Mbappé netted a brace at the Stade Francis Le Blé on Sunday as PSG narrowly beat a valiant Brest side. Les Parisiens looked to be sauntering towards victory. Warren Zaïre-Emery opened the scoring with a long-range effort before Mbappé doubled PSG’s advantage soon after. However, Steve Mounié then halved the deficit before Jérémy Le Douaron restored parity. 

The match looked to be heading towards a draw, however, PSG were awarded a late penalty. Despite missing the initial spot-kick, he netted the rebound. Mbappé then made an obscene hand gesture towards the Brest fans, who had accused close friend Achraf Hakimi of being a “rapist” throughout the encounter. The Moroccan international has been charged with rape and is under formal investigation. Hakimi denies the accusations. 

Mbappé received a yellow card for the gesture and continued to gesture to the home fans as he was replaced following his late goal. Mbappé was criticised by journalist Bertrand Latour, who took to X to say that “a France captain should never do that.” Mbappé responded, stating: “Oh, well of course I should have sang with them whilst they insulted my teammate. Some people have really never set foot on a pitch, no matter the level.” 

Hugo Magnetti accuses Mbappé of a ‘lack of class’

Speaking post-match, both sets of managers were critical of Mbappé. “I won’t name names, but I found the attitude of some Parisians ridiculous. You’ve won the match, you don’t need to add to that. When you’re away from home, you get heckled, and we have a healthy atmosphere here. There are plenty of stadiums where things could have generated,” said Brest manager Roy in an interview transcribed by L’Équipe. He added, “I was a bit surprised by his reaction because I found it ridiculous. He should be above all of that.”

Luis Enrique was also critical, adding, “I don’t like these kinds of things. It’s better to try and enjoy the moment. One must try and give off a positive energy.”

Mbappé’s gesture also didn’t sit well with Brest midfielder Hugo Magnetti, who accused the France captain of having a “lack of class.”

“It’s a bit of lack of class on Mbappé’s part to tease the stadium. It’s not like anyone died, but these are little things that annoy you. I’ll tell him that he shouldn’t have done that. I hope they’ll have the courage to do that against Real Madrid or Bayern Munich,” said Magnetti. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Lee Kang-in had a great opportunity to give Paris an early lead but Bizot was able to parry his effort away. The parried shot fell directly into the path of Bradley Barcola but the former Lyon winger couldn’t find the back of the net. Bizot was a busy man in the opening 5 minutes he was tasked with turning away Zaïre-Emery’s rasping shot from the edge of the area. Donnarumma was almost punished for a lackadaisical approach to playing out of the back, but Mounié couldn’t reach Le Douaron’s chipped cross.

Zaïre-Emery broke the deadlock in the 16th minute after bursting into space following Barcola’s pass and unleashing a rocket into the top corner from distance. The 17-year-old left Bizot with no chance. Lee Kang-in continued the rampage on Bizot’s goal as he linked up well with Ramos but the Dutch stopper was equal to his effort to keep it to 1-0.  

Mbappé made it two in the 27th minute after Lee Kang-in hit a wonderful pass to play the France captain in behind the Brest defence. The 24-year-old isolated Chardonnet and managed to beat him with ease, with the help of a ricochet, before placing his shot low beyond Bizot. Mbappé almost had his second and PSG’s third of the game with a low shot from the edge of the area but the Brest stopper was equal to it. 

Steve Mounié gave Brest a route back into the match on the stroke of halftime as he headed Kenny Lala’s whipped cross beyond Donnarumma in the Paris goal. Brest halved their deficit when PSG looked like they were cruising. The striker had the first opportunity of the second half following a corner but Danilo Pereira threw himself in front of the shot. Brest restored parity from the following corner. Jérémy Le Douaron met Del Castillo’s corner at the near post and glanced his header beyond the Italian stopper into the bottom corner to make it 2-2. 

Paris had sceptical chances from distance to level afterwards from Mbappé and Ruiz but both efforts were off target. It was Brest who looked most likely to find the lead though with Jérémy Le Douaron coming mightily close to finding his second but Donnarumma managed to get a big hand to his shot to turn it around the post. 

With 5 minutes to go, PSG were awarded a penalty following a clumsy challenge from Brassier which brought down Randal Kolo Muani in the area. Mbappé initially found his penalty saved by Bizot but it was parried straight back to him and he tapped the ball home on the rebound to restore PSG’s lead and secure all three points. 

PSG Player Ratings:

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5

Achraf Hakimi – 6

Danilo Pereira – 6

Milan Škriniar – 5, The Slovakian defender continuously made a mess of playing out of the back and put PSG under unnecessary pressure. He struggled to contain Brest’s high press during the first half. 

Lucas Hernández – 6

Fabian Ruiz – 6

Warren Zaïre-Emery – 7, The 17-year-old largely impressed again with his ability to read the game at such a young age. His strike from 25 yards is sublime and a goal-of-the-season contender. 

Lee Kang-in – 7, The South Korean impressed from midfield with his ability to find space in attacking areas and his impeccable choice of pass. Lee’s ball for Mbappé in behind showed excellent technique and vision. 

Bradley Barcola – 6

Gonçalo Ramos – 5

Kylian Mbappé – 7, On an eventful afternoon for the stand-in PSG captain, his brace was the difference between the two sides and saved Les Parisiens’ blushes to ensure they travelled back to the capital with 3 points. 

GFFN | Liam Wraith 

L’Équipe reports that Luis Enrique is set to make some changes from his side’s successful outing in European competition during midweek. The most notable change being the first start of the season for French right back Nordi Mukiele. This will see Achraf Hakimi switch flanks to left back in replacement of Lucas Hernández. 

Danilo Pereira getting a start will also spell change in central defence with Marquinhos unavailable due to injury. The Brazilian’s absence should see Kylian Mbappé captain the side and be partnered in attack by Gonçalo Ramos in place of Randal Kolo Muani. The midfield duo of Manuel Ugarté and Warren Zaïre-Emery should keep their starting berths. However, Vitinha is expected to drop to the bench with Bradley Barcola handed a start. 

PSG likely XI vs Brest:

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Nordi Mukiele, Danilo Pereira, Milan Škriniar, Achraf Hakimi – Ousmane Dembélé, Manuel Ugarté, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Bradley Barcola – Kylian Mbappé, Gonçalo Ramos

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Zogbé’s signature was officialised on Thursday. The Ivorian defender has signed a four-year deal with Les Ty-Zefs, having been on trial with the club’s first team since August. He arrives on a free after his contract at Ivorian top-flight side Lys Sassandra expired. 

Zogbé is a right-back and will therefore be in competition with Julien Le Cardinal and Kenny Lala for a spot in the first team. Brest have been the surprise package of Ligue 1 this season. Eric Roy’s side are currently fifth in Ligue 1, just five points off league leaders AS Monaco, despite drawing their last two games. Brest next face Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade Francis Le Blé this weekend before making the trip to the Stade Louis II to face AS Monaco. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

L’Équipe reports that Paulo Fonseca could be set to change the formation from the 4-2-3-1, which saw his team pick up a point in the derby, to a 4-4-2. This formation change would see Rémy Cabella join Jonathan David in an unorthodox front pairing. 

Ivan Cavaleiro and Edon Zhegrova should still keep their places on the flanks of a midfield four. In midfield, Nabil Bentaleb is set for a return with former Manchester United midfielder Angel Gomes set to miss out due to suspension. The Algerian should partner club captain Benjamin André in the centre midfield. Despite a change in formation, Fonseca is set to deploy the same back four which secured LOSC a point against Lens. 

Lille likely XI vs Brest:

Lucas Chevalier – Bafodé Diakité, Lenny Yoro, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Ismaily – Edon Zhegrova, Benjamin André, Nabil Bentaleb, Ivan Cavaleiro – Rémy Cabella, Jonathan David

GFFN | Liam Wraith

Manchester United announced that Greenwood would leave by mutual agreement last month, a decision which came after criminal charges of attempted rape and assault were levelled against the one-cap England international. The charges were dropped in February after key witnesses withdrew and new material came to light. In a statement posted around the time of his departure from the Old Trafford club, Greenwood admitted having “made mistakes” but added, “I did not do the things I was accused of.” 

Regardless, it was agreed that Manchester United would facilitate Greenwood’s departure. He joined Getafe on a season-long loan last Friday. The player was presented during an open training session on Tuesday. However, it has been revealed that the English forward was offered to Ligue 1 side Brest during the window, however, sporting director Lorenzi has suggested that the club turned down the deal due to the context surrounding the player. 

“I was offered Greenwood, who Manchester United sacked for a non-sporting matter. But between the controversy and the salary, we didn’t consider following it up for a second,” said Lorenzi. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

El Arouch has only played one minute of Ligue 1 football this season, despite Lyon’s poor form so far. Laurent Blanc’s side have just one point following two losses and a tepid draw against OGC Nice. However, despite his lack of minutes, he won’t be leaving Les Gones on loan before the closure of the window. 

Le Havre made a move to sign the France U20 international on a season-long loan deal, however, this move has been rejected. Stade Brestois were also interested in loaning El Arouch, as were Alavés and Stuttgart, but Lyon are not open to the playmaker’s departure, and he will instead remain at the Groupama Stadium. Given Bradley Barcola’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain, El Arouch could be in line for more first-team football between now and the end of the season. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

Brest were already keen to bring in the OGC Nice youth product on loan during last winter’s transfer window. Marseille’s recruitment of Atlético Madrid left-back Renan Lodi was a clear signal that Amavi would be surplus to requirements in Marcelino’s side. Amavi is not part of OM’s plans for the near future. He was allowed to spend last season on loan at La Liga side Getafe. He only features five times for the Azulones.

https://twitter.com/SB29/status/1697273199296176154

Amavi is set to compete with left-back Bradley Locko in Roy’s side. The former Aston Villa man has taken the #19 jersey. Brest will host Brittany rivals Stade Rennais on Saturday for Ligue 1’s fourth matchweek. The France international remains tied with Marseille over a contract set to expire in 2025.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Les Merlus need to bolster their attacking options and have sounded out the former Stade Briochin striker. Le Douaron reached double figures last season in logging ten goals and three assists in 32 Ligue 1 games played with Eric Roy’s side.

Lorient reportedly submitted several bids to their Brittany rivals for their 25-year-old striker, but Stade Brestois rejected them all. Les Merlus eventually pulled out of the race to the signing of Le Douaron given Brest’s demands.

Despite the signings of experienced former Premier League players in Benjamin Mendy and Tiémoué Bakayoko, Lorient look a bit short on proven strikers up front with only Pablo Pagis (20), Eli Junior Kroupi (17), Siriné Doucouré (21) and Bamba Dieng (23). Regis Le Bris’ side will travel to Le Havre on Sunday for Ligue 1’s fourth matchweek.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval

Since his €7m move from SCO Angers in January 2022, Brahimi has struggled to establish himself in the first team. The Algerian international, who came through the ranks at Middlesbrough, has made 54 appearances for Nice, scoring five goals and registering two assists. However, of his 32 appearances for Les Aiglons in Ligue 1, only seven have been starts. 

During his time on the Riviera, he has worked with many coaches, without ever being a regular choice for either. That seems to be the case under Francesco Farioli as well. Brahimi has featured in two of the first three games but only accumulated nine minutes worth of playing time. 

Brahimi has now joined Brest, where he will spend the season on loan. There is no option to make the move permanent included in the deal. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle