Brests

The place do you begin with this cult Stade Brestois aspect? Les Pirates’ rise to Champions League glory has been one of the fascinating and thrilling tales within the final decade of French soccer. The plaudits have usually focussed on the likes of Pierre Lees-Melou, Mahdi Camara, Ludovic Ajorque, Steve Mounié. But, Éric Roy’s aspect would have been nowhere with out their flying Dutchman and steady-handed primary: Marco Bizot.

“It’s true that I prefer to hold to myself. I’m not the loudest speaker. I like to look at, drink my espresso in my nook, in peace and quiet”, he mentioned in an interview with Le Télégramme in early February. Bizot speaks with a modesty and quietness which befits a way of hard-working humbleness that exudes all through the Brest squad on their journey to Europe final season. But it’s additionally reflective of a playstyle that has been frighteningly environment friendly.

“Marco is a dependable, calm man who is aware of his job. He has a really sober, pragmatic type. He’s extra involved in making an efficient save than a flamboyant one,” analysed present Stade Brestois goalkeeping coach Christophe Experience Le Télégramme final December. 

Bizot’s beginnings have been something however calm when he joined the membership. “I arrived, I signed my contract on the primary day, and I skilled alone. The following day I used to be with the crew, and the third day I performed that match towards Lyon. I didn’t know the names of any of my teammates, I had completely no preparation. It was actually fully loopy.”

After that baptism of fireplace in a 1-1 draw with Lyon in 2021, the Dutchman made regular progress to dislodge native lad and present quantity one in all Saint-Étienne, Gautier Larsonneur. After Éric Roy arrived on the membership and initiated an upward spiral for the ages, Bizot’s performances would attain a brand new scary stage. 

Bizot residing the European dream

On the finish of the 2023-2024 Ligue 1 season, solely OGC Good had conceded fewer targets than the Bretons, who for a lot of the season held the second-best defensive document. The Dutchman ruthlessly established himself as among the best goalkeepers within the French high flight final season. His shot-stopping and save percentages had him up there with a few of the greatest goalkeepers in world soccer, together with his Put up-Shot Anticipated Targets minus Targets Allowed rating him among the many greatest 6% of goalkeepers in response to Opta & FBREF. And like a positive wine, he has solely aged higher with the problem of European soccer this season: taking part in 100% of all minutes in all six Champions League video games this season. 

Clearly being the goalkeeper of final season’s Ligue 1 marketing campaign wasn’t sufficient for Bizot, he has since shone within the Champions League this season. In opposition to PSV, the Dutchman put in a Man of the Match efficiency, making 5 gorgeous saves to maintain a clear sheet. The 33-year-old turned the primary goalkeeper to cease the Dutch giants from scoring in over 9 months. “It’s an unbelievable feeling,” mentioned Bizot after the sport to Dutch TV channel Ziggo. “Being on the sting of qualification is superb for us, no one would have thought this beforehand – It’s unbelievable. You possibly can inform me three, 4 occasions, and I nonetheless received’t imagine it. If we are able to hold this up within the league as properly, we can be exhausting to beat.”

But, within the league this season it’s been a special story. Coming again to actuality, like for a lot of the Brestois squad, has been an actual issue. With the added workload of Europe, Les Brestois are discovering it tough to copy the identical defensive document this marketing campaign. Bizot has consequently solely stored three clear sheets within the league this season. Les Pirates have already conceded 27 occasions this season in Ligue 1, reaching round 79% of final season’s whole targets conceded already. There was trigger for concern within the early weeks of the season, when supervisor Roy known as for his gamers to “check out themselves.” 

“It’s been a tough begin to the marketing campaign as a result of in Ligue 1 we haven’t but managed to seek out our DNA like we did final season,” Bizot admitted himself when talking to Brest’s membership web site earlier this month. “Paradoxically, within the Champions League, we’re in a special state of mind. However that is smart because it’s one thing magical for everybody.”

Bizot’s harsh self-reflection

Even Bizot has admitted himself that there have successfully been two variations of Brest this season. In opposition to the likes of Salzburg, Strasbourg, Leverkusen, and Toulouse there was a transparent demonstration of togetherness and spirit. But, towards Lille and Marseille at house there have been Ligue 1 matches which have fully handed Bizot and his teammates by. “To be sincere, I can’t totally clarify it. However we all know our qualities and we all know what we are able to all hope to attain collectively.”

Is it the value you pay for residing the fairytale dream in European soccer? Maybe. But Bizot insists that he nonetheless has progress to make with a view to attain the degrees of consistency that he and Les Pirates reached final season. “I’m not pleased with my begin to the season. I do know I can do a lot better and I’ve already proved it. It’s not at all times straightforward to get again to concentrating on issues, however I’m working at 200% to be even stronger.” 

A certain quantity of recency bias would incline observers to agree with him, however when trying on the greater image the Dutchman is arguably being fairly harsh on himself. He has clearly been one of many key drivers behind the rise of Brest during the last yr and a half and deserves to be recognised as among the best goalkeepers within the league. Now receiving recognition on the European stage, additional video games within the Champions League following a probable qualification will current one other unbelievable alternative to indicate the remainder of the world what he’s made from. 

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