Brest Faces Tough Challenge from Monaco in Ligue 1 Clash

BREST, France — Brest will host Monaco at Stade Francis-Le Ble on Saturday, April 5, 2025, as they aim to close the gap on a qualifying spot for European competition in Ligue 1.

Currently sitting in eighth place, Brest trails Lyon by five points in the race for a top-seven finish that could secure European football next season. Despite a recent resurgence, which included a thrilling 4-2 victory over Toulouse, the Pirates have struggled at home, winning just one of their last seven matches at the Stade Francis-Le Ble.

“We need to turn our home form around if we want to have a chance to chase the top teams,” said Brest coach Éric Roy. “Monaco is a strong opponent, and we must capitalize on any opportunities we create.”

Monaco enters this fixture full of confidence after a crucial 2-1 win against Nice last week, which propelled them to second place in the standings. The victory also marked a turning point for the team, who have accumulated 10 points from their last four matches.

“The win against Nice was vital for us,” said Monaco coach, who emphasized the importance of maintaining their momentum. “Every point matters in this league, especially as we look to secure our Champions League spot.”

The stakes for Brest are high; they have lost all six encounters this season against teams currently in the top five, conceding 20 goals in those matches. Their record against Monaco is also concerning, having lost their last six meetings. In total, Brest has only won 20 of 32 matches against Monaco in Ligue 1.

Adding to Brest’s challenges, they will likely be without key defensive players due to injury, including Vasco, Blas, and Zobbe, while forward Ajorque returns from suspension. Conversely, Monaco welcomes back several players from injury, which will bolster their attacking options.

Monaco’s red-hot form includes scoring 19 goals in their last seven matches across all competitions. However, their away performance has been less impressive, with only one win on the road this year.

“We have to prove ourselves away from home and show that we can perform under pressure,” the Monaco coach stated. “Brest is a tough venue, but we know what we need to do.”

As both teams prepare for this pivotal match, each will be focused on their goals for the remainder of the season. For Brest, the objective is clear: they must secure victories at home to stand a chance of breaking into the European places, while for Monaco, a win would solidify their position near the top of the table.

The match kicks off at 6 PM local time, and fans can expect an intense encounter as both teams fight for crucial points in Ligue 1.