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One of the surprise packages in Europe this season, Brest will face one of their toughest challenges yet, as they take on Barcelona on Tuesday.
With both teams collecting three wins in four matches so far, securing all the spoils in this affair could go a long way in solidifying their position in the top eight.
Heading into this contest, Brest coach Eric Roy talked about how Barcelona are one of the toughest opponents in the Champions League and how his team plans to face the Catalans.
Eric Roy on facing Barcelona
“Tomorrow we will try to show Europe what we can do. It’s incredible to be able to play against this rival. If we went back one or two years, with 3,000 fans. We couldn’t imagine it. It’s a dream,” he said (h/t Diario SPORT).
Roy described Barcelona as an ‘ogre’ and admitted that he was too scared to watch their performances against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
“We can’t watch Barça’s games against Bayern or Real Madrid because they scare us, but by that rule of three we would have stayed at home,” he said.
Talking about the game itself, Roy explained how he has prepped his team heading into this crucial contest.
“Maybe Barça won’t let us impose our game, but we’ll try. It will be a good match for sure. We always want to propose things. I tell my players that we have to be at our level. If Barça is stronger, we’ll congratulate them,” he said.
“This lasts 95 or 100 minutes and we’ll have to be brave and have the courage to play against this ogre called Barça,” he added.
Eric Roy’s Brest are ready for the Barcelona challenge. (Photo by Jasmin Walter/Getty Images)
“If we came here with a lot of pressure, we would be a bit stupid. Coming here is an incredible challenge. We have to pinch ourselves to know that we are here. A few months ago we could not have imagined it. We will have nothing to lose,” he further added.
Following Barcelona’s draw with Celta Vigo, Roy described the Catalans as a ‘wounded animal’.
“Barça will want to react to what has happened to them and maybe we are not at our best. They are a wounded animal. It is an added obstacle,” he said.
Eric Roy on Yamal and Raphinha
It appears Eric Roy’s Brest side will not look to park the bus against Barcelona and will instead look to beat the Blaugrana’s high defensive line.
However, he may have one daunting opponent in Raphinha, who has been in sizzling form this season. Robert Lewandowski, too, will be a threat, with the Pole chasing a massive milestone on Tuesday.
Roy, though, admitted that his team is not focusing on any particular individuals. “Raphinha’s evolution… he is now captain of Barça and is one of the most dangerous. We studied Raphinha, Olmo and Pedri, but we cannot focus on one but on the whole,” he said.
Finally, Roy admitted he would have liked Lamine Yamal to be present in the game. The Spaniard has been ruled out due to discomfort and may not return until this weekend’s clash against Las Palmas.
“We see that since the injury of the little genius, there have been no victories. I wish he would play. We want to play against the best.
“He did us a lot of damage at the Euros against France. In Lamine’s place, they will play someone who will do as well or better than Lamine. Barça is once again an incredible team. It won’t be like Guardiola’s with Messi but they are on the right track,” he concluded.
