So after finally finishing my season I will now present to you how we did!
Did we hold Atletico to win our second la liga title, or did Spalletti fire his side up enough to catch us? Well read on and find out!
La Liga Results And The Table
Well two defeats and once again Atletico beat us! The only surprise was that Balotelli scored only once, but Aguero was on form to secure the win. The Barcelona game was almost a brilliant comeback after being 3-0 down after 30 minutes, and Real Madrid held firm to get a point.
But was this enough to hold off the threat of Atletico???
Yay!!
But what a season for us both, I mean just look at what we needed to beat them! Credit to them they are a fantastic side, I must admit but we are just a little better and with no major injuries we just about did it.
Scoring 116 goals a new la liga record, and against only 35 giving us a massive +81 goal difference, and probably the best I have ever had as a manager!
32 wins and 3 defeats, two against my arch rivals Atletico show just how good they are. But was delighted to win the league again!
The Champions League
YAY!!
Our first ever champions league final after a pretty remarkable couple of games. We drew at home to Bordeaux and we could have won by 4 or 5, then a last minute winner (94 minutes) and Peter Lowe Curls in a fantasic freekick to give us 4-3 win.
Then Chelsea were next and after two draws are away goals put us into the final against another London club of Arsenal.
Did we claim our first ever Champs League trophy??
A close game that to be honest neither side deserved to lose, but after 120 minutes of football we need to find a winner! German defender Fuchs :) headed the gunners into the lead only for David to smash in an equaliser.
Carter than hit a beautiful 25 yard drive into the top corner, but David unmarked from the corner headed us back into the game.
We twice had goals ruled out for offside and Arsenal struck the post in a nerve racking game, but penalties were needed to find a winner!
Here’s how it went :
Arsenal won the toss and elected to take the first penalty
Fuchs Scores For Arsenal
Flavio Scores For Real Union
Ogris Scores For Arsenal
Atutxa Scores For Real Union
Insua Scores For Arsenal
Kramaric Scores For Real Union
Countinho Scores For Arsenal
David Misses! For Real Union
Eransus Scores For Arsenal
Arsenal win 5-3 on penalties!
Noooooo!! My penalty curse strikes again in our biggest ever night in Europe!
I wish some of Majk’s penalty luck rubbed off on us, but again these damn things cost us! I cant really blame David who had an incredible season and he also scored twice to get us to them. Close seems to be the word to sum us up, but was proud of my team and what we almost achieved.
I guess we just keep the team together and have a go next year!
Player Ratings And Final Bits!
David had a superb season, missing that penalty was the only negative for him after finding the net 42 times in 54 games. Goals flowed between all my forwards even super sub Pena got 14!
Krystov remains a real leader in my side, and alongside Leo they show real experience and desire. Lowe has really turned into a quality midfield player and Velsaco is Mr. Reliable.
And finally a picture of my formation for those who have asked or just curious!
I have played the same way since our second promotion to la liga, and I will not be changing any time soon. I do tweak this around a little but it allows my players the freedom to play. I like good attacking football, and to keep the ball. Very Barcelona which is what I tried to model this set up on.
Castaignos is a key man in both scoring and creating, I also believe this to be my best eleven and play it when I need a result!
So another season has passed us by and for my team alot of good to take away. I now hate pens more than ever! But am determined to win the champions league. I have decided I will not leave until I do so, may be this year may take 10! I dont care!
So thats that! Hope you keep following my journey! :)
Laxeyman
4 мая, 2010 at 21:40
Hi Ana, a great season for you, shame you couldn’t finish it with the Champions League win. Some of your players have been incredible, Castaignos has scored so many goals from midfield! Good luck for next season and congrats on the great league win.
Majk
4 мая, 2010 at 21:44
Some guys have all the luck, right? And that’s me. :)
You’ve still had a magnificent season even though losing on penalties is really rough.
Interesting tactics.. I’m itching to try that one out as I also love playing with as much attacking options as I can, and I love scoring goals just as you do. But with my Caen I feel really confident in my style of play so I think I’ll save this one for another save maybe.
Castaignos is simply fantastic! which patch are you currently using?
/Majk
Kevin Mayo
4 мая, 2010 at 23:26
Hello Ana
Well done on winning the Spanish title again but so unlucky in the Champions League.What a heart breaker. Still you show lots of determination which I’m sure will lead you to be European Champions eventually. Also your tactic is very aggressive :)
warren
5 мая, 2010 at 00:48
Hi ana
That was a brilliant season that was spoilt with some bad luck. It must be really annoying to lose the final by penalties.
On another note you have done brilliantly in the league with 99 points and scoring 116 goals in 38 games is some going.
All the best for next season
warren
dami
5 мая, 2010 at 05:37
well…that’s a great formation you’ve got there…I was hoping you could do the double this season but you great in the league win…I’ve been reading your stories for some time and i’m suprised that you haven’t been asked to manage a national team…don’t know if it’s a personal choice or not but you should give it a shot if the oppurtunity shows up…
All the best for the next season…
Johnny Karp
5 мая, 2010 at 10:35
Well done Ana, congrats on winning the title. You really seem to have no luck at all with penalties but I’m sure that you’ll build a team that will be strong enough to avoid going to the shoot out in the future. I like your tactic, it seems very aggressive and attacking, the way I like to play the game too.
Ana Garcia
5 мая, 2010 at 14:51
@ Laxeyman — Thanks! Am happy to win the league but am still a little dissapointed at falling so close to winning the champs league!
@ Majk — Indeed! :)
If you want to try my formation than I will post it or send it to you its not a problem! Patch? The first one I think!! Not a 100% sure!
@ Kevin — Yeah! I am even more determined to win the champions league now! Hate being so close, but thats football!:)
@ Warren — Thank you! My team were excellent all season I cant deny that, like you said just some bad luck at the vital moments cost us.
@ dami — Thanks! Well I have had many offers including Spain, England, France, and Mexico but I dont really like managing a club and national team at the same time. I like to play as close to real life as possible, so will only manage a nation when I am not in club management!
@ Johnny — Yeah, my friend help design it and it works very well. I am not really surprised as penalties cost me in the previous game too so I guess I am just cursed!!
Penalties in my opinion is a bad way to end a game, but maybe thats because I cant win them! Hope my luck will change!
Lye
5 мая, 2010 at 14:57
Hi Ana, glad to know that you had won the title at the expense of At Madrid since they are your curse team. Congratulations on another title and shame on the loss to Juventus by penalties. I am sure you will bounce back stronger next season to win it.
Majk
5 мая, 2010 at 20:27
Yes Ana! That would be perfect if you could send it to me. Either if you upload it here or send it to me somehow.
I’ve just started up a side-game to my Caen. Staines from the Blue Square South division. An Ali G reference. West Staines Massive.. it might even become my future story :)
majk.lindell[at]hotmail[dot]com
Sears
6 мая, 2010 at 22:36
Ana,Congrats on winning the title.I may not be commenting,due to faulty computers,put I’m always reading your update’s.Fantastic season again,unlucky in Champions League.I hate matches going to penalty’s because it doesn’t prove who the best team is, just the team who misses the most penalty’s.
Ana Garcia
7 мая, 2010 at 15:52
@ Lye — Hope so! Am really pleased we did beat Atletico!
@ Majk — Sure! I will try to upload it here, but if that fails I will just email it to you! :)
@ Sears — I totally agree. When I look back on the match I believe we deserved to win it. We created the better chances and only a miss from the spot cost us. Rubbish way to finish a game!!