So, there were three games left in the Champions League group stage and we needed some points as soon as possible if we wanted to challenge for the 3rd spot which could have entered the team into the next stage of the Europa League. The next game was against group leaders Ajax though and after they had beaten us 3-1 in Amsterdam I admit that I wasn’t too optimistic.
Viitorul vs Ajax (Champions League Group D)
Starting Line Up: Octavian Ormenisan — Ionut Peteleu, Edward Motha, Juan Belencoso, Constantin Grecu — Dejan Danicic, Alexandru Lazar, Nenad Grumic — Raul Rusescu, Joabe, Liviu Ganea
But I was proven wrong, the lads started the game very well and we took the lead on 14 minutes when Juan Belencoso smashed in a corner kick header! Our fans were roaring while Ajax started pressing forward. We were defending pretty well though and our opponents were unable to create any clear chances before we had one of our own on 36 minutes, Raul Rusescu was the man in charge but he fired into the side netting. The first half came to an end and we were leading 1-0!
Ajax started the second half with more enthusiasm though and they nearly levelled the score on 48 minutes but we were saved by the woodwork. My lads were not playing badly either and we managed to create a couple of half chances before the hour mark. But everything came crashing down in just one moment, a moment of lapse of concentration in my defence… My goalie and all the defenders are to blame but that doesn’t matter too much, we conceded a stupid goal 13 minutes from time. We still had a point to defend but things got tougher on 79 minutes when Dejan Danicic had to leave the pitch due to an injury and left us with a numerical disadvantage. We were hanging in there, the clock was ticking again… but not ticking fast enough… We let in another stoppage time goal on a free kick and what seemed a hard-earned point slipped through our fingers.
Match highlights: click here to watch
Luckily that heart-breaking defeat didn’t affect our domestic performances as we went on to record another two wins, mostly thanks to Denis Alibec who seemed to have found his scoring boots again.
The decisive Champions League match was coming up, we had to beat Schalke to stay in the race for the third place as the German team got beaten by Chelsea in the previous match.
Schalke vs Viitorul (Champions League Group D)
Starting Line Up: Octavian Ormenisan — Alvaro Casanova, Edward Motha, Juan Belencoso, Tshepo Tshabalala — Dejan Danicic, Alexandru Lazar, Nenad Grumic — Liviu Ganea, Joabe, Denis Alibec
It’s easier said than done though, we had to attack but it seemed that we were not up to the task. Schalke were not impressive either and a boring first half ended with no shots on target at all.
Schalke upped the tempo after the break and they had a pair of chances before the hour mark, we were quite lucky to escape those two moments. We were forced to defend as Schalke were coming forward and we managed to hang in there for a while but once again, not long enough. Schalke finally scored 10 minutes from time and ended our European dream, at least for this season.
Match highlights: click here to watch
Fortunately our domestic form was definitely back on track. First we defeated 13th placed UTA by fighting back from 1-0 down at half time with Joabe finally ending a 13-hour goal drought. Then Liviu Ganea scored his 10th goal of the season against Astra, Denis Alibec added a goal and an assist to his tally while young midfielder Adrian Butoi scored his first ever goal for the club.
We had one more chance to rescue our Champions League campaign, the home game against Chelsea. I didn’t want to end the group with no points at all but Chelsea had something to play for as well as they were tied on 12 points with Ajax and fighting for the top spot in the group.
Viitorul vs Chelsea (Champions League Group D)
Starting Line Up: Octavian Ormenisan — Alvaro Casanova, Edward Motha, Juan Belencoso, Tshepo Tshabalala — Dejan Danicic, Mihai Onicas, Nenad Grumic — Raul Rusescu, Denis Alibec, Liviu Ganea
The opening quarter hour was strangely quiet as none of the two teams was looking too keen on attacking. But these big teams can score any time and that’s what Juan Mata did for Chelsea on 19 minutes with a shot that most keepers in the world would have saved… Anyway, there’s no need to go into further details: we dominated the game but our performance lacked efficiency, something that Chelsea really had as they scored their second goal on their second and last shot on target.
Match highlights: click here to watch
I guess the final group table looks quite shameful for us with six straight defeats but I’m proud of the lads, I don’t think that they could have done any better at this moment.
The last two games before the winter break saw us beating Astra to advance to the Romanian Cup Semi Finals before punishing 13th placed Ceahlaul courtesy of two pinpoint direct free kicks by Dejan Danicic.
I’m happy to have regained form in the league, I was really afraid of going downhill after that hiatus in September and October. We’re just one point away from the top before the winter break and I think that we are perfectly capable of defending our Liga 1 title.
Denis Alibec was without doubt our best player so far, we would have been far worse off without his 13 goals and 9 assists. New lad Juan Belencoso has become a key player already, he is now listed as Spanish after grabbing a couple of appearances for their Under 21 national side, while Alvaro Casanova is becoming one of my favourites after starting the season as a backup for Ionut Peteleu. Manoel is the biggest disappointment so far but the Brazilian youngster had a cruel injury to deal with so I hope he will fully recover in time for the second half of the season.
That’s how it was my friends, a nightmare or a dream? I guess it was a dream even though those two injury time goals turned it into a nightmare along the way. Luckily recording 6 consecutive defeats in the Champions League doesn’t get the money out of our bank account, we still have around 4.4 million pounds and I hope to see some of that into my winter transfer budget. But that’s stuff for the next update, thanks a lot for reading this one and please submit your feelings and ideas in the comments section below.
Mikulas Nemeth
20 декабря, 2011 at 15:19
Nightmare is your stadium Johny…and the new one woun’t be much better. How can they let you play on such a tiny stadium?
Otherwise I feel you could snatch up point or three in CL. But from my experience with a team from weak league defence is the best tactic and let them dominate and you score on counters. It works for me. But at least didn’t get trashed by somebody and as a experience for future it’s great.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2011 at 15:48
I agree, the stadium situation needs to change but it will take some time. As for the tactic, I used the counter version in the last five matches, it’s a bit more defensive but you know the results. Then again, as you say, I’m satisfied that we didn’t get thrashed.
Mikulas Nemeth
20 декабря, 2011 at 16:23
On the other hand…you will get 3 times bigger stadium than you have now ;-)
The thing is these are the games that are showing your real weaknesess. So you know where to adress your transfers. Good luck next year. I’m sure you’re gonna win the league.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2011 at 17:38
Thanks, I know that I need a couple of midfielders for a start :)
Darren Smith
20 декабря, 2011 at 15:22
A real shame to lose all your CL matches Johnny but the opposition was just too much for now. It will take some time to build a squad capable of challenging around that level. On the up side you made a remarkable recovery in the league…I was starting to fear the worst from those first few results but your boys pulled through.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2011 at 15:50
I was starting to fear the worst myself, I was already contemplating the thought of getting sacked to be honest :) But I also knew that the team was good enough to beat anybody in the league and thankfully they recovered sooner rather than later.
Laxeyman
20 декабря, 2011 at 15:37
Unlucky in the CL Johnny, I guess your players need experience before you can start really fighting in such a big competition. Still, at least the league form improved, and now that you’ve got no european distractions, I’m backing you to win the league again :) Good luck!
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2011 at 15:51
Thanks Laxeyman, I think that we will win the league especially if I’ll manage to bring in one or two of the players that I want.
nielsneutron
20 декабря, 2011 at 16:10
I am confident that you will regain the title.The small drop in performance in the league is too be expected when playing in Europe until you get an experienced team. Too bad about the champions league but I guess you and Viitorul performed as expected.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2011 at 18:55
Thanks mate, I hope we’ll do better next year but we’ll have to win the title first.
vaibhavc
20 декабря, 2011 at 17:04
Its really unlucky to lose all your group stage matches, but it was your first time and you can bounce back next year. You are doing well in the league, And you are in the semis for the Romanian Cup.
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2011 at 18:56
Thanks Vaibhav, I hope we’ll do a domestic double.
Kevin
20 декабря, 2011 at 17:55
Hi Johnny
You always had a mountain to climb in the Champions League group and fortunately that experience didn’t have too great an effect on your league form as you make up part of a «Bucuresti Sandwich» at the top of the table:) Good luck with the winter transfer window!
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2011 at 18:56
Thanks Kevin, I hope we’ll have a better go at that mountain next season ;)
Chris @ Chester
20 декабря, 2011 at 18:13
Unlucky on the champions league front there johnny, But it’s already been said that you now know where you need to strenghthen. You should comfortably defend your title now and come back stronger next season. Good luck mate :-)
Johnny Karp
20 декабря, 2011 at 18:57
Thanks Chris, I always say that what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger ;)
Bhargav
20 декабря, 2011 at 19:40
Bad luck, mate. You were handed an unlucky draw but your team still played admirably. I’m sure next season (it looks like you will qualify) will yield more fruitful results.
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 08:17
Thanks mate, I guess we were a bit unlucky but we’ll need a stronger team if we want to do better next season.
TheZiggy
20 декабря, 2011 at 19:56
You’re unlucky not to have got at least two draws in the Champions League, but those big teams really know how to press right at the death. As tough as it is when that happens, the main thing is to have learnt something from the experience.
The drop in league form was definitely worrying, but great to see it turn around so you could get right back in the title fight again, which you’ll be able to concentrate on now. You should be able to take the title again, and be stronger next year when you go into the Champions League. It’ll be interesting to see if the ranking of Romania goes up after you made it to group stages.
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 08:18
Thanks Ziggy. The ranking will probably go up but it depends on what the other teams did in the Europa League.
Martin - F.M.J.S
20 декабря, 2011 at 20:37
Unlucky in the CL mate but to be honest I thought it might happen with a tough group like that. But your recent form in the League is a good sign so hopefully you can regain that Title which Im sure you will. Good Luck.
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 08:18
Thanks Martin, I’m quite optimistic regarding our title chances.
Alex
20 декабря, 2011 at 22:29
You had a tough Champions League group but performed very respectably, despite not winning any points. After a slightly shaky run you look set to challenge for the title again. I too am disappointed by Manoel’s form, judging by his attributes I thought he would be fantastic, I guess the injury has halted his progress. I’m looking forward to see if you’ve managed to bring in any quality players in January with all that money.
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 08:19
I guess you’re right. Manoel is a good player, all he needs is a good two or three games in a row to get going.
CsAtlantis
21 декабря, 2011 at 00:38
You can be proud of how you did in the Champions League Johnny, even mighty Schalke only scored 3 goals total (and those 3 goals were against your team :P), you did get a few goals too and did not get utterly embarrassed, the experience should give your squad something to bring into the league campaign, you are still in touch despite your European commitments, good luck for the season
Good to hear that you have a few million pounds in the bank, hopefully a new stadium soon? :D
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 08:20
Thanks mate, I guess we had a respectable performance. The new stadium is already planned, it will be ready in a couple of years.
Lye
21 декабря, 2011 at 00:55
Hi Johnny,
Tough run in the CL. I thought it was unlucky not to get two points at home against Schalke and Ajax as their winning goal came in the dying minutes. It was great experience and i believe you will have a better outing next season. The poor results in CL certainly affected your league form but the team recovered well and could be on the way to the title. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 08:21
Thanks Lye, I surely hope that we’ll get at least one point next season :)
Calin
21 декабря, 2011 at 07:32
I was hoping for at least a surprise win or draw in the Champions League, but it wasn’t meant to be. You shouldn’t be upset with the results, simply qualifying for the group stages was amazing and your team’s performances were pretty solid.
All you have to do now is to make sure that you win the title once more and you give it a go once more next season. If you remember, it took me 5 seasons last year to reach the Final of the Champions League, but with an already established Romanian team — U Craiova — so you shouldn’t worry too much — the time will come!
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 08:22
I’m not upset, we avoided any heavy defeats and put in respectable performances. I guess it was a lot easier with Craiova given their already big stadium and good fan base.
Martin Pickard
21 декабря, 2011 at 13:58
Great post Johnny as per…and congrats on a strong champions league campaign, you definitely achieved success as you weren’t destroyed by the stronger teams in the league. Your progression in the league is also good…your in the thick of things which is where you need to be again. Cant wait for the next installment…come on Viitorul!!!
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 20:07
Thanks for the enthusiastic support Martin, we need all the fans we can get :)
Ana Garcia
21 декабря, 2011 at 18:37
Honestly I wouldn’t beat yourself up about the champions league results!
This was your first go and it couldnt have really got more difficult with the group you had, but at least you got the group stage which is a positive and got out of debt.
If you can keep qualifying you will have access to more money and as such will be able to attract better and better players to your club so look to the future!
At least you can now concentrate on your domestic season and re-gaining your league title, good luck!!
Johnny Karp
21 декабря, 2011 at 20:07
Thanks Ana, you have described the situation and my future plans perfectly! :)
Sears
21 декабря, 2011 at 23:59
Well I’ll begin with the CL! Don’t be disheartened at all mate, your boys put up a strong fight against the best of Europe. The £6-7 million you received for qualifying for the group stages should compensate those 6 losses. Nobody expected you to pull off another miracle and qualify for the knockout stages. It’s going to take you a long time to become a force in Europe, your primary focus should be dominating the league, which your doing fantastically well in! All in all, superb work Johnny.
deedge
29 декабря, 2011 at 01:57
Respectable performance in CL. 6mil in the bank and increase in the clubs reputation. Maybe a few seasons before ur equiped to get through the group stage, maybe a couple of 3rd place finishes in the group and Europa experience over nxt few seasons. Your youthful team will progress and im sure I’ll be dominant domestically which is a great achievment in its self, i enjoy your blogs very detailed and useful in my games, I’ve got Worcester city to the championship division in England using ur barca formation
Johnny Karp
29 декабря, 2011 at 10:46
Thanks for the comment mate, I’m happy that the Barcelona tactic is working for you. I’m sure that it will take time to advance in the Champions League with my side but I do have the patience, at least for now :)
Mariano
30 декабря, 2011 at 01:54
You did very well qualifyng for the group stage and getting 6 Million, it´s sad that you lost the 6 games and many in extra time, but you stood out proud against the big ones and with a better luck you could have go to Europa League.
It was a big gap you jumped between the European teams you faced between the preliminary and the group stage.
Well done and now it´s time to win the league!
Cheers
Johnny Karp
30 декабря, 2011 at 10:11
Agreed, we definitely should win the league!
Mariano
1 января, 2012 at 00:56
Are you still sending your assistant manager to do the press conferences?
Are you letting him set up the opposition instructions or you do some extra work yourself?
Cheers
Johnny Karp
1 января, 2012 at 13:23
I still let the assistant handle those two aspects, he seems to do a pretty good job.