After their opening defeat against Reims (0-1), the Aiglons will need to kickstart their season on the pitch of Stade Malherbe de Caen, who lost in Paris (3-0).
In the span of three months, many changes have occurred at SM Caen, starting with the management. Gilles Sergent, one of the major shareholders of SMC since 2000, became president two days before the end of the previous season.
Fabien Mercadal, the former leader of Paris FC, has replaced Patrice Garande on the Normandy bench.
Rémy Vercoutre, Caen’s loyal goalkeeper, has ended his career. Others have left the Calvados ranks during the summer transfer window. The two most prolific strikers, Ivan Santini (26 goals in 66 L1 matches) and Ronny Rodelin (24 goals in 108 elite games with Malherbe), have gone to other pastures (to Anderlecht for the first, to Guingamp for the second).
Julien Féret (157 appearances in the red and blue jersey), a crucial midfield player, has joined Ligue 2 and AJ Auxerre. Finally, Norman defender Damien Da Silva (137 appearances) has left for Brittany, at Stade Rennais FC.
Some arrivals have compensated for these departures. Fayçal Fajr, a former player of the club, Yacine Bammou (from FC Nantes), Malik Tchokounté (ex PFC), and Paul Baysse (recently loaned to Malherbe by Bordeaux) have joined.
The last two named, along with Romain Genevois, are the 3 players from the opposing camp who have worn the Gym jersey.
Note that Caen was defeated in Paris, on the pitch of the reigning champion, during the opening of L1 (0-3).
THE CAEN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Samba, Zelazny
Defenders: Armougom, Imorou, Guilbert, Mbengue, Baysse, Djiku, Genevois
Midfielders: Oniangué, Peeters, Deminguet, Fajr
Forwards: Bammou, Stavitski, Ninga, Tchokounté, Crivelli
THE NICE SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Benitez.
Defenders: Hérelle, Dante, Sarr, Boscagli, Burner, Coly.
Midfielders: Tameze, Cyprien, Makengo, Danilo, Walter, Lees-Melou.
Forwards: Srarfi, Saint-Maximin, Myziane, Ganago.
THE REFEREE
Promoted after two years in Ligue 2, Eric Wattelier (30 years old) will be officiating for the first time at the center of an elite field, on Saturday, at Michel-d’Ornano.
He will be accompanied by Alexandre Viala, Aurélien Berthomieu, and Romain Lissorgue.
