Ligue 1 Preview | A season too far for Brest?

One To Watch: Martín Satriano The Uruguayan forward’s return is long overdue. After an effective half-season in Brittany at the Stade Francis Le Blé during the 21/22 campaign, scoring four times in 15 league games and generally causing havoc in the opposition defences with his intensity and direct style, the 22-year-old returned to parent club Inter Milan last summer.

Despite interest from clubs higher up the France top flight table, such as Marseille, Satriano, a striker or second striker generally, ended up out on loan with fellow Serie A side Empoli. Just three goal contributions in 32 outings underwhelmed and set the forward’s development back a touch.

That stagnation has been to Brest’s benefit, however, as his latest loan likely wouldn’t have come about otherwise. It could be crucial to Brest’s survival hopes. With talisman Franck Honorat finally exiting for Germany, much relies on Satriano’s output. Despite the positivity around his return, matching Honorat’s exploits will be tough.

Squad Analysis: Brest are perhaps more fortunate than any club remaining in the reduced 18-team division not to have been relegated in recent seasons. Carried by Honorat in each of the last three campaigns, they’ve always been battling relegation and have often survived due to the unusually weak sides below them (most notably last season) or through some key form at key times.

Throughout that run, the Brest squad has looked increasingly like a second-division group, and nothing changes here. A workmanlike defence remains bolstered while coach Eric Roy’s midfield boasts energy and honesty but not much else. Forward areas are perhaps the team’s saving grace, however, with Satriano complimented by the towering and effective striker Steve