Football Season Guide

Gazelec Ajaccio finished in a comfortable mid-table position in Ligue 2 last season but this time around they will be aiming to improve and challenge for a return to the top flight. During the 2016-17 campaign, they proved to be an incredibly streaky side, showing good form towards the end of the season. They can be encouraged by the work they have done over the course of the summer in the transfer market and this has been reflected by some positive results in their pre-seasom matches. Of their regular starters, they have lost only holding midfielder Amos Youga, though he has been replaced by Joris Marveaux, a measure that may prove something of a stop gap due to the 34-year-old’s veteran status. Otherwise, they have sought to improve an attacking line that scored 48 times last season. Left winger Yoann Court was their leading marksman but there was a lack of reliable centre forward, with Jean-Luc Vanucci, who has since been replaced by Albert Cartier as head coach, unwilling to put his faith in Sekou Cisse or Robert Maah. Both will be challenged by Romain Armand, an experienced centre forward who was last with Orleans, where he mustered six goals in Ligue 2 last term. Steveen Ribery, brother of France international Franck, has been signed from Boulogne to feature on the wing, while attacking midfielders Fousseni Diabate and Alexis Araujo will want to make their mark. More will be expected defensively of the Corsican side, too, although the only change they have made to their defensive line is to draft in right-back Gregoire Puel. They conceded 51 times last term which is too much for a side seeking to challenge for promotion but they are simply seeking improvement from those already present, it seems.