Football Season Guide

Strasbourg enjoyed an exceptional 2018-19 campaign, in which Thierry Laurey led his side back into Europe via victory in the Coupe de la Ligue. As such, they have already been in competitive action this season, with a first-leg victory over Maccabi Haifa in the Europa League third qualifying round – a positive start to the season given the notoriously tricky circumstances that playing such ties brings. Racing are backed by one of the best supports in France, and there is little doubt that played some role in inspiring them to a strong 11th placed finish last season. Indeed, it was a position that probably deserved to be higher, but they allowed their standards to slip before their cup final. Further establishing themselves back in the top flight has to be the target for the season ahead, though they will also want to make progress in Europe and enjoy at least one glamour tie at Stade de la Meinau. The squad at Laurey’s disposal has not changed significantly. Pablo Martinez, a veteran centre-back, is the most notable name to depart over the summer, but he has been replaced by Alexander Djiku, a player of excellent promise, despite playing in a poor Caen team last season. Experience has also been replaced with youth in the midfield, where former Lens man Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, a highly promising youngster, steps in to replace Anthony Goncalves, who were perhaps a little undervalued last season. Nevertheless, the feeling is likely to be that with an extra volume of games, energy is more important that experience. Otherwise, Strasbourg are set to line up in the same manner as last term, likely meaning they continue to rely on wing-backs Kenny Lala and Lionel Carole for a good deal of their attacking threat. The goals will probably be shared around the team, with Nuno Da Costa and Ludovic Ajorque their most capable scorers, though not always playing in tandem. There is excellent balance throughout this team and no clear area of weakness.