The 2005-06 campaign delivered a tense season of survival for Sochaux as Les Lionceaux battled hard to secure a nervous 15th-place finish in Ligue 1. Leading the charge was the Brazilian forward Ilan, whose 10 crucial goals proved vital in a year built on securing just enough points to avoid the drop. It was a difficult year that marked the club's transition under manager Dominique Bijotat, with a strong emphasis on grit and defense, and it remains a defining chapter of their successful fight to maintain top-flight status.