Brest: The Underdog journey of the Champions league

By Lorenna Bomme

When you think of European football, names like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain immediately comes to mind. Yet, as the 2024/2025 Champions league progresses, a small team from Brittany, north-west France, is capturing the imagination of fans across Europe.

Brest – or as their fans call them, the “Pirates” – are on their dream path through the group stage of the Champions league, defying expectations and impressing the biggest clubs. From beating the likes of Sturm Graz, Salzburg, and Sparta Prague to taking points off German champions Bayern Munich and only losing one of their six matches, Brest’s improbable journey is looking pretty much like a miracle.
In a league where they mainly just try to survive to stay high enough , the fact they’ve made it to the group stage of Europe’s prestigious competitions already a big achievement. Now, with still two group matches to do and a surprising fifth-place, the Pirates are dreaming of even more.
For a club that only got promoted to France’s Ligue 1 five years ago, Brest’s journey in the Champions league is crazy. There are usually focusing on avoiding relegation to league 2, but this season, they are much more than just a team trying to float. They proved that with grit, determination, and a bit of luck, everything is possible.

However, the fairytale gets some challenges . Brest’s home stadium, the Stade Francis-Le Blé, doesn't fit UEFA standards, which force the club to host their Champions league matches at the Stade du Roudourou, Guingamp’s home field in France’s Ligue 2. Despite the change of place, the team has shown incredible resilience, beating teams like PSV Eindhoven in front of a excited crowd.
The victory over PSV, in particular, highlighted their desire to fight . Down 1-0 after a first-half strike from Julien Le Cardinal, Brest managed to put a storm of PSV pressure, including an overturned penalty decision, and came back to secure a 2-1 victory. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot was defently the hero of the night, making five crucial saves and while the woodwork also played its part in denying the Dutch side.
Brendan Chardonnet, Brest’s solid defender, was quick to talk about the significance of the win in a post-match interview. "PSV are a big European club with a great history, bigger than us, but in this match, it’s no great feat," he said. "Our victory is deserved. There’s always something to do. We’ll be going to Germany to face Shakhtar Donetsk and take the three points. If we can qualify directly for the last 16, we won’t want to miss out."

Brest’s success in the Champions league has come with a significant financial increassing. With 9 million euros already earned from their four wins and a draw, and a potential 11 million euros in prize money if they finish in the top eight of their group, the club is looking at a good pay. The money will be crucial for the construction of their new stadium, which will be hopefully ready next year. However, despite their success, the new stadium will not be open in time for their very waited game with Real Madrid, who will visit Brest’s for their final home game.

For Denis Le Saint, the club’s local businessman owner, the success in the Champion’s league is not just about money; it’s about pride. "We are a small team from Brittany, but we’ve shown that with hard work and commitment, we can compete with the best in Europe. This is a dream come true for our club, and we’re excited for what the future has for us," He said.
To gain further perspective on Brest’s incredible journey, we spoke with two French football fans who are following the Pirates’ journey very closely. Both passionate football fans from France, and their insights offer a unique view on Brest’s adventure.

Sophie Dupont, a Lyon native and football supporter since a kid, has been following Brest’s progress with disapointment. Lyon was always a strong rival in French football, and Sophie knows European competitions pressure. Yet, she’s fascinated by Brest’s crazy journey.
“Brest’s run is incredible,” Sophie said. “As someone who follows French football closely, it’s rare to see a team like them come from nowhere and make such a mark on European football. They’re a true example of what hard work and belief can achieve. When you look at the resources they have compared to the bigger clubs, it’s hard to believe they’re doing this. It’s a beautiful story.”
Sophie believes that Brest’s success can inspire smaller clubs across Europe to dream bigger. “I think what Brest has done is a message for all clubs, especially the smaller ones. It shows that you don’t have to be a financial powerhouse to compete on the big stage. With the right mentality and a bit of luck, anything can happen.”
Marc Lefevre, a football analyst and Parisian, has also been watching Brest’s route with great interest. He sees their success as a new face of European football, where tactical discipline and smart management are becoming just important as much as financial power.
“Brest is the perfect example of how football is evolving,” Marc explained. “Clubs like PSG and Bayern Munich are often at the forefront of European competitions because of their financial power. But Brest has shown that with the right coach, solid tactical structure, and good team chemistry, you don’t need to spend millions to be successful.”
Marc also highlighted the role of Éric Roy, the manager, in the club’s success. “Roy is a very smart tactician. He’s been able to set up the team in a way that maximizes their strengths. It’s not just about luck; it’s about strategy, commitment, and team power. Roy has brought that to Brest, and it’s paying off.”

With just two group stage matches to do and a chance to qualify for the knockout rounds, Brest’s journey isn't finished.

With their incredible journey continuing against all expectation, Brest is a reminder that in football, sometimes the greatest stories are the least expected.