Football Season Guide

Annecy had an unexpected great last season as, at their third campaign at this level, they battled for a place in the top 5 and the subsequent promotion playoffs almost until the end. In fact, had they not been plagued by injuries especially at the back in the new year, they might have kept dreaming, seeing how solid they were when fielding the regular XI. Anyway, coach Laurent Guyot and his boys can be proud of what they have achieved in the past 4 years, considering that they survive on a very limited budget and regularly have to sell their stars to the bigger clubs during the transfer campaigns. While they were almost unpierceable at the back, and 16 clean sheets stand there to confirm it, Annecy did not hold a great attack, relying heavily on set pieces, something they were masters at. With Guyot still in charge for the 5th season in a row, Annecy should maintain the same attitude even though they saw a few starters leaving during the summer. While 3rd-choice goalie Malbec’s departure will go un-noticed, with Gonzalez arriving from Troyes as his replacement, at the back they lost starting centre-back Soukouna, who is recovering from long-term injury, together with Bane and Ganiou, who returned to their parent clubs. 23-year-old Veillon arrived from Montlouis with no Ligue 2 experience but 18-year-old Riou earn more playing time. Left-back Makutungu arrived from Dijon to replace Nsakala, still recovering from injury. After the past season, starting attacking midfielder Demoncy, 7 goals and 6 assists, mostly decisive, was lured away by a big club. Hbouch, a non-entity at this level, could be battling for a start together with Tiendrébéogo or 17-year-old wonder-boy Jusseron. Furthermore, they lost a few protagonists in the attack with disappointing starting striker Djoco quitting for Sochaux after scoring just 3 goals, and back-up wingers Dago and Bermont seeing the end of their loans and thus returning to their parent clubs. 28-year-old striker Rambaud, at his debut in Ligue 2, could thus make the XI.