He had watched the exploits of his teammates from the stands, no doubt with a touch of frustration. A great architect of Stade Brestois‘ historic third place in Ligue 1 last season, Pierre Lees-Melou was forced to skip his club’s first two Champions League matches. Victim of a stress fracture in his right fibula at the beginning of May, which required the installation of a plate and a bone graft, the midfielder only returned to the field on October 6, against Le Havre.
Less than three weeks later, Pierre Lees-Melou experienced this Wednesday, against Bayer Leverkusen (1-1), his first anthem of the Champions League on the field, seven years after having participated in the play-offs of the competition with the OGC Nice. And what a first! Well on his feet, like his teammates, the native of Langon, in Gironde, scored one of the goals of the season in the 39th minute, to give his team the equalizer. Upon receiving a very aerial cross from Mahdi Camara, the midfielder asked no questions and fired a volley which ended in Kovar’s small net.
“Many saw us getting beaten up”
United, inspired and daring, the Bretons finally left Roudourou with a deserved point. The 7th on the European scene. “Many saw us taking a beating, forgive me for the term, and we were far from being ridiculous,” smiled Pierre Lees-Melou after the meeting. It proves that we have heart, that we like to play together. I’m not going to say that we have regrets (for not having won) but we had a good match. We’re going to enjoy it, that’s a good point, and we’re going to rest now. »
If his pure and very important strike marked the minds of the public, his mastery in midfield enormously relieved the Bretons. After his return against Le Havre, his coach Éric Roy praised his merits. “He is capable of handling the ball, he is capable of managing the tempo of the match, he is capable of playing short, he is capable of playing long, he knows how to do everything,” savored the French technician, aware of the importance of his protégé.
Pierre Lees-Melou, for his part, had fangs. Frustrated by his five months of absence, he chafed for a long time before smelling the lawns again. “We are still footballers, what we want is to be on the green rectangle,” he admitted after his return. I remained the first supporter, but I’m still happy to have come back. I’m still so hungry. I don’t know if we will have the same season, but I hope that we will make the most of it and that we will go as far as possible in both competitions. »
In any case, things are off to a good start in the Champions League. Because with seven points in three matches, the Brestois are in a very good position to reach the round of 16 of the competition. And they may not be done creating exploits. The next match, at Sparta Prague, could already confirm their European future.
