach has yet to yield consistent results in Ligue 1, as defensive lapses have been a recurring issue for the team.

Auxerre’s defense has been porous in their opening five matches, conceding 12 goals, which is among the highest in the league. Pelissier has tried to address this issue by rotating his defensive lineup, but a settled backline has yet to emerge. Players like Jubal and Gideon Mensah, who were pivotal in their promotion campaign, have struggled to adapt to the higher level of competition in Ligue 1. The full-back positions have also been areas of concern, with opposing teams exploiting gaps and space on the flanks.

In attack, Auxerre has relied heavily on Lasso Coulibaly and Gauthier Hein, who have been their standout performers so far. Coulibaly, in particular, has shown a knack for scoring important goals, but the team’s overall attacking output has been inconsistent. They have only scored six goals in five matches, and their build-up play often lacks the creativity needed to break down more resolute defenses.

Friday's match against Brest provides an opportunity for Auxerre to find a more balanced and effective tactical approach. A win would not only lift them out of the relegation zone but could also restore confidence to a squad that has struggled to maintain momentum since their promotion.

On the other side of the pitch, Brest comes into the match looking to build on their recent successes. Under the guidance of Eric Roy, Brest made significant progress last season, finishing in third place and securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. It was a remarkable achievement for a club that had been battling in mid-table just a season earlier.

However, replicating that success in the 2024-25 campaign has proven to be a challenge. Brest's season got off to a rough start, with a humbling 5-1 defeat to Marseille on the opening day. That loss was followed by a 3-0 defeat to Lens and a 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain, results that left them languishing in the lower half of the table early on. The defeat to PSG, while closer in scoreline, highlighted Brest’s struggles against the league’s top sides, as they were dominated in terms of possession and chances created.

Amid the early-season difficulties, Brest found some respite with a convincing 4-0 victory over Saint-Etienne. This win showcased their potential, with Romain Del Castillo and Steve Mounié leading the charge in attack. The victory against Saint-Etienne was followed by another boost in morale, as Brest triumphed 2-1 against SK Sturm Graz in their first-ever Champions League match. This historic victory has seemingly injected new life into the team.

The recent 2-0 victory over Toulouse marked Brest’s first back-to-back wins of the season, but the performance raised some concerns. Despite the positive result, Brest were largely outplayed by their opponents, managing only 0.46 expected goals (xG) compared to Toulouse’s 2.73 xG. Roy will be well aware that such inefficiencies in attack and defensive fragility cannot be overlooked, especially as they face a determined Auxerre side desperate for points.Eric Roy has introduced a more adventurous and attacking style of play at Brest compared to previous seasons. Last season, their success was built on a solid defense and efficient counter-attacks, but this season, Roy has encouraged a more possession-based approach. This shift has led to some growing pains, as Brest have struggled to balance their newfound attacking intent with defensive stability.

Brest’s defense, in particular, has been vulnerable, conceding 11 goals in their first five matches. The defensive duo of Brendan Chardonnet and Lilian Brassier, who were rock solid last season, have found it difficult to cope with the higher demands of Champions League football and domestic competition. Roy has rotated his full-backs, but the team has struggled to deal with the attacking width of their opponents, leading to several defensive lapses.

In attack, Brest have looked more potent, with Del Castillo, Mounié, and Jérémy Le Douaron forming a formidable front three. Mounié, in particular, has been in fine form, providing both goals and assists, while Le Douaron has added a creative spark. The team’s ability to create chances has been evident, but their finishing has been inconsistent. Roy will be looking for more clinical finishing in this match, as they aim to take advantage of Auxerre's defensive vulnerabilities.

Friday's clash between Auxerre and Brest will likely be decided by the midfield battle. Auxerre's central midfield duo of Birama Touré and Gaëtan Perrin will need to assert control and prevent Brest from dictating the tempo of the game. Touré, in particular, will be crucial in breaking up Brest’s attacks and launching counter-attacks for Auxerre. For Brest, Franck Honorat and Haris Belkebla will be key in driving their team forward, linking up with the attack, and ensuring that Brest maintain their attacking rhythm.

Both teams have had their struggles this season, but Brest’s recent run of form gives them the edge. Auxerre’s defense has been leaky, and despite their spirited performances, they have yet to demonstrate the consistency required to compete at this level. Brest, though far from perfect, have the quality in attack to exploit Auxerre’s weaknesses and should have enough to come away with all three points.

Prediction: Auxerre 1-2 Brest