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Copa del Rey - Third Round, Second Leg: Barcelona v Cartagonova<P>“…In a major upset, Cartagonova knocked out the defending champion Barcelona as both sides played out a 0-0 draw in the Nou Camp in Barcelona. Trailing 3-2 on the first leg, Barcelona needed to win by at least one clear goal but new Cartagonova captain, Iván Vidal, threw up stout resistance to deny Barcelona time and again. Interestingly, Señor Serra Ferrer, boss of Barcelona, decided not to play star striker Patrick Kluivert, and the lack of a cutting edge up forward seemed to be Barcelona’s downfall, time and again. But when Cartagonova’s defensive midfielder, Gavião was sent off after 36 minutes, it seemed that the win was for the taking. Yet, Cartagonova managed to battle their way to the break still deadlocked with their opponents. In fact, if Filipescu had been on target, Cartagonova may have taken a 1-0 lead into the break.â€�<P>“After the break, Barcelona continued to batter away at Cartagonova’s defence but Vidal continued to defy the odds and push, smother and catch every shot that came his way. But when Vidal brought down Ortega in the area on 79 minutes, it seemed that Cartagonova’s brave resistance would finally crumble. Yet the keeper was let off with just a yellow card and then proceeded to deflect away Nedved’s weak penalty shot. The efforts of two new signings for Cartagonova, George Clegg and Axel WingÃ¥rd, in injury time denied Luis Enrique and Nano and when the referee blew his whistle to end the match, the only noise coming from the crowd was the delighted cheers from the small band of Cartagonova supporters. Señor Dixie Flatline was understandably delighted to knock out the club that had defeated his 4-3 in the Copa del Rey’s final last season and to move into the quarter-final with a 3-2 aggregate victory. Señor Lorenzo Serra Ferrer refused to comment on why he left out prolific hit-man Patrick Kluivert in favour of Dani and Ariel Ortega…â€�<P>If I was furious on the weekend, today I’m the happiest man in Spain! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]<P>Barcelona (3-5-2): LaÃ*nez; Villena, Luis Enrique, Abelardo; Sergi, Davids (c), Nedved, De la Peña (Gabri 83), Varela (Puyol 75); Dani (Nano 56), Ortega.<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal (c); Lacruz, Ã�lvarez, WingÃ¥rd, Ballesteros; Gavião; Michel, Clegg; Morán; Redondo, Esposito (Filipescu 36).<P>Final score: Barcelona 0:0 Cartagonova
Aggregate: Cartagonova 3:2 Barcelona
MoM - Iván Vidal (of course!)

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20th of January 2005<P>Villarreal’s manager, Señor VÃ*ctor Muñoz, hopes to take advantage of my newfound desire to remove Fernando Couto from my squad by offering me a cut-price £130,000 for the Portuguese veteran. But I’m not stupid enough to go for a bid like that, and I immediately respond by demanding £375,000.<P>In the evening’s training session, Fernando Morán sprains his ankle and rules himself out of contention for three weeks. That’s too bad, because he was close to recapturing his form from two seasons ago. But I guess that gives either Vucko, Clegg, Miranda or Esposito the opportunity to impress me in the AMC position.<P>21st of January 2005<P>More transfer speculation revolves around the club, with a local paper reporting that Getafe is ready to bid £525,000 for Francisco Ã�lvarez. I immediately move to hose down that rumour before it starts any fires around the club. The young midfielder isn’t going anywhere just yet, except home to sleep after the latest training session.<P>I’m beginning to think that the Spanish FA doesn’t want us to have another crack at winning the Copa del Rey after they drew us with Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-final stage. At least we have the comfort of playing away first, so if we can sneak a goal away from home, I’ll feel happier about it. But Real Betis and Málaga got the sweet end of the deal, with ties against second division opposition in Real Oviedo and Ourense. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG]<P>22nd of January 2005<P>Villarreal doesn’t like the money I want them to pay for Fernando Couto, so the club pulls out of the chase for the moment. That’s too bad, but I’m not willing to let him go for just £130,000.

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23rd of January 2005<P>Sevilla’s manager, a certain Señor Carlos Tornadijo, still remembers that I was willing to deal over a possible transfer of Oliver, my left winger, to his club and he returns today with a bid of £1.8 million which is slightly more than double his nominal value. For a player who has played just once this season, I think that’s a good price, and I’m very tempted to take it, given the wealth of midfield options I already have and will have at my disposal. At 25 years old, there is still time in his career to visit a couple of clubs after Cartagonova, so I whack in a 10% sell-on clause and see if Sevilla goes for it.<P>While I’m haggling over Oliver’s potential transfer, news flashes up on my office television, tuned of course, to ESPN. The anchorman announces that Lazio has confirmed the signature of one Róbson Ponte from Bayer Leverkusen for a disgusting £16.75 million. It’s disgusting because I can’t afford that.<P>Primera Liga - Game 20: Alavés v Cartagonova<P>The season turns today as we visit Basque country and more specifically the Mendizorroza stadium in Vitoria to play Alavés, whom we defeated 2-0 on the first day of the season thanks to goals from Michel and Esposito. I want that scoreline to be repeated to put the distaste of the bad performance against Deportivo far behind us. We’re in seventh going into today’s fixture, but we lie just two points (and goal difference) behind Sporting Gijón in fourth place, so I can see the incentive there for a good result today.<P>And we indeed do get the victory, but only after an unexpected second-half struggle. After Contra forced a corner from Vidal, we sweep the ball away from the corner kick and it lands at the feet of Redondo, who jinks his way through the defence (including old boy José Tárraga, who played in 87 appearances, scored 9 goals, created 9 more, won 2 MoMs and averaged 6.98 during his career with us) before lashing a fierce shot past Jerzy Dudek. But we don’t build on our lead and indeed we’re indebted to Vidal for the clean sheet at the break with Juan Carlos, Juanjo, Lakis and Epitié all wasting good opportunities to equalise. I emphasise to the defence that they need to concentrate more on their jobs, while I ask the forwards to grab another goal to make the points safe. But Juan Carlos finally equalises for Alavés on 70 minutes. That sparks us into action and we go on the rampage around Alavés’ goal. On 75 minutes, Gavião kept up his scoring record by picking up Tárraga’s clearance and thumping it in low past Dudek! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] We could have, and should have had more, but in the end I’m happy to settle for the three points the way they are.<P>Alavés (4-2-4): Dudek (c); Pérez (Castaño 51), Tárraga, Mayo, Contra; Ismael Ruiz (Patri 59), Lakis (Wisio 51); Juan Carlos, Juanjo, Javi Moreno, Epitié.<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Vidal (c); Lacruz, �lvarez, Wingård, Ballesteros; Gavião; Michel, Clegg; Vucko; Redondo, Kokmeijer.<P>Final score: Alavés 1:2 Cartagonova
MoM - José Manuel Redondo

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The board of directors is delighted with the fact we’ve achieved the double over Alavés this season, but I’m more delighted that José Manuel Redondo finally broke Stan Collymore’s league goals record. Redondo made the bench of the Team of the Week, while Gavião and Kokmeijer are in the starting eleven.<P>That was the twentieth league match of the season, so here is the current ladder:<P><P>24th of January 2005<P>Michel bruises his shin after a particularly nasty tackle from Jaliens in training this evening and will sit out of the action for about ten days. That gives Miranda the opportunity to shine down the left flank for us.<P>25th of January 2005<P>Sevilla’s manager thinks my terms are reasonable so offers me 10% sell-on clause. I almost regret the decision to name such terms, but it’s too late now and I let Oliver decide his future fate with the Sevilla crew. It takes him about six hours to make up his mind and he will leave in the summer for Seville.<P>Keep smiling! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG]
Dixie Flatline

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Back in the harness for more tall tales from Cartagonova!<P>29th of January 2005<P>Another game live on national television, and I’m not surprised, because it is seventh versus second on the ladder. Only a week or so after we dumped their side out of the Copa del Rey, Barcelona supporters will be waving the Cartagonova flag this afternoon as we attempt to stop Celta Vigo drawing level on points with the league leader. We take the lead efficiently when Gavião seeks out Redondo with a long ball through the defence. Redondo takes the ball in his stride then slams home a long-range rocket into the top of the Celta Vigo net after six minutes! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="smile[/IMG] Clegg, playing this afternoon behind the strikers as I swapped him with Vucko, picks up Miranda’s nice pass before tucking it into the back of the net! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] But Celta boasts the most dangerous striker in the division and sure enough Diego Ribera quietens the crowd’s cheers when he holds off Ballesteros before driving an arrow into our net. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif" alt="frown[/IMG] I immediately tell Gavião to concentrate on putting the screws on the Spanish international and it seems to keep him quiet for a while. Of course, I want to re-establish our two goal buffer and Clegg satisfies my demand when he advances from deep to pick up Redondo’s lobbed pass and volleys it home! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] Six minutes before the break, we extend our lead when Vucko crosses into the box where Redondo lurks and the striker shows he is right back in form by thundering home an unstoppable header to make it 4-1! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG]<P>Celta obviously come out after the break looking to regain some pride and respectability, but Iván Vidal parries away Morales’ shot on 51 minutes, but we’re back on the attack and Kokmeijer, conspicuous by his quietness this afternoon, forces Erwin Lemmens into a good save on 58 minutes. But that almost wraps it up for the second half action, although Casquero gives Vidal some work late in the game when our newly installed captain pulls off a double save to finish off a highly satisfying match. I am happy to see that Gavião carries off my instructions to the letter, keeping the dangerous Ribera very quiet in the second half.<P>Cartagonova (4-3-1-2): Vidal (c); Lacruz, Óscar �lvarez, Wingård, Ballesteros; Miranda, Gavião, Vucko; Clegg; Redondo, Kokmeijer.<P>Celta Vigo (4-3-2-1): Lemmens; Numan (Roger 57), Quique �lvarez (Bravo 51), Wörns, Jaime Quesada; Vágner, Xavi (c) (De Pedro 57), Morales; Gustavo López, Casquero; Diego Ribera.<P>Final score: Cartagonova 4:1 Celta Vigo
MoM - José Manuel Redondo

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The victory pushes us into third place, but only temporarily as the rest of the league plays tomorrow. Surprisingly, though, we sit just two points behind Barcelona and Celta Vigo who fill first and second respectively - I didn’t think we were playing that well this season! Then again, this time tomorrow might find us as low as seventh - it’s very tight up there in the nose-bleed section!<P>30th of January 2005<P>As I suspected would happen, we’re bumped back down the ladder to sixth as Athletic Bilbao drops two points on the road to Atlético Madrid. But there is a serious log-jam building at the top of the ladder, with Barcelona leading Celta Vigo, Valencia and Espanyol by a point, and Sporting Gijón, my club and Athletic Bilbao by three points. Barcelona has lost only one game in the league this season, but nine draws from 21 matches gives them 42 points when they could be so much further in front.<P>But the real surprise this season is seeing how poorly Real Madrid is performing, lying eleventh in the league some 14 points off the pace set by Barcelona.<P>Great news for players at the club as almost half the Team of the Week’s first eleven is filled by Cartagonova players, including Lacruz at left-back, Gavião and Clegg in centre midfield, Vucko on right wing and Redondo being partnered by Patrick Kluivert in attack. Iván Vidal is the substitute keeper. Bravo is the only Celta Vigo player capable of holding his head up high as he is named at right-back.

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1st of February 2005<P>I finalise my squad for our assault on the Champions’ League:<P>Goalkeepers<P>Iván Vidal (26 y/o, ESP, GK): 96 apps, 116 conceded, 10 MoMs, av. rate: 7.34
Francesc Arnau (29 y/o, ESP, GK): 12 apps, 11 conceded, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 7.25
JoaquÃ*n Moso (26 y/o, ESP, GK): 1(3) apps, 1 conceded, av. rate: 7.5<P>Defenders<P>Juan Carlos Castro (18 y/o, ESP 1 cap, SW/D C)
Iulian Filipescu (30 y/o, ROM 40 caps, 1 goal, SW/D/DM C): 50(5) apps, 4 goals, 4 assists, 1 MoM, av. rate: 6.71
Ballesteros (29 y/o, ESP, D/DM RC): 63(1) apps, 1 goal, 3 assists, av. rate: 6.90
Kew Jaliens (26 y/o, NED 2 caps, D RC): 16(1) apps, 2 assists, av. rate: 6.88
José MarÃ*a Lacruz (26 y/o, ESP, D RL): 68(3) apps, 5 assists, 1 MoM, av. rate: 6.70
Curro Torres (28 y/o, ESP, D/DM L): 11(2) apps, 1 MoM, av. rate: 6.92
Mariano Fernández (26 y/o, ARG, D C): 6 apps, 1 assist, av. rate: 7.17
Óscar �lvarez (27 y/o, ESP, D C): 61(1) apps, 3 goals, 1 assist, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 7.11
Alex Wingård (24 y/o, SWE, D C): 3(1) apps, av. rate: 7.00

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Midfielders<P>Fernando Manuel Couto (35 y/o, POR 82 caps, 7 goals, D/DM C): 140 apps, 4 goals, 10 assists, 13 MoMs, av. rate: 7.34
Francisco �lvarez (18 y/o, ESP, DM C)
Gavião (24 y/o, BRA, DM C): 4 apps, 2 goals, 1 assist, av. rate: 7.75
Pablo Box (26 y/o, ESP, M RC): 18(15) apps, 7 goals, 6 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rate: 7.03
George Clegg (24 y/o, ENG, AM/F RC): 5(2) apps, 3 goals, av. rate: 6.86
Paulo Miranda (25 y/o, ARG, AM RLC): 18(17) apps, 6 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 7.26
Fernando Morán (28 y/o, ESP, AM RLC): 127(4) apps, 39 goals, 29 assists, 8 MoMs, av. rate: 7.34
Rufete (28 y/o, ESP 1 cap, AM R): 49(1) apps, 13 goals, 12 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rate: 7.18
Jurica Vucko (28 y/o, HRV 12 caps, AM/F RC): 25(5) apps, 3 goals, 6 assists, 1 MoM, av. rate: 7.00
Michel (29 y/o, ESP, AM L): 114(4) apps, 18 goals, 27 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rate: 7.22
Keith O’Neill (28 y/o, IRE 27 caps, 4 goals, AM/F LC): 3(7) apps, 1 goal, av. rate: 6.80

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Forwards<P>Mauro Esposito (25 y/o, ITA, AM/F LC): 12(6) apps, 4 goals, 5 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 7.17
Juan Eduardo Esnáider (31 y/o, ARG 2 caps, 1 goal, AM/F C): 17(7) apps, 5 goals, 6 assists, 3 MoMs, av. rate: 7.50
Niels Kokmeijer (25 y/o, NED, S C): 32 apps, 11 goals, 8 assists, 2 MoMs, av. rate: 7.53
José Manuel Redondo (28 y/o, ESP, S C): 108(2) apps, 65 goals, 30 assists, 19 MoMs, av. rate: 7.91<P>2nd of May 2005<P>Copa del Rey - Quarter-final, First Leg: Athletic Bilbao v Cartagonova<P>I believe that if we get over this hurdle, then we should be considered the favourite for the Copa del Rey, but getting a result out of San Mamés will always be a difficult prospect. A tight first half is illuminated finally by Arteaga setting free Jorge Pérez who beats second-string keeper Francesc Arnau with his shot, but thankfully it rebounds off the bar. We sweep the ball away from the goalkick towards Kokmeijer the Dutchman sets up Redondo. But Redondo wastes the opportunity when he hits his drive wide of the mark. Just when I think we’ll get to half-time with a blank scoreline overlooking us, Athletic Bilbao win a free kick, quickly taken by Arteaga who finds Jorge Pérez. The attacking midfielder turns straight towards goal and then drives a shot into the corner of the goal. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG]<P>I emphasise to the players the importance of taking a precious away goal out of the stadium but we’re under the cosh early in the second half when Arteaga advances unhindered on Arnau but thankfully wastes his opportunity by hitting the bar. I decide that I’ve had enough of Box’s poor performances and I introduce Filipescu and O’Neill for Box and Miranda. But Athletic Bilbao is in complete control at the moment and Francesc Arnau for some time is the busiest man on the pitch when he saves from Felipe and Carlos GarcÃ*a around the hour mark. But against the run of play, we sneak an equaliser when Kokmeijer finds Redondo unmarked in the box and he punishes Bilbao’s slack defending with an excellent volleyed goal! [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="big grin[/IMG] But the defence cracks one more time and we fail to defend a corner cleanly. Orbaiz whips in his cross and Tabuenka rises above his marker, Óscar Ã�lvarez, to thunder home his header. [IMG]/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif" alt="mad[/IMG]<P>Athletic Bilbao (4-3-2-1): Imanol EtxeberrÃ*a; Lambea (Aitor 62), Orbaiz, LarraÃ*nzar, Kortina; Carlos GarcÃ*a (Tabuenka 68), Punal, Felipe; Jorge Peréz (Solaun 81), Idiákez; Arteaga.<P>Cartagonova (4-1-2-1-2): Arnau; Lacruz, Ã�lvarez, WingÃ¥rd, Ballesteros; Box (c) (Filipescu 57); Miranda (O’Neill 57), Vucko; Clegg; Redondo, Kokmeijer.<P>Final score: Athletic Bilbao 2:1 Cartagonova
MoM - Ã�ñigo LarraÃ*nzar

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In other results, Numancia simultaneously booked its place in the semi-finals and shocked high-flying Espanyol 4-1 in Soria, despite conceding a goal inside the first sixty seconds. Second division Ourense overcame Real Betis 2-1 in Orense. Real Oviedo has a foot in the semi-final stage after defeating Málaga 3-1 in Oviedo. <P>4th of February 2005<P>“… The book on one of the most highly decorated club careers was closed this afternoon as Celtic completed the purchase of Manchester United’s David Beckham for £15.5 million. Beckham was one of former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson’s most famous youth team products and appeared in the Manchester United colours 374 times while he has also represented England in 62 matches, scoring 4 goals. But a lack of success in Manchester since the acrimonious departure of Sir Alex Ferguson early in 2002 has seen the club’s stocks plummet recently and the balance of football power in the British Isles has shifted north towards Glasgow. The purchase of Beckham brings Martin O’Neill’s spending this season to a whopping £45.5 million, as the English midfielder joins Chilean striker Marcelo Salas and Dutch winger Marc Overmars at the club, although Celtic has recouped £32 million from sales of players including Ariel Ortega, Christian Vieri and Pavel Nedved.�