Brest-OM Preview: Lilian Brassier Returns
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Lilian Brassier will waste no time going up against his former team when Olympique de Marseille travels to Stade Francis Le Blé to face Stade Brestois on Saturday.
The Frenchman's move to Marseille this summer culminated years of hard work. Brassier came up through Stade Rennais' youth system but only cracked Rennes' B squad and not the first team. After that, the center-back went on loan to Valenciennes, but it was the following season when he left for Brest, that altered his career.
Brassier arrived on loan to Brest for the 2020-21 season, and after that season, the defender remained with Les Pirates. The 24-year-old made 117 appearances across all competitions during his five years with Brest, scoring five goals and registering one assist.
A marquee moment for Brassier came last season when he helped Brest finish in third place with 61 points and qualify for the 2024-25 edition of the UEFA Champions League. The French defender's performance during Brest's impressive 2023-24 season didn't go unnoticed as it led to a move to Marseille this summer.
OM have started a youth movement that includes Brassier (24) as several players like Bamo MeĂŻtĂ© (22), Mason Greenwood (22), Elye Wahi (21), IsmaĂ«l KonĂ© (22), and ValentĂn Carboni (19), who arrived this summer, are under the age of 25.
There are players from last season, such as Luis Henrique (22), Faris Moumbagna (24), Leonardo Balerdi (25), Quentin Merlin (22), and Azzedine Ounahi (24), who are 25 or younger. Marseille's matchup against Brest will allow new manager Roberto De Zerbi to see which young players are ready to step up this season.
Les PhocĂ©ens finished last season in eighth place with 50 points, so getting off on the right foot against Brest is ideal for OM. Ăric Roy and his team will aim to spoil Marseille's youth movement on Matchday 1 as they look to replicate their success from the 2023-24 campaign.
One challenge Roy faces this season will be replacing Brassier, who was part of a Brest defense that only conceded 34 goals last season. Brest will have the home crowd behind them in this encounter, which will help tilt the result in their favor.
Photo credit: CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images
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