Hi there folks, I’m happy to be finally able to bring you a new episode of my Football Manager 2012 story! It’s my 12th season in charge of Viitorul Constanta as we keep trying to push the club to the summit of European football. We have seen some players coming and going during the summer but overall the squad seemed at least as strong as it was last season. Let’s see if that prediction was confirmed in the first half of the campaign.
As you remember we were seeded first for the Champions League group stage draw and that placed us in a group with AC Milan, Shakhtar Donetsk and Sparta Prague. The first game was against AC Milan, the team that we have defeated last season in the quarter finals.
Viitorul vs AC Milan (Champions League Group C)
Starting Line Up: Nicolas Salva — Tomislav Djurdjek, Xavier Dumont, Georgica Dicu, Sebastien Verdier — Yasen Zlatinski, Maximiliano Ceballos, Alin Dicher — Juan Cruz Argenti, Rastislav Benko, Dramane Sow
We started the game very well and the spell of domination was converted into a goal after just 14 minutes when Dicher smashed home after Sow had struck the post. The midfielder did a great job again after nine minutes when he played a superb pass for Benko who rounded the keeper before settling the ball into the back of the net. It was a display of total domination and AC Milan were reduced to sparring partners until half time.
The second half was comfortably quiet, the ball was almost always in our possession. Argenti could have increased our advantage five minutes from time but his header came back off the crossbar. A good result and a great display, I was quite happy.
Match Highlights:click here to watch
The following match saw us beating Sparta Prague easily thanks to a Manoel brace and then we dispatched Shakhtar Donetsk with ease. Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Sparta Prague on that day and they repeated themselves in the next match day as they drew 2-2 in Prague. We didn’t take full advantage though as a complacent display left us with just 1 point in Donetsk.
So, we were leading the group with 10 points after four games, Milan were second with 5 points, Shakhtar third with 3 and Sparta last with 2 points. Our qualification was no longer in doubt but we needed one more point to secure top spot.
AC Milan vs Viitorul (Champions League Group C)
Starting Line Up: Nicolas Salva — Tomislav Djurdjek, Xavier Dumont, Georgica Dicu, Sebastien Verdier — Yasen Zlatinski, Maximiliano Ceballos, Kamel Ben Yahia — Rastislav Benko, Manoel, Dramane Sow
I wanted to get that point in Milan but the news were not good before the game: Juan Cruz Argenti picked up a bad knock and he was going to be out for three months. As for the game, it was utterly boring. AC Milan scored following a throw-in and we were unable to create any clear chances until the 88th minutes when substitute Jerome Vrignaud missed the target from a great position. Sparta defeated Shakhtar 4-0 in the other match so we were through to the next round but we needed a win in the last match to secure top spot.
Match Highlights:click here to watch
We secured that win easily, Sparta Prague were no match for our strength.
So, we finished top of the group again and that’s a confirmation of last season’s display in the Champions League.
We even had some luck in the first round draw this time as we will meet Anderlecht, probably the easiest opponent we could get at this stage.
On the domestic front things were easier than ever. We cruised through to the semi finals of the Romanian Cup…
… and won all 18 league matches! My memory might be failing, but I don’t remember such a good first half of the domestic season.
62 goals scored, just 3 conceded, 18 straight wins… We’re having a lot of fun there :)
Most lads have been playing well, I’m happy with their contribution. There is only one who might be leaving the club in January and that is midfielder Kamel Ben Yahia. He is good but very fragile, he gets injured constantly and even though I am a patient man I can’t afford paying his wages and the hospital bills at the same time.
The club remains in a solid financial situation, there is money left for transfers but I doubt I’ll find good enough players to spend it on.
Our reputation is still «national» and that is my biggest problem along with the small capacity of our stadium. For some reason I’m not able to ask the board for an expansion or for a new stadium, I guess I’ll have to wait some more for that request to be made available again. Apart from that, we have great facilities and that might even help with the reputation increase.
That’s about it for now my friends, I hope you have enjoyed the update and I’m looking forward to your comments.
Tegar Triemanudigdo
2 июля, 2012 at 13:41
Well, that was way too awesome there! The domestic season simply too easy for you now and the continental competition is looking good so far. The only problem is the reputation which I think you can manage to lift it up someday.
Anyway, can’t wait your next journey in Champions League.
Johnny Karp
2 июля, 2012 at 14:48
Thanks mate, I hope the reputation will increase if we keep winning some games in the Champions League.
Malhar Bhadbhade
2 июля, 2012 at 14:30
hi Johnny,
you’re doing an absolutely brilliant job! you’ve done an amazing job to get the team this far and you seem to be reaping the rewards of your patience now. Hopefully you go all the way in the Champions League this time. Domestic season has almost become like pre-season friendlies I guess…not enough competition to even challenge for the title. well anyway, good luck with next season :) Cheers!
Johnny Karp
2 июля, 2012 at 14:48
Thanks Malhar, I’d be happy to reach the semi finals again but I wouldn’t say no to the final ;)
Dan
2 июля, 2012 at 15:19
Hi Johnny,
Seems there’s only 1 team playing in Romania at the moment and as for the CL it seems your hard work has rewarded you with luck. Anderlecht is a really nice draw for you. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
2 июля, 2012 at 15:22
Thanks.
Calin
2 июля, 2012 at 16:10
You’re ruling the league and you had a great run in the Champions League. Anderlecht is indeed a good opponent and you should have no problems getting past them… but I know that winning the final is your goal and hopefully you will be able to achieve it this season.
Regarding the stadium expansion, maybe it’s a bug in the game that doesn’t allow you to ask for an expansion or a new stadium… and that really sucks!
But good luck with your quest of winning the Champions League!
Johnny Karp
2 июля, 2012 at 20:52
Thanks Calin, I’m quite sure we’ll get past Anderlecht but from that point on it surely will be as tough as it gets.
Matt Clark
2 июля, 2012 at 16:48
The league just seems to easy for you now and with the quality your team has the champions league should be very close.
As for the stadium the game has a 20 year rule which you cannot make stadium requests until 20 game years after the stadium has been built.
Johnny Karp
2 июля, 2012 at 20:52
Thanks Matt. Are you really sure about that 20-year rule?
saltwater
2 июля, 2012 at 17:58
18 consecutive league wins? That’s incredible! Even by your impossible-to-reach high standards! You’ve definetley got the quality to win all the league games, but God knows how you kept out the complacency, especially after going to places like the San Siro on a weekly basis! Great Job!
I’m still defiant that it will be this season — the Champions League will be yours. All your players seem are rising up to the plate (hopefully the recently underperforming argenti too) and I don’t see anything other than a succsessful season. Get ready for the headlines: ROMANIAN TREBLE WINNERS
Johnny Karp
2 июля, 2012 at 20:53
Haha, thanks for the confidence mate. As for complacency, I think I managed to avoid that by constantly changing the starting line up. I sent in the backup players in most league matches, they might have been keen on proving themselves and that probably produced the results.
TheZiggy
2 июля, 2012 at 18:43
Now that’s what I call dominating in the league. Only conceding 3 goals over the first 18 matches is amazing.
The Champions League form was pretty good too, so hopefully it’s going to be another long run in the competition.
Johnny Karp
2 июля, 2012 at 20:54
Thanks Ziggy, I’m pleased with how things have gone so far and I hope we’ll do at least slightly better than last season.
Kevin
2 июля, 2012 at 19:38
Hi Johnny
Superb effort on the home front in what is now a totally one-sided domestic competition. Still to go undefeated like that is no mean feat in and of itself. I’m delighted to see you topping the group in the Champions League and a very nice draw with Anderlecht should see you into the Quarter Finals.
Johnny Karp
2 июля, 2012 at 20:55
Thanks Kevin, I’m quite confident that we’ll get to the quarter finals but my goal is to reach the semi finals again and that will surely be tough.
Laxeyman
2 июля, 2012 at 21:39
Incredible stuff Johnny! You are totally tearing apart the domestic league, which just shows how much better you are than every other team in the country :) Going great in the CL too, you can definitely beat Anderlecht, and I think you will. Good luck!
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 13:12
Thanks mate, the Romanian teams are just sparring partners now, but the important stuff is in the Champions League.
Martin F.M.J.S
2 июля, 2012 at 22:11
Some brilliant form on the domestic side you are unstoppable. The CL has also been good and the draw was nice and I can see you going through to the next round mate. I hope it will continue and bring you through to the final of the CL mate. :D
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 13:12
Thanks Martin, I hope we will get to that final sooner or later.
silva
2 июля, 2012 at 23:46
Great season so far Johnny. Good luck on your way to the CL Final
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 13:13
Thanks mate.
Ana Garcia
3 июля, 2012 at 00:25
I fear that rule on your stadium might just be true that Matt has highlighted to in the comments however I think your chairman/board can upgrade the stadium when they like you just cant request them to do so.
I thought it was 10 years or 15 but 20 seems a bit excessive maybe something to review in the future game. ;)
I guess the only way for your reputation to increase is to win the champions league! I know how annoying it is but at least you can look at your first half results to cheer you up!
18 wins is incredible, you are raising the bar even higher in Romania if that’s possible and have a pretty favourable draw in the knock out stage of the champions league so far so good!
Best of luck Johnny. :)
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 13:15
Thanks for the clarification Ana. About the reputation, I’d like to see it increased before I win the Champions League, in order to attract better players which could win me the Champions League! :D Anyway, I still have lots of patience :)
Lye
3 июля, 2012 at 01:47
The standard of football display from your team is from another universe. It’s just routine to win the league nowadays. You are far too strong for the rest of the teams. Good draw on the CL. No doubt you have a great chance to go all the way this season. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 13:16
Thanks Lye, it’s true that we are teaching the other Romanian teams some football but unfortunately they don’t seem to be learning :D
vaibhavc
3 июля, 2012 at 07:05
Your team has improved so much since the beginning, you have done a fantastic job! You can find out why you can’t get an expansion or buy a new stadium by hovering over the greyed out item for 4-5 seconds. It gives you the reason.
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 13:17
Oh, thanks a lot for that information Vaibhav!
joel
3 июля, 2012 at 08:08
great achievement.. what tactics do you use?
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 13:17
Thanks. I use this tactic, with its two versions: https://www.footballmanagerstory.com/2011/10/download-barcelona-tactic-for-fm-2012/
Acss
3 июля, 2012 at 13:03
Nice work Johnny, your squad looks better and better. You have a great chance against Anderlecht and I hope you get an easier opponent in the next round.
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 13:18
Thanks buddy, I doubt we’ll get an easy opponent in the quarter final but I hope we’re prepared for any team.
Darren Smith
3 июля, 2012 at 20:10
Well done Johnny, that domestic form is simply stunning and the Champions League does feel much closer this year also, you should certainly pass by the Belgians in your next round.
Johnny Karp
3 июля, 2012 at 21:08
Thanks Darren. I’m not afraid of Anderlecht but of the teams that might come after that.
Sears
3 июля, 2012 at 22:42
Excellent form both domestically and on the European front. Anderlecht won’t be an easy game as people may think , but saying that , you should progress to the quarter finals. Best of luck buddy :)
Johnny Karp
4 июля, 2012 at 07:12
Thanks Sears. Anderlecht won’t be 100% easy, I agree, but they are the weakest opponents we could get at this stage.
Ben
3 июля, 2012 at 23:59
Great form in all competitions. You should beat Anderlecht and although the draw will get tougher I think this will be your year. :)
Johnny Karp
4 июля, 2012 at 07:12
Thanks for the confidence Ben.
CsAtlantis
4 июля, 2012 at 05:18
Anderlecht seems simple enough for the knockout rounds, depending on who you come up against I think this could be your year Johnny, your finances are great and your team is dominating the domestic scene!
Good luck in the Champions League, and hopefully your reputation improves this year
Johnny Karp
4 июля, 2012 at 07:12
Thanks mate, I hope we will make some progress on the reputation front.
Bhargav
4 июля, 2012 at 15:54
Solid start. I’m sure another Romanian double is on the way. Excellent job in the Champions League. I would be surprised if you didn’t make it to the semi’s.
Johnny Karp
5 июля, 2012 at 08:10
Thanks for the confidence Bhargav. I’m quite sure of the double as well, but not that sure about making it to the semi finals ;)