Football Season Guide

Rodez have made a habit of not only surviving in Ligue 2 despite a miniscule budget, but positively thriving. Last season they finished inside the top 5 for the second time in 3 years, although they did miss out on promotion in the playoffs, but not after a valiant effort. Each summer, they seem to lose a core of important players, and this has been no different. The group of players who have departed this time around is perhaps more important than ever before, with 4 key figures leaving. Those who have arrived so far – with the exception of Antonin Cartillier – are unknown at this level. Previous history has shown Rodez getting these calls right, and they are under pressure to do so again. Despite these changes, the outlook is positive ahead of the season after 3 strong wins over lower-league opponents in friendlies were followed by a draw against Ligue 1 side Toulouse. Rodez notably scored 9 goals in their games against Ligue 3 sides Bastia and Cannes. New signing Mathis Touho has scored 5 goals in pre-season. Rodez are a team that play with enormous energy, seeking in particular to exploit their wing-backs as attacking weapons. They push forward in a direct style and do not rely on possession to win games. A key strength is the overall level of their squad, which does not have a strong hierarchy and allows for smooth rotation. This squad comparatively lacks experience. There is not a single player in their 30s in the unit. In addition to this, there is a lack of depth at wing-back, which has historically been a key area for them.