Fleury push on as outlier in Arkema Première Ligue ahead of Saint-Étienne test | OneFootball

Fleury sit fifth and remain the only top-five side not attached to a Ligue 1 men’s club, still pushing to reach the play-offs. That bid hinges on Saturday’s home meeting with Saint-Étienne at 17:00.

According to L'Équipe, eight of the 12 Première Ligue clubs are backed by Ligue 1 outfits, OL Lyonnes, PSG, PFC, Nantes, Strasbourg, Le Havre, OM and Lens, with Montpellier and Saint-Étienne in Ligue 2.

In that landscape, Fleury are an outlier, even if, like Dijon, their men’s team play in National. Dijon, which only recently held professional status, also have greater means and infrastructure than the Île-de-France side.

Fleury have become a fixture in recent seasons. They are set to get a dedicated gym, an adapted medical room and a full-time doctor. The training pitch needs replacing, but the club have gained dedicated dressing rooms and lack the luxuries of Lyon, PSG or Paris FC.

After Fabrice Abriel left for PSG last season, Frédéric Biancalani, formerly of En Avant Guingamp, took charge and delivered fifth in 2024-2025. He wants steady gains and better consistency, conceding Dijon deserved fourth.

This term Fleury have lost to Nantes, PFC and PSG. Biancalani rues the loss to Nantes and the PFC game, feeling they played well but lacked ruthlessness.

Bottom Saint-Étienne visit as Fleury chase consecutive wins after beating Strasbourg 3-0. They lead Dijon by five points, and staff warn matches only settle once the first goal arrives.

Source: L'Équipe