retired_Brenniepooh

With a week before the big match against Barcelona at the Nou Camp Ashley was slightly concerned at the lack of goals his team had scored in the previous 2 matches. It wasn’t a disaster but with Madrid only a point ahead of Barcelona in the table, and 2 points behing leaders Valencia he knew the next result would be an important one. Not only for the attempt to win the league, but also a loss or draw against Barca would see the board and fans unhappy, and the last thing he wanted was the pressure that would follow if they failed to win.

The weeks training sessions had gone well, apart from another injury that saw Raul out of the side for a further month due to spraining his ankle the players were looking sharp and up for the match. Their desire to win was made even greater when Barca manager Frank Rijkaard told the press his team were very confident of beating Madrid. When told of the comment Ashley responded by saying he had more important things to do that to enter a discussion with Rijkaard about the forthcoming match. If this was deemed to be a cop out by Smith to not get drawn into mind games with the Barca coach he didn’t care, he just wanted to prepare his players for the important match.

As the week drew to a close Ashley welcomed the news that both Salgado and Cannavaro had returned to fitness and were ready to play, having turned out for the reserves in previous weeks.

retired_gabrielina

great story so far keep it cumin

wishbone

This is strangely addictive! First FM story i've read, but really enjoying it, keep up the good work buddy

retired_Brenniepooh

Barcelona v Real Madrid

In the dressing room before the match Ashley reminded the players what they had to do. That they were better than Barcelona, a bigger club than them. Getting them fired up before they went out. He told the Cassano and Nistelrooy to put away the chances they would get. He told the players not to waste the ball, to keep it and make Barcelona work for it.

As he made his way out onto the pitch to take his seat in the dugout he phone beeped. It was a message of good luck from Charlotte. He smiled to himself.

The Nou Camp was electric. 97,000 fans making deafening noise.

The first half was a contest between the 2 keepers, with both Casillas and Valdes pulling off some fine saves to keep the match 0-0 at half time.

Ashley walked into the dressing room, wondering what he could do to get the breakthrough. Ronaldo came off for Cassano.

"C’mon lads, your doing well. We just need to convert those chances. We can do this, do it for yourselves, do it for the supporters"

In the 53rd minute a mistimed challenge from Xavi saw Beckham taking a knock to the ankle. After 5 minutes Ashley decided to replace him. Figo was his replacement, and took the pitch to a chorus of boo’s and whistles. Obviously the Barca fans had never forgiven the Portuguese star for leaving them for their rivals Madrid. Ashley hoped he would silence the home fans but the goal never came. Both teams coming close but once again the keepers proving their worth. The final whistle blew and the both sets of players left the pitch.

Ashley was relieved. He would have preferred a win but for them to come away with a point was satisfying.

Barcelona 0

Real Madrid 0

Man Of The Match - Edmilson

retired_flipflops

Yeah, keep it up mate. I check this thread every day hoping for an update, sometimes twice a day. :thup:

retired_Brenniepooh

--------------------------------------------------

Glad to see your still enjoying it fella. I've got plenty of updates, just been a bit busy of late. Keep checking back.

retired_draia

I just have to agree with the others; a bloody good story this! Keep up the good work

retired_Brenniepooh

Another goalless game for Madrid was the headline on the next days sports paper. The media were once again questioning if Madrid were going to challenge for the title. Ashley again thought this was harsh, Madrid were still second in the table, and although they had drawn their last 3 games he was confident they could still push for the league title.

They were due to fly out to Holland the day after in preparation for their match against PSV. He addressed the players at Monday’s training session.

“Ok lads, we’ve got an important match coming up. We need to come away with a win. We were unlucky in the last match but lets get over that and put in a performance that’s going to show the critics that we’ve got what it takes”

With that the players put on an excellent showing in the training sessions. Looking good for their Champions League match.

That evening the Madrid team left for Holland. The team spirit was high. The 3 goalless draws far from their minds. They were confident, and so was Ashley.

Once the team had arrived at the hotel Ashley made a call to Charlotte. It had been a few days since he’d spoken to her, and he missed the sound of her voice.

"Hey handsome, missing you

You too honey, when you coming over.

Well, I have nothing planned for the weekend, and don’t have to be back here till middle of next week so I’m sure I can see myself out to Spain if you want me there.

Of course I do, would be really nice to see you.

Yea, defiantly"

The 2 of them made the arrangement that would see her come out to Spain on the Friday. Ashley was looking forward to it.

Whilst in Holland some contract negotiations begun with Franciso Pavon. The defender had 4 months left on his current deal. As the Spaniard had only made 4 first team appearances in the season so far Ashley offered a 1 year extension to his current deal. It was now in the hands of Pavon and his agent to agree to the contract if he wanted to remain at Real.

retired_Brenniepooh

PSV v Real Madrid

It was a mild night at the Phillips Stadion. Real were outplaying PSV all over the pitch. When Diarra headed the ball into the back of the goal from a Beckham corner on the 23rd minute Ashley thought that the goal drought was finally over. However the linesman had raised his flag and given a foul for a push on one of the PSV defenders. Half time came and went, with Ashley praising the performance of his players.

In the 63rd minute Sergio Ramos collided with sticker Smolarek which saw him replaced with Mejia. Ashley reshuffled the team, pushing Guti further up the pitch just behind the front 2. As the 90th minute arrived the referees assistant held up the electronic board to show 4 minutes of added time, resulting from injuries to PSV players Simons and Cocu.

In the last minute of added time Robinho collected the ball from a throw out by Casillas. Racing from the half way line he beat 3 defenders, Ashley held his breath as he ran towards the rushing keeper. With a flick of his foot Robhinho scooped the ball over the keeper and it landed in the back of the goal. Madrid had done it.. The goal drought was over and Robinho raced towards a jubilant Ashley, embracing him with a huge smile on his face. The noise from the traveling Madrid fans deafened the stadium and as referee blew his whistle and Ashley punched the air with delight.

In the dressing room afterwards he made of point of congratulating every single player, commending them on their performance that evening.

PSV 0

Real Madrid 1
Robinho (90+4)

Man Of The Match - Robinho

Summary Of Champions League Knockout Stage Round 1

Barcelona 2 - 0 Manchester United
Roma 3 - 1 FC Bayern
PSV 0 - 1 Real Madrid
Ajax 1 - 2 Chelsea
Benfica 0 - 0 Lyon
Milan 2 - 2 Arsenal
Sporting CP 3 - 0 Inter
Werder Bremen 0 - 2 Liverpool

retired_Brenniepooh

On arrival back to Spain Ashley made his way to his apartment. He was in a great mood. It was late when he got back and was surprised to see lit candles everywhere. Then, out of the corner of his eye he noticed Charlotte standing there.

"I thought you deserved a treat she said, smiling at him"

He smiled back and walked up to her, kissing her softly.

The two of them made their way to the bedroom and Ashley shut the door behind him.