In his first season as Chambéry coach, Asier Antonio has had to battle hard to cope with the numerous injuries sustained in the build-up to the season and throughout a campaign that has been far from easy.
The good news is that the Spanish coach has been able to rely on the talent of his all-star goalkeeper, Valentin Kieffer. Having just arrived from Dunkerque, the winner of the LNH trophy for best goalkeeper of the 2023-2024 season maintained his splendid form and quickly established himself as one of the pillars of the Savoyard squad. The hero of Wednesday's 28-28 draw with Nantes, the 25-year-old has made ten or more saves in his last three matches and will undoubtedly be one of the men to watch at Coubertin on Saturday. His performances leave little room for Harun Hodzic to assert himself, but the Bosnian keeper knows how to seize his chance and is proving to be a quality alternative to the French international.
The right flank, however, was the first headache for Asier Antonio. The Spaniard had been counting on another all-star, Hugo Pimenta, who was named best right-back in the Proligue with Sélestat last season. But, struck down by injury all season long, the player has yet to make his debut for his new club. In his absence, it was Gustavo Rodrigues who seized his opportunity.
In the absence of a back-up, the Brazilian has enjoyed the best season of his career. As Chambéry's second-top scorer (121 goals) and the provider of 97 assists, he has been crucial to the team's play, forming a novel pairing with young Czech Adam Tomasek, who left his homeland last summer and is gradually acclimatising to the French league.
The left flank has not been spared either, with Alejandro Costoya out since Matchday 8. Despite the presence of the experienced Iosu Goni (35), who will play his 300th game in the top flight against Paris on Saturday, it was a recruit who emerged as the most reliable alternative in Costoya's absence. Simen Holand Pettersen arrived from Skjern and has already scored 144 goals and provided 50 assists this season.
In the centre, the duo of Sebastian Skube and Lucas Vanègue are causing havoc. Despite missing the first two months of the competition, the evergreen Slovenian (38) has enjoyed another top-quality season, with 95 assists so far. However, Lucas Vanègue made the most of his chance at the start of the season, maintaining a sensational level and exemplary discipline throughout to establish himself as one of the revelations of this campaign. With 114 goals and 119 assists to his name, he has established himself as one of the leaders of the Black and Yellow squad.
Although the departure of Chambéry star Benjamin Richert to Montpellier had been announced last winter, the right winger was expected to finish his season in Savoie before moving to the Sud de France Arena this summer. However, following Yanis Lenne's injury, MHB succeeded in attracting the right winger at the end of April as a medical wild card, leaving a huge gap in Chambéry's squad. Since the departure of the player recently named in the Liqui Moly StarLigue Team of the Season, the reins have been handed to the youngsters.
Emilien Peyronnet has been chief among them. At the age of 21, the young academy graduate has fulfilled his mission with flying colours, scoring 34 goals this season, including a perfect six against Cesson Rennes on Matchday 26. He shares the right wing with Martin Fernandes, who made his professional debut last month following Benjamin Richert's departure to Montpellier.
In the pivot position, Pierre Paturel reigns supreme. At the club since 2009, the emblematic captain of Team Chambé' has established himself as a leader both on and off the pitch. In attack, however, Adrien Vergely has taken on a new dimension this season, last week reaching the 100-goal mark in the league for the first time - at an impressive 76% clip. In defence, Inaki Pecina is as robust as ever and will be looking to finish the season with a bang, having agreed to join Bidasoa Irun in the summer.
Finally, on the left wing, Arthur Anquetil will also be looking to delight his fans before joining Nîmes next season. The former Montpellier man is having a good season on a personal level, although he has been a little isolated since Qeido Traoré's injury in March.
(Credits: L. Valroff/PSG)