Éric Roy in Zidane’s footsteps

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By: Manu Tournoux

Éric Roy in Zidane's footsteps

Stade Brestois continues to amaze European football with another victory in the Champions League. Tuesday evening, Éric Roy’s men won 1-0 against PSV Eindhoven, consolidating their status as the revelation of the competition and securing a historic qualification for the round of 16. A performance that places Roy in the history of French coaches.

An exceptional journey in C1

Despite the absences of seven key players, Brest held on thanks to a heroic defense led by Marco Bizot and secured a valuable victory. With 13 points in six matches, the Breton club is now 5th in the general ranking, just three points from direct qualification for the round of 16. This performance is all the more impressive for a team that was still trying to stay in Ligue 1 a few seasons ago.

Roy equals Zidane in the Champions League

Thanks to this victory, Éric Roy becomes the second French coach of the 21st century to win four of his first six matches in the Champions League, joining Zinedine Zidane. While the latter achieved this feat with Real Madrid in 2016, Roy accomplished it with Brest against formidable opponents, such as PSV Eindhoven and Red Bull Salzburg.

A feat which further establishes his place among the great strategists of French football. Stade Brestois, which will host Real Madrid for a gala match on January 29, continues to surprise and inspire. Breton supporters can dream even bigger.

Manu Tournoux

Written by:

Manu Tournoux

Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, his expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans.