Preview

January 22, Gelsenkirchen, Arena AufSchalke, 19:45
Live: Megogo

History and path to the UCL

Brest (or Stade Brestois 29) was founded in 1950 and throughout its history has not achieved great success domestically and does not have a single significant trophy, except for a victory in Ligue 2 (1981). In 1991–2004, the team played in the lower divisions due to financial difficulties and even lost their professional status, but in the last two decades the situation has stabilized, since 2019 the Red-and-Whites have been constantly playing in Ligue 1. The most successful season in the history of the Bretons was the 2023/24 season when they finished 3rd in the French Championship, securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League league phase in addition to bronze medals. This is the first time in the club's history that they have qualified for a European competition.

2024/25 season

This season, Brest are betting on successful performances on the international stage. In the Champions League, the Pirates started with victories over Austrian sides Sturm (2-1) and Salzburg (4-0), tied with Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen (1-1), defeated Czech club Sparta (2-1), suffering their only defeat so far in an away match against Barcelona (0-3), after which they won again – against Dutch side PSV (1-0). Thus, the Bretons earned 13 points (goal difference: 10-6) in 6 rounds and currently hold a high 8th spot in the table. They have almost secured a place in the tournament's play-offs and still have a chance to compete for a direct berth in the Round of 16.

In the French Championship, the Red-and-Whites accumulated 25 points in 18 matches (goal difference: 28-31) and are in 9th position. After the New Year break, which lasted from December 21 to January 5, the team managed to hold 4 competitive matches: they lost to Angers (0-2), won against Lyon (2-1) and Rennes (2-1) in Ligue 1, beating Nantes (2-1) in the French Cup Round of 32.

Squad and leaders

The head coach of Brest is 57-year-old French specialist Eric Roy. Prior to that, he spent just a year and a half as a coach (from March 2010 to November 2011 at Nice). He then served as the sporting director for Lens and English club Watford, in addition to working as a football commentator. Roy took over the Bretons in January 2023, saving them from relegation from Ligue 1 in his first season and leading them to historic bronze medals in the second. The captain of the Red-and-Whites is the club legend, 30-year-old central defender Brendan Chardonnet, who is spending his 12th season with the Pirates. The most prolific players in the current season are Ludovic Ajorque (7 goals and 5 assists) and Abdallah Sima (7 goals and 2 assists). Also one of the team leaders is the club's most expensive player according to Transfermarkt, central midfielder Mahdi Camara (estimated value is EUR 10 million).

Head-to-head record

Shakhtar and Brest will meet for the first time at the competitive level. At the same time, the Miners have positive statistics in European matches against French teams: 9 wins, 6 draws and 6 losses (goal difference: 29-26).

The Shakhtar vs Brest match will be officiated by the judging panel from Switzerland: Referee Sandro Scharer, assistants Stephane De Almeida and Jonas Erni, with Fedayi San as the video assistant referee.