18 August 2021, 16:52 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Ligue 1 continues with Match Day 3 in view this weekend as Stade Brestois 29 vs. Paris Saint-Germain F.C. comes under focus at the Stade Francis-Le Blé, time: 20:00 (GMT+1), Friday, August 20.
Preview Brest Ligue 1, Aug 20, 2021
Preview Hosts, Stade Brestois 29 return behind Sunday's 1-1 draw on home soil against Stade Rennais FC. Both sides walked off the pitch without a goal despite several clear-cut chances in the first forty-five. Jeremy Doku fired wide despite being a yard from goal before Steve Mounié forced a stunning save out of Rennes' goalkeeper, Alfred Gomis. Minutes after the break, Jeremy Doku saw Brest's goalkeeper, newly-acquired Marco Bizot put a stop to his goal-bound effort before Mounié was denied for the second time. However, Rennes eventually broke the deadlock. French center-forward, Serhou Guirassy (84') got on the end of Birger Meling's cross to put the visitors in the lead with a towering header but a stoppage-time effort from Jeremy Le Douaron (90'+ET) fashioned in a similar style salvaged a point for the Pirates. After failing to win, Stade Brestois remain in 11th place on the table with two points accrued from back-to-back draws: 0W, 2D & 0L. Coach, Michel Der Zakarian and the Pirates will shoot to sink a boat-load of stars when PSG comes calling at the Stade Francis-Le Blé on the opening day of the weekend. An attacking 4—2—3—1 formation with Steve Mounié at the bowsprit appears to be on the cards for the 58-year-old who is yet to find a win since the start of his reign as coach of Stade Brestois.
Preview Paris Saint Germain Ligue 1, Aug 20, 2021
Preview PSG claimed all three points in the 4-2 home win against Strasbourg on Match Day 2. Before the game, they paraded all five new signings before the home crowd. Two former captains, - of Real Madrid and Barcelona, Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi stood next to each other on the podium as the symbol of a newly-forged alliance, with both hoping to conquer Europe, not as rivals but as teammates in the colours of Les Parisiens. A goal from Mauro Icardi (3'), and Julian Draxler (27') coupled with an own goal from Ludovic Ajorque (25' O.G.) saw PSG establish a comfortable three-goal lead before the break. Second-half substitute, Pablo Sarabia (86') put the game to bed in the closing stages against ten-men Strasbourg to thwart a late comeback from the visitors. Despite a stellar performance, Kylian Mbappe was whistled at by the home crowd. The 22-year-old remains a subject of interest from Real Madrid after a clear indication of intent not to renew his contract with PSG despite several improved offers. A decisive meeting with club president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi is expected before the weekend to map out a path for the French forward to join Real Madrid for a fee close to €150M. Mauricio Pochettino's probable 4—3—3 formation could see Icardi, Draxler and Pablo Sarabia leading the attack on Match Day 3. Lionel Messi and Neymar are struggling with fitness issues while Sergio Ramos remains sidelined with a calf injury until mid-September.