August
Friendlies: Not much to report. There were no real stand-out performers. The Arsenal performance was shocking because we just rolled over and died. I didn’t have too much concern after any of the other games — the final friendly against Luzern came two days after our cup tie so I fielded a back-up team.
VS Cittadella: My first real game and it came in the Italian Cup against a second tier side. Naturally we dominated with Ivan, Matheus, and Ragatzu scoring. We could have/should have scored more, but I’m not complaining.
September
VS Sampdoria: This was a very even game against a very similar team. We took an early lead through Josue but then we let Sampdoria pull 2 back. We were spared blushes when we received a penalty at the 82nd minute and star striker Jese calmly slotted home.
AT Inter: A tough game but one that we should have done far better in. 35 year old Inter captain Wesley Sneijder gave them an early lead at 9 minutes, before Andrea Ranocchia managed to come above everyone else and head in a corner at 25 minutes. We were being pretty dominated but then during the first 5 minutes of the second half Inter had 2 players sent off! Jese missed the penalty we were awarded after the second player was sent off (the first received 2 yellows). We managed to capitalize being 2 men up and finally scored at 69 minutes. I was expecting to equalize since we were by and far the dominant team during the second half but Inter managed to hit us on the counter at 80 minutes and sealed the encounter firmly in their favor.
VS Cesena: We got our first win from an inferior Cesena side. They are a weaker team and we rightfully outperformed them with Matheus and my wonderkid Xaropinho scoring. I was especially excited because it is his first goal.
AT Chievo: Xaropinho started off our scoring drive before we gave one up after Chievo crafted a beautiful play, culminating in an easy goal for them. Right before the half, Josue released Pimba who out-ran all the opposition players and slotted past the keeper to give us a lead. We were dividing possession, but my defense was staying tight and we definitely looked the more dangerous team as we were taking the majority of shots. At 77 minutes, however, we met with a tragedy. My talisman, Jese, collided with an opposition player and tore his MCL :( He will be gone for 5 weeks . . . I had used up all my subs at this point so I was playing a man down and sure enough, we got hit on a set-piece and Chievo took a portion of the points.
VS Atalanta: I wish I could forget this game, especially in front of our own fans. Last season’s runner-up top scorer, Lenny Nangis, got 5 goals for himself. He was impossible to mark. He scored a hat-trick in the first half, before my own keeper Castelli rolled the ball out to an opposition player!!! He of course easily scored, but Castelli got a foot to it so it counted as an own goal. So we were down four going into the half, but right before the whistle, Atalanta fouled Floris in the box and had their defender sent off. Maybe we could salvage something being a man up. Floris converted, so we were 1 — 4 at the half. Once the game resumed, Nangis scored another from right outside the box. At this point the game was lost and it was essentially pointless to keep playing since the team was so demoralized and looked like they just didn’t want to be on the pitch. Unsurprisingly, we got hit on a soft counter and at 74 Nangis got his 5th. I was so angry at the team and I ended the game with all 10 players playing defense because we were just so pathetic. That’s right, 5 sweepers, 3 center-backs, and 2 fullbacks. That was literally the only time that I saw my team not capitulating. I was disgusted and I let lose on the team during my post game team talk!
AT Juventus: Of all the games to follow that thrashing at the hands of Atalanta, we had to face last season’s runner-ups and perennial contenders, Juventus, and at their home ground. Great. I decided to depart from the usual 4-3-3 and instead opted for a 5-1-3-1. Trust me, it is not as defensive as it sounds. The tactic worked and it ended in a pretty even game. Of course, it wasn’t an absolutely free-flowing game but we kept the play primarily in the center of the pitch.
October
VS Lecce: Quite an even game but Sanchez received a bruised heel and had to be taken off. The reshuffled back four tried an off-side trap and from the replays they pulled it off, but just barely, but referee said that the opposition player was on and he slotted past Castelli and that was the goal of the game. I am mad at the referee but I can’t be too harsh because it was close.
AT Udinese: Udinese are in form having won their last 6. We gave up 2 quick goals at 11 and 14 minutes and made it unnecessarily hard on ourselves. We were chasing them for the rest of the game and pulled the opposition player in the box near the game’s end. The converted penalty ended our hopes for a draw.
VS Roma: So we are going up against the defending champions — always an unfortunate match-up when your form is so poor. Roma have a stacked team and we gave up 2 early goals unnecessarily again. My team seems to have a tough time hitting the ground running at the start of the game. We started to come back with some great plays and large amounts of possession — it should have been a matter of time before we got our breakthrough. Right before the half, though, Roma got a free-kick and it deflected off my wall into goal. There isn’t much else to report. Near the end of the game the player to score Roma’s 2 early goals, an Algerian regen who is third on the scoring chart, completed his hat-trick. Good for him. Another big home loss.
AT Genoa: Unfortunately, Genoa are a good side. But we got Jese back. Before the game, I had a team meeting to stem the crashing morale. Jese gave us the lead at 44 minutes after he volleyed Xarophinho’s cross. Sadly, Genoa managed to equalize right before the half. The second half was a nail-biter with both teams making so terrible errors but neither of us could capitalize and we ended with a draw.
November
VS Milan: So we got our Rooney, Messi, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Mata, Silva, Van Persie, or whatever else you want to call him back. Jese lead us from the front like a good talisman should and we managed to record a famous win over second place A.C. Milan. All three goals came from our wonderkid and record-breaking transfer Xaropinho, but all three assists were from Jese. We were the first team to score but Milan cam back with two. Xaropinho-Jese managed to pull 2 from the top drawer at the death — 71 and 79 minutes. I went back to 10 defenders for those last nervy minutes and we got out points :P
AT Bologna: This was a punch for punch game. At 21 minutes Bologna scored but Xaropinho, with Jese’s help, pulled us back at 23. At 48, Bologna got another, but Ragatzu equalized with Matheus assistance at 51. Luckily, we got to administer the knock-out blow at 79 when defender and youth product Rizzo rose above the opposition and headed home. Again, I reverted to 10 defenders to keep the lead. I should really stop doing that but I was thinking about maybe why the team is having trouble and I can only put it down to inexperience. I shipped off all my older players, for the most part and I think the youngsters aren’t mentally fit enough yet.
VS Catania: Our opponents had more possession but we were by far the more incisive team. Our striking triad were firing on all cylinders. Jese got a hat-trick and Ragatzu and Xaropinho got braces. Despite the great scoring, Rizzo, our starting center-back, sprained his ankle, and Josue, my Xavi, Iniesta, Scholes, etc., strained his groin and both of them will be out for a month. They are just as important as Jese and I was worried how the team will cope. One thing that was interesting about this game was I got to see Eric Ti-Bie, who I managed at my first team, Evian. He has been at Catania for some time now and has become a fixture.
VS Varese: We capped of our first perfect month with an easy win against third tier Varse. I let my back-up players have an outing and they wrapped it up easily.
December
AT Palermo: Our first game without Rizzo and Josue wasn’t so bad. We were on par with Palermo but at stoppage time they managed to confuse our defense and steal a late-winner.
VS Novara: Another punch for punch game. Though Novara are newly promoted, they are holding their own in this division. Simoni, Rizzo’s replacement and another youth product, headed home from a corner at 8 minutes. Novara responded at 12. Jese scored at 47 and Novara responded at 51. At 87, Jese should have scored what was the winner but while the 4th official was indicating the amount of stoppage time, Novara snatched the equalizer.
AT Brescia: They were last season’s overachievers but we were the better team in the game. It took until the 85th minutes for us to convert our dominance to scoring, but Jese got us the deserved goal.
VS Fiorentina: Fiorentina are a good side but sadly this game had no flow. Both of us were playing what looked more like rugby than football and in the end the draw was deserved. Fiorentina scored at 38 but right after the half Ragatzu saved us a point.
Season Half
We are doing exactly like how the media predicted. I forgot to take a screenshot of the player ratings but Jese was my top performer.
We had a quiet winter break, with only the easy friendly against Piacenza. The break isn’t nearly as long as in Germany.
Always a positive since my youth set-up definitely had loads of potential.
Surprisingly, I did not conduct any transfers. I did not find any compelling players who I needed to sign. I know that sounds weird given our results, but I really think it is because my team is inexperienced. I would much rather give these youngsters more time than shelve them in place of players who are more experienced but frankly not that great. What I really wanted was to get some loans to cover my midfield and defense but none of my targets wanted to join.
Check out the next page!
Vinners
15 февраля, 2012 at 15:13
Unlucky not getting your desired 8th, 10th is still good and Xaropinho is a sick purchase. I’m not so sure about Jensen, Benedettini and Marino though especially if Jensen and Marino are effectively your 2nd choice in their repective positions. If you can get another quality striker to cover for an injury to Jese, otherwise you will be wholely relying on Marino which will damage your chances of top half finish. Even though, good read and I’m excited to see how next season goes with all your youngesters progressing
Bhargav
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:12
Thanks Vinners! I see what you are saying about having better back-ups, but the problem I have been encountering is that if my back-ups are too good then they insist on wanting to leave so that they can get more first-team football :/ I guess it’s just a balance I need to figure out more.
Sears
15 февраля, 2012 at 15:33
All in all that was a successful season. Your youngsters struggled at the beginning, but once they found their feet you secured some impressive results. Next season should see you break into the top 8, though I wouldn’t rule out finishing in a European place … Best of luck mate!!
Bhargav
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:17
Thanks Sears! I see the main places to improve is that they need to start the game with more energy, which they were doing towards the season’s end, and they need to not get so complacent at the end of games. Apart from that I just need to stay injury free.
vaibhavc
15 февраля, 2012 at 16:56
Unlucky about your aim. The beginning of the season cost you. I am sure next season you can get a top half finish, because your players are more experienced now. Xaropinho is fantastic, and I need to make sure I get Ridgewell once he retires!
Bhargav
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:18
Thanks Vaibhav! Xaropinho has to be my all-time best signing so far and he is just getting started! And I saw Ridgewell’s application and my eyes popped out because he is so good!
nielsneutron
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:08
Love the fact that you have a Danish keeper in the squad. Like you I also think that the young squad needed to get the feel of the game and I am sure you can do better next season.
Bhargav
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:24
Thank you, Nielsneutron. Maybe I have the next Peter Schmeichel although his description says that he is the next Anders Lindegaard ;) We should do better next season if we get a little luckier on the injury front as well.
Ivo
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:14
another great but unlucky story … great youngster the xguy (x-men XD). very interesting the amount of money you have … maybe you should arrange some very hard friendlies for the youngsters to gain experience ;) how is it goig with brazil ?
good luck in next season, Ivo
Bhargav
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:25
Thanks Ivo! Life in Sardinia is going quite nicely and I hope I can translate that into better results.
I actually resigned from Brazil after our poor World Cup :( It will be some time before I go into international management again since I have had back-to-back failures with Jamaica and Brazil.
Darren Smith
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:46
Some very promising youth there mate and especially the new Brazilian striker…nice to see Jese performing so well but you need a few more players to step forward if Europe is to be attained. I think that could happen next year, as with every young squad, each season that passes is just another years experience.
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 08:37
Thanks Darren. I would like to keep as much of the squad intact as possible because I think barring any more horrific injuries I think these guys have it in them to challenge for a place in Europe.
saltwater
15 февраля, 2012 at 18:58
Very, very entertaining season — it had everything. More importantly, I’m surprised you still name Jese as your top striker, Xarophinho has stats any manager would die for. I expect big things of Cagliari next season, especially since you guys and your talented strikers outscored 2nd place Inter and 3rd place Roma.
Finally, «The Arsenal performance was shocking as we just rolled over and died» made me laugh.
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 09:11
Thanks saltwater :D I try.
I think Xaropinho will blow Jese out of the water because he is used to level and style of play. That and he will hopefully be injury free.
Johnny Karp
15 февраля, 2012 at 19:10
It was a good season overall I think, not necessarily in terms of results but the club did make a few solid steps forward. Your young squad together with a few more quality players will make next season one to remember. Good luck!
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 09:13
Thanks Johnny! I think I am on my way to building my best squad ever! We have some real vintage players like Xaropinho and Sanchez, so I think this will be a squad to reckon with.
Ana Garcia
15 февраля, 2012 at 19:44
Good season in my opinion!
You wanted 8th but 10th isnt that bad and you have a very young squad so it will take time for them to improve and reach their potential.
You made some good signings and with the upgrades to you facilities and then buying your stadium things will be even better for next season.
Good luck!! :)
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 09:19
Thank you, Ana! I am very happy to finally have our own stadium. I hope we can turn it into a fortress that other team will be afraid to play in :D
Woody
15 февраля, 2012 at 20:15
A good season overall I think
Well done. For proving the media wrong
I agree that your team needed more time to gel and Jese was brilliant this season
Anyway well done and good luck
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 09:22
Thanks Woody! In addition tog gelling we also had to deal with some awful injuries. I’m not sure how one recovers after tearing abdominal muscles, but fingers crossed that Xaropinho hits the same heights as before.
TheZiggy
15 февраля, 2012 at 23:16
Your final position has improved, which means it’s been a successful season, even if it wasn’t quite the improvement you hoped for. When you make a lot of changes, it is quite tough to get off to a good start, as it takes a while for the team to truly work well together. I would expect there to be less changes for next season, so that should help matters.
The injuries are a real pain. I had one recently with just a seconds left, with an opposing player making a horrible tackle putting an important player out for several weeks. Made me want to scream, as there was no point in the idiot doing it, when we two goals up, with no time left.
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 09:25
Thaks Ziggy, I see what you mean. It’s always tough — maybe I need to have my players play less aggressively. Another problem is I will admit I didn’t get the best back-ups partly because of finances and partly because when I have players who can all be in the first team, it leads to too many players being unhappy. I guess I just need to learn to rotate better but for now I can’t afford to give my back-up players *too* much playing time. Obviously, this means my starters are under more physical duress . . . It’s a vicious cycle but learning to break out of it is one of my goals in this challenge.
Kevin
16 февраля, 2012 at 00:19
Hi Bhargav
Fisrt off Xaropinho is truely amazing and should do really well for you over the coming seasons. You took us on quite the roller coaster ride in this update but I must say that was a superb effort beating Juventus 5-2.your final position is very respectable indeed and the good news is you are improving each time.
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 09:25
Thanks so much Kevin! I hope I can start achieving the same success you are in the MLS soon :D
Dino Ozbolt
16 февраля, 2012 at 12:49
Not bad, not bad. :D
It’s a strong league and I still wonder how Atalanta side became so strong? Because of Nangis or? :D
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 20:51
Hey Dino. Nangis is by far their best player but they also have an awesome Romanian regen in the central midfield that wreaks havoc.
Frank
16 февраля, 2012 at 15:31
Hi Bhargav,
A decent season overall, the Seria A is very strong and your team needs time to gel. Great result against Jueventus. Good luck for next season.
Also if you have time could you check out my blog
thefootballmanagerprodigy.blogspot.com
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 20:52
Sure, no problem Frank. Always fun reading on others’ takes on FM!
Martin - F.M.J.S
16 февраля, 2012 at 18:01
That was a good season Bhargav as people have said you have improved your league position from last season and you have been able to do it with a young side so well done and Good Luck with next season. :)
Bhargav
16 февраля, 2012 at 20:52
Thank you, Martin! Kids have to eventually win me something :P
CsAtlantis
17 февраля, 2012 at 01:17
Wow, some inconsistent form there, though your team improved after the first two months, how did you even manage to do that in April, you drew all your matches! :P
Good luck for next season, hopefully Jese and Xaropinho can stay injury-free (Lenny Nangis is such a beast in Serie A!)
Bhargav
17 февраля, 2012 at 09:53
Haha I know! It’s so frustrating at times but overall a solid finish, I guess.
Neil Birkitt
17 февраля, 2012 at 15:20
well done mate I feel a top 3 finish next season. looking to keep an eye on players as I have just taken over at la violia in my own save
Bhargav
19 февраля, 2012 at 11:36
Thanks a lot Neil! I think a top 3 finish might be a little too ambitious though ;)
David Faithfull
25 февраля, 2012 at 12:15
Bhargav Xorphino is a wonder kid! Completely amazing and a great buy for your team. He will definatly be great for your team over the coming seasons. Was good to see you be in a better position in the league this season and next season im confident you will do even better!
Bhargav
25 февраля, 2012 at 14:55
Thanks a lot David! A new update is right around the corner so you can see how he fared ;)
David Faithfull
28 февраля, 2012 at 20:34
wicked im pretty sure he is going to be emence in the next post!!