Dortmund vs Vauxhall (Europa League Final)
Venue: Stade de Gerland, Lyon
Attendance: 41,044
Starting line up: Jack Butland — Julian Marino, Javier Godoy, Mervin Simon, Nikao — Leandro Velasco, Radek Vecera, Graham Howson, Andrew Surman — Wellington Paulista, Parana
Team Talk: For the fans!
It was Dortmund‘s 4th Europa League final and they had lost the previous three ones! As you can see there weren’t any big stars in their team but it was a solid squad nonetheless. Here’s what happened during the game, I wrote these down in real-time in my notebook, pen to paper…
1st minute — Graham Howson shoots from the edge of the area, tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper. Corner kick cross from Velasco, Mervin Simon header, just over! So close…
3rd minute — Dortmund‘s first shot, from way out and well wide.
9th minute — Dortmund try their luck again from distance, this time it’s on target but Jack Butland holds the ball easily.
12th minute — Parana makes a determined tackle on one of their centre backs inside the midfield circle, Wellington Paulista gathers the loose ball and sprints forward… He’s at he edge of the area… Shoots… It’s in, straight into the bottom corner! It’s in! (click here to open the video)
18th minute — throw-in for Dortmund, cross into the box, Butland comes out to catch it but he misses the ball! 1-1… My God Jack, what have you done… (click here to open the video)
30th minute — free kick for Dortmund from out wide, cross into the box at the far post, header… it’s in… Jack Butland could have saved it, it went in between him and the post… Oh Jack, what have you done… I should have picked Dean Bouzanis for this game… (click here to open the video)
44th minute — corner kick in our favor, Mervin Simon header at the far post, well over the bar…
Half time stats
Half time score: 2-1
Half time team talk: Sympathise.
Half time substitutions: Kwabena Quartey for Marino, Louis Laing for Nikão, Mark Brown for Vecera
I had no choice, I had to make three substitutions at half time as all the three players that were replaced had picked up slight knocks during the opening 35 minutes.
46th minute — good through ball from Andrew Surman but the goalkeeper rushed out and blocked at Wellington Paulista‘s feet.
48th minute — the ball arrives to Mark Brown inside the area but he shoots well wide, poor shot…
54th minute — Surman crosses the ball from out wide, it goes into the six yard box, Leandro Velasco beats the keeper to it and pushes home! Get in, it’s all square! (click here to open the video)
59th minute — Louis Laing corner kick header, on target but easily held by the goalkeeper.
70th minute — Parana brought down inside the penalty area but the referee waves play on! Come on ref…
74th minute — Laing pushed inside the box, the ref waves play on again! Come on you man in black, give us a slight nudge here…
75th minute — Laing corner kick header, better this time but well saved by the goalkeeper.
81st minute — Dortmund free kick cross headed on target, well held by Butland.
84th minute — Dortmund great shot from distance, inches wide…
85th minute — good move from Dortmund, shot from inside the penalty area but straight at the keeper, Butland held on to the ball.
87th minute — corner kick cross from Leandro Velasco, Louis Laing rises above the opponents and heads on target… The keeper gets a hand to it but it’s too powerful, it’s in! Get in! Way to go Louis!!!(click here to open the video)
88th minute — Dortmund switch to 4-2-4, we change the strategy to counter
90th minute — the fourth referee indicates four minutes of injury time! Dortmund switch to 2-4-4!
90th minute +1 — Graham Howson free kick cross, Laing heads it on target again but it’s cleared off the line!
90th minute +2 — Parana plays a good through ball for Wellington, he is clean through but the shot goes inches wide…
94 minutes and 31 seconds — It’s over, it’s the final whistle! It’s over!
Full time team talk: Congratulations!
Man of the match: Leandro Velasco
Flop of the match: Jack Butland
Match Stats
We won the Europa League, I don’t think I can say more than that! And we deserved it too, we were better than Dortmund overall.
I am now listed as an icon for the club, I guess I deserve some credit :)
The last league game of the season was an opportunity to send in some backup players that might not be here next season, it was their chance to say good bye but they were unable to get more than a goalless draw.
The result was not important however, our 3rd place was already secured. Chelsea won the title, Manchester United grabbed the fourth spot at the very last moment while Wolves, Southampton and Millwall head down to the Championship.
I won the Manager of the Season award though, that was a nice surprise!
Immediately after that I received the biggest job offer yet, from Arsenal! I refused it, don’t worry, but I did waste a few seconds looking at their wage budget which is six times bigger than what I currently have at Vauxhall!
And now, the player stats for the season. I really don’t know where to start as at least 20 of my 25 players deserve special praise. Obviously the Brazilian duo in attack catches the spotlight, Zé Carlos and Parana scored 44 goals between them and provided 20 assists and all that while missing three months of the season through injury! Considering that we were only six points behind champions Chelsea at the end of the season I guess it’s safe to say that we could have mounted a serious title challenge without those two injuries.
Then the centre backs, Louis Laing, Mervin Simon and Julian Bazzi did a great job at the back and they also managed to score quite a few goals. Wellington Paulista was my secret weapon in the second part of the season, I congratulate myself for selling Connor Wickham and buying this lad in January! Then there’s Ibrahima MBow, a faithful servant to the club, he sat on the bench throughout the first part of the season and never complained and when he got his chance he banged those goals in! Veteran Andrew Surman, the oldest player in the team, scored no less than 14 goals from the left wing and provided 12 assists, probably the best season of his career. Last but not least, Leandro Velasco, the right winger was the most reliable player in the whole squad as he played in no less than 52 games, scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists. I will stop here, you can read on in the screen shot below :)
Zé Carlos nearly won the Premier League Golden Boot, he was just three goals behind Chicharito but he could easily have won this award if it wasn’t for that infamous injury.
He did win an award though, the Football Writers Footballer of the Year! Not bad for his debut Premier League season!
With a squad average age of only 21 we were bound to dominate the Young Player of the Year awards. Leandro Velasco won it with Mervin Simon and Julian Bazzi coming in second and third.
I was pleased to find out that three of my players were included in the team of the season, plus veteran Andrew Surman on the bench. I hope to have at least five next season :)
And now let’s look at the future! The planning on our youth academy was finally completed and now it was time to move on to the actual construction works, we will have a youth academy in three months!
Our training and youth facilities have also been improved but only slightly, there is still a lot of work to do in order to make these facilities at least as good as the team.
In fact, I have further improved the coaching staff but the training facilities rating is way behind the quality of the employees.
The board must be quite happy now and the shareholders as well, the club made a huge profit this season and we have around 32 million pounds in the bank! I hope that the chairman and his mates won’t get greedy now, I will constantly remind them that they still need to invest in the future of the club.
That’s how the season was folks, a fairytale year for me and my Motormen as we grabbed our first piece of important European silverware. I don’t know how much money I will have for transfers but I guess I don’t need too much as I want to bring in only three players for the first team: a left back, a left midfielder and a central midfielder. There should be a lot more players that would be interested to play for us now so I will have to be careful and not bring in too many :) Thanks a lot for reading my friends and for your constant support, if you have any requests for screen shots or anything like that feel free to ask in the comments.
Kevin
8 мая, 2011 at 21:22
Hello Johnny
Congratulations on winning the Europa League and I really enjoyed the way you set out the final for us to read. That notebook of yours must be really something by now :)
A great effort in the Premier League too and you came so close to winning it as well. The introduction of Butland was inspired even though he let you down a bit in the final. You have Vauxhall developing into a real force to be reckoned with and hopefully you can keep those two Brazilian strikers to fulfill your title ambitions. Well done!!
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:47
Hi Kevin and thanks, I’m glad that you enjoyed the thriller :) About the notebook, I bought a new one before the final, I have used up two of them since the start of the Vauxhall career! Butland got us to the final so I guess he did well enough but he could have cost us the trophy, I guess I’ll have to consider keeping him for another season.
Sayam Khan
8 мая, 2011 at 21:33
Hi Johnny,
what a season! and to do it in yourr second season in the top flight, that’s even better! Good to know about all them improvements your board is doing, your club is going in the correct direction. Excellent stuff!
Sayam Khan
8 мая, 2011 at 21:43
And yeah, you definately need a LB, Nikao is injury prone and has poor Marking & Positioning attributes. Maybe you need a new RB as well?
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:48
Marino and Quartey did pretty well in the second part of the season so I will not be looking for a new RB but I might end up buying one if if find something good and cheap :)
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:47
Thanks Sayam, it was a great season indeed.
Sibo373
8 мая, 2011 at 21:38
Well done Johnny!
That was a fantastic achievement winning the Europa League and a very interesting way of putting it, which I really enjoyed reading!
I am sure next year could be Vauxhall’s with regards to the Premier League and that should surely make you a club legend if you did that!
Could you post Butland’s stats in your next post, and will he become your 1st choice now?
Apart from all that this has been an incredible season for Vauxhall on every fron and long may it continue Mr. Karp! :D
Sibo373
8 мая, 2011 at 21:58
Sorry, I don’t need Butland’s stats, I forgot you can click on the squad names!
Could you possibly post Bojan’s stats at this point, I would like to see him at 25/26, in his fully developed years! :D
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:52
Thanks Sibo, we will be going for the title next season. Butland’s profile will be updated for the new season, I will be replacing the current screen shot with a new one like I do every season. Brazilian keeper Luis Guilherme will be joining us on a free transfer in July so I don’t know who will be number 1 yet but Butland has a good chance. I will put Bojan’s profile in the next post.
vikingmarius
8 мая, 2011 at 22:14
Wow you have done a fantastic job here, you have taken Vauxhall to new heights with the Europa League and 3rdin the league isn’t to shabby cant wait to see how you do in the transfer market and in the champions league :D
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:53
Thanks Marius. Pre-season will be essential once again, I hope that I will be able to strengthen some areas of the squad and make a good debut in the Champions League.
Erick Wolf
8 мая, 2011 at 23:12
What a post. I think the way you formatted the final was a nice way to make it a thriller!
Good season overall, and I’m very proud of the Motormen.
I can’t wait for pre-season now…
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:55
Thanks Erick, I’m pleased that you have enjoyed the thrilling final. I’m proud of the lads as well but now I’ll need to think straight and buy some better players for some positions.
Jonathan Downer
9 мая, 2011 at 00:33
A brilliant Europa championship, congratulations Johnny! I can’t wait for the preseason moves, and I’m probably not the only one who suspects you may challenge for some Champion’s League glory next year. :)
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:56
Thanks Jonathan. The Champions League might be too much for us at this point but what I can tell you is that we will surely compete for the Premier League title.
Alex
9 мая, 2011 at 00:36
Hey Johnny,
WOW! I thought you were going to win the title after seeing your great form! Brilliant Europa League win, very nervy final and thankfully you were te team that scored a late winner :).
Next season: The Treble!
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:57
Hey Alex, we did have a slight chance to win the title but I guess we showed up late at the party :) I don’t know about the treble but a double could be nice (Carling Cup plus Premier League).
Excessive
9 мая, 2011 at 00:45
Excellent Johnny that was really special!
How you managed to beat a Dortmund side that had thrashed opposition along the way I don’t know, but you did it in style.
League went great too! Hopefully you can push for a top two spot next season and maybe sneak a league title if you lads stay fit!
Cant wait to see who you bring in :)
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 06:58
Thanks Jake. Well, I don’t know how we beat Dortmund either, all I know is that we deserved it! The title will be an official target for the club next season and I think we can pull it off with a few reinforcements.
Lye
9 мая, 2011 at 02:23
Hi Johnny,
What a comeback in the final! There is no doubt you are the only winner even trailing with a goal as your team played a lot better.
This season is unlucky with those injuries. Your squad looks good to land the title. Next season will be your year. I dare to say with a couple of additions, you will win the title next year.
A lot of talented youngsters in the team and they can only get better. Can’t imagine how far they will progress next season if your training facilities is better. Looking forward to your transfers. Good luck.
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 07:00
Hi Lye and thanks, we did deserve to beat Dortmund. That is my plan, bring in three key players and win the title. I’m sure that the youngsters will become even better, hopefully none of them will be sold behind my back this summer.
Jack
9 мая, 2011 at 02:48
Phenomenal season Johnny! To win the europa league was a great achievement, shame you won’t ever be in that competition again ;) Whats great is that, judging by the screenshot, your squad still has a lot of potential! Hopefully you will be able to keep hold of your starlets and really create a legacy in Vauxhaull. Its a shame your facilities are so rubbish your players would develop even quicker then. Good luck next season! Can’t wait for the transfers post. Also could you please post a screen shot of the club legends and icons? Cheers :)
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 07:01
Thanks Jack, it was a season to remember! :) I hope that the facilities will be improved, the club has the money to do that now. I will post your requested screen shot in the next post.
JeanPaul Borg
9 мая, 2011 at 10:57
Excellent stuff as always Johnny. Great blog.
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 11:03
Thanks Jean Paul.
Darren Smith
9 мая, 2011 at 12:08
The legend does it again, probably the most enjoyable post of FM 2011, well done Johnny. That was a roller coaster ride! Congrats on winning the Europa League, that is a ridiculous achievement and also to get 3rd is outstanding. Automatic qualification to the CL and lots of money to go with :)
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 16:32
Thanks Darren, you are too kind. I don’t know if we’ll go straight to the CL group stage though, there might be a preliminary round before that.
CsAtlantis
9 мая, 2011 at 12:10
Poor Dortmund, 4th defeat in the final? Good win there Johnny, looks like your club has the money to invest in facilities, a youth academy should hopefully help improve the regens your club produces, looks like your other facilities will need some work done too
And theres the new stadium to look forward to
So, Johnny are you the only icon? Quite funny that you’re compared to yourself :P
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 16:33
Thanks for the comment CS, it was quite unfortunate for Dortmund but I guess they met the wrong team again in the final :) I am the only icon but there’s one guy that has a legend status, I don’t know him though :)
Sears
9 мая, 2011 at 12:29
Great season Johnny, success from here on will be inevitable :-p Really looking forward to your pre season post, good luck!
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 16:34
Thanks Sears, it might take a while to complete the pre-season as I want to be extra-careful on the transfer market this time.
jameswd
9 мая, 2011 at 12:44
hey johnny
what a exellent season for vauxhall it was really somthing :D Your brazillians are surely a force not to be reckond with :) i cant wait to see who you bring in for the first team, might i recoment brazillian dodo for left back, i also managed to sign di maria so he might be worth a look? im in my 8th season with middlesbrough and he’s my first choice left back and weve won the premiership coming up 6 times :D just a suggestion though mate
keep up the good work
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 16:36
Thanks James. Dodo is on my shortlist but he was quite expensive the last time I looked. Di Maria is on the shortlist as well but I doubt he’d be interested in a move to our club for the time being.
joe lance
9 мая, 2011 at 13:06
Very great season and the post itself was wow! The Europa league trophy and champions league qualification in your second (?) season in the EPL, that’s legend stuff. Congrats man!
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 16:36
Thanks Joe, I guess I managed to bring in the right players for the job.
vaibhavc
9 мая, 2011 at 13:35
Hey Johnny
What a win! The Europa League cup was something I was not expecting! I was not even expected for you to get a Champions League place. That was a great comeback as well, from 2-1 to 3-2. You are one legend!
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 16:37
Thanks Vaibhav, I wasn’t expecting to win the Europa League at the start of the season but then after we thrashed Zaragoza in the quarter final I started to think about the trophy :)
hils
9 мая, 2011 at 15:43
Hi Johnny,great end of season there!!!!!!!! Congrats on winning the europa league!!!!!!!!!! Good luck!!!!!!!
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 16:37
Thanks Hils!
Laxeyman
9 мая, 2011 at 16:09
Fantastic Johnny, what a great season! You did fantastically well in the league, and the Europa League win was fantastic, just capping off a marvellous season. Congratulations, and I reckon you can win the league next year, and hopefully you can repeat your success, only this time in the Champions League! Looking forward to seeing what you do in pre season :)
Johnny Karp
9 мая, 2011 at 16:38
Thanks Laxeyman. I doubt that we’ll reach the Champions League final since the teams in there are much better but we will try to mount a serious title challenge in the Premier League.
Ana Garcia
10 мая, 2011 at 17:25
A bit late but well done!!
I cant really add anything that has not already been said, your Brazilian duo are amazing hopefully you can keep a hold of them for the future.
Good luck Johnny!!! :)
Johnny Karp
10 мая, 2011 at 20:27
Thanks a lot Ana. I have already set asking prices of 100 million pounds on each of the two Brazilians, hopefully that will keep most of the intruders away :)
Mariano
23 мая, 2011 at 00:24
Amazing winning the Europa league defeating Juventus and Dortmund, also very nice the way you told the Final game against Dortmund!
Johnny Karp
23 мая, 2011 at 08:05
Thanks Mariano, I’m happy that you have enjoyed the post.