Nice Première interviewed two Breton supporters to catch up on this unique club that has seen many great players. Today, Stade Brestois, after more than ten years in purgatory, is pleased to dream of climbing to the elite. OGC Nice should brace for a tough match and a heated atmosphere.
Nice Première: Brest in the 80s was among the top French clubs and saw the passage of great players (Ginola, Cabanas, Lama, Martins, Le Guen, Guérin,…), you were relegated for non-sporting reasons in 1991. You tasted elite French football again with a promotion to L2 last year. How did you experience these 13 years without top-level football? How did you experience this promotion to L2?
Yannick: Initially, I thought the stadium would quickly climb back up the ranks. Unfortunately, there was nobody capable of taking over the club and setting it back on track. We lost the training center (notably Makélélé), the club’s headquarters. The stadium fell into disrepair. Some fans turned to neighboring Guingamp. After 10 years, the club was at a deadlock until Philippe Goursat arrived two years ago. He revived the club and set it back on the path to professionalism. The immediate consequence was the comeback to L2: a huge celebration for several generations. Those who heard about Brest Armorique from their parents and grandparents for whom Saturday night used to be at the Armoricaine stadium.
But L2 should only be a stage to return to L1, which, I think, this city and its public potential deserves.
Michaël: Regarding the years in purgatory, what can I say other than it was a huge void. We had to be patient but I still remember a few matches like the one in CFA which saw more than 10,000 people during a derby against Pontivy…
As for our return to the pro world, I think it’s only fair. Brest is a land of football with a public that deserves to see its club evolve among the elite.
Nice Premier: What does this French Cup match against Nice represent, the first arrival of an L1 club at Francis Le Blé in many years?
Yannick: Nice has already come to play in Brest in the cup since 1991, I don’t know if you were in L1 or L2 at that time. (Editor’s note: it was also in the round of 32 in 1996 and Nice had won on penalties).
Last year, Sochaux also came to play in the cup. The match against Nice will be an opportunity to measure ourselves against an L1 team to gauge the gap that separates us from an L1 team. Moreover, a victory would help save a season that started badly in L2 and especially bring some attention to the club that hasn’t had a cup run since 1991.
Michaël: Logically, many of us would have liked to host a team like Lyon, PSG, Marseille, but what could be better than an L1 team at home? Nice is a solid L1 team with fierce fighters. This draw is therefore our Christmas gift!
Nice-Première: What do you think about the start of the season with a Brest team in the mid-table of L2? Are you disappointed or is this a position in line with your objectives for the start of the season?
Yannick: Unfortunately, we are not safe from the relegation zone…
This season, it’s true we’re marking time. We need new energy to meet the challenge of promotion in the near future.
Albert Rust’s tactical choices are highly discussed. Overall, the public has been bored at Francis Le Blé for the past year and a half due to cautious tactical choices.
Indeed, the club has returned to the pro world, but the soul of Francis Le Blé has been on vacation for some time now.
Michaël: Given the ambitions displayed, it’s a big disappointment. Today, we need to ensure survival as soon as possible. It’s a shame to have to settle for this, considering the quality of the Brest group. The big problem this season, in my opinion, lies in the questionable choices of our coach. A well-known 5-3-2 system that no longer surprises anyone.
