Reims enjoyed a record breaking season in Ligue 2, setting a new mark for a record number of points and record number of victories, with 88 and 28 respectively. It was a scenario that they could not have hoped for at the beginning of the campaign, even if winning promotion back to the top flight was very much on their agenda.
David Guion’s side were built around a capacity to be incredibly physical. Not only were they a strong team, they were quick all over the field. At times they lacked some technical precision – Jordy Siebatcheu netted 17 goals without ever looking particularly graceful – but they were strong enough to steamroller their opponents.
The season started as it was to go on. Reims chalked up five straight victories in their opening five matches of the season and, though they were to suffer three successive defeats thereafter, that was to be their only significant hiccup of the campaign.
Initially, they were built around a strong defensive line, conceding very few goals in the first half of the season, though not necessarily scoring many either. As the campaign wore on, though, they grew more accomplished in an attacking sense and benefitted from a switch to a 4-3-3 in the latter part of the term, which often saw Diego and Pablo Chavarria pushed forward in support of Siebatcheu.
They were strong, too, in the midfield, where they were functional rather than artistic. It said a lot that Marvin Martin, a former France playmaker, was often left on the bench.
Guion certainly got a little lucky in that a relatively small squad was able to maintain its fitness and form throughout the campaign, but now the challenge will be building towards Ligue 1 next season.
They may not be able to rely so much on their power in the top flight and will have even fewer scoring chances. Reims may have won Ligue 2 at a canter, but there remains a need to upgrade.
