As expected, we grabbed more than one point in those last five league matches of the season, we nearly extended that winning streak right till the end! Unfortunately FC Timisoara held us to a draw but it was a game in which I rested most of my first team regulars for the Romanian Cup Final.
The final league table reflects our domination as we finished 15 points clear of CFR Cluj and 19 points clear of Rapid. Our numbers have improved compared to the previous seasons, here’s a quick recap:
2013-2014: 68 points, 61 goals scored, 32 goals against
2014-2015: 74 points, 70 goals scored, 28 goals against
2015-2016: 86 points, 73 goals scored, 24 goals against
The Romanian Cup Final was coming up and I have to say that we were strong favourites to win it because we were about to face a Second Division team, FC Brasov. However, I still remember that this team had knocked us out of the Romanian Cup in 2014 and they were in the Second Division back then as well!
FC Brasov vs Viitorul (Romanian Cup Final)
Starting Line Up: Octavian Ormenisan — Ionut Peteleu, Michael Vesely, Georgica Dicu, Danut Gongolea — Martin Lukac, Mihai Onicas, Nenad Grumic — Rodolfo Oliver, Rastislav Benko, Daniel Mazzoni
We started the game in style and could have scored after just 3 minutes but Rodolfo Oliver was denied by the goalkeeper at the end of a spectacular run. The goal did come seven minutes later when midfielder Martin Lukac curled in a beautiful shot from the edge of the area to hand us the lead. The pressure continued at the right end of the pitch and Daniel Mazzoni doubled our advantage on 22 minutes with a powerful shot from an almost impossible angle. Rastislav Benko could have added another goal just three minutes later but his finish was disappointing.
The second half was rather quiet for a while but Brasov pulled one back right out of nowhere on 72 minutes with a fabulous shot. We could have restored the two-goal lead a few minutes later but substitute Milton Mella squandered a huge chance. We nearly paid the price for that two minutes from time when another hopeful shot from Brasov nearly led to a stunning equaliser. That didn’t happen though and we clinched our second consecutive domestic double.
Match highlights:click here to watch
The player stats are looking a lot better this season with a splendid attacking trio doing a fantastic job: Rodolfo Oliver (13 goals and 9 assists), Rastislav Beno (25 goals and 11 assists) and Daniel Mazzoni (11 goals and 10 assists). I’m also extremely pleased to see new signing Georgica Dicu slotting right into the team and producing excellent performances right away alongside young left back Danut Gongolea.
Here are this season’s awards:
The finances are still looking good and will get even better one we receive the TV rights money for the new season (around 2 million pounds).
We’ll also have a new stadium at the end of next season, I’m looking forward to that, while the youth facilities will be improved a bit earlier.
Before wrapping up I have to report that I didn’t manage to take the Romanian Under 19 team to the European Championship, we finished 3rd in the qualification group after a disappointing defeat against Georgia. I haven’t resigned yet but I guess I’ll do that because I don’t think I can achieve more at the helm of that team mostly because I can’t rely on a constant player pool due to the age restrictions.
That’s how it was my friends, we went unbeaten after the winter break and only recorded one draw and I believe that this is the season that establishes our domination in Romania. The next step is to do a bit more in Europe and I guess it won’t happen suddenly but the foundation seems in place. Thanks a lot for reading, feel free to share your thoughts below.
Laxeyman
21 января, 2012 at 14:22
Great season Johnny, your side are now completely dominating the Romanian League, you’ve built by far and away the best team in the country :) I don’t think it’ll be long before you translate your success onto the European stage, hopefully it can be next year :D
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 16:22
Thanks mate, I’m not sure about next year but we’ll get there, step by step ;)
denson
21 января, 2012 at 14:24
Good Season Johnny!
I was just wondering are you planning on leaving Viitorul and when ?
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 16:22
Thanks mate. I will leave only after we win the Champions League so that might be a long, long time from now.
Alex
21 января, 2012 at 18:46
Thought so, you’re not the sort to be hasty in leaving a club.
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 20:54
I’m a faithful guy in general: just one wife so far and only a few jobs :)
Sears
21 января, 2012 at 14:30
Great season Johnny! You absolutely dominated the league, and that domination should be continued from here on. Hopefully you can improve in Europe next season, good luck!
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 16:22
Thanks Sears, Europe is our next target ;)
Kevin
21 января, 2012 at 14:48
Hi Johnny
Another excellent season and the stats prove how well you have built this team up over the last three seasons. Lets hope this can translate into a better Champions League effort next season as I know that must be your top priority now?
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 16:23
Thanks Kevin, the Champions League is my top priority now but we’ll have to make sure of keeping the domestic battlefield under control as well.
vaibhavc
21 января, 2012 at 15:36
Another wonderful season Johnny, well done. The stats show how you have improved in the past years. Next time, continue this type of form in the Champions League please!
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 16:24
Thanks Vaibhav, I hope we’ll have such a winning streak in Europe someday.
billy
21 января, 2012 at 17:10
Congrats on winning ur third consecutive league title and the Cup. How do u find young players with so much potential.
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 18:01
Thanks mate. About the players, the scouts do the finding, I just sign them ;)
billy
21 января, 2012 at 18:10
ok thanks. what formation do u use.
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 18:32
4-3-3, details here: https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2011/10/download-barcelona-tactic-for-fm-2012/
billy
22 января, 2012 at 00:47
ok thanks is there any way u could send me ur saved Game.
Johnny Karp
22 января, 2012 at 10:36
I can do that but since I’ve already advanced into pre-season last night I guess the best way would be to upload the save game in my next update, OK?
nielsneutron
21 января, 2012 at 17:17
Great run Johnny you should be proud.
However why not stay with the U19 squad it could let you try out new players for your team.
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 18:02
Thanks mate. I will think about the U19 job but I’m inclined to resign because that would give me more time to focus on Viitorul.
Woody
21 января, 2012 at 18:26
your side dominated the second half of the season
hopefully next season you’ll do better in the champions league instead of / as well as dominating domestic
anyway good luck and well done
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 18:33
Thanks Woody, I hope we’ll get our first CL win next season.
Alex
21 января, 2012 at 18:43
Obviously that was a fantastic finish to the season. Dicu’s attributes look brilliant and he should develop into a quality centre half. My only concern is his determination of 8, I just hope that doesn’t hold him back. I look forward to seeing how you build on this next season.
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 20:54
Thanks Alex. Dicu’s determination is a concern for me as well but his other attributes are very good, especially the physical and mental ones.
Darren Smith
21 января, 2012 at 19:21
Well done Johnny, that was a stunning second half to the season as you destroyed everyone in your path. I can steadily feel the domestic domination rising and that new Romanian defender is insane for his age, he’ll be a national hero in years to come let alone a hero for Viitroul.
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 20:55
Thanks Darren, I’m quite confident that we’ll be dominating the domestic scene from now on but hopefully we’ll manage to make some sort of progress in Europe as well.
TheZiggy
21 января, 2012 at 20:11
Fantastic second half of the season, showing total domination. For once the safety belt was not required. You’ve done a great job. Dicu looks tremendous for his age and will be an undoubted star for the club, well worth the 3.5 million in my opinion.
Johnny Karp
21 января, 2012 at 20:56
Thanks Ziggy, I could have grabbed Dicu for less a year back but I didn’t have that money at the time.
CsAtlantis
22 января, 2012 at 00:37
That’s a huge win streak Johnny, well done in winning the league and cup again (Brasov were pretty resilient in the final for a Second Division team)
Good to see that your new stadium and youth facilities will be ready soon, just have to keep going at Europe and hope for a simpler draw
Maybe you can try the Romanian U21s or go for the full international team Johnny if a spot opens up?
Johnny Karp
22 января, 2012 at 10:35
Thanks mate. I’d surely take the U21 job or the senior national team ;)
Malhar Bhadbhade
22 января, 2012 at 05:46
hey Johhny,
after the beginning of the season, i was in no doubt whatsoever that you would wrap up the league comfortably. the winning streak certainly helped, quite amazing!!! as you say, you are now comfortably the best team in romania, an europe looms as the next massive challenge. all the best for that, and hopefully you can make it to the europa league next season. btw. do you get a direct entry into the champions league group stages? sorry, i forgot :P
Johnny Karp
22 января, 2012 at 10:37
Thanks Malhar. We have to go through three qualifying rounds before the group stage but I don’t worry too much about those since we will probably meet weaker sides.
Frank
22 января, 2012 at 16:01
Hi Johnny,
Congratulations on winning the double. Now that you are the dominant force in Romania you can focus more on the Champions League next season. Good luck :)
Johnny Karp
22 января, 2012 at 17:37
Thanks mate, I hope we will have a bit more luck in the CL.
billy
22 января, 2012 at 18:08
Thanks I will be waiting for ur next update
Bhargav
23 января, 2012 at 06:50
Fantastic Johnny! Congrats on the double. You have put some real distance between you and the rest of the league. It’s just a matter of time before all of Europe fears you!
Johnny Karp
23 января, 2012 at 09:23
Thanks mate, I hope that time will come sooner rather than later ;)
Calin
23 января, 2012 at 07:02
Congrats on winning the title, I don’t think anybody doubted it, but you’ve dominated with so much style that you should be proud of yourself. Signing Georgica was a great piece of business, he is an incredible lad even though you had to pay a pretty big price for him. But I’m sure he’ll return the favor and bring in even better performances than this season. Hopefully, you’ll be able to hold on him for many seasons from now.
Johnny Karp
23 января, 2012 at 09:23
Thanks Calin, I’ve already slapped a 20 million price tag on Dicu so I hope the big clubs will stay away for a while.
Martin - F.M.J.S
23 января, 2012 at 13:49
Another great season mate. I hope that you can build your side now ready for the CL next season and get close to qualifying for the First Round Knockout stage?
Johnny Karp
23 января, 2012 at 14:42
Thanks Martin, I hope so too. I don’t think that we’ll be reaching the CL knockout stage soon, I’d be happy to finish third or at least get our first group win.
Martin - F.M.J.S
24 января, 2012 at 08:25
I agree mate but I just wanted to set the bar a bit higher :)
John Martin
23 января, 2012 at 21:42
another great season there mate. You’ve made this save into my favrouite story at the moment!
Johnny Karp
24 января, 2012 at 07:34
Thanks mate, that’s nice to hear.
Martin Pickard
25 января, 2012 at 11:45
Great post as per Johnny and now you seem to be in the same position as me…easily winning the league but doing not so well in Europe…I’m sure with all the champions league money coming in you’ll be able to bridge the gap between the two in no time! Keep you the good work…I’m looking forward to the next update
Johnny Karp
25 января, 2012 at 14:43
Thanks Martin, I have a lot less money then you but fortunately I don’t have to pay huge salaries to guys like Eto’o and company :)