After 14 days, we can no longer simply talk about a good start to a season: it is a real demonstration of force that the USL Dunkirk offers us Ligue 2 with 28 points already collected and a second place neck and neck with the first! Thanks to a recipe that works well and a potential that has not yet been reached, the Northern club is being talked about well.
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The dolphin is no longer just the animal on its coat of arms: it is also its status! Since this Monday evening and its new clear and flawless victory in Ligue 2 against AC Ajaccio (1-0), USL Dunkerque is officially runner-up to Paris FC, tied on points with the leader, only behind with the difference beginning. An area in which there is still a notable gap, since even if the Maritimes have a very efficient attack, they have conceded a lot of goals (18 in total) particularly against their two closest rivals, Lorient (4) and Paris (3).
Demand, which is absolutely not an overused word for Luis Castrocannot alone explain the formidable epic of the Dunkirk from January to November 2024. Because many coaches work hard without counting their hours, whether they are new to the championship (Benoît Tavenot, to name only him ) or experienced (like Stéphane Dumont, whose rigor no longer needs to be demonstrated). However, its results over the past eleven months (61 points obtained) surpass all the other Ligue 2 clubs which have been there since last year, including Paris FC (which has 60 points over the calendar year). How can we explain the fact that this team is more successful than the others?
There are already two key periods that the Northerners have negotiated extremely well: the winter 2024 and off-season transfer windows before the 2024-2025 edition of the championship, led by the new boss of the sporting world, Mr. Demba Ba. Because we cannot neglect the primordial importance of the recruitment made almost a year ago, making it possible to completely change the dynamic of the team which, as we recall, was 19th with three victories on the clock at the winter break, as well as a 5-0 inflicted by Bastia on Tribut. At the time, the club had only a 3% chance of remaining in the championship according to a very advanced statistical model. He will come out of this with a nice margin ahead: 5 points more than ESTAC Troyes on the 38th day!
This incredible rebound is notably due to the contributions of offensive players such as newcomers Gessime Yassine or Gaëtan Courtet, who arrived for free during the season, but also to the return to form of Jean-Philippe Gbamin who only arrived in November without pace, to the very successful loans of Mohamed Koné (HAC) and Bram Lagae (La Gantoise) among others. Even if some operations were less decisive, such as the return of Alioune Ba who was thought capable of becoming a starter again or the relative disappointments that were Bessilé or Mughe, all the lines were reinforced with new solutions like Laâziri or Maurer , having also played an important role in this rescue operation.
This winter, far fewer modifications should be necessary for this Dunkirk group, particularly because they carried out superb operations a few months ago in the off-season. While 25 players (on loan or at the end of their contract) left, 15 players arrived, the vast majority blending very well into the collective of the Portuguese coach who had the opportunity to carry out his first full preparation in his new club . We will mention the brilliant Naatan Skyttä, the return of Yacine Bammou to Ligue 2, the great discoveries Rivera, Tejan, Abner, Queiros or Georgen, the strengthening of the goalkeeper position with the competent Jaouen and Ortola… Without neglecting the future contributions Sekongo or Essimi , the loan of Ugo Raghouber – who was again very good this Monday – seems to be an excellent idea also for the club from the port city. An entity which discovers over the days an atmosphere more than worthy of the good clubs in our championship despite the always limited size of the stadium.
Dunkirk had started by suffering two defeats in a row at the start of the season, but nothing could disrupt the Maritimes in their rise in the general ranking, which is surprising from the point of view of the means at their disposal but which is not at all surprising. surprising when the work upstream (scouting, recruitment) and on a daily basis (training and match performances) are of a high level. As proof: Dunkirk does not outperform in any area, whether offensively (21 expected goals – or xG – for 22 goals scored) or defensively (15.2 expected goals against – or xGa – for 18 goals conceded). In reality, the team's mentality, with high and well-organized pressing as well as above-average creativity, allows it to outperform at this stage rising competitors such as Lorient, who underperform in defense, or like Metz whose offensive efficiency is not yet there. Another surprise guest from the top of the ranking, Annecy, is known for having developed a very effective offside trap (66 offsides since the start of the season): it does not, however, come close to that led by captain Opa Sangaté in Dunkirk, since the team has already caused 89 offsides in Ligue 2!
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The best ranking in the history of the USLD dates back to the 1978-1979 season when the Union finished in 3rd place in Ligue 2, without however being able to reach the elite. But if the current group's form continues, nothing excludes the possibility of doing even better and securing a 2nd place, synonymous with a historic rise for an entire club. Over the past two seasons, Rodez and Bastia (who only recently achieved or regained professional status) have both managed to slip into the top 5, with Accession Play-offs in 23-24 in which RAF was far from doing the job. Will we be treated to a new surprise this year with an outsider who becomes, over the course of the season, one of the ogres of Ligue 2? The dream is allowed for the Dunkirks, who can congratulate themselves on having people who are probably very competent in all the positions where this is of sporting importance.
Photo Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport
