Football Season Guide

Caen were one of the most disappointing performers in Ligue 2 last season as they finished the campaign in 13th – far from the promotion challenge their squad promised. The 2020-21 term promises to be a testing one for the Normandy club, who have been unable to transform what was an uninspiring squad. Much will rest on the talents of coach Pascal Dupraz, who showed signs of turning around the fortunes of the club last term, leading them on a lengthy undefeated run during which they were typically solid but unspectacular. Last season, Caen averaged a passing distance of only 8.1km per game – the joint-lowest in the league. Signing striker Yacine Bammou suggests their direct style will be maintained. He is added to a physically strong forward line that is limited in terms of its finishing. Youngster Nicolas Gioacchini will have a disproportionate weight on his shoulders. While this is an area with plenty of depth, quality is lacking, as reflected by last season’s meagre goals tally. The midfield is an area of strength, with Anthony Goncalves and Jessy Deminguet both very talented performers, though there is a lack of depth. Caen should be relatively robust at the back, though veteran defender Anthony Weber is starting to show his age. Last term they relied on the width being provided by their full-backs, but both are more suited to playing defensively. Dupraz may maintain the 4-3-3 shape but he is likely to rectify this and it should improve the team offensively. There continues to be talk of a potential takeover from US investors in the club, but this appears far from a conclusion and has rarely ended well for clubs in France.