retired_nela

February, season 2014/2015

We started the month against Perugia, with Michael Essien returning from the African Cup of Nations. Semler scored in the 16th, but five minutes later they drew level. We had few chances, and a goal to Perugia in the final minute after we tried to attack, and with only three shots for the game, we had no answer. A bad performance and a bad loss against a mid-table side. I signed Borut Semler until January 2016 on the same wages. Juan Contino replaced Nordin Lennartsson in our Champions Cup squad.

Our Italian Cup semi final against Juventus saw the first leg played at home. Mohd Hoffmann went off early with a groin strain, which would turn out to sideline him for three weeks. A 43rd penalty allowed Hartwig to put us in front, and our lead was then extended by Semler in the 56th with a chip. Juventus pulled one back in the 75th to make the second leg very interesting.

The match was repeated a few days later, though this time in the league. Juventus took the lead early and scored again just before half time. We had five shots for the game but could not get any through. Two league losses in a row, and suddenly we are just one point ahead of Sampdoria on the table having each played 26 games.

This made our encounter with Milan critical. A seventh minute goal to Milan was exactly what we didn’t need, particularly with just one shot for the half for Ancona going over. They put through a second in the 57th, but Kunze thankfully answered just a minute later with a volley – his first senior goal for Ancona. Nonetheless, we remained a goal ahead, and that was extended back to two in the 75th. Sampdoria took over on top, and are now two points ahead of us.

We desperately needed a win against Fiorentina. The strugglers somehow got ahead in the 9th with a header and with knocks to Semler, Fontana and Essien, we were doomed by half time. They put through a second in the 57th and sealed it 0-3 just before the end of the game. Another shockingly bad effort, dropping us to third place. The only consolation was that Sampdoria also lost, but Inter rose up to join them on 54 points. I completed a rather odd signing after the game, getting former Ancona midfielder Chi Yuen Webb to come back at the end of the season on a free transfer.

Tommy Lee was dropped against Roma having conceded too many goals lately, while Semler was rested. Fortunately, Fontana gave us a good start with the opening goal in the 13th thanks to a Reuser header that got him past the defence. We dominated play, but it wasn’t until the 60th that Fontana sealed it with his second – a great 30-yard chip over the out-of-position keeper. Three minutes later he completed his hat-trick after a pass from Hartwig for a much-needed 3-0 win. Sampdoria drew and Inter won, leaving Inter on top by two points and Sampdoria ahead of us on goal difference.

We finally returned to the Champions Cup to face PSV in the second round. We failed to beat them in two group stage encounters in 2009, and with our current form, it was not easy to see that being rectified here. However, we did get back Hoffmann and Semler. The first leg was played at home, with the first half mostly even. PSV were on the back foot for most of the second. Semler missed a good chance in the 48th while Hartwig had one saved two minutes later. A great long-range effort from Rasch was tipped away late, and the first leg finished scoreless. We lost Amit Lang to injury for a fortnight, and I continue to be warned that Semler needs a rest.

February was a terrible month for the club, and with the Italian Cup, Champions Cup and league all to deal with next month, we must improve.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Ancona| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Inter | | 28 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 52 | 28 | +24 | 57 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Sampdoria | | 28 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 51 | 28 | +23 | 55 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Ancona | | 28 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 46 | 27 | +19 | 55 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Milan | | 28 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 47 | 27 | +20 | 52 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Bologna | | 28 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 49 | 33 | +16 | 49 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Roma | | 28 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 47 | 40 | +7 | 45 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Juventus | | 28 | 12 | 8 | 8 | 45 | 35 | +10 | 44 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Verona | | 29 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 38 | 38 | 0 | 43 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Chievo | | 28 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 35 | 24 | +11 | 42 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Vicenza | | 28 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 49 | 37 | +12 | 41 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Parma | | 29 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 39 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Lazio | | 29 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 35 | 45 | -10 | 35 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Atalanta | | 28 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 37 | 45 | -8 | 33 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Perugia | | 29 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 36 | 50 | -14 | 31 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Fiorentina | | 28 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 26 | 40 | -14 | 28 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Cagliari | | 28 | 5 | 11 | 12 | 28 | 46 | -18 | 26 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Palermo | | 28 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 27 | 45 | -18 | 26 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Lecce | | 28 | 7 | 5 | 16 | 31 | 57 | -26 | 26 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Genoa | | 28 | 6 | 6 | 16 | 26 | 46 | -20 | 24 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Piacenza | | 28 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 33 | 47 | -14 | 23 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_nela

Yes, I did post that one twice. Naturally when I do a double-post, it has to be one of our worst months...


March, season 2014/2015

The big month began quietly, with a home league game against Genoa. Robert Henning was the unlikely first scorer, heading in a 15th minute Hartwig corner. Hartwig scored himself from the penalty spot slightly before half time, and 2-0 is how it remained at the end. With a draw to Sampdoria and a day off for Inter, we moved back on top. However, Inter beat 4th placed Milan the following day to regain 1st place.

We led 2-1 in the Italian Cup semi final against Juventus. The away leg began disastrously, with Henning conceding a penalty in just two minutes. Lee actually pulled off a great save, but couldn’t stop the follow-up attempt going in. With an away goal to Juventus in the last leg, that put them ahead. Worse still, they scored again in the 14th, but we drew level through a 29th minute penalty to Hartwig. We didn’t have a shot in the second half, but Juventus had several. Good keeping from Lee kept them out, leaving us still locked at 3-3 with an away goal each after 90 minutes. Sobir White and Fontana missed shots in the first half of extra time. In the 105th minute, Juventus sent forward a pass from beyond half-way. With classic Ancona luck, it went over the players, past the keeper and into the net. The half ended seconds later, thus ending the game on the silver goal rule. At least that’s one less competition to worry about, but with our league and Champions Cup fates uncertain, it’s not a good result.

Back to the league to face Chievo. Fontana hit the post in the first half, but our opponents had most of the chances. They eventually scored in the 56th and then finished it with another in the 84th. Sampdoria drew, so we stayed ahead of them. Inter lost 1-3 to Roma, so we lost a great chance to go on top.

Our critical game second leg against PSV came next. Hartwig had a free kick saved in the first half, where we had four shots to none. We had better luck with a free in the 55th, when Charbonnier headed one down to Semler for the simple finish. He had a volley saved three minutes later and then missed another from inside the area. PSV scored one of their own in the 84th, but with an away goal, we managed to scrape through to the quarter final where we’ll face Newcastle. I arranged the signing of 19-year-old right winger Adonay Bradshaw after the game, though it won’t take place until September.

We’d dropped to 4th having played one game less than Milan, Sampdoria and Inter. A win could take us to second, or first if it was by five goals. Fontana scored the opener in the 26th with a diving header from a Hoffmann chip. Cagliari scored in the 73rd to level the scores and despite being the better side, we couldn’t score the second goal we needed. That left us in 3rd, a point behind Sampdoria and two behind Inter.

Another league game, this time against Lecce. Semler and Messner were rested with a Champions Cup game next, but Fontana put us ahead with a goal in the 27th. Just when it looked like we’d moved to second spot, with Inter going down, Syed Dupuy conceded a penalty in the 90th minute. Having had 13 shots to 1, a draw would be a grossly unfair result, but thanks to a successful penalty, that’s exactly what happened. That left us three points clear of Sampdoria with six games left to go.

We needed a better result in the home leg of the Champions Cup quarter final against Newcastle. However, they scored in just the third minute, which was a huge blow. Hoffmann hit back in the 23rd, but Semler and Rasch missed chances to put us ahead. Rasch hit the post in the second half, which was as close as we came to a second. That gives them a significant advantage for the second leg, which is quite a problem for us. Defender Kishore Bon arrived after the game.

Kishore Bon [18, D RL, FRA]
Part of my push to rebuild the side, Bon has played over 40 senior games in the top French league with Strasbourg. He has pace and looks fairly promising.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Ancona| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Sampdoria | | 32 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 59 | 32 | +27 | 63 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Inter | | 32 | 18 | 8 | 6 | 58 | 35 | +23 | 62 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Ancona | | 32 | 18 | 6 | 8 | 50 | 31 | +19 | 60 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Bologna | | 32 | 17 | 8 | 7 | 57 | 35 | +22 | 59 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Milan | | 32 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 54 | 35 | +19 | 58 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Roma | | 32 | 15 | 3 | 14 | 52 | 49 | +3 | 48 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Chievo | | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 39 | 28 | +11 | 47 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Verona | | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 42 | 42 | 0 | 47 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Vicenza | | 32 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 53 | 39 | +14 | 46 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Juventus | | 32 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 48 | 41 | +7 | 46 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Parma | | 32 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 44 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Lazio | | 32 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 39 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Fiorentina | | 32 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 35 | 43 | -8 | 38 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Atalanta | | 32 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 39 | 48 | -9 | 36 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Lecce | | 32 | 9 | 6 | 17 | 36 | 62 | -26 | 33 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Perugia | | 32 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 39 | 56 | -17 | 32 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Palermo | | 32 | 9 | 5 | 18 | 33 | 53 | -20 | 32 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Cagliari | | 32 | 6 | 13 | 13 | 34 | 52 | -18 | 31 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Piacenza | | 32 | 6 | 9 | 17 | 40 | 54 | -14 | 27 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Genoa | | 32 | 7 | 6 | 19 | 28 | 52 | -24 | 27 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_nela

April, season 2014/2015

April began with a big challenge – the second leg against Newcastle. After a 1-1 draw at home, we needed to score again or drop out on away goals. We missed five shots in the first twenty minutes, and despite eight attempts at the first half, including one where Contino was one-on-one with the keeper and hit the side netting, we were still level – and thus behind on away goals. An all-out attack late from Ancona only saw Newcastle score from a penalty in the 79th on the counter-attack. A goal from us was still required, but now it would only take us to extra time. With Semler’s attempted pass to Fontana in the area knocked away by the keeper and a wild volley from Hartwig at the start of injury time, we looked doomed. However, in the third minute of injury time, Semler took a pass from Fontana, dodged between the keeper and a defender and slotted it straight into the net. It was enough to buy 30 more minutes, but could we score again? Semler missed badly in the 100th, ending a scoreless first half of extra time. Briotti had a header saved in the 114th, which led to a series of attacks at both ends. Lee took the ball from a backpass in the 116th and hit it to Messner on the wing. He headed it down for Fontana, and the forward took the ball in space and charged forward. He made it to the edge of the area and sent in a low cross…which was hammered into the net by Semler. 3-2 on aggregate, and with two away goals, there was no way Newcastle could come back. We pushed through to the semi final against Liverpool.

Kishore Bon debuted in a critical game against 3rd placed Bologna (who had overtaken us after playing an extra game). We were now five points off top, albeit with a game in hand, and had to win. There were only three shots in the first half, all to Ancona. Fontana missed the first and Hoffmann had the second saved, but with the third the German international put us ahead just before half time. With Inter and Sampdoria both level at the break, this was a great position to be in. Unfortunately, with just five minutes to go, Bologna scored. Inter managed to win their game as well, leaving us 7 points adrift.

Our last real chance to make a grab for the title was against Atlanta. I brought in Semler, having rested him for most of the recent league games, and he had a shot in the first minute. It missed, but Reuser headed in a Rasch free kick moments later for an early lead. Atlanta had their chances, but for once we held on for the three points. With four league games to go, we’re four points behind Inter – and play them in the second-last.

Naturally, we needed full points from our game against Piacenza, even with Semler rested. We launched a flurry of attacks in the 15th minute, with Fontana eventually heading in a Contino cross. The game was mostly even, but again we held onto our lead. With a draw to Sampdoria, that took us back to 2nd, but Inter won to remain four points ahead.

We needed to focus on the Champions Cup, with the away leg of the semi final against Liverpool. They took the lead through a 7th minute goal and things got worse with Juan Contino sent off mid-way through the first half. Fontata hit back with a header from a Hoffmann cross in the 28th and great saves at both ends kept it level at the break. Liverpool were reduced to ten men in the 74th but just like us, scored a few minutes later. Just as it looked like we were going to take a deficit into the next leg, our two best players in the game, Hartwig and Fontana, combined for an 82nd minute goal. 2-2 the final score, but D’Laryer, Contino, Hartwig, Briotti and Rasch all picked up suspensions for the next leg. I re-signed Aldo Jair Kok until 2018.

Back to the league. Fontana looked to have scored in the second minute, but it was ruled offside. Vicenza scored just before the break, but on the other side of it, Hoffmann headed in an equaliser. That ruled out goal proved costly – Inter and Sampdoria lost, but we couldn’t take advantage with a win.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Ancona| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Inter | | 36 | 21 | 8 | 7 | 65 | 36 | +29 | 71 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Ancona | | 36 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 54 | 33 | +21 | 68 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Sampdoria | | 36 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 62 | 37 | +25 | 66 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Bologna | | 36 | 19 | 9 | 8 | 62 | 39 | +23 | 66 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Milan | | 36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 59 | 40 | +19 | 63 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Vicenza | | 36 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 61 | 43 | +18 | 56 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Verona | | 36 | 16 | 8 | 12 | 48 | 45 | +3 | 56 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Parma | | 36 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 48 | 42 | +6 | 54 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Chievo | | 36 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 49 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Roma | | 36 | 15 | 4 | 17 | 57 | 60 | -3 | 49 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Fiorentina | | 36 | 13 | 9 | 14 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 48 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Juventus | | 36 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 52 | 51 | +1 | 46 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Lazio | | 36 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 45 | 56 | -11 | 45 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Atalanta | | 36 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 44 | 50 | -6 | 43 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Cagliari | | 36 | 8 | 13 | 15 | 39 | 56 | -17 | 37 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Perugia | | 36 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 46 | 64 | -18 | 36 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Palermo | | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | 43 | 62 | -19 | 36 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Piacenza | | 36 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 46 | 59 | -13 | 34 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Lecce | | 36 | 9 | 6 | 21 | 40 | 74 | -34 | 33 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Genoa | | 36 | 8 | 6 | 22 | 33 | 62 | -29 | 30 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_nela

May, season 2014/2015

One of our biggest games ever came at the start of May, where we faced league leaders Inter. A win would probably still leave us behind on goal difference, but a loss would put the title totally out of our reach. A 25th minute goal for Inter made the latter result more likely, and an own goal from Luz in the second half made sure of it. I re-signed Luz for another season after the game.

With D’Laryer, Contino, Hartwig, Briotti and Rasch suspended, we were missing a lot of important players in the second leg against Liverpool, though we at least had a slight lead after a 2-2 away draw. Liverpool took that away in the 38th with the first shot of the game. Lang, Semler and Paterson all missed chances to get us level on aggregate (and thus ahead on away goals) in the final 20 minutes, and the game ended without another goal. Record £725K gate receipts weren’t enough to make up for two bad losses.

Our league game of the season saw us fighting for second spot. We faced Lazio while Sampdoria played against Bologna. At half time, we were both 2-0 up. Our goals came from Fontana and Hjelm. Semler scored a third in the 58th, but with Sampdoria still ahead, it meant nothing. Lazio scored two late goals to end the game 3-2, but with Sampdoria winning, we remained stuck in third.

retired_bbcarr

such a disappointing end to the season hopefully you can bounce back next year

retired_nela

I sure hope so.


The season in review

Summary

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Holders - Ancona| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Inter | | 38 | 22 | 8 | 8 | 67 | 38 | +29 | 74 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Sampdoria | | 38 | 20 | 12 | 6 | 68 | 37 | +31 | 72 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Ancona | | 38 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 57 | 37 | +20 | 71 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Bologna | | 38 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 62 | 43 | +19 | 66 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Milan | | 38 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 61 | 43 | +18 | 66 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Verona | | 38 | 17 | 9 | 12 | 52 | 47 | +5 | 60 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Vicenza | | 38 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 64 | 46 | +18 | 59 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Chievo | | 38 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 43 | 31 | +12 | 55 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Parma | | 38 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 50 | 46 | +4 | 54 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Fiorentina | | 38 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 43 | 46 | -3 | 52 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Roma | | 38 | 16 | 4 | 18 | 60 | 65 | -5 | 52 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Juventus | | 38 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 58 | 54 | +4 | 50 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Lazio | | 38 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 49 | 59 | -10 | 48 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Atalanta | | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 45 | 50 | -5 | 47 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Perugia | | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 49 | 65 | -16 | 39 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Piacenza | | 38 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 49 | 62 | -13 | 37 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Cagliari | | 38 | 8 | 13 | 17 | 41 | 61 | -20 | 37 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | R | Palermo | | 38 | 10 | 6 | 22 | 43 | 65 | -22 | 36 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | R | Genoa | | 38 | 9 | 7 | 22 | 37 | 65 | -28 | 34 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | R | Lecce | | 38 | 9 | 7 | 22 | 41 | 79 | -38 | 34 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">3rd in Italian Serie ASquad Screen| Pkd | Inf | Name | Apps | Gls | Asts | MoM | Pass | Tck | Drb | Sh Tar | Av R | Value | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DL | | Briotti, A* | 48 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 75 % | 2.50 | 1.22 | 50 % | 7.10 | £6M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | Rasch, A | 46 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 71 % | 3.20 | 0.88 | 43 % | 7.24 | £8.75M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | Messner, N* | 41 (1) | 1 | 3 | 2 | 67 % | 3.53 | 3.34 | 50 % | 7.48 | £1.8M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | FC | Unh | Semler, B* | 41 | 23 | 7 | 12 | 64 % | 1.30 | 2.19 | 62 % | 7.61 | £5.75M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | GK | | Lee, T | 38 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 47 % | - | - | - | 6.66 | £1.4M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DC | Wnt | Luz, N | 35 (1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 76 % | 2.18 | 0.14 | 100 % | 6.92 | £1.2M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DR | Req | Henning, R | 33 (1) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 75 % | 1.64 | 0.15 | 66 % | 6.79 | £2.3M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | SB6 | | Hoffmann, M | 31 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 60 % | 1.63 | 2.91 | 75 % | 7.23 | £7.75M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MC | | Lang, A | 30 (3) | 6 | 4 | 1 | 76 % | 3.45 | 0.31 | 58 % | 7.15 | £3.5M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MC | | Essien, M | 26 (2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 72 % | 2.75 | 0.19 | 45 % | 6.89 | £1.2M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | DC | | D'Laryea, N | 25 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 72 % | 2.59 | 0.43 | 100 % | 6.79 | £2.7M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | FC | | Fontana | 25 | 15 | 6 | 6 | 77 % | 0.82 | 1.81 | 69 % | 7.56 | £6.25M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Wnt | de la Cuesta, J | 21 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 72 % | 2.47 | 0.23 | 100 % | 6.71 | £875K | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | SB4 | | Contino, J | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 63 % | 4.13 | 0.97 | 40 % | 7.00 | £3.1M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | Hartwig | 19 (10) | 5 | 4 | 0 | 71 % | 3.11 | 2.14 | 45 % | 7.21 | £8M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Inj | Tommasi, L | 19 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 50 % | - | - | - | 6.89 | £1.5M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Inj | Lennartsson, N | 18 (1) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 74 % | 2.23 | 0.68 | 47 % | 7.21 | £1.6M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | Tunchev, A | 17 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 78 % | 2.65 | - | 100 % | 6.50 | £275K | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | ML | | Hjelm, M | 11 (5) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 75 % | 3.05 | 1.02 | 50 % | 6.75 | £3.2M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | SB7 | Unh | Motta, T | 11 (1) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 73 % | 1.94 | 1.02 | 36 % | 6.58 | £1.2M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | SB1 | | Charbonnier, R | 10 (9) | 2 | 6 | 0 | 66 % | 0.72 | 1.04 | 80 % | 6.95 | £4.9M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | SB2 | Inj | Paterson | 10 (6) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 77 % | 2.94 | 1.10 | 52 % | 6.94 | £3.9M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | MR | | White, S | 9 (2) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 74 % | 3.06 | 0.87 | 50 % | 6.82 | £3.1M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Wnt | Kok, A | 9 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 67 % | 2.68 | 1.05 | 60 % | 6.80 | £2.2M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Unh | Dupuy, S | 7 (2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 74 % | 2.42 | 0.13 | 100 % | 6.67 | £3.1M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | SB5 | | Altintop, H | 6 (6) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 76 % | 1.89 | 0.44 | 37 % | 6.83 | £1.3M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | Reuser | 5 (7) | 2 | 3 | 2 | 67 % | 0.42 | 0.42 | 66 % | 6.92 | £850K | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Req | Kunze | 3 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 81 % | 0.66 | 0.99 | 33 % | 6.75 | £4M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | SB3 | | Bon, K | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 56 % | 4.00 | - | - | 6.00 | £1.2M | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Whereas last year we participated in two competitions and won both, this year we played in three and didn’t win any. To be fair, we did not exactly do badly. 3rd in Serie A and making the semi final in both the Italian and Champions Cups is a pretty fair effort. However, it’s hard not to feel frustrated at going all that way and not really getting anything out of the season

At least we’re going to get another shot next year, though there are some mixed signs from our squad.

retired_nela

Wrapping it up

I was runner-up as Manager of the Year, with Messner the only Ancona player with any recognition – Defender of the Year and in the Team of the Year. Rungratsamee was Player of the Year.

I sold forward Alberto to Chievo for £2.3M due to our strength in this area. Reuser, Thiago Motta and Altintop announced they would retire at the end of the season.


Around the world: major awards and results

Ancona Supporters’ Player of the Year:
Borut Semler

World Player of the Year:
Andrea Lazzari (Rayo)

World Footballer of the year:
Alberto Gilardino (Arsenal)

England:
Arsenal

Spain:
Barcelona

Champions Cup:
Liverpool

UEFA Cup:
Manchester United

retired_nela

The Transfers

In
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Date | Person | From | Fee | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.7.2014 | Henning, Robert | Everton | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.7.2014 | Lang, Amit | Charlton | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.7.2014 | D'Laryea, Nathan | Man City | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.7.2014 | Altintop, Hamit | Schalke 04 | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.7.2014 | Tunchev, Aleksandar| Lleida | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 28.7.2014 | Kok, Aldo Jair | Udinese | £60K | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.8.2014 | Reuser | Real Madrid | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.8.2014 | Kunze | Juventus | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1.8.2014 | Cornacchia | Brescia | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 30.12.2014 | Contino, Juan Pablo| Verona | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 26.3.2015 | Bon, Kishore | Strasbourg | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Total | | £60K | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Out
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Date | Person | To | Fee | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 31.7.2014 | Almirón, Sergio Bernardo | Free Transfer | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2.8.2014 | Fantini | Free Transfer | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3.11.2014 | Mooney, Richard | Free Transfer | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 27.12.2014 | Gasparini, Gordian | Free Transfer | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 31.12.2014 | Horjak, Francis | Atlético Madrid | £9.25M | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13.5.2015 | Moro, Weiyang | Free Transfer | Free | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Total | | £9.25M | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Loans Out
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Date | Person | To | Fee | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8.7.2014 | Lombardi, Olgar | Ascoli | Loan | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2.8.2014 | Giusti, Kent B. | Brescia | Loan | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | Total | | £0 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>



We brought in plenty of new players in 14/15, but few had an immediate impact. Lang was the only one to be particularly successful, though Contino showed promise. Several others played first team football, but were mostly unremarkable.

Of the players who went out, only Horjak looked particularly impressive elsewhere, but £9.25M was more than sufficient compensation.

Our loaned out players didn’t get much of a go at all.