Annecy kick off pre-season with emphatic 4-1 win over Villefranche
FC Annecy began their summer preparation on a high note on Friday 11 July 2026 in Vallières. Under stifling 32°C heat, the Haute-Savoie side ran out 4-1 winners against FC Villefranche Beaujolais in Ligue 3 in their opening pre-season clash. The result sets the tone for a club chasing promotion back to Ligue 1 after currently sitting 7th in Ligue 2 with 52 points from 34 games - 15 points adrift of leaders ESTAC Troyes - and a record of 15 wins, 7 draws and 12 losses. Annecy also boast a recent run of four straight wins (LWWWW) and a goal difference of +10 from 49 goals scored and 39 conceded.
What happened on the pitch?
The match turned after half-time. Trailing 0-1 at the break thanks to Louzif’s strike (19th minute), Annecy hit back immediately after the restart. Redmond - on loan from Aston Villa - opened his account inside three minutes of the second period (48th) before doubling the lead (59th). In between, Lajugie - who joined the club the day before - had levelled with a clipped finish inside the six-yard box (55th), and Jusseron sealed the win late on (90th) after combining with Ferro. The win follows Annecy’s last competitive outing, a 1-2 loss to Rodez on 9 May 2026, and offers a promising start to their pre-season build-up.
Why this win matters for Annecy
This victory sets the platform for what’s to come. The club head straight to a training camp in Crans-Montana, Switzerland (13-17 July) before facing Swiss Super League side FC Sion in a final pre-season friendly on 17 July. The camp will be crucial as Annecy look to build momentum for a push up the table. With 49 goals scored and just 39 conceded this season, the club are banking on their attack to challenge near the top. Their first competitive fixture of the new campaign arrives on 8 August 2026 at Pau, currently 9th in the table.
What’s next?
Annecy will use this win as a springboard into the next phase. The Swiss camp offers the chance to fine-tune tactics ahead of the league restart. The clash with Sion will test their progress and allow further squad adjustments. One thing’s clear: under their manager, the club are intent on building on this positive start as they target a strong return to Ligue 1 for 2026-27.
