For the second successive season, Caen flirted with relegation to such an extent that they needed to produce an unlikely point against Paris Saint-Germain on the final day of the season. While they required a stoppage-time strike last term to secure their survival, a scoreless home draw this season was rather less dramatic and has the same effect.
Despite the satisfaction of survival, it was another somewhat disappointing season for Caen, who were once again extremely limited as an offensive force, netting only 27 times – easily the poorest record in the league - and largely reliant on striker Ivan Santini, who scored 11 times in 32 games.
The season actually started reasonably well for Patrice Garande’s side once they had gotten over the blow of losing their opening two matches 1-0 against Montpellier and Saint-Etienne. Seven wins followed in their next 10 matches, propelling them as high as fifth, yet they would only claim four victories in the rest of the season.
It was clear where their problems lay. They offered a poor attacking threat in the majority of their games and only once scored more than twice in an individual match. The midfield failed to chip in to any meaningful degree, although the emergence of Jessy Deminguet towards the end of the season was some reason for optimism.
At least their defence was largely robust, with all of their best performers of the season coming in the rearguard. Damien Da Silva, out of contract in the summer, was a standout at centre-back, but full-backs Frederic Guilbert and Adama Mbengue had strong seasons, too.
If Caen are to secure another year in the top flight after next term, they will need to improve in the final third, though with important players set to depart over the course of the summer, Garande would appear to have his work cut out, particularly with boardroom turmoil complicating the situation further.
