Hey guys, welcome back to sunny Spain and my Football Manager 2012 Malaga story. Last season was a success as Malaga finished 3rd and secured that all important Champions League qualification. With expectations rising I was left to ponder what my side were capable of and decided any transfers would have to be aimed towards the future. Building a young unit seemed like the best way to topple Barcelona and Real Madrid’s dominance as the leagues front runners. Did my little plan work, or had I left Malaga with too much inexperience? Lets find out in my end of season report for 2012/13.
The season started with a welcomed surprise in the form of a stadium expansion. The board could only afford an extra 4,750 seats but this bumpered my capacity up to 33,713.
I was very, very busy during the transfer window trying to secure some talent for the future. You all know my Y2G system and my hope is to test in FM 2012. Testing such a system requires any over 30’s to leave the club and also any deadwood which helped me raise around £30 million. You can see the volume of players leaving Malaga was probably a little risky from the screenshot below.
As for my transfers in, well I think they speak for them self. No signings were made over the age of 22 and 6 are under the age of 19. These guys will need to settle quick and this season could be used as a transitional period but I do think we’ve found some of the Worlds best talent. You can read about some of these wonderkids on the scouting network.
Now that you’ve seen the usual pre-season stuff, lets get down to the important part, results. Today I’ll be doing things in a slightly different order, starting with the Copa del Ray, then the Champions League and finally my league form.
Copa del Ray results
This tournament was a pain last season, despite fighting through some tough fixtures we were thrashed by Real in the latter stages. Drawing Barcelona or Real Madrid is like the touch of death, your tournament is over the second their name is pulled out of the hat. This season held a similar fate, we progressed well to the quarter-final but then drew Barcelona who beat us 5-3 on aggregate.
Champions League results
So we were eliminated from the Copa del Ray but I still had my first season of European football to look forward to. The group stage draw brought about some tough opposition in Porto, Juventus and CSKA Moscow. But my boys caused a fair few upsets winning two and drawing the other four fixtures, my favourite came at home to Porto as we won 3-0. I was dead proud but had we done enough to qualify for the next round?
Of course we had, CSKA finished top and Malaga finished 4 points clear of Juventus in second. If we’d managed to convert any of our chances in the final game we’d heave beaten the Russians and finished above them. Ow well, maybe we’ll get lucky and miss out on all the big teams for the First Knockout round.
Hmmm, well we drew Manchester Utd in the next round. Considering they were last season finalists I had no hopes and turned my thoughts to La Liga. We drew the first leg at 1-1. I was sure my European dream was over and told the lads there was no pressure in the second leg as we were mega underdogs. But that seemed to work and then this happened (click here to see Man Utd match highlights.) That shocking performance left me utterly stunned but through to the quarter-final where we beat Marseille on penalties. Manchester City were drawn in the semi’s but proved too strong as we were eliminated 3-0 on aggregate.
La Liga results — August to December
Now onto the final stage of this post and probably the most important, my results in La Liga. The first half season was absolutely phenomenal. Malaga won 15 of their 17 fixtures and lost the other two coming up against Real Madrid and Barcelona. Despite this great form we still weren’t top as Barcelona were unbeaten. :(
La Liga results — January to May
All I could do was keep winning and hope to see Barcelona slip up eventually. My last 21 games featured17 victories, 4 draws and zero losses. An outstanding record that included us beating Barcelona 3-1. Despite this great run it all came down to the last game against Xerez away. If we won the title would be ours (click here to see Xerez game highlights.)
La Liga table
We won the last game in style and reached a gigantic 100 points, this was just enough to fend off Barcelona who finished on 98. Real Madrid fell off the pace during their last 8 games but still managed third just 7 points behind us.
This league is very tough and at times I thought my team would crumble under the pressure, but we pulled through for a memorable title victory. Every season will be different but one things for sure, there will always be three teams competing and three really is a crowd!
Team analysis
After such an awesome season you’d expect some great average ratings and while a few players stood out it was the overall unit that made a difference. My three young centre backs had an incredible season hitting top of the list and chipping in with 25 goals between them. Weiss was outstanding from the right wing scoring 16 goals and assisting 14, while the ever strong Cazorla assisted 19 times. Niang was probably my best and most dangerous striker with 17 goals.
Player of the season: Vladimir Weiss
Most improved youngster: Carlos Fierro
Best signing: Danny Wilson
Three of my best wonderkids gained the plaudits during the yearly youngster of the year awards smashing the ceremony and taking the top three. Niang finished 1st while Danny Wilson and Jack Robinson fought for second and third. The future really does look bright for Malaga.
All that is left to look at is the clubs finances which were in dyer straights just six months ago. Malaga found themselves in debt by £20 million and consistently losing more than £3 million a month. This was due to my monthly instalments from a couple of transfers, but once we’d reached the knockout stages in Europe those instalments were balanced out by prize money. After the season was done all the prize money helped us get closer to that safe mark and despite been £1.1 million in the red I’m not worried. A lot of my transfers are fully paid off now so that should save us a fair chunk of cash.
Well that is all for today, season 2 went better than planned and has left me to ponder how I can improve. I think the big issue is been classed as underdogs during ever match in Europe. I need to change that if we’re ever to compete, so get ready for more signings in the summer. :) My next Football Manager 2012 Malaga story update will be in a similar format and contain the entire third season. Until then please feel free to ask any questions and I look forward to reading your comments as always.
benevo146
6 ноября, 2011 at 12:30
Great stuff as usual mate :D,
some excellent signings there, i have to say though as a massive Liverpool fan, i play these games and we are littered with tremendous youth prospects (look out for Raheem Stirlings debut on this game — he’s 16 been about a while and he looks phenomenal!! as well as SUSO) in real life its just not that way except from Stirling and Suso, Jack Robinson and John Flanagan the young full backs on either side look like they could be excellent but Wilson just seems to not have it at all, yet the games rave about him!! Weiss seamed excellent for you aswell, where as in real life he’s not really to sharp?
fantastic all the same really enjoy reading all the stories on this sight and the forum, just managed to lure Yaya Sanogo from the two manchester teams and bring him to Poznan :D
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 12:42
Thanks mate, I have already arranged a deal to sign Stirling and can’t wait for that as I have seen his talent. Robinson looks very talented and I actually think Weiss is very good in real life. People put him down because City don’t seem interested in him but his performances for the national team and on loan have been very solid. Sanogo is an excellent signing and can’t believe you lured him there lol :)
Aaron
6 ноября, 2011 at 13:09
Hi Darren, great story. I’m trying something similar with Aston Villa and have signed some good young players but they keep telling me they want first team football and reject loan deals, what can I do?
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 13:21
I am having similar problems and think SI need to fix it as young players just don’t go on loan for some weird reason. For now I suggest trying to play them in the easy cup matches etc…that should keep them happier. Which players are you referring too?
Aaron
6 ноября, 2011 at 16:05
Its quite annoying because I’m in a title chase with 6 games left and they are being awkward. Tobias Figueirdo, Kevin Stoger and Barry Bannan have all done it in recent weeks
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 16:54
Yeah those players aren’t good enough to play yet either so its tough to know what to do.
Lye
6 ноября, 2011 at 13:38
Hi Darren,
I can see a lot of talented youngster on that transfer in list. If you can win the La Liga with this group of players then i can imagine it’s going to be a spell of dominance starting from next season. A few more talented and quality youngsters coming in will see you challenge for the Champions League next season. Great stuff as usual mate.
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:06
Thanks Lye, we certainly have an abundance of talent and now its all about developing and tweaking in certain areas. Hopefully we can just maintain the same level next season and then see what happens from there.
~RosT~
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:03
Incredible perfomance! ;)
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:06
Thanks mate.
Joelance
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:07
Hi Darren, i thought you wouldn’t be posting anymore…couldn’t stay away huh? Great to see you break the mono(duo)poly in spain. Great as usual. All the best with next season
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:09
I never said I wouldn’t be posting, just that I needed to stop doing my stories as it took up too much time. But doing season updates isn’t too bad and I’m leaving out the detail so its quick and easy.
Joelance
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:13
Okay. Its always good to read your stories.
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:17
Ow and I have an addiction ;)
Gard
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:19
Sick impressive mate!
Could you please upload the tactic you where using with Malaga?
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 15:56
Thanks Gard, that will probably be up next mate.
Nathan
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:36
Wow, well done!
I’m playing Liverpool so many of the players you grabbed I got for free :) Very happy with Robinson, after 2 seasons i’ve sold Enrique for a profit and Robinson/wonderkid regen will be my left backs. Sterling is interesting, quick good dribbling not much else yet, though he had a good loan spell. Suso went to Real Madrid where he’s been playing for Castilla and his potential improved ??! maybe I shoulda kept him :)
Have you ever thought of playing Wilson as ball playing defender? I do that and he’s very good, rotating with Guiseppe Prestia who is developing, both have a 7.5 average. Coates/Kara are my limited defenders. Just got Weiss after 2 seasons for 3.5 mill, City weren’t happy with him so I pounced… dono what to do with him though as I have other players I want to develop before him. Maybe loan off to an affiliate, I got him for the potential cash he’ll get me.
Nathan
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:51
Dono where to ask this but can you do a FMS Scout report on Ruben Yttergard Jenssen? Just found him at 25, he looks like a good DLPM or APM, picked up by Malaga ironically in my story for a bargain 1.2 million at the start, looks worth it. I’d put him close to Badelj in potential.
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 16:00
Thanks mate, I agree with that Liverpool have by far the best youngsters, I am signing most of their players lol :) I don’t use Wilson as balling playing defender as I want to keep things simple to start with…as the team improves I’ll probably make little tweaks like that.
P.S. I’ll do a profile on Jenssen, he looks very good.
Edward Wylie
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:36
Hi Darren, very impressive season. I just can’t motivate myself to play FM at them moment, even though I didn’t go outside once in the first week it was released :P. I might try and emulate your success with Newcastle on FM11 with my beloved Villa. Are you using the Barca tactic? Or the Manchelona?
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 15:57
I’m using a new tactic that is closely mirrored on the manchelona. But seems to be more solid at the back.
vinz
6 ноября, 2011 at 14:56
Hi Darren, congratulations on winning the Spanish League; it’s never easy beating Barcelona and Madrid. I have one question though, how do you utilize your B team in Spanish league? Cos it’s different than EPL where players can be sent to reserve freely (e.g. after coming back from injuries) and there is a limit as to how many matches a player from the B team can be played before they are promoted automatically. Do you send your young players to play in the B-team, send them on loan, or just try to rotate in the first-team? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 16:02
Thanks Vinz,
I don’t pay any attention to my ‘B’ team and you have to sign the new players contract to the reserves if you want them eligible to play there meaning he’s not contracted to the first team which could really piss a player off and risk messing things up with him. I just try to loan players out or put them in the U19’s if they’re young enough. Its a pain for sure.
Johnny Karp
6 ноября, 2011 at 15:07
Frickin’ awesome, excellent job Darren!
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 16:03
Thanks Johnny.
Laxeyman
6 ноября, 2011 at 15:08
Fantastic season Darren, you’ve brought some amazing youngsters who’ve been fantastic, particularly Wilson and Weiss. With their potential it shouldn’t be long before you dominating Europe too :)
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 16:03
Cheers mate, we have some talent for sure and I just hope they continue to grow.
George Dobson
6 ноября, 2011 at 17:22
Great Season Well done your signings look great
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 17:26
Thanks George.
Kevin
6 ноября, 2011 at 17:44
Hi Darren
Well as I’m way down the list for comments i’ll just say flipping brilliant to overcome Madrid and Barcelona so early in your FM 2012 career. Great job!!
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 17:49
Thanks Kevin, from start to finish I didn’t think it was possible to overcome these two but we just did it. I just hope next can see it continue.
Sears
6 ноября, 2011 at 18:15
Hey pal, terrific season! Some really impressive results, and you did fantastically well to reach the semi finals of the Cl with such a young squad. Btw,I was wondering, are your set pieces the same as the ones you used with Stoke, or have you tweaked them?
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 18:37
Thanks mate, it was a very special season indeed. I use a similar set piece routine to the one posted but just change the aim in corners to far post and have my main threat (Kara) attacking the far post. He grabs a load of goals and Wilson tends to get the odd tap in by standing next to the keeper.
vaibhavc
6 ноября, 2011 at 18:25
Already you have beaten Barca in the league, It will be just a small matter in time that it will happen in all competitions. Better luck next time in the Champions league!
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 18:51
Thanks Vaibhav, it was a great season and now I just want to start feeling more confidence through the team.
Ana Garcia
6 ноября, 2011 at 19:05
What more can I add!!
As a la liga fan its always nice to read a Spanish based story, Barca look amazing on your game they are not doing so well on mine though!
Will be interesting too see if you can continue to split the big two, and to see if you can progress in Europe but seeing how well you have done already am sure it will be quite soon.
Good luck!!
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 19:41
Thanks Ana, I was a little surprised to be honest but glad to get our first La Liga so early.
picks
6 ноября, 2011 at 19:52
ur just to good for fm lol how do u do it! im malaga aswell and in 3rd season and can only manage 2nd barcelona are jus to good! always look forward to ur stories mate cant wait for the next one :)
Darren Smith
6 ноября, 2011 at 20:00
lol thanks mate, my work colleague says the same thing :) To be completely honest this season was really weird and I haven’t been so shocked to win something in FM. Even when I got the CL so early on with Newcastle. Barcelona are awesome and just seem to win every single game…I just took my time with every single game and team talk. Hopefully we can maintain it next season.
Denson
6 ноября, 2011 at 21:52
Amazing season, winning the league better luck in the champions league
Darren Smith
7 ноября, 2011 at 11:55
Thanks Denson, hopefully we’ll be stronger next season.
Sibo
6 ноября, 2011 at 22:33
Great to see you writing again mate, I am really enjoying this story. Any chance you might be looking at bringing the LEGEND (Sanogo) to La Rosaleda?
Well done on a brilliant season, unlucky in the CL and Copa del Rey, but I’m sure with the money at the club and the potential of the players you can easily dominate at home and in Europe very, very soon! :D
Darren Smith
7 ноября, 2011 at 11:51
Thanks Sibo, I don’t have room for Sanogo but he’s developing nice with another Spanish side so we’ll see what happens :) Hopefully the squad will continue to grow with every years experience the youngster receive.
Calin
7 ноября, 2011 at 06:39
Congrats, Darren! I’m sure that in just a couple of seasons Malaga will be the name on everybody’s lips!
Darren Smith
7 ноября, 2011 at 11:48
Thanks Calin, my main aim is to have them playing like Barcelona so we can have a proper slog it match with end to end passing :)
Martin Pickard
7 ноября, 2011 at 10:45
Wow just two seasons to topple Barcelona and Real Madrid…amazing! I really glad your posting your story and it also fantastic that your implementing you Y2G system…and soooo early on in your save! Congrat and i’m looking forward to your season 3 update…KEEP THEM COMING :P
Darren Smith
7 ноября, 2011 at 11:46
Thanks Martin, I’m happy to be posting too and implementing the Y2G system helped me maintain such a long save with Newcastle so I felt like it was worth a go in Spain. :)
Deepak Nepal
8 ноября, 2011 at 06:19
Wow very nice job. Can you please help me. I love playing this game and I stated this season with arsenal but players are getting injured way too much there and I finish last season with 6th only. And m planning to manage different club. Do you play all the teams with the same tactic and canyou please put your tactic. I really want to download it and see how good is it.
Darren Smith
8 ноября, 2011 at 11:45
I will do a post on my tactic but not till later in the week when I have time I’m afraid. I use a very general tactic and adjust my strategy to suit the match until my team is good enough.
Deepak Nepal
8 ноября, 2011 at 14:29
Oh ok when r u putting season 3 can’t wait to see
Darren Smith
8 ноября, 2011 at 18:16
Won’t be until the season is done mate but my tactic may well be before that this weekend I reckon.
Deepak Nepal
8 ноября, 2011 at 19:20
oh Nice Thanks. Hope u will finish this season this weekend and can u please try to put the tactic on thursday. Because here in us i dont have school on thursday and friday. because of parents confence and veternal day and hooping to start new season with athletic biobio with your tactic.
Darren Smith
8 ноября, 2011 at 20:22
I am doubtful that is possible mate as I’m very busy this week but will see what I can do.
Deepak Nepal
8 ноября, 2011 at 22:18
Ok try your best man and thanks u don’t have to make it really good why don’t you upload what u have or atlease send me in my mail.
Darren Smith
9 ноября, 2011 at 19:12
I sent it to you mate, haven’t had time to write a post yet.