Football Season Guide

Just relegated from the Ligue 1, last season Reims were expected to take the Ligue 2 by storm and to achieve immediate promotion. As a matter of fact, they did neither. They started the season slowly, also due to problems in the squad, and obtained mixed results at least until early October. Then, they initiated a long march that brought them all the way up to the second place in February, but subsequently committed a real suicide. Between mid-October and May, Reims played 25 games and they lost only 3 times, drawing 12, though. So, despite holding the 4th-best defence and the 3rd-best attack of the league, the excess of draws, 14 at the end of the campaign, eventually cost them dear as they finished 6th, only 2 points below the top 4 and a place in the promotion playoffs. Coach Geraerts was thus let go after even failing to make the playoffs while Nicolas Usaï will take over. Since he has great experience in the category, he will be expected to lead them in the top 5. During the summer, Reims went through some changes and the goalkeeping department was the area that was completely renewed with starting Jaouen and back-up Olliero both gone while Hulsmann should wear the number 1 shirt with Omeragic or Sauvage as his deputy. Elsewhere, centre-back Kone, who unexpectedly became a protagonist last season, returned to his parent club while Kotto, also a youngster, was signed permanently with aging and disappointing Pallois released. Versatile Zohouri, also a right-back, could play a relevant role, especially since they also lost 2 right-backs in Busi and Sekine. In the midfield, Zabi was sold for great cash and in arrived only Demoncy, returning from a loan at Guingamp, but Fofana will be back after spending most of the past season sidelined. In the attack, they lost starting winger Diarra together with back-up Benhattab, while back-up striker Bojang was loaned out and Ibrahim will spend some time injured. New signings Soumano and El Kachati could thus earn themselves playing time.