Bourg’s three-year spell in Ligue 2 ended in May, with the Ain side relegated after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Grenoble in the relegation playoff. It marked the end of what has been a disappointing season for Herve Della Maggiore’s side, who suffered primarily from defensive problems, conceding an astronomical 87 goals in 38 matches.
Bourg had lost some key players in the summer, and while they lost their opening two matches of the season, with nine games gone they had fought back by winning four times and showing particularly good home form.
However, a spell before Christmas saw them sink into real trouble, with six defeats in seven matches pushing them to 18th in the standings. This was the period in which they stopped scoring goals, while their defence was just as leaky as ever – a problem brought about by injury problems and an attacking mindset from the coach.
Things did not get any better after the Christmas break. Quevilly smashed them 5-3 at home in what was a damaging result, while their morale was depleted by a 9-0 loss to Marseille in the Coupe de France.
However, three wins in four matches between February and March suggested a turnaround, which was fired by some sharp offensive form, most notably from Yoann Court, the mid-season arrival who was arguably their best player of the campaign.
This proved to be short-lived, though. A run of eight matches without a single win, largely caused by their feeble defence, saw them sink back to 18th and it took a victory over Sochaux on the final day of the season to allow them into the playoff.
With morale at a low, they lost 2-1 to 10-man Grenoble, who then held them 0-0 at home, consigning Bourg to a relegation they can have few complaints about.
