Football Season Guide

Lorient are back in Ligue 2 after a limp campaign in which they were deservedly relegated following a campaign of underperformance. It resulted in a necessary change of management in the summer, with Regis Le Bris, much-criticised for his lack of tactical acumen and rigid tactics, replaced by the more pragmatic Olivier Pantaloni, who arrived after 10 years at Ajaccio. Lorient’s biggest problem last season was their attitude, and it is hoped that a motivator like Pantaloni will be able to get the best from this group of players who should be comfortably the strongest in the league. Surprisingly, Lorient have managed to retain the vast bulk of the team that was relegated, with those who have departed largely fringe players, plus Bamo Meite, who has made a loan move to Marseille permanent. The squad, therefore, has not needed much surgery. Nathaniel Adjei has made his loan from Hammarby permanent in defence while experienced goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy has arrived from QRM. He will be second choice behind Switzerland international Yvon Mvogo. The defence is of the standard of a lower Ligue 1 club, particularly Montassar Talbi in the middle of the rearguard with Isaak Toure. This is an area of strength, with one or even two players who could leave and still keep a strong side. Similarly, Benjamin Mendy should be far too strong for his level if he can stay fit, while Lorient have options on the left, too. The central midfield options are strong on paper but they need Tiemoue Bakayoko to stay fit and an improvement. Equally, in attack, they have three or four excellent options, with Eli Kroupi, Mohamed Bamba and Bamba Dieng all more than capable of scoring prolifically at this level. Pablo Pagis, meanwhile, showed his creative talents at Laval last season and should get his chance.