Beziers won promotion to the second tier automatically after finishing second in the National league last season. It is the first time that the club in its current guise has attained such a level, having played most of its football in the fourth tier previously.
The season ahead, therefore, promises to be a major learning experience on all levels and one that will test the strength of the team. Off the field, they have a solid foundation, with a president that has been in place since the team formed in 2007, while coach Mathieu Chabert has been in his job since 2015.
Like many teams in the third tier, they specialised in a tight playing style that yielded few goals. Indeed, they did not have anyone who hit double figures. Remedying this issue will be their greatest issue ahead of the campaign, with Ibrahim Sissoko drafted in from Lorient on loan to provide some additional firepower. Forward Alexandre Ramalingom is one of a number of players they have signed from the third tier, yet he was by no means prolific last season. Ahmed Soukouna started out in the top flight with Toulouse so does have good experience and Anthony Rabillard similarly arrived from Marseille. Rayane Aabid is their key man in midfield, where he will play off the right.
In defence, meanwhile, Ousmane Sidibe arrives from Paris FC, having had the experience of being forced to find his feet rapidly in this league last season, while Loic Kouagba and Julien Boyer are signed to play at this standard for the first time. In goal they do, at least, boast a good deal of experience through Novaes, who has played at the top level in France previously and now captains Beziers. He will know as well as anyone the difficulties that lie ahead.
