With four teams being relegated from Ligue 1 in 2023 one might suspect newly promoted Toulouse to be under heavy pressure several weeks into the season. It may be surprising then to hear that the French outfit are heading into the World Cup break with four wins and four draws under their belt, and just six defeats. They currently sit 12th in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Much of that is down to the analytical revolution that’s taken place in south-western France, which has been instituted by the new owners RedBird Capital and director of football Damien Comolli. Their religious loyalty to data was covered well in an in-depth piece by The Athletic.

That approach saw the club arm manager Philippe Montanier with a large group of rogue youngsters and wildcards that have nearly entirely paid off. One such youngster who currently tops the squad alongside Branco van den Boomen for assists is Fares Chaïbi with four, level with Rémy Cabella, Dango Ouattara, Florian Sotoca and Faitout Maouassa, one behind fullbacks Caio Henrique and Jonathan Clauss, five behind Neymar and six behind Lionel Messi in Ligue's top assists chart.

How Do They Play?