Brest closes warm-ups with loss to Nottingham Forest

Stade Brestois wrapped up its pre-season campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, according to *L'Équipe*. The Breton club's friendly record makes for grim reading: one win, three draws, and two losses across the build-up.

Their sole bright spot came against Stade Briochin (2-1, August 5), a fourth-tier French side. At the City Ground they faced a different proposition: Forest, a Europa League semi-finalist last season, though currently 16th in the Premier League.

Weakened lineup

Brest were without key figures Brendan Chardonnet (calf issue) and Hugo Magnetti (hamstring trouble). Goalkeeper Grégorie Coudert gave way to Egil Selvik, freshly arrived on loan from Watford. The Norwegian had a rough debut: Chris Wood finished a penalty (minute 23) after Mama Baldé fouled him, and Luca Netz added a slick second from the left wing (30).

Up front, Brest were wasteful. Ajorque had an early chance, but then Baldé, Kamory Doumbia, and Joris Chotard squandered openings in the first half. The story repeated after the break: sloppy finishing, stray crosses from Pathé Mboup, and long-range efforts from Chotard and Axel Camblan that went nowhere.

The real test looms

This uneven pre-season leaves questions hanging as the stakes rise. Brest open their Ligue 1 campaign at Le Mans on Saturday (20:45). That's where we'll learn whether the lack of sharpness and absences in midfield are temporary or something deeper.