Hey guys and welcome back to another update from my Ultimate European Challenge. After winning all 12 of Atletico Madrid’s opening games, we were in some fantastic form. I was all but confirmed as winners of our Champions League group and looking forward to some more goalscoring fun. Today’s post will take you through my December to March results. Let’s dive straight into the La Liga results, with At Madrid lying 1st in the table.
La Liga results Dec-Jan
As you can see, December brought up a little dip in goals and performance. We still managed to two fixtures, but I feared the loss to Barcelona may damage our morale. The next three games were very touch and go, on another day we could have lost or drawn, but my side just edged all three victories against Hercules, Valencia and Real Madrid. Three extremely important results that set me up for the last two games. With some confidence retained, Aguero put in a class performance and we beat both Sporting and Deportivo 3-0 away from home.
January transfer action
During the January transfer window, I decided to offload a few players. Funes and Bustos were youngsters that couldn’t quite make the grade, while Pintos is my rotational right back. I felt like £7.5 million was far too much for a mediocre player. Therefore the bid was accepted and I swooped in for a new and improved right back.
Micah Richards will be a massive player for me, he was a little expensive, but has the ability to make a big difference. The Englishmen will become my first choice right back I think.
La Liga results Feb-Mar
After January, my side seemed to be playing free flowing football, and it was great to see. Score lines like 7-0, 5-1, 4-1 and 6-1 were a weekly accurence. Considering this is La Liga I was very impressed with our performances. Aguero was popping up in every match, and Sanchez seemed to be influencing our play too.
La Liga table
After 29 games, I find myself 19 points clear at the top, with Real Madrid and Barcelona struggling to keep up. The title will definitely be mine soon and hopefully more silverware will follow. :)
Spanish Cup results
The early rounds of the Spanish Cup, were very easy. My reserves brushed aside Badalona and Deportivo, before we drew Espanyol in the quarter-final. The 1st leg seemed straight forward as we should have won by more than two goals. However, a lack of composure and some heavy pressure almost led to a major upset. Thankfully we won 2-1 on aggregate, and then dismantled Villarreal with ease. That match finished 6-1 on aggregate thanks to some great goals and outstanding performances from Vella. The final will be versus Real Madrid, a tough match but on our day we can beat anyone.
Champions League results
After winning my Champions League group on goal difference to CSKA Moscow, I then faced a tough opponent in the first knockout round. Juventus were fairly easy to dismantle in the first leg, a 2-1 victory away from home filled me with confidence. However, the second leg almost saw my players choke. They were very poor, but just held onto a 1-1 draw. My quarter-final opponents are Real Madrid. Another fantastic away performance has left me with a 2-1 scoreline for the home leg. I just hope the lads don’t choke or get complacent again for the second leg.
Squad stats
This season has probably been my best so far on FM 2011. Aguero is mainly to thank for his 33 goals and 15 assists out of 34 games. My top centre back is now Toprak, who has scored 10 goals from corners. Vella has managed 11 goals and 22 assists, while Dzagoev has scored 8 goals and assisted an incredible 26 times. Alexis Sanchez seems deadly from the inside forward role, the Chilean has scored 22 goals to date.
Performance of the post — Atlectico Madrid 6-1 Sevilla
This was a wonderful match, I started without Aguero, Cicinho, Millameggi, Sanchez, Vella and Dzagoev. Three nice goals were scored before Balotelli embarrased my defence. Then Sanchez, Aguero and Dazagoev were brought on after Sevilla made it 3-1. They all played a huge part in the final three goals to complete an amazing performance.
With the season drawing to a close, I don’t have to worry about the league, but my form must be maintained in order to challenge for the treble. Real Madrid seem like the team to ruin my season. I need to pass them in both the Champions League quarter-final and the Spanish Cup final. Do that and I could win the treble which would be a nice way to leave Spain. :)
OK guys, that is all for this update. Sorry for the short post, but things have been a little crazy of late and I have had little free time. I’ll be back with my end of season report soon, until then thanks for reading and I look forward to reading your comments. :)
Sears
6 марта, 2011 at 19:07
Absolutely amazing! The title is defiantly yours, 91 goals after just 29 games is phenomenal. I reckon you’ll prevail in the European Cup and Spanish Cup as well. Toprak, Agureo and Sanchez are ripping everyone to shreds.
ps started a new game as Athletic Bilbao again a few days ago and finished 3rd in my first season. We qualify automatically for the group stages of the Champions League and I bought some prospective youngsters in during the summer, as well as Ander. I got priced out of buying a left back and a center back, but I’ll attempt to sign them can next summer.
Darren Smith
6 марта, 2011 at 19:21
Thanks Sears, looking through my squad I think we have the best attacking force in the world. They make scoring look so easy lol :)
I’ll have to check out your story that is some amazing season you’ve had…whats the link to it??
Sears
6 марта, 2011 at 19:28
Here mate, forget the first two pages though. They don’t count because I began a new game.
http://www.sortitoutsi.net/forum/topic/50272-the-basque-challenge/page__st__40
I’ll be posting up my pre season transfers soon.
Darren Smith
6 марта, 2011 at 21:15
I’ll take a look mate, thanks Sears. :)
Laxeyman
6 марта, 2011 at 19:54
Brilliant Darren, your team are unstoppable going forward, and Sanchez and Aguero are incredible players. You’ll certainly win La Liga, hopefully you can win the Champions League too, you must be the best side in Europe, so you’ve got a good chance. Good luck!
Darren Smith
6 марта, 2011 at 21:17
Cheers Laxeyman. I have been blessed with an incredible team, around 75% have been bought during my reign, but players like Aguero were already here and have been vital. Its going to be a big finale, but you never know what may happen in a final. :)
Josh Allen
6 марта, 2011 at 23:54
One word springs to mind here, DOMINATION. This is just incredible stuff. This is going to be an interesting Champions League finale for you. Where to after this?
Josh
everythingthatisfm.blogspot.com
Darren Smith
7 марта, 2011 at 11:46
Thanks Josh, I just hope we don’t choke at the last hurdle. :)
After this I will be looking at both France and England as I have not completed that part of the challenge yet. I guess I’ll go where ever the best job is.
Lye Kuek Hin
7 марта, 2011 at 01:36
Hi Darren,
Simply incredible form. There is no team to stop from winning everything in Spain. It’s just a matter of time before you wrap up the title. I believe the champions league should be no problem as well. Waiting for the celebrations mate.
Darren Smith
7 марта, 2011 at 11:47
Cheers Lye, I too believe that we’re looking unstoppable…but the Champions League is always seperate and one mistake could cost us. Hopefully we’ll just destroy everyone in front of us. :)
Wazz
7 марта, 2011 at 06:33
Are you kidding me mate? :P There’s only one thing I need to say.. Win all the trophies!!
Good luck Darren!
Darren Smith
7 марта, 2011 at 11:48
Thanks Wazz, I have the treble in my sights, but don’t want to tempt fate. :)
Johnny Karp
7 марта, 2011 at 07:32
Brilliant job mate, 91 goals scored and only 11 conceded at the end of March is just unbelievable! The FA should have handed you the title right on the opening day of the season, we all knew that you would win it! :)
Darren Smith
7 марта, 2011 at 11:49
Thanks buddy. We’re goal scoring machines and the attacking flair means my defence don’t really do much. ;) My only worry is Man Utd for the Champions League…their looking dangerous this year.
kevin
7 марта, 2011 at 09:20
Hi Darren
Fantastic update. I think you have pretty much gotten the league title all wrapped up especially after that stunning win over Sevilla. Two difficult cup encounters coming up against Real Madrid but I think your side has the quality to brush them aside. Good luck!!
Darren Smith
7 марта, 2011 at 11:50
Thanks Kevin, it would seem the title is all but over now. A few big games coming up, but pass them and I’ll only fear your beloved Man Utd for the treble. :)
chris
7 марта, 2011 at 10:52
awesome stuff darren..scoring just a crazy amount of goals! is the 4-5-1 you use for madrid the exact same as your newcastle formation?iv got sanchez on my game and still deciding what role to play him but inside forward seems to be doing a good job with you!
Darren Smith
7 марта, 2011 at 11:52
Thanks Chris, its great fun to see so many goals. The 4-5-1 is almost exactly the same as my Newcastle one. Only real difference is I use one of the midielders as a deep lying playmaker with support duty rather than central midfielder with support duty thats used in my Newcastle save.
Darren Smith
7 марта, 2011 at 11:53
ps Sanchez is best for me as an inside forward…although he’s a little inconsistent he can destroy a team on his day. :)
fmcrazy
8 марта, 2011 at 09:53
I commented before but it didn’t post for some reason :(
Anyway, you are unbelievable! Your Argentinians combined with a mixture of Europeans alongside a few Brazilians, a Chilean and a Cameroonian have done superbly! I can see you leaving at the end of the season with the treble, easy :D You will struggle to take these players with you to your next club unless you manage Man Utd or somebody else with a huge reputation!
Good luck, even though you don’t need it!
Darren Smith
8 марта, 2011 at 12:00
Thanks mate, we have a big mix of nationalities but the main talent is from Argentina. It will be sad to say goodbye as you say, I can’t see any of the players following me through the exit. :(
Ana Garcia
9 марта, 2011 at 16:49
Wow! The title is definatly yours already and you are just scoring for fun at the moment!!
I would wish you luck but you dont seem to need it! :)
Good going so far, well done!
Sayam Khan
9 марта, 2011 at 22:58
Hi Darren, title definately seems wrapped up. Congratulations on that. Good signing in Micah Richards, the english factor i am pleased with. Aguero never fails does he??? Lol. Good Luck in the future.
Darren Smith
10 марта, 2011 at 11:58
Thanks Sayam, the title is certainly all but mine now. Aguero does have the odd dodgy performance, but probably just two or four a season. :)