Hey guys and welcome back to my Football Manager 2012 Malaga story, season 5 report. Last season saw my boys break all kinds of records. We won the treble in style and even finished the season with a 9-0 mauling of FC Bayern in the Champions League final. It was a weird year to say the least but this season is focussed around the next generation. My squad is getting huge in a bid to raise some youth while still keeping my top stars to compete at every level making squad rotation a slight issue. Anyway, lets get on with the season and we’ll begin with transfers.
I decided that this was the year to offload a few drifters and replace them with wonderkids. As you can see below, quite a few good players were sold including Sturridge, Camacho, Kameni and Nangis. But none of them will be sorely missed and these sales helped me raise £61 million as well as cut the wage bill.
Now for my signings, a lot of which are regens so I’ll provide their profiles too (you can see those by clicking the players name.) Santos joined from Brazil to be trained on the right wing, while Maradona was available for nothing and I couldn’t resist. Guida and Ricardo could be the best of their generation while Pavoni is a very promising young keeper. Last but not least my two Brazilian forwards of Marcelinho and Vieira are capable of great things but need to improve their pace and acceleration. All these players are under 21 and are the next generation here at Malaga. I spent a total of £33 million including the purchase of first team keeper Stegen but that balances out at a transfer window profit of £28 million
FIFA Club World Cup results
I decided to use the Club World Cup as a platform to introduce my new youth and offer them some experience. This seemed to go down well as Malaga beat Al-Ahli in the semi-final 5-0 and Velez in the final by the same scoreline. The opposition weren’t tough by any means but victories like this will help boost the clubs reputation.
La Liga results — first 20 games
OK, so after a summer of wheeling and dealing I expected a slow start to the season. This led to me picking the strongest XI straight off, but what was to follow caught me off guard. The season started with two draws and a win, then we got going a little before drawing a further three matches and losing away to Barcelona. This form had made it impossible to even touch last seasons record with only half a season gone.
Sure we enjoyed some high scoring matches against weaker opposition but my side were looking weak away from home. This translated to second place, five points behind Real Madrid but with a game in hand.
La Liga results — last 18 games
After a rather bad start (compared to last season) things picked up during the last 18 games. We won 15, drew two and lost just one. In fact things were so tight that the title was decided on the last day of the season…Malaga thrashed Real Sociedad but was that enough?
Unfortunately not, the loss away to Real had made things very tough but if they’d lost on the last day of the season we could have lifted the title. It wasn’t to be and Madrid deserved their glory, guess I’ll just have to come back fighting next season :)
Copa del Ray results
After losing our first league title in four years I was left a little wounded and fearing for other competitions. But the Copa del Ray was a completely different story as we breezed through the early rounds, in fact it wasn’t until the semi-final clash against At. Madrid that we faced a challenge. After squeezing through that tough tie 3-2, we drew Espanyol in the final.
Copa del Ray final vs Espanyol
Venue: Nuevo Estalla, Valencia
Attendance: 75,000
Starting formations:
We’ll start by addressing the fact that Espanyol are not the strongest opponents and anything short of victory would be a disaster. They don’t have any real threat going forward and look fairly average at the back, add the fact that I had a near full strength XI and this should be a white wash.
Match highlights: Click here to see the Copa del Ray final match highlights
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Match stats:
Like I said, Espanyol are weak and my side seem to thrive for the big occasion. I think the most pleasing aspect was how my team controlled play through the middle and any deadly balls started there…I am a big believer in the theory that controlling the middle of the pitch means controlling the game. Plus my new wonderkid Vieira got on the score sheet :)
Champions League results
I always cross my fingers for an easy group draw as it provides ideal game time for the younger players and an opportunity to rest my key stars. So you can imagine my delight when seeing Lyon, Sporting CP and Standard pulled out of the hat. All three sides were beaten at home and away. My most clinical of matches being the 7-0 smashing of Standard away from home.
We finished top of the pile securing the so called easier draw while Lyon made up the numbers.
When the first knockout round draw was made, I couldn’t have wished for a better opponent. Turkish side Fenerbahce have a reasonable squad but nothing to be threatened by and this showed in the 9-0 aggregate win. The quarter-final draw brought about French giants PSG, these guys have far more going forward but again a side I’d expect to beat. My boys did just that winning 3-1 away from home and losing 1-0 in the return leg. A close call but we made it to the semi-final where CSKA Moscow were slaughtered 8-1 on aggregate. The Russian side have a strong squad but shouldn’t have made it so far. Now all that was left to do is beat Manchester United who had already done the domestic double.
Champions League final vs Manchester United
Venue: Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow
Attendance: 63,845
Starting formations:
Now we finally have a solid opponent, Man United have a great strike force, creative midfield and very strong back four. If I tried to pick a weakness I’d suggest the overall age is a little high and Ben Amos isn’t world class but then again I am missing CL top scorer Fierro. Pre-match I was a little nervous but saw us as the favourites and decided the final should be attacked with some forward thinking football. Please watch the highlights as the goal that swung this tie was a wonder strike!
Match highlights: Click here to watch Champions League final highlights
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Match stats:
This was a very even match with some end to end football and the first half could have swung either way. In fact the second half started with United on top until I decided to force the issue bringing on Kagawa and Sterling for Hazard and Weiss who hadn’t performed. Of course Kagawa’s first touch was an incredible free-kick and then Sterling assisted for the second, the match was mine from there. A fantastic victory and after two ridiculous Champions League finals I’m happy to finally win by a proper scoreline. :)
Squads stats and finances
Well that was a weird old season with the squad warming up as things went along. Unfortunately our bad first half season proved costly but we did come through for some silverware in the end. What really impressed me though is that not one single player averaged lower than 7.05. Also I managed to offer each player at least 8 games which is impressive for a side filled with 29 players (all bar Mayer as I want him out.)
With my finances looking extremely healthy I plan on maintaining this and offloading more stars in the summer, its time for the next generation to step in and this means sell, sell, sell. My bank balance would be better than £63 million but I’ve upgraded the training and youth facilities as well as improved the junior coaching, youth recruitment and added a foreign feeder club to gain revenue from other countries. This is all part of my big plan to overtake Barcelona as the best club on and off the pitch.
Job offers
Today we have an extra section to look at, with the European Championships over quite a few managers lost their jobs. While Spain won the competition, Rafa Benitez (I can’t believe he was manager either) decided to depart on a high. I was offered the position and almost accepted until I realised why Benitez left. Looking through the entire setup, Spain have NO great regens and their stars have two years left at best. I really didn’t want to be the manager who saw out Spain’s decline from number 1 in the World.
However, the nation that lost to Spain in the European Championship final has a very bright future with endless talent and a young squad. This nation could be the dominant force in International football if led by the right man, after sacking their manager I wonder who they approached…I think you know where this is going…
Well that is all for today’s Football Manager 2012 Malaga story, season 5 report, sorry for the long update but I hope you enjoyed it all the same. Please join me next time as the new generation is extended further at Malaga and England start their new journey to number one. Until then thanks for reading and please free to comment below.
CsAtlantis
3 декабря, 2011 at 12:43
England have better regens than Spain? But I thought that Barca and Real would always produce good regens :P (And aren’t you improving your own facilities too?)
Anyway you still did well this season despite a squad overhaul, quite a lot of ins and outs (Danny Wilson on a 5.5million loan fee? That’s huge!), and only missed out on the league title
Good luck for next season with both your club and country ;)
Darren Smith
3 декабря, 2011 at 12:49
Sorry that may be a little misleading, while yes England have better regens at the moment than Spain both countries have poor newgens…but Englands best players are younger than 25 while the Spanish sides stars are all over 28-29. To be honest neither country has done that well as yet on the regen front so I chose the better side age wise. Can’t explain why Madrid and Barcelona haven’t produced much but my facilities haven’t provided anything yet at Malaga and didn’t do much in FM 2011 when I managed Newcastle despite improving them to the highest level so I’d rather not hinge International decisions on that. Besides, I’m English lol :)
vaibhavc
3 декабря, 2011 at 12:43
Haha, England! I want to see what you do with them. You won the Champo League, as usual. Unlucky in the league, your away form in the first half wasnt too great. But there is always next season to win it!
Darren Smith
3 декабря, 2011 at 12:55
Yeah it should be an interesting job. We had a good season on reflection but Real Madrid just seemed untouchable in the league.
Lye
3 декабря, 2011 at 13:20
Hi Darren,
Looking at so many wins, i can’t believe Real Madrid pit you for the title. Seems they are running in tremendous form as well. I love all your regens especially i saw Maradona. Is he somewhere related to Diego? :) Great wins in both Spanish cup final and Champions League final. I guess i love to see you win the title more. With the new generation coming up, i have no doubt you will be back. Good luck on your England career as well.
Darren Smith
3 декабря, 2011 at 13:50
Thanks Lye, I think Higuain scored 48 goals this season in the league alone which says a lot about Real’s season :)
Maradona isn’t related to the great Diego unfortunately but like you that was the first thing I checked :) All in all the future looks bright. :)
denson
3 декабря, 2011 at 13:33
Darren, this is by far my favourite story to read at the moment, the season went well considering you brought in a lot of new faces.
I think with you managing England will make your story even more interesting to read.
And some of the regens you bought look like they could become world class players of the future.
Good luck next season.
Darren Smith
3 декабря, 2011 at 13:55
Thanks Denson I appreciate that. The save is shaping up nicely and I too think the England job should make a nice addition.
Nathan
3 декабря, 2011 at 13:41
Your new keeper looks good, I’d put him in before Ter Stegen, he has higher ratings and is already decent. Nice regens too, funny how they’re all good at free kicks. Only need one set piece specialist :)
Unlucky with the league, RM must have spent a lot though
Darren Smith
3 декабря, 2011 at 13:57
Yeah the new keeper is very good but Stegen is far superior in terms of his mental stats which kind of swings it for me. Plus I can’t register Pavoni as he’s foreign and I have run out of places for now :) Its always nice to have options hanging over your set pieces, they can make or break a close game. RM didn’t spend too much really, their best players just decided to perform this season :) Hopefully they’ll slip up next season.
Kevin
3 декабря, 2011 at 14:52
Hi Darren
Great job in retaining the Champions League trophy and domestic cup and with only losing two games all season that’s desperately unlucky not to win La Liga. Your Y2G system seems to be paying off again and looking forward to seeing you lead England to glory as well!
Darren Smith
3 декабря, 2011 at 15:35
Thanks Kevin, that is our third consecutive Champions League and Copa del Ray triumph so I’m delighted with that. Hopefully my risk with youth won’t backfire as some great players will be leaving Malaga so I can raise the next generation but its all for the long run…I’m quite excited by the prospect of England.
Sears
3 декабря, 2011 at 16:55
Aw jeez, really unlucky not to have won the title Darren. Real Madrid had one of those seasons, though I’m sure when your younger players will have developed you’ll be dominating La Liga again!! Good luck!
Darren Smith
3 декабря, 2011 at 17:56
Thanks Sears, its been one of those years but I had a strange feeling from the first game that it wouldn’t be our year. :)
Johnny Karp
3 декабря, 2011 at 17:12
After seeing the results screen shots I was expecting to see Malaga top of the table but that was a hellish title race there. That was just an unfortunate event though, I’m sure you’ll be clinching the title again next season. Looking forward to some England glory, good luck!
Darren Smith
3 декабря, 2011 at 18:04
Thanks Johnny, I agree the season was a little unlucky but I don’t mind as Real Madrid always seemed like they’d do one better than me. I’m just looking forward to next season and testing this young England side.
Malhar Bhadbhade
4 декабря, 2011 at 08:31
hey Darren,
the champions league win made coming second in the league insignificant. you won a better tournament. so congrats on that. and i’m sure you’ll keep winning the league every season after this. it must have been quite frustrating to miss out on it. and i have to say, your regens look incredible..but how are you going to give them all game time, seeing as most are not EU nationals? thats the problem i’m having with my PSG side. Argentina and Brazil inevitably produce incredible regens. and unfortunately, it takes 4 seasons for South Americans to become EU nationals :'( anyway, hope you win everything next season! and as always, keep the posts coming, i absolutely love them! Cheers!
Malhar Bhadbhade
4 декабря, 2011 at 08:32
sorry for this comment, but forgot to congratulate you on your England appointment. CANNOT WAIT to see what you do with the England side. and i’m surprised that Spain hasnt got that many good regens. the good regens in my game are always from either spain, brazil or argentina. anyway, good luck with England and Malaga!
Darren Smith
4 декабря, 2011 at 13:56
Thanks Malhar, it was a great season all considered. As for the EU issue, well most players qualify for Spanish citizenship after two seasons anyway so by the time they turn 19-20 I have no issues. Its just a juggling act in Europe and cup competitions where foreigners aren’t limited.
cobham (Vignir)
4 декабря, 2011 at 14:45
Nice work Darren, as usual. Unlucky in the league.
Have one question about the regens, do you use the same method as you did in FM11?
Darren Smith
4 декабря, 2011 at 15:47
Thanks mate, I still use similar methods with regards to regens as last season yes.
Ana Garcia
4 декабря, 2011 at 19:21
Numancia 118 goals against!
I thought I had defensive problems but Real Madrid winning the league, how could you!! :)
Joking of course they had an amazing season, a 123 goals is incredible what is there team like?
I guess losing la liga by a point is very frustrating but at least you completed a cup double winning the copa del rey and the champions league so not too bad in the end.
Am disappointed you didnt take the Spain job! But at least you can try an achieve what many managers have failed to do and bring some success to England.
As always good luck on next season.
Darren Smith
4 декабря, 2011 at 19:40
I know, it was a really bizarre season with goals flying in everywhere. Real Madrid’s best players are the same as from the start of the game. Ozil managed around 30 assists, Ronaldo scored 25 goals and Higuain banged home more than 40!! They were just phenomenal going forward and while my youngsters are talented, we need them to under perform really.
The International dilemma was quite funny actually because as soon as I rejected Spain I though ‘ow dear Ana’s not going to be impressed’ :)
omer
4 декабря, 2011 at 23:18
how is this shit possible ?? you definitely cheated to get theese players to malaga
Darren Smith
5 декабря, 2011 at 07:10
Laugh out loud…that comment was so misplaced in so many ways that lol just doesn’t cut it! Would you like my game save, then you can waste your time trying to prove it like you wasted your time on a pointless and rather embarrassing comment. If you look through the story and where these players were bought from you’ll see almost all them were low profile youngsters. Seriously, get proof or don’t comment.
Alex Murray
7 декабря, 2011 at 21:59
Haha, you obviously didn’t see Darren’s Newcastle (or Brighton) save from last year. He is one of the best managers at finding and nurturing wonderkids. Also, Malaga are filthy rich and can offer huge wages, you can sign Tevez with them at the start of the game.
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2011 at 11:53
Thanks Alex, negative and pointless comments like Omer’s annoy sometimes….but this one just made me laugh. Suggesting that Malaga can’t get these players says more about someones knowledge of FM then my gaming. :)
johny
5 декабря, 2011 at 08:32
why you don’t buy willian n’ j.ayew, ???
Darren Smith
5 декабря, 2011 at 11:49
Because I wanted to buy younger players at the star of the game and now those youngsters are at the same level if not better than Ayew and Willian.
johny
6 декабря, 2011 at 05:36
ups,,i mean at the star of the game (2011-2012) thank mate…
Darren Smith
6 декабря, 2011 at 19:31
Ahh I see, yeah I wanted really young players and plus those two would have eaten all my budget when I wanted to spread the cost.
Martin - F.M.J.S
5 декабря, 2011 at 10:24
Well Done Darren Unlucky with the League but I’m sure you will regain that back. Good Luck with next season.
Darren Smith
5 декабря, 2011 at 11:50
Thanks Martin, the season went well really and we’ll hopefully fight for the title next season.
Wesley
5 декабря, 2011 at 12:45
Hi
Great post and great results with Malaga. Can you please help me with tactics. How do you approach your games. Do you look at the opposition and then create the tactic or do you have one tactic that you use the for the season. Please write a guide on tactics and how you make one.
Darren Smith
5 декабря, 2011 at 18:36
The best thing to do is read this post https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2011/11/football-manager-2012-guide-to-win-with-malaga/ as that includes most of my general tips while playing with Malaga.
Stromson
5 декабря, 2011 at 21:29
I love how your worst player has a 7.05 rating! That really tells the story as to how strong a squad you have, and how good of a season this was. It was a bummer the squad weren’t able to retain the title, but I’d say you more than made up for that with results elsewhere.
Looking forward to what I hope is a budding rivalry between you and Real. ;-)
Darren Smith
5 декабря, 2011 at 21:44
Thanks Stromson, it was a great season and I can confirm that the new season has started in the same vein as last and Real are proving very annoying lol :)
Jofo
6 декабря, 2011 at 11:08
Hi Darren.
What to say except you really made FM 2012 looks boring at early stage :D Congrats, again great season. Will you use the same tactic and training schedule for England as well?
Darren Smith
6 декабря, 2011 at 19:08
Thanks Jofo, I will certainly use the same tactic for England but we’ll see how it works.
Martin Pickard
6 декабря, 2011 at 11:24
Hey Darren! Hardlines on not being able to retain you La Liga title…it was definitely some performance by Real Madrid but I’m sure you’ll teach them a lesson next season. On the plus side congrats in the Champions League, Spanish Cup and World Club Cup…these all make up for the 2nd place. So are plans in place for a new trophy cabinet lol. Great post yet again and I’m definitely looking forward to the next post and seeing what you can do with England and if you get your La Liga title back :)
Darren Smith
6 декабря, 2011 at 19:07
Yeah Real really stunned me to be honest, once domestic domination kicks in I’m used to seeing the competition fall away not regroup :) Hopefully we can make a big climb back to top next season but it won’t be easy.
Alex Murray
7 декабря, 2011 at 21:54
And the story sparks back to life. To get 94 points and not win the league is crazy, the point distribution in the league is extremely top heavy. A great season but your players will have been brought back to earth after last season. You might need 100 points to win the title next year. Can’t wait to see how it goes.
Darren Smith
8 декабря, 2011 at 11:52
Thanks mate, the Real challenge has spiced things up a little and next season is looking tough also….I don’t think you’ll be far away in saying Malaga need to hit the 100 mark.
Deepak Nepal
9 декабря, 2011 at 00:55
when r u going to finish the next season Darren?
Darren Smith
9 декабря, 2011 at 11:45
Not for a little bit mate, things have been manic on the scouting network of late so I haven’t had a lot of time I’m afraid.
Eoin Cowen
10 декабря, 2011 at 12:50
Good post, look forward to reading your next post and a couple of excellent signings
Darren Smith
10 декабря, 2011 at 18:02
Thanks Eoin.
Tim B
11 декабря, 2011 at 02:24
Hey Darren — I’m interested in how you sell players when you want to offload them??
I find that if I want to clear out some of my players (even the better ones), the only way to get rid of them is to «offer to clubs» below (or at) their valuation..
You managed to sell quite a few of your players > $15m, was this by offering to clubs or come other way?
Cheers,
Darren Smith
11 декабря, 2011 at 10:25
You’re right Tim, the only way to get rid of a player no matter for what reason is to offer him to clubs. However, I disagree with the fee. If I have a player that has played regularly and done well I offer him out at around double his valuation and 9/10 (if he is a brilliant player) I get an offer a little less than that but way above his asking price. Obviously clubs aren’t going to want a player who hasn’t been playing and is on the decline….wages have a big part to play also.
Tim B
12 декабря, 2011 at 11:18
Darren. Thanks for your reply. I must admit that I am never as aggressive in my asking prices when I offer to teams — I suppose there is no downside to doing so — you can always drop your price if nobody is interested!
Also, I’ve been reading your Malaga stories with much interest and note that at various times you have had > 3 EU players in your squad (e.g. Badelj, Loderio, Vrsaljko, Romario). How have you been dealing with this? Sending one on loan until they gain another nationality? Just not registering one for the league?
By the way — very much appreciate the time you take to reply to everybody’s comments…
Darren Smith
12 декабря, 2011 at 11:53
No problem Tim, as for the non EU players…well Badelj and Vrsaljko are classed as EU for some reason but you’re right in that I have to juggle. I obviously register the three most important and use the others in Champions League and cup matches, the rotation means every gets enough game time even if they are not registered for La Liga. After two seasons they qualify for Spanish citizenship anyway so the issue doesn’t last long.
Tim B
13 декабря, 2011 at 09:24
Disaster — Croatian players are foreign in my game! might change in a few years when Croatia joins the EU (if FM is smart enough to pick that up). Thanks again.
Darren Smith
13 декабря, 2011 at 18:28
Yeah some of them are in mine too but it depends on their dual nationality and age etc…not sure of the full ins and outs. Don’t worry, they’ll get citizenship in two years and all will be fine.
Iker Muniain
30 июля, 2012 at 16:09
Darren like your regens I have found the most amazing regen from argentina not like messi but can easily control the tempo of a game. However I have Verratti and Bertolacci so I was thinking of playing him at inside forward right. Everything is there and I’ve got the transfer sealed but I’ve seen one flaw he has terrible physical stats the worst being 6 acceleration and speed he’s 17 but do you think he can make it to the top.
Sorry for writing so much.
Cheers
Iker Muniain
30 июля, 2012 at 16:11
quick reply would be beast
Darren Smith
30 июля, 2012 at 18:34
I can’t answer that without seeing the player or I don’t even know what I’m commenting on.
Iker Muniain
30 июля, 2012 at 22:53
How can I upload that to you
Darren Smith
31 июля, 2012 at 11:54
Just get the screenshot then upload it to imageshack or something similar and leave me the link.
Iker Muniain
31 июля, 2012 at 19:25
Thanks for all the help and quick replys
http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/6352/2012073000003.jpg
thats the link
Darren Smith
31 июля, 2012 at 19:49
He won’t work as an AMR/AML but you can train him to play CM advanced playmaker and just train him individually in quickness, then he should come along very well.
Iker Muniain
2 августа, 2012 at 12:33
Do you think I was right to sign him
Darren Smith
2 августа, 2012 at 18:42
Yeah because he could develop.