PLAYER RATINGS | Brest 0-3 PSG: Ousmane Dembélé scores brace to give Les Parisiens comfortable Champions League play-off lead | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Play-off round first leg, 11/02/2025

PSG have practically already secured their spot in the Champions League R016 courtesy of their first-leg away win to Ligue 1 rivals Brest. Thanks to a penalty from Vitinha and another brace from Ousmane Dembélé, PSG will take a hefty lead before next week’s return leg at Parc des Princes.

The Match

The first Champions League knock-out tie involving two Ligue 1 teams since the 2010 quarter-final between Lyon and Bordeaux started evenly. As expected, PSG dominated possession but they struggled to break open a tight Brest back four. The hosts went close to opening the scoring after a typical nervy Champions League knock-out moment from Gianluigi Donnarumma as his clearance bounced off Ludovic Ajorque and then wide.

The visitors eventually broke the deadlock from the spot. Vitinha’s shot was parried away by Marco Bizot and Ousmane Dembélé thought he had enough to score the rebound, but Pierre Lees-Melou handled his goalward attempt. VAR called the referee to the on-pitch monitor to award PSG a penalty. The Portuguese midfielder stepped up to open the scoring.

Brest gave their opponents a lot to worry about but luck didn’t come their way. Abdallah Sima struck Donnarumma’s left post from a corner. Achraf Hakimi went close to a comedy own-goal when he found the Italian goalie’s right post in rushing his clearance. Recently, when PSG were in trouble, they turned to Dembélé and the France international duly delivered again. In the final minute of the first half, Dembélé made his way into the Brest penalty box to thwart Bizot with a powerful near-post effort.

In the second half, PSG continue to dominate their Ligue 1 opponents. Désiré Doué thought he had scored his side’s third goal, but Bradley Barcola was marginally offside in the build-up. It was only a matter of time for PSG as Dembélé again found the back of the net, this time after benefiting from Barcola’s deflected shot. In the end, PSG proved too good for the inexperienced Bretond and there was no stopping the in-form Dembélé. Brest now have a mountain to climb in the return leg next week at Parc des Princes.

Brest player ratings

Marco Bizot – 5

Kenny Lala – 4

Soumaïla Coulibaly – 5

Brendan Chardonnet – 4

Massadio Haïdara – 4

Mahdi Camara – 5

Pierre Lees-Melou – 4

A difficult Champions League return for the GFFN100 winner. He outstretched his right arm to deflect Dembélé’s goalward effort, which left no choice for the referee to award PSG a penalty.

Hugo Magnetti – 4

Romain Faivre – 3

The AFC Bournemouth loanee had minimal influence in his side’s attacking forays. He also lost too many balls for a player of his technical quality.

Ludovic Ajorque – 4

Abdallah Sima – 4

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5

Achraf Hakimi – 7

Marquinhos – 6

Willian Pacho – 6

Nuno Mendes – 5

João Neves – 6

Vitinha – 7

The Portuguese international delivered a stellar midfield performance. Be it dictating play, breaking open lines with fine passes, recovering balls, or scoring an early penalty, Vitinha can do it all on the big stage.

Fabián Ruiz – 5

Bradley Barcola – 5

Ousmane Dembélé – 9

His purple patch continues to reach new heights. The in-form France international struck Lees-Melou’s hand, which gave Vitinha the chance to open the scoring. He applied a now trademark near-post finish before half-time and put the tie beyond Brest’s reach after the hour mark. Dembélé has now 18 goals in his last 11 games. Inevitable.

Désiré Doué – 5

GFFN | Bastien Cheval