Football Season Guide

Strasbourg are trying to re-establish themselves as a Ligue 1 club after a torrid period that saw them go bankrupt. Historically, they are a top-flight team and they certainly have a passionate support to justify that. Indeed, they were one of the teams that most seemed to suffer due to a lack of fans last season and having the supporters back this time around will be very welcome. They will have a new coach in the dugout, meanwhile, with Julien Stephan taking over. He largely did an excellent job in Rennes, although he left last season after a very disappointing period of form. Racing have cut their squad numbers and that has meant losing some first-team starters. Most important among these is defender Mohamed Simakan, who had been absent due to injury since January in any case. Stefan Mitrovic, Lionel Carole, Frederic Guilbert and Lamine Kone have all also departed a defence that is much changed. Strasbourg have not replaced these players yet. Karol Fila has been added over the summer, with the Pole coming from Lechia Gdansk and Lucas Perrin has arrived, but this is an area that they will seek to strengthen in the days ahead. If they cannot, they could be in trouble. Changes are fewer in the midfield, where Jean-Eudes Aholou has returned on loan. Ibrahima Sissoko will be a key figure in this sector, as will Adrien Thomasson in an attacking capacity. Where Strasbourg do have good options is the centre-forward role, aided by the arrival of Kevin Gameiro from Valencia. He is a player who is better than Strasbourg can expect to have given their standing, even allowing for his veteran status. It is easy to see him forming a capable partnership with Habib Diallo or Ludovic Ajorque, while Strasbourg also have Majeed Waris and the promising Moise Sahi Dion in reserve.