Hey guys and welcome back to my Ultimate European Challenge. During the last post you saw Bordeaux spend £59 million to topple Lyon. With so much money going out, I just hope the right players have come in. Last season saw me lose the title despite notching up 98 points. To lose in such style again would be devastating. Therefore, the Champions League and any other cup will be seen as friendly match status, only the league matters. I must go up and kick Lyon in the goolies on the way! :)
Ligue 1 results — August to October
You all know I beat Marseille away from home on the opening day. This 2-1 victory offered such a confidence boost and some hope for the new season. We maintained the winning run that was so valiantly upheld from last season and transferred it into these opening three months. After winning all 11 games, it became apparent that Vidal still had the hunger. The Argentine scored 8 and Asin enjoyed a good start scoring a few as well as defending like a rock. My most impressive new signing was Marques, the right back was bought for £8.75 million and did well with his lightening pace.
Ligue 1 results — November to December
OK so we enjoyed the perfect start. Now its time to get busy with matches against Lyon, Lille and PSG. An extremely difficult winter was made much better after thrashing GF38 5-2. Bordeaux walked into the match away to Lille full of confidence. This shone through thanks to Vidal and Simeoni, a 2-0 victory was just what the doctor ordered. The next three fixtures were all in preparation for the away tie to Lyon. Great preparation too as we beat Lens 3-0, Le Mans 5-1 and Sochaux 2-1. Resting my main stars during the last match was vital. A fresh and revitalised performance led to an unlikely 2-1 victory against Lyon. I was half way to gaining my revenge. Bordeaux then won the last three games with ease including a 2-0 win against PSG. Asin was really looking good, the centre back has scored 8 goals to date. Cavallo’s corner kick taking is also to thank, I just love the Argentine. :)
Ligue 1 table — have we shaken Lyon?
Of course we haven’t, but I’ve certainly done the best I can. Winning all 20 games to date meant an early exit in the Coupe De La Ligue. And yet Lyon are still just nine points behind with a game in hand. They also seem to be scoring for fun, so I can’t see us enjoying an advantage in terms of goal difference. This means I can afford to lose one match and draw one all season, that will make sure the title is mine.
Champions League results and table
We drew a fairly tough group in Barcelona, Galatasaray and Benfica. The Turkish side are my main surprise, upon inspection they have built a very good team. Proceedings opened with a fantastic 2-0 victory at home to Benfica. Galatasaray then showed off some mega talent to beat me 2-0. With the group looking close and cramped, a loss to Barcelona could end the journey early. My boys sucked it up though and fought for a 2-1 win. Roles were reversed in the return match at the Nou Camp, as Barcelona won 2-1. To make matters worse the weakest side, Benfica then beat us 1-0. With our Champions League fate hanging on other results we could only win against Galatasaray and hope. We did our part with a 2-0 scoreline. This was the only match in which I used a full strength line up.
Before seeing the group, I want to show you my best match. Beating Barcelona 2-1 was a major shock and one to be proud of. Especially seen as the squad was at full strength. Kalenga has provided ample cover for Vidal in this competition. You can see a wonderful long range header from San Roman too, great performance!
OK enough suspense, time to see if I qualified from my group…3 wins and 3 losses meant I DID qualify, but only just in second place and one point above Barcelona. That’s right the Spanish giants are out after a disappointing campaign. If Bordeaux are to progress much further I’ll need to play my strongest line up.
The First Knockout round draw Bordeaux against Liverpool. The English club have an excellent strike force and I’m expecting to go no further. However, if I do then this competition could be wide open. Real Madrid and Barcelona are out not to mention Bayern.
Squad stats
Time to analyse and decide who are the heroes so far. Luis Asin has been my rock and a towering nightmare from set pieces, 9 goals and an average rating of 7.57 say it all. Vidal picked up from last season, the Argentine has scored 16 goals and assisted 7 from 19 starts. The usual suspects from last season are popping up again, but I’m pleased with new boy Cavallo. The 27 year old has assisted 10 goals from corners. This season has seen my back four in the top 8 for average ratings. I think we can all agree where the difference is and therefore my winning streak…Which by the way has now stretched to 30 games!
Well that is it for today’s update. Next time we’ll be seeing my conclusion and if the Ultimate European Challenge has been completed. After this story, I’ll be resuming my Newcastle game with the aim of making them rich, installing structure and building on youth. This may be happening very soon, so I recommend maybe glancing over the story to date. I have previously finished my fourth season and you can see all the posts in my Newcastle story category. Until next time thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments as always.
Excessive
3 мая, 2011 at 12:03
Snap! Both got Liverpool in the first knockout round ;)
Well done anyway mate though, you couldn’t have asked for a better start to your season. Beating Lyon must have been the turning point and I hope that you can hold onto that winning streak to see the season out :).
Will have to read through your Newcastle save too!
(Can’t play on FM till Saturday, so it’s no problem ;))
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 19:08
Thanks Jake, I’m hoping for a successful end to the season. :) Hope you enjoy the Newcastle story. :)
CsAtlantis
3 мая, 2011 at 12:07
Surely you can afford to be complacent and go all out in in a bold move to win the double with Bordeaux? I am sure the club could use the money Darren…..you can’t simply go back to Newcastle and try to make them rich leaving Bordeaux a wasteland can you :P
Anyway, looking good in the league, 20 wins is good, but 38 wins would be better :D, it’s always good to have a solid backline, Luis is the joint second top scorer in your club too
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 19:00
I agree mate, you guys are the readers and what you want to see should be done. Therefore I’m going all out for the treble, a little risky in terms of finishing the challenge but you guys deserve a big ending. I have to at least try. I am also setting myself the aim of balancing Bordeaux’s books before I leave. This means getting the club out of the red on the bank balance. I also want to do this without majorly damaging their squad, probably selling some players I got on the cheap or a few stars that are getting older.
Cruickshanks
3 мая, 2011 at 12:16
Great start Darren. Hope it continues. It looks like the league is yours as I don’t see you losing more than 2 of your last games. It’s a shame you have to leave bordeux with nothing but we can’t all win and I can’t wait to see someone finally finish the uec :)
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 18:46
Thanks mate, I hope you’re right with regards to the league. There has been real support for Bordeaux’s finances and my attempt to win everything…therefore I’ll risk it all in the second half to try a treble. No holding back, you guys are the reason I write these stories, so it should be done how you like it. ;) Fingers crossed
Alex
3 мая, 2011 at 13:16
Hey Darren,
The league is yours, try and win the Champions League to finish the challenge in style :)
I saw you have a draft for your first Newcastle post in a while, can’t wait for it! Nice to see another blogger using the Y2G system, even more so the creator!
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 18:44
Thanks Alex, due to most readers wanting me to risk for all comps, I’ve decided to go for it. I’ll play for the treble and hope it doesn’t cause problems in the league. I have been waiting an age to write that post, there’s only so much planning you can do so I decided to get a draft written. Quite detailed on my finances and new signings so hopefully you’ll like it. :)
vaibhavc
3 мая, 2011 at 13:43
Hey Darren
I think Lyon are going to win the French league this year, even with your start and unbeaten run. LOL JK, you have had great months and wins since the beginning of the season! Beat that Lyon!
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 18:41
lol, to be honest Lyon could still beat us. They have a winning streak ability which was shown last season. Though my side is much better now so hopefully we’ll at least match their form in the second half of the season.
Johnny Karp
3 мая, 2011 at 14:00
Good job, the defense is rock-solid now and I think that you will be able to maintain that gap over Lyon and maybe even extend it. It’s time for a title for Bordeaux and Lyon know that too! :)
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 18:39
Thanks Johnny, a rock solid defence is my trademark really…you’ll know this from my Newcastle save. I just hope we can hold onto top spot.
ravenie
3 мая, 2011 at 16:32
Be confident in your sides ability Darren, you are a terrific manager and the Champions League is not unreachable.
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks Ravenie, there seems to be overwhelming support for grand finale season in all competitions…therefore I’ve decided to go for it in all comps. :)
hils
3 мая, 2011 at 18:52
Hi Darren,good months there!!!!!!!!!!! Your team ability is brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 19:18
Thanks Hils. :)
Laxeyman
3 мая, 2011 at 19:09
Very good Darren, brilliant in the league, and this season you will surely win it. The Champions League is wide open, and if you can get past Liverpool then you’ve got a good chance of winning it. Good luck!
Darren Smith
3 мая, 2011 at 19:18
Thanks Laxeyman, I have decided to go for it in all comps, so we’ll see what happened
Sayam Khan
3 мая, 2011 at 21:51
Excellent start, I really hope you don’t throw it away now! I want to start reading your NUFC story again! lol. Are liverpool good in your game, even if they are, you should beat them as you have a good team. Good Luck!
Darren Smith
4 мая, 2011 at 12:33
I hope not too Sayam. We must win the league as I can’t wait to get back to Newcastle. Liverpool have an amazing strikeforce in my game, but not amazing elsewhere. We have a chance, but I’ll be expecting defeat tbh.
Ana Garcia
3 мая, 2011 at 21:52
Nice to see a Spaniard leading the way as your best player so far! ;)
Cant believe Barca went out!
Good luck on winning the league and your are right on track to do so!
:)
Darren Smith
4 мая, 2011 at 12:32
I thought you’d appreciate Asin’s efforts. :) Barcelona played badly in my group, must say it spices the tournament up though. :)
Stromson
3 мая, 2011 at 21:56
Absurd! 20-0-0 and you still can’t shake Lyon! I swear the game is conspiring to keep you from returning to your Newcastle save. :-p That’s a phenomenal start though, and barring Lyon outright cheating you should be able to wrap up that last trophy. Unrelated question: which skin are you using (I really like the font)?
Darren Smith
4 мая, 2011 at 12:31
Thanks Jon, must admit it felt like the game conspired against me last season! Hopefully Lyon will screw up this year. My skin is the ‘perfecto skin’. Had it from the start as I like it too. :)
kevin
4 мая, 2011 at 00:24
Hey Darren
Tremendous first half of the season and I think you have Lyon’s number know if you keep up that form. A good draw in the CL for you which should place you in the QF’s. Vidal looks unstoppable!! Great job!!
Darren Smith
4 мая, 2011 at 12:25
Thanks Kevin, hopefully we can compete in all comps from now till the end. :)
Lye
4 мая, 2011 at 03:54
Hi Darren,
There is way you can lose it now. Absolutely brilliant. I will waiting for you to celebrate the completion of the European challenge. What a great career you are having! Well done.
Darren Smith
4 мая, 2011 at 12:24
Thanks Lye, lets hope I go out with a bang! :)