Football Season Guide

Returning to the second tier of French football after 3 seasons in the top flight, last campaign Amiens needed some time, and a coach change, in order to re-adapt themselves to the Ligue 2. Once coach Tanchot was given the reins of the team in October, though, they eventually turned into a solid team and obtained a positive 10th place despite the absence of a proper striker and several injury and Covid-related issues. Despite the results obtained, Amiens held the 6th best defence of the league with 40 goals conceded, Tanchot was not confirmed for the new season and was replaced by Philippe Hinschberger, who did wonders at Grenoble in the past 3 campaigns, only missing out on promotion through the playoffs. The new coach will be asked to lead Amiens among the top teams again, while providing a pleasant and offensive football, something that they only seldom did last season, having scored just 34 goals. The summer saw Amiens losing 3 major protagonists from the last campaign while a few youngsters were loaned out: Wague, who formed an insuperable couple at the back with Opoku, left-back Coly and, most remarkably, Blin, whose absence in the middle of the park will be felt. In terms of new arrivals, apart from Opoku, whose loan deal was made permanent, but the key centre-back will be unavailable until February, 20-year-old Mendy could immediately become a protagonist of the defence, while equal in age Arokodare, coming from Latvian football, could represent the striker they missed so much last season. Fofana could also be given major playing time in the middle of the park. At the moment, Amiens are still in need of another reliable centre-back, a left-back and will also face some problems at right-back, as Alphonse is currently busy with Guadeloupe in the Gold Cup.