Good afternoon folks.
It has been a while since I've ventured out of the off topic forum, but I recently saw a few interesting points in this here thread.
I thought I would share my experiences with the Old Lady as I think i'm doing ok, but I'm in a bit of a transition period. So......
My expereience of Italian football is mostly poor. I have a good enough knowledge of the big teams, but I thought that it would be a challenge to take over Juventus after several long bouts with Wolves (Mon Merlin (Mick)) and Man Utd. I think it was sheer curiosity that swayed my choice in teams (I fancied Fiorentina or Sampdoria), what with all the press coverage and the toppling of a massive team in Europe.
And I enjoy a challenge.
Getting Juve out of Serie B can't really be seen as a challenge as we still managed to keep hold of (arguably) the best keeper in the world, Del Piero, Nedved and Co.
The real challenge seems to be attracting the stars and the players of the right quality to do well at the next level. I have also given myself a personal ambition of making top 4 in Serie A first time round.
Disclaimer: I do not claim to be a good manager. I make sensible choices and tend not to fiddle around with my system mid season unless really necessary!!
So yeah, things so far.
Season 1 - 06/07 At first glimpse it was easy to see that I had inherited a team that could easily make it's way out of Serie B and back into Serie A. Had to make some money though (as most people do) so Trezeguet went to Chelsea for 20 million. That eased the financies somewhat and I could concentrate on the season ahead.
The plan was to build a simple 4-4-2 that would be very hard to break down (especially against inferior teams of Serie B) and given chance, be ruthless on the attack. Therefore, fullbacks were defensively minded but not static, counter attack was employed and there was always a midfielder protecting the back 4. One striker would drop back to help the midfield therefore the whole system was linked. My wingers were given very free roles but hugged the lines so to stretch the opposition. Ins
Elano(10 mil) Took time to get going but a now solid performer.
Bolo Zenden (2.4 mil) Bought as mainly a back-up but inspiring performances made him undroppable
Ted Sheringham (40,000) 15 goals in Serie B proves I was right!
Lukas Sinkiewicz (4mil) Jumped on the bandwagon here. Future replacement for Tudor
Outs
David Trezeguet (20mil - Chelsea) mostly due to a personal disliking of him and I needed the money
Mauro Camorinasi(8 mil - Munchen) didn't like me and p!ss poor in friendlies for me.
Pretty routine first season really:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Juventus | | 42 | 30 | 8 | 4 | 82 | 30 | +52 | 89 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | P | Genoa | | 42 | 20 | 15 | 7 | 57 | 37 | +20 | 75 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Napoli | | 42 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 67 | 42 | +25 | 74 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | P | Mantova | | 42 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 59 | 43 | +16 | 74 | </pre>
Hope that works.
So yeah, apart from a flap in January when Bojinov, Bel boy and Nedved were crocked, I think I did alright. Oh and I got to the semis of Italian Cup. Held Inter at Inter, but they did me over at home
Season 2 - 07/08
Now it gets interesting. Was given a healthy 20 mil to spend.
Ins
Shaun Wright Philips (5mil - Chelsea) Couldn't leave his talet wasted further and he wanted out!
Klass Jan - Huntelaar (10 mil - Ajax) Due to playing 4-3-3 wanted an out and out striker that would stay static in the 3 (more on that in a bit)
Miguel Angel Moya (Loan - Mallorca) Good looking keeper to back up Buffon as Mirante is getting touchy about being left out.
Marek Jankulovski (2mil - Milan) Back up to my full backs. Looks solid.
[b] Outs {/B]
No one of important - I want to keep the team big as I know that I have several players who are easily injured. Nearly sold Chiellini to Milan for 17 mil but I wimped out!!
So I'm at the beginning of my first term in Serie A - made it through the first phase of the Italian Cup with ease. I have built a new system that will hopefully and a bit of inspiration a success. Again, I want to keep the idea of a stubborn defence with swift attack but I am going 4-3-3. Again my fullbacks are quite defensive but they now look to move forward when safe to. It is my forward 3 that are the most important.
Palladino/ Del Piero ------------Huntelaar ------------- Bojinov
All great players. The outer 2 look to get wide with a bit of freedom. Huntelaar is very deep, poaching (hopefully) anything that comes his way. He also has Elano backing him up which links the midfield with the forward men nicely. The other two midfielders are quite defensively (one more than the other) minded to hold the line but to also create the all so important linkage across the team.
This has been tested on a couple of matches and it's doing alright. We'll need time though as it's a bit of a sea change in style.
Before I get molested and told to go to tactics forum, here are some stats of my players!!!
Most league goals - Valeri Bojinov 24
Most assist - Marco Marchionni 13
Highest player rating - Alessandro Del Piero 7.42
Worst discipline - Lukas Sinkiweicz 6 yellows 3 red :cool:
Most Man of the Match - Alessandro Del Piero 8
That's about it. I go into Serie A with new players, a new system and high hopes. I have the board and fans on my side and surely the ethics of hardworking conservative attack minded play cannot fail me. I do not expect out and glory so early, but it is possible!
And finally - mon Chris Greenwood!! My only decent under 20s player who came up through the academy at the beginnig of my second season. Looks like a bruising but swift DC and I have high hopes for him.
Oh can anyone tell me who the best young'uns are? I really haven't looked really.
Thanks for reading if you do. I'll try and update when possible.
Andy
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