Football Season Guide

Laval will try to take the next steps to re-establishing themselves as a Ligue 2 club after narrowly avoiding relegation last season by just a single point. The Bretons’ showed impressive character late in the season to bounce back from a run of seven successive losses to win five of their last seven and thereby secure survival, with four of those wins coming at home. Laval largely put faith in the players who had won them promotion last time around, but the squad has been changed over the summer, with a focus on evolution. Starting defender Bryan Goncalves has been released following a lack of discipline last summer while striker Geoffray Durbant has gone after failing to make his mark in the second tier. Perhaps the two key losses for Laval, though, come defensively. Alexis Sauvage was their first-choice goalkeeper and performed the task solidly while Dembo Sylla excelled late in the season as a right wing-back and has left for Lorient. Playmaker Julien Maggiotti’s loan has not been made permanent. He was vital last term due to his creativity and it is no coincidence that a serious injury to him marked a downturn in the club’s form. They learned to cope without him. Recruitment has focused on youngsters on the whole, but two experienced figures have been drafted into key roles. Long-time Ligue 2 striker Malik Tchokounte has signed from relegated Nimes while veteran goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa has joined to fight to become first choice. On paper, the most interesting signing is Thibaut Vargas, who will perform the dynamic role of Sylla on the right. He was under utilised by Nimes as they were relegated last term. Elsewhere in defence, Peter Ouaneh has arrived as Goncalves’ replacement in the middle. While the midfield is basically the same unit as last season minus the creative talents of Maggiotti, the attack is entirely new, with only Sebastien da Silva surviving a cull. How this area performs will dictate Laval’s season.