We were through to the semi final and our next opponent was Juventus, they just knocked out mighty Barcelona.
Everybody at the club was very happy after the Manchester City game but I had two things on my mind before the next game, away at Tottenham in the Premier League: complacency and injuries. I was worried that the players that achieved the magnificent success in the Champions League might be complacent in the next game and I also didn’t want any of the first team regulars to suffer an injury at that important stage of the season. So I decided to field the backups and a few players from the reserves at White Hart Lane. I didn’t expect the backup players to be complacent but they were, I couldn’t figure that out. Tottenham were undoubtedly the better team and won the game thanks to a fantastic finish from Kranjcar. My boys moved the ball around a lot but failed to provide creative solutions upfront, we were beaten for the second time this season. Fortunately Manchester City couldn’t get more than a 0-0 draw at home with Everton, so we were 12 points ahead with 5 more games to be played.
Our next game was at home with Liverpool, the Reds were down in 7th place after a disappointing run. I chose to field a full strength side, the most in form players that I had available. With three points in that game the title would have been ours, we had to win it. Rafael Sobis and Guilherme were out of contention with minor injuries, so Gadi and Ba had a chance to shine. We got off to a nightmare start, Fernando Torres scored right in the first minute and celebrated his 200th career league goal. Chris Gadi got us back on level terms only five minutes later, his dribbling skills left him one on one with the keeper and he finished the move with a placed shot. Then Torres missed a good chance on the break and Gadi doubled his tally with another sensational goal, he skipped past two defenders before placing it in. I replaced Demba Ba with Ibrahimovic at half time and the veteran Swedish striker doubled our lead right away with a powerful shot. We looked in control but it wasn’t like that, Liverpool were pushing forward and my lads were unable to cope with them. Some atrocious defending gave Liverpool quite a few chances to score and they did, twice. My team played quite badly after Ibrahimovic‘s goal, they might have thought that they already won the game. I was concerned about that attitude.
But I was all smiles a few seconds later, Manchester City lost 2-1 at Newcastle, so the title was officially ours! At that point we could focus on the Champions League, Juventus were coming at Medow Lane.
I was optimistic but after studying Juve‘s squad for a few minutes my mood changed. I couldn’t find any real weaknesses in their team, they had Buffon between the sticks, strong defenders like Chiellini, Diego in midfield and quite a few gifted strikers like Jo or Carlos Vela. I compared their players with mine and I concluded that the bookmakers were right, Juventus were the favorites. Rafael Sobis was not fully recovered so I chose to employ Gadi and Guilherme in attack hoping that their pace and skills could make a difference although Juventus‘ defense looked extremely solid. The first half was fairly quiet and even but we had a good chance, Gadi was clean through but his shot was parried by Buffon. Chris Gadi didn’t miss the target the second time around, he broke through on a counter attack and placed the ball past the keeper. The stadium was like a volcano ready to erupt, our fans were ecstatic. Their joy and mine lasted only six minutes, Juventus‘ creative force defeated our defense, a finely crafted move left Jo unmarked inside the box and he didn’t miss. Then Juventus took control of the game, they were pushing forward but we defended quite well. We had another chance on a counter attack but couldn’t finish it, Juventus proved to be the better team in the second half. Steven Defour picked up a yellow card and he was going to be suspended for the second leg, our chances to go through to the final were rather slim.
The next league game, away at Sunderland, didn’t matter anymore as we already claimed the title so I chose to rest all the first team regulars and even some backups. I sent in mostly reserve players but I didn’t expect to be humiliated by Sunderland. We lost the game quite heavily and the only positive aspect was that Lucas Biglia played again after four months. I was very disappointed and realized that some of the young reserves were not ready to play at this level and maybe they won’t ever be ready. Most of them will have to start packing their bags, I can’t accept mediocrity at this level. Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
Go to the next page to read the rest of the story.
sam warren
11 марта, 2010 at 21:02
Well done with retaining the Premier League title but that was unfortunate that you didn’t win the Champions League. Hopefully you will have a better stab at it next season. Carlos Abad looks like one hell of a signing and one that could be amazing in the future.
I am undecided with my blog wether to keep on going month by month or just wait a few days to post the rest of the season. This is because I think more people will be interested in seeing me play in the Premiersip than in the Championship.
Keep up the good work
warren
Laxeyman
11 марта, 2010 at 21:09
Well done on retaining the title, Johnny. Unlucky in the Champions League, but your guys tried their best. You may not need Shelvey though, that regen looks amazing! I am looking forward to reading about your transfers, and well done for another successfull season.
Kevin Mayo
11 марта, 2010 at 21:26
Hi Johnny
Congratulaitons on winning the league for a second time. I was convinced you would win the Champions League as well though better luck next season. Your regen signing looks immense.
Johnny Karp
11 марта, 2010 at 21:28
@Sam Warren
Thanks for the comment mate. About your blog, you should go for the setup you feel more comfortable with. I went for the month by month thing because I wanted to give the readers a more detailed account of what’s happening with the story but I used a two posts per season setup in the early days.
@Laxeyman
Thanks. The Spanish kid looks good indeed but I need two good CMs alongside Biglia and Defour, I feel that I need great backup to challenge for both title and Champions League next season.
Johnny Karp
11 марта, 2010 at 21:29
@Kevin
Thanks for the comment, I was unsure about the Champions League and eventually Juventus proved that we were not ready for that yet. I’ll try to make it next season.
Calum
11 марта, 2010 at 21:39
Unlucky Johnny in the Champions League. I hope you can lift it for the first time next year.
Good Luck! :D
ravenie
11 марта, 2010 at 22:08
I started with Southampton and I realised that my strikers are awful compared to yours, I have 2 on loan strikers Papa Waigo and the legendary Maceo Rigters :| and Lambert and Saganowski. Its going to be a long way to even get promoted with -7 points and 3 games played.
Johnny Karp
11 марта, 2010 at 22:43
@Calum
Thanks mate. I forgot to add that Juventus won the Champions league by beating Chelsea in the final.
@Ravenie
You have a tough challenge ahead of you but you also have good players to work with. Papa Waigo is a good prospect and I think he will bang in a few goals for you.
Lye
12 марта, 2010 at 03:18
Well done mate, good job on retaining the title. Your team will rule the premier league, guess your transfer dealing will focus on bringing players who can help you quest the champions league trophy.
As usual i will be anticipating your transfer new as the players you brought in always excite us.I already excited by your capture of Carlos Abad :)
Johnny Karp
12 марта, 2010 at 10:00
Thanks Lye, I hope to have a good transfer budget because the players I want to bring are quite expensive.
Sears
12 марта, 2010 at 20:32
Well done Johnny.Yet another succesfull season!Looking forward to your summer transfer’s…They’ll be vital for next season’s Champions League if you are to win it!Hope you you have a good transfer budget to work yet.Good luck!
Johnny Karp
12 марта, 2010 at 21:58
Thanks Sears. I just got the transfer budget for the new season, it’s quite hefty: 77 million pounds. I think I’ll be able to bring in a few quality players for that money.
cory berman
13 марта, 2010 at 21:49
may i make some transfer suggestions? that super star striker: 1. alberto paloshi 2. segio aguero 3. yannis tafer 4. edin dzeko all world class stikers espicially aguero. although you have ur sights set on shelvey maybe you could upgrade that to Diego. You have to have someone special and experienced in your team that has what it takes to win the champions league and he did last year. anyway hope you make some good investments for your team and good luck for a surely succesful year next year. spend that 77 million plus money from selling players wisel!.(Ps please make a gig money world class signing!!!!!!!!!!)
Johnny Karp
13 марта, 2010 at 22:11
@Cory
Thanks for all the suggestions mate. Those four strikers are on my shortlist, I’m currently trying to push for Dezko but his club doesn’t want to let him go. Paloschi didn’t work either, Milan want a whole lot for him. About Diego, I admire his abilities a lot but I’m afraid he won’t fit into my system, I don’t employ an attacking midfielder (his favorite role) and I doubt that he can sustain the workload my CMs have to do each game. I’m looking for hard working midfielders with high team work and creativity. I’m also trying to make a surprise move for Rooney, the chances aren’t too big but it’s worth a try.
cory berman
14 марта, 2010 at 12:00
rooney sounds very exciting yet he is gonna cost an awful lot of money. sorry about diego another suggestion for your system maybe jack rodwell a hard working mid fielder who will surely fit into ur system at a not to hefty price tag. thanks for listening to my suggestions
Johnny Karp
14 марта, 2010 at 12:17
Thanks Cory. Rodwell is one of the midfielders that I employ in the England squad, I like him a lot. He’s not for sale though, I tried :) Anyway, it’s all over now, I’m currently writing the new post about the transfers, should be published in a half hour or so.
cory berman
14 марта, 2010 at 19:08
cool