August
Hey, we got a pretty good start. A nice simple first round in the German Cup (Germany has only cup tournament, btw) and apart from the unfortunate loss at HSV, we’re doing just fine.
September
I decided to schedule a friendly over the international break, the team needs more time with each other. I was pleased with the results against Leverkusen and Schalke, both top teams. The game against Leverkusen was notable because both goals were scored by Dante, and the own goal was sadly into stoppage. We were close to having a perfect month.
October
This month was a little disappointing. Wolfsburg was a fluky loss because we didn’t play that poorly but one of their strikers was just in impeccable form with 2 goals from direct kree kicks and one crazy «release the kraken» moment. Hoffenheim, which was the team I really wanted to manage because of their cinderalla story 2 seasons ago, brushed aside with ease and the win against Aue was just shameful. We just decided not to show up and played so horribly lazily.
November
So a much better month. The game against Bochum was frustrating because because they took an early lead and somehow managed to withstand our onslaught. We had 19 shots on target and could only get one goal. After that I lost my first derby in Germany. Podolski was brilliant and provided the spark in a very even game.
December
Ugh, lost my second straight derby (Gladbach’s rivals are Dortmund and Koln). Again, another close game but Barros gave them the extra oomph. I was pleased with our win against a full-strength but very lackluster Bayern side. They have been pretty patchy this season and are at 7th place while we found ourselves in 6th after the game. Sadly, we went from beating Bayern to getting punished by Stuttgart. After going a goal down I was far too aggressive and we got hit on the counter-attack. We played better than the scoreline suggests.
Head on over to the next page for the rest of the season!
Rod
30 декабря, 2011 at 05:40
Hi mate, i really enjoyed reading you! Monchenglabdach is a nice option after leaving Evian. You brought a lot new faces and most of them are youngsters, this is the first year, so i’m sure that next season, with a few ins and outs the team can be a serious challenge for those top teams that were struggling until the end, only 2 points difference between 1st and 5th. By the way, i’m argentinian and i’m very surprised with the 2 full backs Vélez produced. Pay attention every 1st of April for the regens in that country.
Looking forward to the next post! Good luck!
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 17:37
Thanks for the advice, Rod. I’ll make sure to keep that in mind. Now that I’m in Germany, I will definitely pay more attention to all of South America.
CsAtlantis
30 декабря, 2011 at 06:35
You were so close to taking the 6th and final europa league spot from the league, but anyway you have done well in improving your finances, perhaps you can add some more quality to the squad next season? (A lot of your players seem to be attracting attention, hopefully you can hold on to the important players like Reus and Dante)
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 17:52
Thanks man. At this point, no one is absolutely indispensable. If the right offers come by, I might have to take it. I think I should get a decent transfer budget and most people will be able to be replaced by someone talented.
vaibhavc
30 декабря, 2011 at 08:51
That was close getting into the Europa League, but that will have to wait for next season. Your finances have really improved. You don’t have much luck in the derbies! And it was surprising to see Dortmund win the league title, over Bayern.
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 17:53
Thanks Vaibhav! It was annoying having all my derbies back-to-back. I would have liked some breathing room, and it was annoying seeing in my inbox that the fans were devastated over and over again.
Bayern had started their campaign in bad form they were actually behind us all the way into January!
Nik
30 декабря, 2011 at 09:00
I am so glad you decided to play in Germany, cause it’s one of the leagues I usually play. The reasons are, as you said, that it has no restrictions in foreigners, at the end of every season you get a lot of prize money (the last place gets 13m euros and from the ninth place and above you get over 20m euros), and everybody can win everyone. People think it’s only Bayern, Dortmund or maybe Schalke, but in FM there are great teams.
Take care of Reus, ter Stegen, Dante and Zimmerman. They are very good players. Oh and be careful of Podolski… ;)
I am very excited. Take care man and good luck! By the way, is your cold better?
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:08
Thanks Nik! I think I will really enjoy my time in Germany. It’s a very even league. And thank you, I feel 100% again.
MVB
30 декабря, 2011 at 09:08
Love this story and have been reading with interest! shed a tear when Evian story ended but good to see the adventure continues with Monchengladbach. I’ve just switched my leagues around to include France, Germany and MLS so will be paying close attention as your story continues :)
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:16
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was sad to part from Evian but I will keep an eye on how they’re doing and who is to say that I don’t end up there again?
Kevin
30 декабря, 2011 at 09:44
Hey Bhargav
BMG, there’s a team from the past. If I remember correctly they were quite a force to be reckoned with when I was growing up in the 1970’s. Really enjoyed reading this post and thanks for the tips at the start, I wrote some of them down and a couple of your players as well so I hope you don’t mind. Good start to your BMG career and you’ve established a nice foundation to build on.
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:21
Thank you, Kevin! You have no idea what it means to me that someone of your high skill level is using my tips!
And I was for the most part completely unaware of Gladbach’s great history. I hope I can bring back those glory years.
Kevin
30 декабря, 2011 at 19:47
LOL!!!
Skill level? It’s all pure luck mate and watching Mr Johnny Karp for two years :)
Bhargav
31 декабря, 2011 at 21:07
I think your crazy promotion record with Plymouth is pretty indicative of your skill at the game!
Johnny Karp
30 декабря, 2011 at 10:16
You were unlucky to miss out on an Europa League this season, you did a great job! Gladbach is a club with a great history and I think you’re the man that can restore their former glory. Good luck!
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:22
Wow, thanks so much, Johnny. Coming from you, that means a lot to me.
Darren Smith
30 декабря, 2011 at 11:06
Well I think that can be seen as a good start to life in Germany and you’re not too far away from boasting a threatening side. A little more strength in defense and one more clinical striker could see you challenge for honors quickly. Well done.
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:24
Thanks so much, Darren! Do you think I should bring in a more experienced midfield man to marshal the troops around?
Laxeyman
30 декабря, 2011 at 12:41
Good season Bhargav, Monchengladbach looks like a really interesting challenge and you’ve started well :) Hopefully with a couple more additions you can keep improving and get a European spot next season. Good luck!
Happy New Year!
Bhargav
30 декабря, 2011 at 18:25
Thank you, sir! I am aiming to topple the teams at the top and after such a solid season, I think Europa League qualification is the minimum for next season!
Ana Garcia
30 декабря, 2011 at 22:57
Good season!!
So close to 6th place and some European football but with a few new additions you should be able to push a little higher and maybe even get into the champions league!
Good luck!! :)
Bhargav
31 декабря, 2011 at 02:37
Thanks Ana!
I’m hoping to be quite a threat this coming season!
NKatsarov
31 декабря, 2011 at 08:45
Well Done, mate. Gladbach is very nice team. In real life, last season they were so close to relegation in B2, but managed to survive and this season are rockin’ on.
I really think that you produced good season. Even though you didn’t get a palce in Europe for next season. Doubling the finances is also remarkable. I just think for myself that you need some more goals from your strikers, and to make more draws, than loses. Think it, If just half of the games you lost, were drawn, now you would be SECOND with a place in CL. ;)
And again, very good work, mate! I wish you luck for the upcoming season and I really think you can even be on top fo the league next may..! :)
Bhargav
31 декабря, 2011 at 21:23
Thanks dude! I hope a strengthened squad can do it! One of the things I love about the Bundesliga is the overall evenness of the league so anyone can be at the top at any season.
TheZiggy
31 декабря, 2011 at 13:40
You had a good season.
Missing out on a European place by a single point is tough. I’m sure you’ll strengthen for the next season and push into one of those places.
Best of luck
Bhargav
31 декабря, 2011 at 21:25
Thank you Ziggy! I’m hoping to restore Gladbach to their former glory!
Sears
2 января, 2012 at 17:58
Great season pal, best of luck next season!
Bhargav
4 февраля, 2012 at 12:00
Another late response, but thanks for the luck! As you can tell, it worked ;)