“We can say it, it’s a Ligue 1 bis, quite simply. We still have clubs that have marked the history of our football. There are some very good teams, I think the level is likely to be very high this season. It is with these words that Robert Malm, consultant at BeIn Sports, describes this Ligue 2 season. But in reality, will the championship be as high as expected?
A prestigious Ligue 2
Four relegated
With a view to the passage of the professional championships to 18 teams, four clubs descended from the elite. At the call, Angers, Ajaccio, Troyes and Auxerre came to fill the ranks of the antechamber of Ligue 1. Inevitably, these four squads restore the image of Ligue 2 and the observers of French football are inflamed on the spectacle that the championship could offer throughout the year.
Regular Ligue 1 clubs
In addition to these four new teams, the two behemoths of last year, ASSE and the Girondins, did not manage to move up to Ligue 1 and will also be there. In addition, teams like Caen, Guingamp or even Paris FC are gaining momentum and will surely have their say in the fight for the climb.
“Little ones” who rebel
We saw it last season, the level is very homogeneous within Ligue 2. Even if a trend is emerging concerning the favorites, it is not uncommon to see surprises in the antechamber of Ligue 1. Like Quevilly last season, clubs like Pau could well play an important role, as we saw in their crushing victory against Bordeaux. In addition, clubs like Amiens and Bastia could also play spoilsports.
24 Harisson MARCELIN (fcgb) – 09 Mayron Antonio GEORGE CLAYTON (pau) during the Ligue 2 BKT match between Pau and Girondins de Bordeaux at Stade du Hameau on August 7, 2023 in Pau, France. (Photo by Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport)
Rebuilding teams
Qualitative reinforcements
Several teams seem to be strengthening qualitatively, such as Auxerre who knew how to repatriate the Sochalien Agouzoul or the bet Florian Ayé on the flank of the attack. Amiens, they were able to bring Corchia and Mafouta in particular, while Bordeaux signed, among others, Livolant, Vipotnik, Weissbeck or Davitashvili. Angers, meanwhile, have signed Jordan Lefort to strengthen their left lane. In Corsica, Bastia was able to convince Maggiotti and Dimitri Liénard who could be two significant reinforcements. On the Normandy side, Caen was able to sign Mathias Autret or Alexandre Coeff. The biggest blow of their transfer window should however be the extension of Alexandre Mendy on the flank of the attack. Regarding ESTAC, the club is possibly concocting one of the most ambitious transfer windows in the championship. Indeed, Rafiki Saïd, Alemdar, Lemaître, Boura, De Préville but especially the central defender Ndiaye came to strengthen the Trojan ranks. Finally, the Greens were able to strengthen themselves with the combined arrivals of Ibrahim Sissoko and Dylan Batubinsika.
Departures that weigh
Auxerre was able to weaken considerably with the loan returns of quality players who arrived to keep the club in the top flight. In addition, the club has decided to let Autret go and could also let playmaker Hamza Sakhi go. SC Bastia has also been greatly weakened with the departure of their great striker Franck Magri towards Toulouse, combined with that of midfielder Salles-Lamonge. As for Bordeaux, they have just separated from their nuggets Bakwa and Mwanga, both in the direction of Strasbourg. In addition, the club will not be able to count on their Nigerian striker Josh Maja, the latter having signed at West Bromwich Albion. The Caennais have lost their best defender, Ibrahim Cissé, while Troyes will be without Palmer-Brown, Gallon, Salmier or even players on loan last season. Paris FC also lost big with the departure of their best player, Morgan Guilavogui. Finally, the Greens lost big with the departure of Krasso and the upcoming departures of Nkounkou and Sow.
Jean-Philippe Krasso during ASSE – QRM
LPP Sport x Peuple-Vert.fr
A prestige to be taken with tweezers
Clubs in difficulty
Despite the prestige of many teams in this Ligue 2 BKT, it is important not to ignite. Indeed, the two warheads of the championship, namely the Girondins de Bordeaux and ASSE, have been in freefall for several seasons. While relegation had been hanging over them for some time, the two historic clubs fell into Ligue 2 at the same time, as a sign of fate. While they did not manage to make the instant round trip, nothing says that these clubs will be able to achieve this performance during this season. Their defeats from the first day against “modest” teams in the championship attest to this thought. In addition, a club like Angers could need time to rebuild after their disastrous last season with, as a result, one of the worst results in the history of Ligue 1. Concerning Auxerre, after having vegetated for a long time in Ligue 2, the club once again tasted the flavors of the elite before falling back instantly. This shock could well paralyze the club which could not find the resources to go up. Finally, Caen, one of the favorites in this championship, has a great name for Ligue 2 but has not been able to come back for several seasons.
Clubs accustomed to doing the lift.
Despite a name in the landscape of French football, Ajaccio and Troyes are great regulars in the lift. Although in Ligue 1 last season, these two clubs seem more formatted in Ligue 2. On the other hand, it is true that these teams are great regulars on the climb and that we will have to be wary of them until the end.
Mixed beginnings
Among the championship favourites, only Caen (2-0) Auxerre (4-1) won on the first day.
With a 4-1 victory against Valenciennes, the Yonne club is positioned as one of the big outsiders.
The rest was more complicated. Troyes, who led 2-0 against Dunkirk, saw themselves caught at a score of 2-2. Ajaccio was held in check by Rodez (1-1) while Angers lost 1-0 to Laval, ASSE let the 3 points slip away against Grenoble and Bordeaux were swept away 3-0 by Paul.
09 Mayron Antonio GEORGE CLAYTON (pau) during the Ligue 2 BKT match between Pau and Girondins de Bordeaux at Stade du Hameau on August 7, 2023 in Pau, France. (Photo by Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport)
To sum up, it is still far too early to ignite on the continuation of Ligue 2. While historically speaking, several historic clubs occupy this championship, it remains to be seen whether they will be in full possession of their means.
Cedric D.
#prestigious #Ligue #history
