Football Season Guide

Caen were relegated from Ligue 1 last season after a campaign that was catastrophic. The club took gambles on the coach front, first appointing Frederic Mercadal then undermining him with the arrival of Rolland Courbis in the winter. Neither remains as they seek a return to the top flight. It will be former Troyes boss Rui Almeida that takes charge of Caen this season, with the Portuguese having benefitted from a pre-season campaign in which the majority of his players have managed to stay fit. Inevitably, the squad has been trimmed following their demotion though, in terms of players who actually made a significantly positive impact to the first-team squad last season, they have barely lost anyone of note. Indeed, centre-back Alexander Djiku will be one of the few that fans are unhappy to see go along with right-back Frederic Guilbert. In the meantime, they have shored up both areas by adding Jonathan Rivierez from Metz and Pape Diaw from Angers. This pair should prove capable, with the former already having proven himself amply in Ligue 2. Elsewhere, the midfield has been boosted by the arrivals of Jessy Pi, who was strong on loan at Brest last season, and Anthony Goncalves, who was a little unfortunate to be released by Ligue 1 side Strasbourg. He should provide a capable and energetic presence in the midfield. With Faycal Fajr and Jessy Deminguet in that area, there is ample quality. It was in attack that Caen were truly hapless last season and to that end they have not obviously improved their side. Much is pinned on Enzo Crivelli, whose physicality should guarantee goals at this standard, though he was something of a flop last season. A lack of quality wingers should not be an issue as the intention appears to be to play in a 3-5-2 formation this term, with that the system they used as they beat Le Havre 2-0 in a pre-season friendly.