July and August
We blazed through the friendlies. My personal favorite was against Remscheid where Bamba scored 4. Hanke, Herrmann, and Juhasz were all finding the net but my midfield was a little shaky. My defense played very well and my center-backs are smashing in headers. So with the kickoff of the real Bundesliga, I was pleased with our first month. Reus, Herrmann, Hanke, and Allagiu all scored while our defenders, particularly Bamba, made a contribution as well. The match against Wolfsburg was a bit of a downer but credit to Wolfsburg defense for keeping the game in the midfield. I was also pleased with the game against Ingolstadt because it featured all of my youngsters who stepped up well. The scoreline does not accurately show our dominance.
September
The Bundesliga wasted no time in handing us a tough run as we had back-to-back derbies for the third time. The game against Koln, who came third last season, was quite exciting. We were both playing very well, creating a decent number of chances but staying solid defensively — it was a very even game. Then in the 60th minute, Podolski suffered a leg break, which I later found out put him out of action for four months. Even without Podolski, Koln were still proving to be a threat. But in in the last 20 minutes, Bamba pulled off a great header and Koln just fell apart. We had 12 shots on target in the last 20 minutes, but Koln’s keeper, Rensing, was keeping us at bay single-handedly. It took another header from Bamba a little after 80 minutes to seal the game before we gave up a consolation goal. The next game against defending champions Dortmund started out terribly, with us giving away a penalty and an owl goal within the first 15 minutes. But we rallied back and my strikers, particularly Herrmann, showed off their pinpoint accuracy. I was especially happy that the captain, Reus scored a goal as well as getting 3 assists. Not much to talk about the next two games as my strikers ran riot across the field. Abdulrahman seems to be settling very well and he is really controlling the distribution of the ball across the field. His pass completion rate isn’t as high as I would like since he is not used to hanging back like I want but he will get better. I think it might be because he doesn’t understand German yet. I am happy though that we are having to rely on our defenders to score goals from corners. I think I was right when I said that my strikers needed better service from the back.
So after 7 games we are leading the Bundesliga! I think the most notable thing on this table is how poorly Koln are doing at the moment. As you can see, their goal difference isn’t too awful but it’s gotten quite a bit worse since Podolski broke his leg during the match against Gladbach. He seems to be as crucial to their team as Van Persie is to Arsenal; maybe more!
October
We started the month with a win against Stuttgart that reminded me very much of how Man Utd played last season. We were by no means even close to our sparkling best but we were able to grind out the goals. Reus and Herrmann, the latter of whom is leading the team at scoring with 6 goals, drove us forward. In the game against Nurnberg we had to rely on our defenders getting us the goals again. Our Armenian center-back Ghazaryan opened his account with the team during that game. Our strikers returned to their scoring ways in the next two, with Allagui getting his first hat-trick for the team. I was particularly happy with the win against Hoffenheim because they were a team we had never beaten. Our first loss against Hannover was a little frustrating. Keet had never played a game for us yet so I decided to give him a run since we had tossed them aside in the German Cup not too long before. Keet let in such a tame shot; I am sure he would have been a Youtube sensation. The opposing player was cutting inside the box from the left and tried to pass the ball to a teammate who was standing near Keet. The pass was a pretty weak one and was misplaced, going too far to the left, near the inside post but Keet went to go cover the teammate and let the ball creep in! Reus, Herrmann, Allagui, and Hanke are all contributing goals when called upon, while Abdulrahman has been flawless in the middle. Shoutouts to Ghazaryan and Bamba as well, as they have created a great partnership in the back. I moved Obih to midfield, where he has been reliable along with Garvan.
November
Allagui scored his second hat-trick in the first game of the month. Our next game was a little troubling. Leverkusen managed to keep the ball in the hole between our midfield and defense. I pulled the line back a little and set Obih to act as a holding midfielder but it didn’t help too much. I guess I should have added a second individual to help him but I was banking on a counter-attack that never happened. In the 89th minute we were punished by Hugo Rodallega and gave up a potential point. Reus capped the month off for us with a strong brace against Schalke.
December
In the first match against Hertha, we needed to rely on Ghazaryan to come up for us and score. The next two matches were quite troublesome. We controlled the game against Bayern but we are suffering quite a few injury issues right now. Echevarne, Wendt, Vandam, Bamba, Abdulrahman, and Herrmann are all injured for different lengths of time. Despite that we were in control at Bayern but got hit on the counter-attack. HSV was shameful performance but it was a hodgepodge team and I got to add Hanke to my injury list. I was expecting to leave the German Cup; being knocked out by Bayern for a second year in a row. Abdulrahman came back and he along with Reus and the young Juhasz who came on in the last 15 minutes all hit home to push us over Bayern to the next round.
So at the halfway mark of the season, before the winter break, here is how the table looks:
We are still in the lead, but only on the number of goals scored; not even goal difference! I need my injury problems to clear up so that I can continue my title-push. The big shock at this stage for me is how defending champions Dortmund are doing. Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of my player ratings at this stage but go on to the second page to check out the second half of the season!
Johnny Karp
5 января, 2012 at 11:44
Ah, it’s a shame that you missed out on the title especially after defeating Bayern so convincingly… Maybe your players had a bit too much to eat during the winter break :) Anyway, congrats on a very good season and good luck in the Champions League!
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:43
Thanks Johnny. I’m hoping to strike some fear in the hearts of all my European competition. The game against Bayern is a little misleading though, because they won the title before the game started so they fielded their backup players.
siavosh
5 января, 2012 at 12:05
hi,
Good results against Bayern and HSV,I think your is strong enough to win the title with a little luck, but this place is also wonderfull.
Good luck
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:44
Thank you! The German League is pretty competitive so while we might not win the title, as long as we are up there I will be happy.
Darren Smith
5 января, 2012 at 12:17
Well done mate that was a solid season, a little gutting to come close but miss the title however to challenge so quickly is brilliant. Can’t wait for some CL footie next season.
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:45
Thanks Darren! I was surprised at how well they are doing and so quickly too. I put it down to my backroom staff whipping my youth players into shape!
John Martin
5 января, 2012 at 15:48
Wow, a great season mate. You were unlucky to miss out on the title however all in all a decent season mate, well done!
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:46
Thanks John! Maybe next season will be our time.
Sears
5 января, 2012 at 15:52
Brilliant season mate, so unlucky in the title race but I’m certain you’ll topple Bayern next season. Good luck!
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:47
Thanks Sears! It would be great to do that! This season once they got going they just couldn’t stop. Wrapping up the season with 2 games to go is quite impressive.
Nik
5 января, 2012 at 16:29
Well done mate! Keep it up next year and good luck with the CL! How are you liking the Bundesliga?
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:59
Thanks Nik! The Bundesliga is quite fun. I like how simple the rules are.
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 00:59
The evenness of the league is also really fun.
TheZiggy
5 января, 2012 at 16:43
You’ve had a great season there. Without a couple of those late lapses in concentration, the title could have gone your way. Anyhow, it proves you’re a real challenger, so with a few additions for next season, you should be put up an even challenge. Good luck with the venture in the Champions League.
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:01
Thanks so much! I guess the young players still need to do some maturing and then I’m sure we’ll be unstoppable!
Alex
5 января, 2012 at 16:55
Great post, I like to level of detail you’re using at the moment. I was amazed by the quality of some of your young signings. Well done on a good league position, next year you could well win it. Good luck in the CL.
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:01
Thanks so much Alex! I am hoping for these kids to do great things!
Ana Garcia
5 января, 2012 at 19:01
Oh so close!!
Just bad luck in the end and with a few new signings you should be able to compete again next season, and hopefully finish top!
Good luck!! :)
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:03
Thanks so much Ana! Gladbach are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with!
Kevin
5 января, 2012 at 20:32
Hi Bhargav
Happy New Year mate!
Great post and I really enjoyed reading it but reall hard luck in how some of those game slipped away from you after such a superb and energetic start to the season. Still you qualified for the Champions League which is $$$ in the bank for sure along with that tidy sum for coming second. Well done Sir!!
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:06
Thank you so much Kevin! It looks like Gladbach are going back to the glory days =D
Laxeyman
5 января, 2012 at 21:47
That’s a great season Bhargav, 2nd is a wonderful achivement, and your hammering of Bayern shows that you’re already very close to grabbing that league title :) Hopefully it’ll be next season, good luck!
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:07
Thanks so much Laxeyman! To be fair to Bayern, they won the league before the game even started so they fielded their reserves. But next season I plan on beating them fair and square.
CsAtlantis
6 января, 2012 at 01:13
Man Allagui was terrible in FM2008, he had very low finishing and composure but he looks much better this time around, great job in bringing 19 goals out of him over 29 appearances, despite losing some key players like Dante you made some great purchases and your team has gone far beyond their meager media predictions and finished 2nd
Champions League football next season, will be exciting, good luck
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:09
Thank you so much! Allagui has been surprisingly phenomenal! I brought him on as a temporary player with only a half season-long contract but he’s earned his spot!
vaibhavc
6 января, 2012 at 07:39
First year in the Champions League, well done! That was unlucky in the league, but it was close. Bayern were doing well, so it will have to wait for next season.
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:21
Thanks Vaibhav! I am sure we will give them a run for their money next season.
Martin Pickard
6 января, 2012 at 15:45
wow! you’ve had one hell of season and a second place finish is awesome! Hopefully it’ll be a title winning season next year :0 looking forward to the next update :)
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:21
Thanks Martin! I hope you’re right. The Bundesliga is so much fun!
Chris @ Chester
6 января, 2012 at 18:21
That was an awesome season mate. A decent signing or 2 and a little touch of luck and you should be able to pull it off next year. Good luck in the champions league mate
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:22
Thanks so much Chris!
Woody
6 января, 2012 at 18:52
Well done on a great season unlucky to miss out on the league title
Good luck in the champions league
And I’m looking forward to the next update
Bhargav
8 января, 2012 at 01:22
Thanks Woody! Things will definitely be better next season.