Football Season Guide

Clermont approach their debut Ligue 1 season aware that remaining in the top flight will be a major challenge for the club. Nevertheless, they are extremely well supported this season, with a new temporary stand built and season ticket sales that have shattered previous records. Stade Gabriel-Montpied, however, is unlikely to prove a particularly intimidating venue for visiting sides. They won promotion from Ligue 2 in second place largely thanks to the technical-based football that Pascal Gastien has favoured. Often they would dominate the ball in their matches, while they have enough offensive quality to put their opponents to the sword. They are not, however, a club with significant resources and they are likely to have a small squad throughout this season – and one that is largely without top-flight experience. While several members of their first team have been loaned out, those who have otherwise been allowed to leave did not have a significant role to play in their promotion push. Meanwhile, new additions have been few and far between, added on free transfers. The left side of the pitch has notably been reinforced with the arrivals of Ariel Mendy and Elbasan Rashani, though no other players of note have been added to the squad. Goalkeeper Arthur Desmas was an impressive performer last season behind centre-backs Cedric Hountondji and Florent Ogier, but all three face a test the like of which they have never previously faced this season. That is equally true in the midfield, where Yohann Magnin, one of their outstanding players, will miss the opening weeks of the season due to a serious injury sustained last season. On the flanks, Jim Allevinah and Jodel Dossou will have to step up another level and playmaker Jason Berthomier will be expected to unpick defences. He has consistently impressed in Ligue 2, but this is his first top-flight experience. Much rests on academy product Mohamed Bayo in attack. He scored 22 goals and created seven more last season and must transfer that efficiency to Ligue 1 for Clermont to really stand a chance.