In a thrilling Champions League encounter on Wednesday, Brest managed to secure a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen, thanks to a stunning goal from Pierre Lees-Melou. The result kept both squads unbeaten in their respective campaigns.

Brest showcased a spirited performance throughout the second half, displaying a determination to grab a second goal that would have marked their third consecutive victory. Having qualified for Europe’s premier competition for the first time, they faced a significant challenge against the formidable German champions, who had been perfect in their opening two matches of the newly formatted tournament.

The draw prevented both teams from catching Aston Villa, who currently sit at the top of the table with nine points.

The contest began with not much separating the two teams until a well-timed pass from Jonas Hofmann found Florian Wirtz in the 24th minute. The talented German midfielder displayed skill and composure as he controlled the ball and slotted a low shot into the back of the net, giving Leverkusen the lead. This marked Wirtz’s seventh goal of the current season across all competitions.

Shortly after, Wirtz continued to impress by weaving through three defenders, but his effort was thwarted by Brest’s goalkeeper Marco Bizot, who made a crucial save.

As the first half progressed, Lees-Melou, making a comeback after a broken leg, struck back in the 39th minute with a magnificent right-footed volley from outside the penalty area, leveling the score. This goal marked a significant moment for the player as it was his first since March.

Following the conclusion of the match, Granit Xhaka received a yellow card for contesting a decision from the referee, adding to the drama of an already intense game.

Meanwhile, Celtic faced their own challenges but managed to grind out a goalless draw against Atalanta. The Italian side came close to breaking the deadlock when Mario Pašali? hit the crossbar, but ultimately, neither side could find the back of the net.