And now… the finals! First we had to meet Tottenham in the FA Cup final and I guess that was the perfect ending to a domestic season that saw the two teams fighting for the Premier League title. However, we had an advantage as we had just clinched the title and we also had beaten the Spurs in both matches: 3-2 at home in December and 1-0 away in April. Their line up was as strong as ever though with wonder-keeper David De Gea between the sticks, a rock-solid defense and a phenomenal strikeforce with Higuain and Dzeko. As far as we were concerned I fielded my best possible eleven even though I thought about resting a few players for the Champions League final. I decided against that eventually, mainly because some of my backups are not good enough to play such an important game.
Tottenham vs Vauxhall (FA Cup Final)
Venue: Wembley
Attendance: 90,000
Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Julian Marino, Mervin Simon, Marat Bykov, Pierre Touya — Leandro Velasco, Indio, Marcos Fernandez, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Parana
Team Talk: You can win today!
7th minute — Leandro Velasco playes a fine ball over the top, Zé Carlos is clean through behind Tottenham‘s defense… but he is stopped with an illegal tackle! It has to be a red card! And it is, centre back Lovren is sent off!
31st minute — (that’s right, everything was dead-quiet until then) Dzeko manages to get in a header on a corner kick but it was straight into the keeper’s arms.
32nd minute — Leandro Velasco weaves past two defenders, he can try his luck from the edge of the area… left footed… weak shot, easily held by the goalkeeper.
36th minute — Marcos Fernandez plays a lovely through pass for left winger Tiago inside the penalty area, Tiago crosses into the six-yard box… and Zé Carlos finds the back of the net with a first-time finish! Well done! (click here to open the video)
Half time score: 0-1
Half time team talk: For the fans!
Half time substitutions: Walid Mechergui for Tiago
Half time stats
52nd minute — Tottenham midfielder Lucas tries his luck from 25 yards… easily held.
53rd minute — Left back Pierre Touya bends a good cross inside the box, Velasco gets the header on target… but De Gea holds the ball.
60th minute — Lovely move from Tottenham, Higuain has time and space to shoot from an angle… but Luis Guilherme dives and tips the ball behind for a corner.
61st minute — The last two substitutions, Abdallah Yaisien for Velasco and Robert Ackermann for Indio.
69th minute — Yaisien tries his luck from the edge of the area but the shot is straight at the keeper.
71st minute — Tottenham substitute centre back Toro makes a wild two-footed tackle on Parana! Come on ref, it’s another red! And it is, Toro is sent off!
74th minute — Gareth Bale tries an unlikely free kick shot from 40 yards out… Not bad, it went inches wide…
77th minute — Clever little cross from Marcos Fernandez, Zé Carlos meets it at the near post… and it’s in! Get in! (click here to open the video)
87th minute — Fernandez bends in a free kick cross, Marat Bykov jumps… and thumps in the header! 3-0, it’s all over! (click here to open the video)
90th minute — Fine move from my lads, Walid Mechergui is unmarked at seven yards… but his shot is diverted by the goalkeeper.
Full time team talk: Congratulations!
Man of the match: Zé Carlos
Flop of the match: Parana
Match Stats
We have won the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history, that demanded a celebration :)
But there was no champagne this time either, we still had the Champions League final to look forward to. As I expected, Jose Mourinho made some wise comments again saying that he doesn’t really like me. The feeling is mutual, the only difference is that I don’t speak about my feelings to the media…
Man City… One of the few teams that had beaten us this season, they clinched a narrow 2-1 victory when we last met them, that was in February. They were the Champions League holders and probably the team that was dominating the competition since they had also won it in 2016 B.M. (that’s Before Mourinho). Their team was probably at least as good as Tottenham, with a fantastic Joe Hart between the sticks, a solid defense, an industrious midfield and a fabulous Belfodil as a lone striker. On the other hand I made three changes in my team: Louis Laing instead of Mervin Simon in defense as Laing appeared to be fresher, Robert Ackermann instead of Marcos Fernandez in midfield also for fitness reasons and last but not least Ibrahima MBow instead of suspended Parana upfront.
Manchester City vs Vauxhall (Champions League Final)
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,361
Starting line up: Luis Guilherme — Julian Marino, Louis Laing, Marat Bykov, Pierre Touya — Leandro Velasco, Indio, Robert Ackermann, Tiago — Zé Carlos, Ibrahima MBow
Team Talk: For the fans!
2nd minute — Fierce shot from midfielder MacDonald… it comes back off the crossbar… but it bounces off Pierre Touya‘s back… and rolls into the back of the net… Damn, that’s exactly what I call a nightmare start! (click here to open the video)
7th minute — Man City counter attack, Belfodil finds room for a shot but he blazes it over.
10th minute — Robert Ackermann bends in a great cross… Leandro Velasco jumps and heads it… just wide…
14th minute — Tiago tries a powerful shot from the edge of the area, over the bar.
20th minute — There is more and more pressure on Man City‘s defense. Ackermann tries a header from 10 yards but it’s too weak and Joe Hart holds the ball easily.
22nd minute — Belfodil eases past Louis Laing and fires… into the side netting.
27th minute — Throw-in for Man City… it’s a long one into our box… Right winger Barreto cushions it, turns and fires it into the roof of the net… Damn, this is getting worse… (click here to open the video)
32nd minute — Ackermann is quite lively, he tries his luck from the edge of the area but the ball sails over the crossbar.
37th minute — Great play from left winger Tiago, he creates room for a cross, drills it into the six yard box… Zé Carlos is there… shoots… fantastic save from Joe Hart!
38th minute — Belfodil plays it past Laing again but the shot goes over the bar.
40th minute — Left winger Yavar tries his luck from 20 yards for Man City, easily held.
42nd minute — Leandro Velasco bends in a good-looking free kick cross, Marat Bykov powers the header… just over!
Half time score: 2-0
Half time team talk: For the fans!
Half time substitutions: Mervin Simon for Laing, Marcos Fernandez for Indio
Half time stats
55th minute — Zé Carlos plays a perfect through pass for Ibrahima MBow, he’s clean through… enters the penalty area… and shoots… just wide! Come on…
62nd minute — Tiago has time and space to shoot from 10 yards… fantastic save from Hart once again…
65th minute — Abdallah Yaisien comes in for Tiago
71st minute — Disaster strikes! Marat Bykov comes limping off the pitch and we can’t make any more substitutions. What should I do? I decided to leave things as they were, that means a risky 3-4-2 module but we had to score while losing 3-0 instead of 2-0 doesn’t really change too much.
79th minute — Good chance for Yaisien… but Joe Hart is unbeatable…
87th minute — Free kick from the edge of the area, Marcos Fernandez steps up… but fires just wide…
93rd minute — The cherry on the cake, Robert Ackermann gets injured so we finish the game with only nine players.
Full time team talk: Disappointing.
Man of the match: Zé Carlos
Flop of the match: Louis Laing
Match Stats
So, we did a double instead of a treble… Reaching the Champions League final at this point was a good achievement but I do regret not winning it as we were the better team on that particular evening. But you have to score if you want to win, we failed to do that and we paid the price.
As you can see from the stats Russian centre back Marat Bykov was our best player this season, he scoerd 11 goals and provided five assists while Zé Carlos came in second with his impressive tally of 32 goals and 16 assists. Parana did a very good job too while Leandro Velasco was as reliable as ever. There are a few players that will leave the club this summer, I’ll try to make a quick list here: Jack Butland, Wellington Paulista, Ravel Morrison, John Fleck and probably Radek Vecera if I’ll manage to sign a great Brazilian midfielder that I’ve been chasing last summer as well. In terms of transfers in, I want to buy a centre back, a striker and probably a better backup as a right/left winger.
The club is doing pretty well in terms of finances, the shareholders will surely get some benefits again this summer. I will be trying to persuade the board to make some further investments in the training and youth facilities, I guess they won’t be able to refuse me after a double :)
That’s about it for now my friends, thanks a lot for reading and for showing your support throughout this tense season. The next post will be about my job as Argentina manager, the Copa America is coming up and I’m quite curious to see if I can win it. Until then, I’m looking forward to reading your comments. You can always ask questions or make screen shot requests, you know that ;)
Darren Smith
18 июня, 2011 at 17:43
Wow Johnny, that was an amazing season and to do the double is fantastic. Your reputation must be growing every year and I can’t imagine many limits in terms of players to bid for. A real shame to lose in the CL, but its always tough playing two finals in three days…your getting closer and maybe even due the European crown next season. Amazing achievement and I can’t wait to see what the transfer window brings.
Johnny Karp
18 июня, 2011 at 19:23
Thanks Darren. I surely want to win the Champions League next season and if I’ll manage to bring in the players that I want I believe I have a pretty good chance :)
Sears
18 июня, 2011 at 17:47
Aww, pity you lost to City, but congrats on a domestic double! Ze Carlos and Parana are amazing…. Hope you manage the players you want, if u do, I don’t see why u can’t win the Champions League next season. Really looking forward to your pre season post, good luck bud :-)
Johnny Karp
18 июня, 2011 at 19:23
Thanks Sears, the Champions League will be my main target next season.
vaibhavc
18 июня, 2011 at 17:51
Hey Johnny
That was a great season even with the Champions League final loss. I guess you can’t win them all. I wonder who you will sign in the pre-season, I am looking forward to your new players. Congratulations on the FA Cup win as well!
Johnny Karp
18 июня, 2011 at 19:24
Thanks Vaibhav, I will try to bring in a few top quality players.
Laxeyman
18 июня, 2011 at 19:12
Fantastic season Johnny, shame you couldn’t round it off with victory in the CL Final, but still, a wonderful season, so well done! Hopefully next season you can go one better, and I’m curious to see if you get this brilliant Brazilian :)
Johnny Karp
18 июня, 2011 at 19:25
Thanks Laxeyman, that Brazilian is not my priority but I will surely try to snatch him if I’ll have some money left.
Ana Garcia
18 июня, 2011 at 19:51
LoL!
Nice to see your feud with Mourinho continue!! Dont worry Johnny I am on your side! :)
Really well done on winning the league and in style by scoring a hundred goals, and well done on winning the FA cup.
A shame about the Champions league but you did play well so just put it down to a bit of bad luck, hopefully you can avenge this for next season!
Good luck!
Johnny Karp
18 июня, 2011 at 20:04
Thanks for being on my side Ana, I’m keen on teaching that arrogant man a lesson next season ;)
vikingmarius
18 июня, 2011 at 20:33
Congrats on a great League and Cup double, but you were desperately unlicky not to get the champions league and you should get it next season :)
Johnny Karp
18 июня, 2011 at 21:10
Thanks Marius, I guess «desperately unlucky» describes it pretty well :)
Sibo
18 июня, 2011 at 22:46
Amazing season Johnny, shame about the CL final but everything else was incredible! I am sure next season you will be able to win it all, as long as Mourinho isn’t there to spoil the party again… ;-)
Johnny Karp
19 июня, 2011 at 00:35
Thanks Sibo, I think I’m going to take care of Mourinho next season :)
Sherlock
18 июня, 2011 at 22:56
hey very gd story my favourite one at of the lot my question lol what are your transfer targets for next season.
Johnny Karp
19 июня, 2011 at 00:37
Thanks for the comment, you will know about my transfers soon. I already mentioned the positions that I want to strengthen but I can’t tell you which players exactly because I have quite a few names on my shortlist.
CsAtlantis
19 июня, 2011 at 03:11
A double is a great achievement Johnny, I think both teams were pretty close in terms of goalscoring chances, and Man City were more clinical
Congratulations on winning the league again!
Johnny Karp
19 июня, 2011 at 09:25
Thanks CS.
Kevin
19 июня, 2011 at 10:23
Hi Johnny
A very unlucky end to what otherwise was a terrific and exciting season. Congrats on achieving the double and i’m sure we will see Vauxhall back in the CL Final next season
Johnny Karp
19 июня, 2011 at 11:13
Thanks Kevin, I hope we will win that final sooner or later.
Erick Wolf
19 июня, 2011 at 11:52
Unlucky to lose to City. I think it was the early goal that put the pressure on your lads.
Anyway, congratulations on the double, and one more thing.
You should try signing that damn Joe Hart!
Erick Wolf
19 июня, 2011 at 11:54
By the way, could you post a screenshot of Zeli Ismail?
He plays for Wolves..
Johnny Karp
19 июня, 2011 at 13:17
Thanks Erick. Joe Hart is just too expensive and I already have a very good keeper. I will post the screen shot in the next update, no problem.
Lye
19 июня, 2011 at 13:02
Hi Johnny,
Congratulations, fantastic results and very good end to the season winning the double. When i saw Man City beat Barcelona, i was secretly happy for you as i thought you are always the one who can deny Man City and Jose Mourinho. It was an unlucky loss in the CL final. There is always next season to look out for. Next season you will win the CL.
Johnny Karp
19 июня, 2011 at 13:18
Thanks Lye, I’ll do my best to win the CL next time.
joelance
19 июня, 2011 at 13:11
Didnt win the UCL but a double is still a fantastic achievement. Tough luck with the goals you conceeded in the final too. You can always win it next season though. Good work.
Johnny Karp
19 июня, 2011 at 13:18
Thanks for the encouragement mate.
Sayam Khan
20 июня, 2011 at 17:21
Ooo Johnny! Sooo close to the treble, but like you said, you need to take your chances! Despite missing out on the CL, it’s been a very successful season for you. Sad to see Wellington Paulista is in your ‘out’ list, I have a soft spot for him and he has proved he is a goalscorer. Anyway, good luck in pre season!
Johnny Karp
20 июня, 2011 at 21:22
Thanks Sayam. Wellington Paulista did pretty well when I needed him but I believe that we can find a much better striker to keep Parana and Ze Carlos on their toes.
Martin
20 июня, 2011 at 20:28
Hey Johnny! Fantastic! Well done on a second Premier League title and what a way to win it…6-1 against Manchester United :(. Congrats also on the FA Cup…always a nice one to win. Great effort in the Champions League…2-0 against Manchester City isnt bad…you managed to get to the final…thats some achievement.
Looking forward to the Pre-season update…always nice to see the transfer part :)
Johnny Karp
20 июня, 2011 at 21:22
Thanks Martin! You will have to wait for a while, I’ll be posting the Copa America update first and then the transfer report ;)
Martin
20 июня, 2011 at 21:29
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Stromson
22 июня, 2011 at 03:16
Oh no! So close you (we) could almost taste the victory, only to be snatched away by those greedy Blues (sorry Jake). At least you won the league and the FA Cup, that’s consolation right? right? Okay not really, but still, this was an excellent season for Vauxhall and you’ll have a terrifying squad next season. Looking forward to the next update!
Johnny Karp
22 июня, 2011 at 06:43
Thanks Stromo. I wasn’t too disappointed, the Premier League was the main goal and I regarded the Champions League as a bonus for now. But next season we’ll have to win it.