Brest and Bayer Leverkusen were unable to maintain their winning streaks in the Champions League as they settled for a 1-1 draw in Guingamp. The game saw Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen score first in the 24th minute, after a brilliant pass from Jonas Hofmann. Despite coming close to scoring a second goal, Brest managed to equalize before halftime with a spectacular volley from Pierre Lees-Melou.
The match took an intense turn towards the end, with Leverkusen’s coach Xabi Alonso receiving a yellow card for his protest against the referee’s decision not to award his team a penalty in the final minutes. The referee and VAR determined that Brest’s Soumaila Coulibaly had touched the ball before the contact with Hofmann in the box, leading to the penalty appeal being denied.
Both teams, having won their first two matches, now have seven points each in the group. Brest, in their debut Champions League season, showed great determination in the second half with several close attempts on goal. On the other hand, Leverkusen regained control of the game and almost scored a second goal when Massadio Haidara narrowly missed turning in a low cross from Wirtz.
Despite an earlier penalty appeal from Leverkusen being dismissed due to Lees-Melou’s arm being in a natural position, the match ended in a well-fought draw. The result leaves both teams with a solid standing in the group as they continue their campaign in the Champions League.
This game showcased the competitive spirit and skill of both Brest and Leverkusen, setting the stage for exciting matches to come in the tournament. Fans can look forward to more thrilling moments as these teams strive to secure their spots in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
