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Nice1 – 1Sat 5 Sept · 20:45See the match →
Guèye50%✓
Mafouta100%✓
Torrente70%✓
Boissé100%✓
Voyer80%✓
Buades100%✗
Calodat65%✓
Hatfout100%✓
Bourabaa80%✓
Lauray55%✓
Bretelle60%✗Overview
The current squad of Mans FC is estimated at around 20 million euros on Transfermarkt and logically sits at 18th position in Ligue 1 valuations. In comparison, TFC, currently 9th in this ranking, has a squad worth 7 times more (146 million euros). However, this Mans team has managed to preserve the core of this "winning method" by keeping Patrick Videira and the key players from last season in its ranks, who will play a major role this year. On paper, the squad may seem weak, but the Mans players have always demonstrated impeccable spirit and defied expectations in a highly competitive Ligue 2 2025/2026 season. True extra soul will be needed to hope to compete at the highest level. The Mans fans understood this well and showed up with over 13,500 season tickets sold for this 2026/2027 season, enough to turn matches around at home! Regarding the system implemented by Patrick Videira, there should be no change from last season. The team should play in a 3-5-2, adjustable to 3-4-1-2 or 3-1-4-2 depending on opponents and current form. This setup worked well last year thanks to the few goals conceded (31 goals only, 1st tied with Montpellier) and often closed matches (seven 1-0s and often no goals at halftime). Patrick Videira knows this team perfectly and has managed to instill in them the winning culture. The players have learned how to completely shut down play against their opponents and know how to be clinical in front of goal.
Key players
This Mans team has a truly underrated goalkeeper from last season who deserves credit for many victories. Nicolas Kocik should play an important role and could rack up some CS. The "dad" of the group, Samuel Yohou (34 years old), will be the key player among the three Mans center-backs. He could even be captain if Edwin Quarshie is not a starter. It's redundant to associate key player and Lucas Bretelle in the same sentence. He will undoubtedly be the standout player for this Mans team even though in terms of Sorare scoring this player isn't the most interesting in the game. Another Lucas, Buades, should also be a key player for this team given how important wing-backs are. Finally, Mafouta should stack goals like last season and will be a major weapon.
Players to watch
- The season picks: I want to believe in the emergence of Bourabaa's talent in Ligue 1 this season, as he's one of the few players still possessing that "magic" with the ball (or on the ball). If Patrick Videira gives him his chance and he seizes it correctly, he could rack up some DS and interesting scoring. - The young prospect to watch: Noa Boissé should be a starter and will need to quickly rise to Ligue 1 standards. His technical ease and composure should work in his favor, as they did last season.
The fan's bet
To secure survival, they need to finish ahead of three teams. Without any pretension, this Mans team has the weapons to climb ahead of ESTAC, Le Havre, and AJ Auxerre, in my opinion. As you've gathered, my pick focuses mainly on Lucas Bretelle and on Mans FC's defensive stack, who will trouble some Ligue 1 teams within reach by pulling off 1-0 wins.
LensHome—LorientHome—PSGAway—ToulouseHome—AuxerreAway—30 players — the badge shows the L10, the average of the last 10 matches played.
With no lineup announcement on social media and the starting XI only revealed 1 hour before kickoff, there were plenty of cold sweats ahead of Le Mans' first Ligue 1 match in 16 years.
A somewhat underwhelming match, plus some improvisation to cover for a starter's suspension for GW1.
Against Nantes, some encouraging individual performances!
Le Mans