Ligue 1: Pierre Sage hopes that Brest will qualify for the Champions League

Lyon coach Pierre Sage said he wanted Brest, currently 3rd in Ligue 1, to qualify for the Champions League, saying he was “very impressed” by the play produced by Brest this season.

Brest lost 4-3 against Olympique Lyonnais last Sunday in a match on the 29th day of Ligue 1.

“It’s a team that has a lot of supporters, (and) of which I am a part. Even after our match against Brest, I was very impressed by what she is capable of producing over the duration of the match or from one match to another. What is happening to them is something that they have built and that they deserve,” he said at a press conference.

“This is why I want this team to qualify for the Champions League because it honors the relationship they have with football, what this sport should be in my opinion, something that is played, spectacular, where there are goals,” he continued.

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“In their last two matches, one shot positively and another negatively, there were seven goals. I imagine that the people who attended Brest-Metz or Lyon-Brest saw good matches. So, if there is a team to go see tomorrow, I would advise going to see Brest,” said the OL coach.

As for the Brestois' declarations on the fact that their journey disturbs French football, Sage felt that it was "perhaps a way of managing us against the others, by strengthening the link between them to apprehend the end of the season" .

“There is also the possible questioning of a certain number of things like their stadium (to host C1 matches, Editor’s note). But, when you are in a positive spiral, solutions are easier to find than when you are at the bottom. Last year, it was more difficult” but, “after a change of coach, they were able to turn around the situation in the championship, provide positive and lasting responses,” he concluded.