Football Season Guide

Lorient were declared Ligue 2 champions last season as the campaign halted prematurely, but Christophe Pellissier’s side were stalling in their challenge at that point, having lost four of five matches. There was little doubt that for much of the season, the Breton side were the division’s outstanding side, and they will seek to highlight that by making a strong impression on their return to the top flight. Generally regarded as a well-run club, they have invested in their team in a bid to ensure their survival. Big money has been spent on Clermont striker Adrian Grbic, who will shoulder a big goalscoring burden in attack, while significant investments, too, have been made in attacking midfielders Stephane Diarra and Quentin Boisgard. While the focus has been on recruiting exciting young talent to play in attack, they have opted for more experience in their rearguard, with veteran defender Jeremy Morel returning to the club as well as former Amiens keeper Matthieu Dreyer, who will be back-up. Josue Homawoo is the only youngster thus far recruited for the defence, arriving on loan from Nantes. It is the rearguard that is set to come under most scrutiny this season. Thomas Fontaine and Mathieu Saunier have not played a great deal of Ligue 1 football, while the full-backs are equally inexperienced and less likely to have the offensive influence they enjoyed last term. Vincent Le Goff was particularly profitable going forward, with eight assists. Fabien Lemoine, the captain, will have a key role to play in the midfield but will have to prove he is still capable of cutting it at this standard at 33, while Sylvain Marveaux could be a valuable offensive joker in the No.10 role. There are no shortage of attacking options, but while these players were strong in Ligue 2, none has proven themselves in top flight yet. Yoane Wissa was their ace last season, scoring 15 times off the left wing, while Pierre-Yves Hamel was a key link man in the No.9 role.