The international break in the Champions League saw a thrilling encounter between Brest and Bayer Leverkusen, as the two teams failed to separate themselves with a 1-1 draw. The outcome ended a winning streak for both sides, with each team seeking to claim all three points.
From the early minutes, Leverkusen demonstrated their dominance, controlling the pace of the game. The German champions’ reward came in the 24th minute when Florian Wirtz capped off a stunning team move with a low, precise finish. Brest, however, responded in style, with a stunning equalizer that will be remembered for a long time. Pierre Lees-Melou, 31, unleashed a majestic volley from the edge of the penalty area in his maiden Champions League appearance, leaving the home crowd in awe.
The hosts, despite creating more chances in the second half, couldn’t find a winner. Mama Balde came close, only to rattle the side netting following a swift counter-attack. Penalty appeals from both sides, reviewed by VAR, ultimately yielded no decisive advantage, resulting in a stalemate.
Both teams are now level on seven points, sitting third and fourth respectively, two points adrift of the leading pack. Aston Villa, at the top of the table, will continue to be a benchmark for the competition.
One of the talking points from the match was Wirtz’s exceptional display. The 19-year-old’s performance has attracted widespread attention, and his impressive goal record bears testament to his growing reputation. With 27 goals and 12 assists in major European competitions since his debut in 2020, Wirtz has etched his name among the elite.
Brest’s Lees-Melou, on the other hand, etched his own separate piece of history, becoming the second-oldest Frenchman to score on his Champions League debut, just behind Daniel Bravo, who achieved the feat in 1994 at the age of 31 years and 217 days.
As the teams take a break before their upcoming fixtures, the stalemate will leave both camps content with a share of the spoils. The match demonstrated why Leverkusen is a force to be reckoned with, with Wirtz at the forefront, while Brest showed glimpses of promising potential. The competition will continue to unfold, with both sides eager to build on this performance and challenge for a spot in the knockout stages.
