Hey guys and welcome to another update from my Ultimate European Challenge. Today’s post will start in January and end with the seasons conclusion. I hold a six point lead at the top of Ligue 1 but Lyon have a game in hand. All this despite winning every single league game this year. If I win the league, this challenge will end, if not I’ll be left to question whether Bordeaux can ever win the title. This is how simple it was just a few days ago, but I’ve added a little twist. Due to so many requests for a grand finale in what could be my last year, I’ve scrapped the old plan of only focusing on the league. Now I will do anything to progress in all competitions. This should help me re-establish Bordeaux’s finances as that is another goal of mine. At the end of the season I must correct the debt I have put them in. I will try to do this without majorly damaging the squad, this means selling players I signed cheap and the older stars with only a few years left. A tall order but a bit of fun all the same.
Ligue 1 results — January to March
January was a short month, due to other commitments we only had two fixtures. The first was a magical 4-0 victory over Evian, the second a scrappy 1-0 win at home to Strasbourg. The first two games of February were excellent. We beat Sochaux 2-0 and Valenciennes 5-1. Then Le Havre gave me a scare before Novillo’s injury time winner. The last match in winter was a comfortable 2-0 victory over Saint-Etienne. March coughed up an extremely difficult fixture list, but my boys showed title winning composure. We beat Toulouse 2-0, Lille 3-0, Stade Rennais 5-1 and Monaco 1-0. An amazing three months and my title dreams etching closer.
Ligue 1 results — April to May
Two months to decide the title, and we had a really clustered fixture list because of other competitions. Bordeaux suffered from April fools early on. A weakened line up lost to PSG, then also failed to score against GF38. However, it was the big games that counted and we really turned up the heat. May saw us beat three of the top six, Lens, Lyon and Marseille. Did these results decide where the title went? Anyone with a keen eye and reasonable mathematics skills will know the answer.
Ligue 1 table
That’s right, we won the league!! During pre-season I jokingly said more than 100 points would be required. Well I wasn’t far off, Lyon notched up an impressive 96 points, just two less than myself last season. This year however I made doubly sure, going on an incredible run with just one defeat and 109 points. The Ultimate European Challenge is complete, but this story doesn’t end there. We still have the Champions League and French Cup to look at.
French Cup results
With this competition back in the forefront of my mind, fate was with me. The draw was very kind and offered me the chance to field a weakened side. We glided through the opening rounds beating easy opposition. The first a 3-0 win against Frejus, the second saw my strongest XI thrash Lorient 7-0. Then back to my weaker XI for a 2-0 victory over Evian and the same against Stade Brestois. Then in the semi-final, we finally met my arch rivals. Lyon used a full strength starting XI and so did I. However it wasn’t Bordeaux who started best as Lyon took a 2-0 lead into half time. I was gutted and planning for the next Ligue 1 game already. Then something miraculous happened…Bergkamp scored with 20 minutes remaining, I perked up and changed to ‘overload’ strategy. With momentum in our favour Asin scored from Cavallo’s corner, 2-2! Only a few minutes left…then super sub, Simeoni puts the ball away with seconds remaining. 3-2 and we’re through to the final! Our opponents are PSG who were the only team to beat us in the league.
French Cup final vs PSG
This match promised to be a cracker. It was held at an awful time though, right in the middle of Champions League and Ligue 1 matches. I still fielded my best XI despite some fatigue and hoped the trusty 4-5-1 would work. The match started with some promise, both sides attacked the game well. But it was Bordeaux who were rewarded, Novillo scoring the opener on 6 minutes. The match was still even though and Lucas made sure of this by scoring a blinder for PSG, 1-1. With half-time approaching either side could win, but Simeoni who was in for Vidal proved his worth. The Italian scored a well placed shot and sent the crowd into raptures. The second half was very drab and Bordeaux held out. 2-1 winners and a double under my belt. :)
Champions League results
After qualifying from my group ahead of Barcelona, I started to field a stronger squad. This paid off against Liverpool as we won 3-1 on aggregate. We dominated possession so well, their manager praised Bordeaux’s passing game despite just losing. The quarter-final provided the most heated draw, a tie against close rivals Lyon. Could I extend my revenge beyond the league and French Cup. Well the first leg ended with an amazing 2-0 victory…more than we deserved but Bergkamp was sensational yet again. Then the second leg started with a Lyon goal before half-time, time to panic? Of course not, we calmly saw the game out and won 2-1 on aggregate. Wow, a semi-final place, must admit I wasn’t expecting that. The draw wasn’t kind though, Man Utd were the best team around and our opponents. Despite drawing at home, we lost the away leg and went out 4-2 on aggregate. A really good effort and incredible season!
Squad stats
After a fantastic season, its time to analyse my squad and see if the new boys made an impact. The best new signing was Asin, my centre back scored 15 goals from corners this season. The next best is Cavallo, my CM managed 17 assists mainly from corners also. Then there my influential full backs, Marques and Aguirre added stability to the back four which was missing last season. From the older players, Vidal was incredible with 37 goals and 17 assists from 38 starts. Bergkamp came close with 17 goals and 16 assists, while San Roman scored 15 goals and assisted 7.
So I mentioned a side goal at the start of this post. I wanted to leave Bordeaux out of debt and with some sort of a future for the next manager. My progress in all competitions helped, but didn’t quite do enough. Therefore I selected some of the fringe players and one important striker who had just a few years left at his best. Below is the screenshot of who was sold. Vidal is was 29 when leaving the club, so getting £14 million for the Argentine was sensible anyway. Then I received an offer of £10.5 million for Le Gac, considering I signed him for £1 million this had to be accepted. Then my most disappointing signing, Reinaldo, was sold for £5 million. A good deal seen as I only paid £1.8 million for the midfielder. All these transfers amounted to £29.5 million, plus a few veterans left and we saved £200K on the wage budget as well. Excellent business in my opinion.
Now is the big moment, did I finally put right my wrongs and leave Bordeaux in a healthy financial state. Of course I did!! The club has almost £6 million in the bank and wages of £612K per week. Very stable and great wages for a Champions League club. Considering the club was in more than £40 million debt just 6 months ago, I think we can call it mission complete. Also note the club only need to sign a good CM and the team are strong enough to challenge for honours again. I’d also expect their finances to keep improving with the low wages.
My Ultimate European Challenge has finally finished. After 12 years, I have finally completed the challenge I created so long ago. :) Just for fun lets see where I ended in the world rankings table…joint top, damn you Sir Alex!! Let’s say I finished top because I managed less years. ; ) ; )
Its a sad farewell, but I hope you have enjoyed this journey across Europe as much as myself. With every end there is a new beginning, well not brand new. :) I will be resuming my Newcastle save next, but with a very different approach. The story will be evolved around finances and building for the future. I am currently in 2014, but you can catch with my Newcastle story by clicking the link. The first post will be a special one, analysing my finances and how I plan on improving them as well as all the pre-season action. Until then thanks for reading and please feel free to comment.
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2011 at 12:29
Well done Darren, you totally deserved the title after such an amazing season. I’m a bit sad to see this story coming to an end, it was fantastic, but I’m looking forward to the Newcastle one.
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:49
Thanks Johnny, I must admit I’m a bit sad to see this story end too. But can’t wait to go back to Newcastle.
Ana Garcia
5 мая, 2011 at 12:43
Yay!! Congratulations!!
You finally completed your challenege and in some style too, Lyon had no chance! :)
Bad luck in the champions league but I guess you already had achieved what you wanted, so its not that much of a big deal.
Anyways good luck on your next story!!
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:48
Thanks Ana, I think it was going to take style for the title to come our way. Lyon looked ridiculous last year. :)
I’m just happy to be back at Newcastle now.
CsAtlantis
5 мая, 2011 at 12:48
Too bad you couldn’t win the Champions League too Darren, but i suppose it was always going to be hard to ask you to beat Man Utd, and ending on a happy note too for Bordeaux, they’re financially stable, looking forward to the Newcastle save again
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:47
Thanks mate, I mainly did the finances for you lol :) But glad I did as there’s no loose ends. :) Can’t wait to play my first game with Newcastle ;) In season number 5 of course.
Alex
5 мая, 2011 at 13:07
Yay! I knew you would win the title but that was amazing! All wins bar two in the league, I wanted to see you win the Champions League but Man Utd are a really good team. Can’t wait for the Newcastle post :D
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:45
Thanks Alex, it is true that United were just too good. We never looked like winning. :)
vaibhavc
5 мая, 2011 at 13:56
Hey Darren
You completed the UEC! Congratulations! To win it in that style was amazing, 109 points with only one draw and one loss. You beat Lyon twice, showing that you can easily beat them. You deserved it! I will be following your Newcastle story.
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:44
Thanks Vaibhavc, it was very satisfying to beat Lyon! Hope to see you around my Newcastle story as it should be interesting.
Timmy
5 мая, 2011 at 13:59
Well done,you finish the challenge
and the most interesting you can make the team balance green again :)
can’t wait your Newcastle
ps:how about share your UEC saves?
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:43
Thanks Timmy, balancing the books was CsAtlantis’ idea really and I do believe it was the right thing to do. Looking forward to Newcastle now. :)
PS. I have had problems uploading the file for this game. Will keep trying, but I think its too big for my computer to transfer. I had the same problem last year but got them on eventually so I’ll keep trying.
Lye
5 мая, 2011 at 16:06
Hi Darren,
Great job on finishing the challenge. Extraordinary career and a great finish. You have put every team you managed in good position and i don’t think the manager who take over will have the same achievement. Can’t wait for you to start your Newcastle story.
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:40
Thanks Lye, I really enjoyed the challenge but have missed the Newcastle save a lot. :)
Laxeyman
5 мая, 2011 at 16:27
A great end to a great story Darren, you did brilliantly and I’m sure you’ll do great with Newcastle again now. Whoever follows you will have an easy job, you’ve set up Bordeaux for a period of dominance. Looking forward to your Newcastle story :)
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:39
Thanks Laxeyman, I felt bad for Bordeaux and couldn’t really eave them in so much debt. :) But I’m playing with Newcastle tonight and that puts a smile on my face. ;)
Sears
5 мая, 2011 at 18:05
Absolutely amazing! Congratulations on conquering the EUC pal, shame that you were just one trophy from becoming the most successful manager ever!
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks Sears, it was a great challenge and I’m now looking forward to Newcastle. :)
vikingmarius
5 мая, 2011 at 19:13
Great job your the only person I think I have seen finish this challenge and you have done extremely well with Bordeaux, Vidal looks really good I think 14m is a bit low for him, but anyhow it is a fair price
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 19:20
Thanks mate, I too felt Vidal was worth more. But he only has two years left at his best so I guess £14m is OK. :)
Sibo
5 мая, 2011 at 19:42
Well done mate!
Great work to finish the challenge and you are the first person that I have seen do this! Well done and I am looking forward to seeing you back in Newcastle, hopefully continuing your trophy haul, and creating a rich club! :D
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 21:49
Thanks Sibo, I haven’t seen anyone blogging they’ve finished this but received two emails from gamers saying they have.
Sayam Khan
5 мая, 2011 at 21:29
WOW! excellent season, only 1 defeat and 1 draw in the league is very impressive. And, yeah, i’ll accept you at the top of the manager rankings ;-) Looking forward to you Newcastle story!
Darren Smith
5 мая, 2011 at 21:48
Thanks Sayam, it was a great end to the UEC.
Stromson
5 мая, 2011 at 21:54
Woot! Way to go Darren! I can’t way to see you get back to that Newcastle save and see you turn the teams finances around (along with more trophies)!
Darren Smith
6 мая, 2011 at 11:54
Thanks mate, I’m looking forward to Newcastle too. :)
David Wiggins
5 мая, 2011 at 22:05
Well done Mr Smith, mission accomplished! I have managed to get mine working again so am playing it every now and then but not enough to warrant writing about again!
Darren Smith
6 мая, 2011 at 11:54
Thanks Dave, good to see you can return to the challenge. Hopefully you can get through a few countries now.
Eamon
5 мая, 2011 at 22:16
Well done, finally winning the Ligue 1. Pesky Lyon! In my save Lyon and Olympique Marseille are really hard to beat to the crown.
Darren Smith
6 мая, 2011 at 11:53
Thanks Eamon, its quite amazing but I think OM and OL are the most dominant clubs in FM. They are both excellent in CL too!!!
Excessive
5 мая, 2011 at 23:49
Congratulations mate, that was a mammoth task that you completed and you deserve all the credit you get :)
Looking forward to seeing your development of Newcastle. Have caught up so im fully prepared for the story ;)!
Darren Smith
6 мая, 2011 at 11:52
Great to see you’re all caught up Jake. It will be a big test and I don’t know if I can make Newcastle a profitable company but we’ll see. :)
kevin
6 мая, 2011 at 12:53
Hi Darren
Congtratulations on winning the French title and a full 13 points clear of Lyon too :)
Unlucky in the CL but against Man United it was always going to be a tall order. Still you’ve left the club in a strong financial position and have firmly established yourself as the top manager in Europe. Fantastic achievement!!
Darren Smith
6 мая, 2011 at 18:46
Thanks Kevin, I am delighted to have finished the UEC. It was a great game and probably one of my longest saves. Man Utd really do become one of the best clubs, they have so much buying power.
Paul Meeks
6 мая, 2011 at 17:14
Massive congratulations on completing the Euro Challenge Darren! I have followed your progress with great interest and have really enjoyed the journey. In fact I enjoyed it so much I started my own Euro Challenge, I’m on season 1.5 with Sampdoria and am hoping to win the title and move on. If I get time I may create a story if you guys are interested?
All the best Darren, I look forward to you resuming your NUFC story :)
Darren Smith
6 мая, 2011 at 18:44
Thanks Paul, always nice to hear from someone who follows the story. :) Glad you started the EUC, its a tough challenge but very rewarding. We’d love to hear how your game is going. You can start a story in our forum if you’d like, here’s the link https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/forum/
Thanks again for the comment, and see you soon in my NUFC story.
hils
6 мая, 2011 at 19:49
Hi Darren,great season there!!!!!!!!! I look forward to the NUFC story!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!!