PSG Faces Brest in Champions League Playoff Amid Turf Concerns

GUINGAMP, France — Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Stade Brestois in the first leg of their Champions League playoff on February 11 at the Roudourou Stadium. The match is set to kick off at 6:45 p.m. local time and will be broadcast live on Canal+ Foot.

Concerns over the condition of the pitch have arisen following training sessions, with images revealing a less-than-ideal surface. Nuno Mendes, a PSG defender, described the turf as “not very good” during a press conference. “It will be very different from previous matches against Brest because this is a Champions League match,” Mendes said. “We will try to play our game, maintain possession, and focus on the opponent’s half.”

Despite the efforts of local groundskeepers to maintain the pitch, ongoing weather challenges have led to its deterioration. This will be the 21st match played at the stadium this season, with the schedule also including encounters from Ligue 2 and the Arkema Première Ligue. Frequent rain and recent flooding in the region have compounded the situation.

A t the press conference, PSG coach Luis Enrique reflected on the pressures of facing a fellow French team in a knockout round of the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history. “We are used to the European scene, but every match presents its own challenges,” Enrique stated. “The pitch may affect how we play.”

PSG enters the match fresh off a victory against Monaco, with players Marquinhos and other key members of the squad traveling to Brittany on Monday morning. Notably absent will be Mbaye and Zaïre-Emery, both sidelined due to injuries.

Fans are hopeful that PSG might be more accessible than in previous encounters, recalling past instances where players from other clubs remained under heavy security. The last meeting at Roudourou saw PSG triumph 3-1 back in August 2018, a match where Kylian Mbappé shone with two goals.

The pathway to the next round of the Champions League is critical, as eight spots are available for teams to join the top eight from the league phase, including Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. Following the PSG-Brest matchup, other key fixtures will include Manchester City against Real Madrid and Juventus facing PSV Eindhoven.