Tour of Ligue 1 clubs: Clermont, on a survival mission

Clermont held on. 17th overall, 17th at home, 17th attack, 17th defense… During the previous year, for the first season in their history in the top flight, the Rouge et Bleu held their own. A feat for the smallest budget of the last championship, with this maintenance gleaned during the penultimate day of the championship.

It will be necessary to repeat the performance, and more: this year four teams will be relegated to Ligue 2. And it starts strong: for the first day, Clermont welcomes Paris Saint-Germain of Mbappé, Neymar and Messi, Saturday August 6 at 9 p.m.

The objective: and now, the hard part

Ligue 1 neophytes rarely make old bones there. Of the nine clubs that have discovered the top flight in the 21st century, only three have survived. And this year, with four direct descents in Ligue 2, it will be necessary to perform miracles to avoid relegation. But the preparation turned out to be positive: in five games, the CF63 lined up three wins for two defeats, notably by chaining two successes in a row (2-0) against Montpellier and Rodez, with style.

Player to watch: Alidu Seidu

With 21 games last season, young Ghanaian defender Alidu Seidu (22) has gradually taken the place of Beninese Cédric Hountondji alongside captain Florent Ogier. Despite its 73 meter, this authentic Swiss army knife showed real authority and an excellent sense of timing within the central hinge. Full of grinta and energy, the Clermont defensive revelation must progress in risk management to avoid being punished too much (5 yellow cards and 2 red last year).

His playing time should increase this season. Because during the summer, the defense hasovergnate recorded the surprise departure of Cédric Hountondji, as well as those of his two full-backs, Vital N’simba and Akim Zedadka. With the Polish international defender Mateusz Wieteska (25), recruited in the off-season, he will be responsible for filling these departures, assisted by a strong man in the middle: Maxime Gonalons.

The rookie: Maxime Gonalons, the return of Lyon

The former captain of Olympique Lyonnais has signed up, at 33, for a new challenge. Arrived free after three seasons in Granada (and 17 years on the banks of the Rhône), the defensive midfielder and former international is the big recruit of the Clermont off-season. The one who will have played 335 games with OL will bring all his experience and his knowledge of the game to stabilize the Clermont collective.

In The Teamhe was enthusiastic during his presentation at the Gabriel-Montpied stadium: “Clermont has an enticing game. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t have fun here”. Striker Mohamed Bayo (14 goals last season) left for Lille, the Auvergnats may have found the right rookie to achieve their goal.

The typical XI