Football Season Guide

Chambly will be making their debut at this level after winning promotion via a second-place finish in the third tier last season. It is a big step for this little club from a small town a short drive to the north of Paris, who were in the sixth tier a decade ago but have made headlines in recent years for their runs in the Coupe de France. That included taking Monaco to extra time before losing 5-4 two years ago, but now they will have to try to compete over a whole season against clubs with far greater means. They might not be helped by the fact they will have to play their home matches away from their traditional base, deemed not suitable for matches at this level. Instead, most of their games are set to be played in Beauvais, a short drive away and where Red Star were based last season. Four other games are set to be played at the Stade Charlety in Paris, the home of Paris FC. Their long-serving coach Bruno Luzi is new to this level too, and he will rely heavily on the players who brought the club up last season. One man who has left, though, is forward Joris Correa, who has been rewarded for his goal-scoring exploits in the third tier with a move to Orleans. After an unsuccessful stint in Portugal, Ivory Coast striker Junior Tallo - who used to play for Lille - will get the chance to lead the line as Chambly aim to avoid an immediate return to the league below.