retired_loubou

the story

I was appointed on the 1st of July. My contract wage was worth €7,500/week and would expire on the 30th June of the year 2006. Like every new manager I started with this info on my history file:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Ability to handle pressure 10Ambition 10Loyalty 10Media handling 10Professionalism 10Temperament 10Reputation unproven </pre>

On Wednesday 2nd July, I declared my intrest in Djugarden's Kim Kallstrom. The swedish youngster is seen as one of the hottest prospects for the future in the big football competition, but in Belgium he would be a real god, so hopefully he would like to join us. I made an offer on him worth €4.1M.

Two days later they accepted my offer and I was able to negotiate a contract with his agent and him. In the begin his agent made it a little hard for me, but after 30 minutes of negotiations I was able to offer him a nice contract. He told me he would consider my offer and see what other teams would offer him. The same day Betis offered €9M to Fenerbahce for their Argentinian player Ariel Ortega. They seemed very happy to accept their offer as the player was able to sign a contract at any other team who wanted him, as his contract was rolling.

On Saturday the 5th July Inter Milan offered a contract to Ortega without paying anything for him. From then on Betis knew it would be very hard to get the player to their team. On the same day Lyon made an offer for Renato, who currently plays for Brazilian team Santos.The next sportflash I saw on my sport channel was this one:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Mexès to big for Auxerre?

It is crystal clear that Philip Mexès won't be playing for Auxerre this season. The young French central defender is wanted by alot of topclubs over Europe. The teams who are chasing the player to get his signature are Lyon, Espanyol, Man Utd, Valencia, Mallorca and Sevilla.But the list seems to grow with every day that is passing. This will certainly be continued.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ruud Gullit was appointed on Monday 7 July by the English Premier division team Tottenham. The 40year old manager, who has a very good reputation, has the task to bring Tottenham some glory in the coming seasons. The fans were very excited that a manager with his reputation wanted to manager their team. On the same day it became clear that Ariel Ortega would spent his next three years in Italy as he signed a contract with Inter Milan. The Argentinian player was very happy that he could sign a contract for such a topclub. The last message came from Charleroi as they wanted one of my youth players on loan for the rest of the season. I accepted their offer and told Michaël Cornelis to check out how the life of a first team footballer was.

The day after that we were already Tuesday. That was the day I got a phonecall from Kallstrom's agent, who told me that Kim accepted my contract offer. The reason for this was and I repeat his words:
"I'm very excited of playing with players of superior ability." He rejected offers from Alavés and Las Palmas. But not everyone was happy with that transfer as from the minute my players knew that he would join us Ceh came in my office telling me that he saw this as a threat for him as Kim could also play in his position. I told Ceh that he should prove himself he was worth his place in the first team or he could leave. It was harsh but it was the truth.
Two hours later Kallstrom arrived at the club and signed his €10,250/week contract which would expire on the 30th June of 2006.

Wednesday 9th July Cornelis came to my office to let me know he would depart to Charleroi until the rest of the season. I wished him the best of luck. A day later Ceh came to me to apologise. He told me he was willing to train harder then he ever did to earn a first team spot. I accepted his apologise and told him I would forget about his outburst. The same day Feyenoord signed Renato for €5M.

And then I had to play my first friendly on the 14th.

Brugge vs. Petkimspor (A) 20.00h
Friendly

We lost the game due to a goal from Cem Ercan in the 22th minute. It was the only goal of the game and so I lost my first game as a manager.

retired_loubou

After that friendly I decided to cancel all of the friendly's and give the boys some training, especcially in shooting as all of our chances went over the bar. The day after my friendly it became official that Philip Mexès left Auxerre for Espanyol!!He could have gone to Valencia or Man Utd, but the Frenchmen said that it would be the best for his career, if he didn't moved to fast. Oh well maybe he's right. Then there were some qiuet days and on Saturday the 19th I had to do something important. I had to decide my squad numbers, and I know for an expierenced manager that ain't much fun, but for me it felt good.

Two days later I recieved an email from the chairman of Valladolid as he wanted to know how much I wanted for Alin Stoica. I didn't want to sell him right away, so I asked them €4M. If they would give this for him then he would be able to leave. Today was also the day that Valencia brought a new striker to Mestalla. He came from Auxerre and his name is Djibril Cissé.His former team recieved €12M for the young striker.

On the 23rd July Arsenal's chairman called me to ask me how much I wanted for Timmy Simons. Timmy is without a doubt one of the best defenders of Belgium and is wanted by several topclubs like Milan, Deportivo and Man Utd. My decision was quiclky made, if they wanted to sign him they would have to pay hard cash and so I asked €10M for the Defender/Defensive midfielder (Right/Central). That same day Valladolid let me know that they weren't intrested anymore in Alin Stoica.

On friday Arsenal called me back to let me know that they weren't intrested anymore in Simons. In the late afternoon I got the suprising news from the Uefa that I xould play against GAK from Austria in the second qualifying round of the champions league. I don't understand how it comes that we started in the 2nd round. We were the champions last year so we chould be in the third round. Oh well, it's a good training and hopefully we are able to progress.
The first leg would be played in 5 days, that would be on the 30th July.

Days passed without some intresting news and so I was ready for my first real game of the season.

Brugge vs GAK (H) 19.45
Champions league qualifying round 2 leg 1
Attendance: 25154
Dry 22°C

Team line-up (5-3-2): Butina, Simons, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Verheyen, Ceh, Englebert, Kallstrom, Clement (c), Saeternes, Mendoza

Gak started the game with a normal 4-4-2 tactic and they dominate the first 25 minutes of the game. Their first real chance came in the 21st minute when Dollinger headed to Dürr. He controlled the ball well before he struck the ball with fury. Butina was beated for the first time, but he couldn't be blamed. It was De Cock's fault as his man was left unmarked. After that goal the fans were yelling and tried to be the 12th man on the pitch. It helped a lot as is the 37th minute Saeternes got the ball just outside the area. He fired at the target but his shot was saved and pushed away by Siegl. But still the chance wasn't over as the ball felt in Kallstrom's feet and he was left a simple finish. It was also the last chance of the first half.

Half-time score: 1 - 1

In the dressingroom I asked my players to hunt ad press as much as they could and prevent any further goals. It seemed like they understood what I asked as in the 50th minute Mendoza picked up a loose ball a few yards before the area. He continued his way in the box and dribbled his way past the keeper before he simply scored the 2-1. What a wonderfull goal by Mendoza. Eleven minutes later Kallstrom played a lovely deep ball for Mendoza. He entered the box with the ball and send the ball low past the keeper and we were leading by 3 goals to 1. Mendoza really proved to be a good player. And still the game wasn't over as GAK tried their best to create a chance they just couldn't create one. In the 78th minute we got a corner kick. De Cock played the ball in the box and Mendoza jumped higher then the rest to score his third goal of the game. And so we won the game rather easily.

MoM: Mendoza (10)
Final score: Brugge 4 - GAK 1

Scorers: Kallstrom, Mendoza (3)
Assists: De Cock, Kallstrom, Saeternes.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">substitutions:66th minute:Verheyen -&gt; Stoica Ceh -&gt; Gvozdenovic </pre>

Manager notes: Good game by Mendoza and a good debut by Kallstrom. Gert Verheyen also picked up an injury in the game and he would be out for 2 weeks.

On the last day of the month I was informed by the UEFA that either we or GAK would play Lokomotiv Moscou in the third qualifying round of the champions league. And also today I saw on the tv that Dortmund signed Ludovic Giuly from AS Monaco for €10.25M.

shannon2007

Decent score then, should go through. Lets just hope you dont meet Rangers in the 3rd round

retired_loubou

The start of the competition and the start of August.

1st August:

The board of directors and the chairman informed me that they were still sure they made the right choice in appointing me. But the fans were still very disappointed that I was appointed. I will try to convince them. My manager profile looked like this at the start of the month:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Ability to handle pressure 7 3 downAmbition 10 sameLoyalty 8 2 downMedia handling 13 3 upProfessionalism 8 2 downTemperament 10 sameReputation unproven same </pre>

Today I also had to select 25 players who were able to play in the champions league. Because of the small squad I had it wasn't hard to choose these 25.

2nd August:

Today we had to play for the Belgium Super Cup against La Louvière.

Brugge vs. La Louvière (H) 20.30
Belgium Super Cup
Attendance:
Dry 22°C

Team line-up (5-3-2): Butina, Simons, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Stoica, Ceh, Englebert, Kallstrom, Clement (c), Saeternes, Mendoza

Just like every game in België, when a big team plays against a little team, it is always the big team who is trying to create some chances while the small team is playing very defensive. Today was no exception as La Louvière started with a 4-5-1 tactic. They were hoping to score with a counterattack. We had some small chances in the start of the game but not good enough to mention. In the 41st minute we have our first real chance. De Cock played a long throw in towards Mendoza. He was left unmarked in the area and so he could simply score the first goal of the game. We then had two chances in a row, two times created by Ceh. The first time he centred the ball from the left wing. Kallstrom's header splashed onto the post and the ball ran loose. Englebert picked up the loose ball and played it up towards Van der Heyden. He passed the ball to Ceh who was on the left wing without a marker. He had all the time to look before he crossed the ball onto Mendoza's. His header disappeared in the right topcorner and so it was 2-0 just before the half-time.

Half-time score: 2 - 0

In the second half La Louvière started with a bit more attacking 4-5-1 as it was there last chance to do something. In the 58th minute Simons played a long ball to Clement who's volley flew in the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out because he was off-side. The last chance of the game came 20 minutes later trough a corner kick. Ceh played the ball to the near post where Saeternes headed the ball past the keeper and scored the 3-0.

MoM: Mendoza (10)
Final score: Brugge 3 - La Louvière 0

Scorers: Mendoza (2), Saeternes
Assists: Ceh (2), De Cock

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Substitutions: 64th minute: Clement -&gt; Martens </pre>

Manager notes: Another good game by Mendoza and Ceh and Simons also played a great game.

By this win we won the Super Cup for the second year in a row now. It is also my first trophy I won. Hopefully the fans would be happy with this.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Journalist: Congratulations Björn on winning the Super Cup. It must feel great to win this trophy?

Björn: Yes it surely does, especcialy because I'm a new manager. Hopefully I proved the criticasters wrong by winning this game today.

Journalist: What did you thought about the game?

Björn: Well I knew it would be tough to score the first goal because of their defensive mentality, but when the first goal was scored I knew we would score more. The boys really played well and I hope they will continue this in their next game against GAK.

Journalist: Ok, Björn thanks for your comment. We will now take a little interview with Phillip Clement. Yeah, you can come over here Clement. Thank you. What were your thoughts about the game?

Clement: Well I'm veryy happy we won this game, but we had to fight for it. If you look at the first half you can see that it was difficult to create some chances but when Andres scored his first goal of the game, they started to attack a bit more and so there was more space to create some chances.

Journalist: You were replaced by Martens in the 64th minute. How do you feel about that?

Clement: I asked the manager if he could substitute me, as I picked up a little knock just before my substitution. At first he wanted me to try and see if it would be possible to finish the game, but the pain got worse with the minute and so I was replaced.

Journalist: Ok, thanks for your comment Phillip and hopefully you aren't injured. See you later and again thanks.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Clement's knock wasn't a bad thing all he needed was some rest.

3rd August:

In Italy Milan have won the Super Cup as they trashed Juventus with 4-1. After 37 minutes of football Milan was leading with 0-4 thanks to goals by Cafu, Seedorf, Nesta and Kaka. Nedved's goal in the 82nd minute came to late.
And in England Chelsea have confirmed that they have signed Nicolas Anelka from Man City. Anelka's former club received €19.25M for their French striker.

4th August:

When I turned on my tv I saw that Skybet was showing the title odds for the upcoming season in Belgium. Anderlecht are the favourites placed at 6-4 followed by Brugge at 5-2 and the third team rated at 3-1 is Racing Genk.

retired_loubou

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Peacemaker7:
Decent score then, should go through. Lets just hope you dont meet Rangers in the 3rd round <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would be happy to meet Rangers there so that would be another round I would be able to progress trough :p
But it is going to be Lokomotiv I will meet.

retired_loubou

Wednesday 6th August:

Brugge vs. GAK (A) 19.45
Champions Cup Qualifying round 2 leg 2 (agg score 1-4)
Attendance: 12348
Dry 17°C

Team line-up (5-3-2): Butina, Simons, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Stoica, Ceh, Englebert, Kallstrom, Clement (c), Saeternes, Mendoza

We got off to a dream start in the first minute when Ceh send Kallstrom deep, who is now one-on-one with the keeper. He shoots but Siegl saved the shot, but the ball ran loose. Kallstrom picked it up again and now he was left a simple finish. It's his second goal in the champions league. From then on GAK created some chances, the biggest one being for Goosens but his attempt went over the bar. In the 30th minute Ceh puts the corner into the area, where Saeternes heads onto it but his attempt was easily saved by Siegl. In the 41st minute Englebert was injured and replaced by Gvozdenovic.

Half-time score: 0 - 1

The second half starts on a high tempo. In the 48th minute there was a long throw in from GAK. In all of the wir war Krenn was shoved by De Cock in the area and the referee pointed at the penaltystip. Krenn converted the penalty himself and so the scores were level again. In the 59th minute Hörtnagl was sent off for elbowing Simons. From then on GAK started defending and we couldn't creat any more chances.

MoM: Kallstrom (8)
Final score: GAK 1 (2) - Brugge 1 (5)

Scorers: Kallstrom
Assists: none

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Substitution: 41st minute: Englebert (inj) -&gt; Gvozdenovic 65th minute: Saeternes -&gt; Lange </pre>

Because of this draw and the 4 - 1 win at home we progress to the next round and there we will meet Lokomotiv Moscou from Russia.

Friday 8th August:

I recieved a fax from Mouscron as they were wondering if they could loan Danny Verlinden until the end of the season. I rejected as Verlinden would only leave this club on a transfer.
Today was also the start of the competition as Charleroi lost their first game at home against AA Gent with 0 - 2. The two newly promoted teams met each other on the first day of the competition at Heusden-Zoldar. Cercle Brugge was able to get away with a 1 - 1 draw thanks to a goal from Jbari.

Saturday 9th August:
Aruna Dindane has left Belgium today as he signed a contract at Hertha BSC. Both teams agreed that an offer of €3.6M would be enough. Aruna is very happy that he could move to his new team and he wants to impress his new manager.

Brugge vs. La Louvière (H) 20.00
First division game 1
Attendance: 18945
Dry 19°C

Team line-up (5-3-2): Butina, Simons, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Stoica, Ceh, Englebert, Kallstrom, Clement (c), Saeternes, Mendoza

La Louvière started the game with the same tactic like in the Super Cup, so with a defensife 4-5-1. But this time it didn't take us so long to create our fisrt real chance as in the 17th minute Van der Heyden played the ball to Mendoza. He headed the ball on to Kallstrom, who was faster then Stijn Minne, he struck the ball with fury into the back of the net. It was a lovely team move with a lovely finish. Five minutes later Ceh passed to Mendoza who putted the ball past Proto but the goal was ruled out because of offside. The game tempo dropped a little from then on but a couple of minutes before the end of the first half Ceh passed to Mendoza. This time he was just not offside and his ball flyed towards the topcorner. Proto couldn't get his hands to it and so it dissapeared in the back of the net. Four minutes later, that would be two minutes into injury time, Proto's goalkick was headed away by De Cock. Clement was able to pick the ball up and then he played a lovely pass towards Mendoza. He got the ball into the box, but wasn't selfish and passed it to the unmarked Saeternes who scored the third goal of the game.

Half-time score: 3 - 0

In the second half there wasn't much excitement as we pulled a little bit back and La Louvière didn't seem able to creat a good chance, albeit in the 53th minute Vervalle was one-on-one with the keeper, but Butina saved his attempt rather easily. The last thing that I should say about this game is the standing ovation Bengt Saeternes got when I substituted him in the 91st minute for Lange.

MoM: Saeternes (8)
Final score: Brugge 3 - La Louvière 0

Scorers: Kallstrom, Mendoza, Saeternes
Assists: Mendoza (2), Ceh

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Substitution: 78th minute: Englebert -&gt; Martens Stoica -&gt; Rozehnal 91st minute: Saeternes -&gt; Lange </pre>

Manager notes: A great game by the whole team, expect for Englebert who was a bit invisible today.

Other games were also played today as Anderlecht proved to be ready for the season as they trashed Racing Genk with 5 - 2. Mornar completed his hat-trick. Antwerp - Mons ended one all. Lierse gave football lessons to Lokeren in a 4 - 0 game. and the last game today was Westerlo at home against Beveren: 5-0.

Sunday 10th August:

Man Utd (Ruud van Nistelrooy pen4, Christiano 26) beat Arsenal (Aliadière) in the English Community Shield 2-1.
Today we had the last two games of the first playday in our season. These were the results:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Sint-Truiden 3 - Germinal Beerschot 1Mouscron 1 - Standard 1 </pre>

retired_loubou

Wednesday 13th August:

Today was a very important day as we would invite Lokomotiv Moscou to our stadium.

Brugge vs. Lokomotiv Moscou (H) 19.45
Champions Cup Qualifying round 3 leg 1
Attendance: 29945
Dry 22°C

Team line-up (5-3-2): Butina, Simons, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Stoica, Ceh, Englebert, Kallstrom, Clement (c), Saeternes, Mendoza

In the first 30 minutes Lokomotiv dominated the game but Butina was keeping an exceptional day today. And it was necessary as they created 4 chances in the first hal hour. From then on my team waked up and in the 38th minute Kallstrom passed to Saeternes who passed it back to Kallstrom. His shot was pushed away by Nigmatullin. Seven minutes later we had a freekick at th halfway line. De Cock played the ball to Ceh, who was almost at the byline. His cross was aimed for the far post where Englebert just had to put his head against the ball to score his first goal of the season. And it was a very important one.

Half-time score: 1 - 0

In the second half Ceh passed to Saeternes who turned well away from his marker, but his shot went over the bar. There wasn't anymore to see in the second half as Lokomotiv didn't want to concede more then one goal and they putted a 2 row wall before their area. In the 80th minute Butina picked up a little knock and I replaced him with Verlinden.

MoM: Butina (8)
Final score: Brugge 1 - Lokomotiv Moscou 0

Scorers: Englebert
Assists: Ceh

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Substitution: 72nd minute: Stoica came off for Verheyen Lange came on for Mendoza 80th minute: Butina (knock) came off for Verlinden. </pre>

Friday 15th August:

Ajax completed the deal to bring Santos' Robinho to their club. The transfer was worth €8.75M
Also today I checked my newspaper and saw this interview.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>
Nieuwsblad
Mendoza sick of life in Belgium

Rumours are spreading that Club Brugge's Andres Mendoza is sick of his life at Belgium. He says that he hates the way people live in Belgium and he also hates the weather here. He has instructed his agent to look for another club to join, where life and weather, are better then Belgium. Some say that he already signed a contract at Fulham, but these rumours were waved away by both player and club. How long will it last before a subtop club comes knocking on the door for the player? Only Brugge know this....
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I knew that Mendoza wanted to move away from Belgium, so that isn't any new news. Hopefully he will stay at least until newyear.

Saturday 16th August:

Today were the first game of the second playday in our competition. Charleroi picked up their first win away from home against Beveren. La Louvière restored pretty fast from their loss against Club Brugge last week as today they won their home game against Heusden Zolder. Mouscron won their game in and against Mons with 2-3. The last game today was between Standard and Westerlo.The game ended on 0-2.

Sunday 17th August:

Cercle Brugge proved that they deserved their spot in the first division as they defeated Antwerp 4 - 1 at home. Sint-Truiden won their away game at Lokeren easily with 1-4. And Germinal Beerschot did me a big favour by winning 4 - 2 at home against Anderlecht.

At the evening it was time for us to play our second game.

Brugge vs Genk (A) 20.00
First division game 2
Attendance: 22507
Breezy, wet 22°C

Team line-up (5-3-2): Butina, Simons, De Cock, Van der Heyden, Verheyen, Ceh, Englebert, Kallstrom, Clement (c), Saeternes, Mendoza

The first half was nothing to be proud of as Genk dominated us the whole 45minutes. They had some good chances trough Thijs, Roussel and Vandenbergh but either the post, Butina or their own faults prevented them from scoring. We couldn't create a single chance.

Half-time score: 0 - 0

The second half started better when in the 48th minute Verheyen passed to Simons who played a great 30 yard pass towards Saeternes. He rounded the keeper before he slotted the ball into the back of the net, and so we toke the lead but it wasn't deserved. From then on we were dominated again but Butina was great for the second game in a row and he made sure we toke the three points with us.

MoM: Butina (9)
Final score: Genk 0 - Brugge 1

Scorers: Saeternes
Assists: Simons

This game proved that ball possesion doesn't decides which team wins the three points. You've to finish your chances and that's what we did today.

retired_loubou

Monday 18th August:

I wasn't delighted with the way we played the last two games so I decided to try the 4-4-2 tactic. This was going to be my line up:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Mendoza Saeternes Ceh Englebert Kallstrom Verheyen Van der Heyden Clement De Cock Simons Butina</pre>

Ceh would run to the AML position, Verheyen to AMR and Kallstrom to AMC. Hopefully we would player better with this tactic. We will see in our next game.
Also today I saw in the newspaper that Dortmund strengthen their team with Alex from Cruzeiro. Dortmund payed €17.75M for the Brazilian midfielder.

Thursday 21st August:

Today the fans, the board and me also were schocked when my psyhio, Geert, told me that Bengt Saeternes would be out for more then four months with a pulled hamstring. Rune Lange will replace him in the team.

Friday 22nd August:

Brugge vs. Germinal Beerschot (H) 20.00
First division game 3
Attendance: 16250
Dry 10°C

Already in the first minute my tactci proved to be a good one, when Van der Heyden send Mendoza deep. He saw that Verbist was out of his goal, because of a communication problem between him and his defense, and he shoved the trough his legs into the back of the net. Eight minutes later GBA fought back through Victor but his shot went just over the bar. In the 14th minute Van der Heyden passed to Ceh who played a first time pass towards Englebert. Englebert saw that Mendoza got away from his marker and played a high ball to him. Mendoza's volley nailed Verbist to the ground and so we were up two. Another five minutes later Mendoza completed his hat-trick. It was Van der Heyden who gave the last pass to him. Verbist got a hand to it, but he couldn't prevent the ball crossing the line and so it was 3-0 after 19 minutes of football. From then on we pulled a bit back and let GBA control the game.

Half-time score: 3 - 0

The first chance in the second half came in the 69th minute. Verheyen layed the ball back to De Cock who's first time shot went over the goal. GBA had some little chances from then on but nothing to worry Butina and so we won the game with convincing 3-0 numbers.

MoM: Mendoza (10)
Final score: Brugge 3 - Germinal Beerschot 0

Scorers: Mendoza (3)
Assists: Van der Heyden (2), Englebert

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Substitution: 68th minute: Mendoza could rest for the game against Lokomotiv, in his place came Martens. </pre>

Saturday 23rd August:

Anderlecht won their game against Lokeren, who now lost their third game in a row, with 2-0. Antwerp - Heusden Zolder ended in a 3-0 win for the home team. La Louvière returned home with a point from Genk, as the game ended 1-1. Lierse putted Beveren in a crisis as their third loss in a row. This time Beveren lost with 4-1. Mouscron won their home game easily with 3-1 against Cercle Brugge.The last game today was Westerlo's third win in a row against Mons, 2-0.

Sunday 24th August:

The last two games for this playday ended like this:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Sint-Truiden 3 - AA Gent 0Charleroi 3 - Standard 2 </pre>

Today I was informed by the Belgian FA that the transfer deadline would be in one week. And also today Inter bought Steed Malbranque for €7.75M

retired_loubou

Wednesday 27th August:

Brugge vs. Lokomotiv Moscou (A) 19.45
Champions Cup Qualifying round 3 leg 2 (agg score 1-0 for Brugge)
Attendance: 20991
Wet, 3°C

Team line-up (4-4-2): Butina, Simons, Van der Heyden, De Cock, Clement(c), Verheyen, Ceh, Kallstrom, Englebert, Lange, Mendoza

We started with the same tactic as against GBA. and they started with an attacking 4-4-2 system as they needed to score more then one goal to progress to the group phases. In the 8th minute we had our first little chance but Kallstrom's freekick went just wide of the target. They started to create some chances but nothing to worry Butina. In the 33rd minute of the game we had our first big chance. Mendoza's header was saved by Nigmatullin. Just before the end of the first half Lokomotiv had their first real chance to score. Sirkhaev struck the ball with fury, but Butina tipped the ball over the bar.

Half-time score: 0 - 0

In the second half the first chance was for my team when Lange crossed the ball from the right wing but Mendoza controlled the ball wrong and blazed the ball over the goal. Eight minutes later Lokomotiv created a fine chance including Izmailov and Miromov. The last one finished the move with a fine header into the topcorner. And so they toke the lead. But they needed another goal and so they started to attack more. It created more space for us be we couldn't score a goal. So we went to extra time. In that first half Mendoza was send clear by Kallstrom and the Perugian striker finished it off with a placed ball into the right corner. Two minutes later Izmailov crossed the ball from the left wing to Obradovic, who headed the ball into the back of the net. The first half of the extra time ended like that and so we were trough on the Silver goal rule.

MoM: Sergey Miromov (9)
Final score: Lokomotiv Moscou 2 (2) - Brugge 1 (2) (after extra time)

Scorers: Mendoza
Assists: Kallstrom

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Substitution: 92nd minute: Van der Heyden was replaced by Birger Van de Ven Lange picked up a little knock and was replaced by Tim Smolders </pre>

Manager notes: Mendoza scored his 50th goal for Brugge and it was a very important one, because of that goal we were qualified on away goals. Lange was out for 5 days with a neck injury.

These were the other teams who qualified for the Champions Cup, the losers were send to the Uefa Cup:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Ch. Cup U. Cup Dinamo Kiev despite AEK Ajax despite Slavia Prague Anderlecht despite Dinamo CSKA Sofia despite Austra Vienna Celtic despite Deportivo Dortmund despite CSKA Moscow FC Copenhagen despite Celta KR despite Galatasaray Grasshopper despite Zilina Lazio despite Rapid Marseille despite MTK Newcastle despite BATE Partizan despite Benfica Chelsea despite Rangers Sparta Prague despite Rosenborg </pre>

Because of the qualification goal and his performances in other games Mendoza became a real favourite and hoped they could see him playing for a long time at Brugge. I hoped it to.

Then I recieved the group phases. Here they are:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Team CountryGroup A: Anderlecht BEL Arsenal ENG Celtic SCO Lyon FRAGroup B: Ajax HOL Inter ITA Partizan SEB VFB Stuttgart GERGroup C: Dortmund GER Grasshopper SWI Juventus ITA Olympiakos GREGroup D: Besiktas TUR Chelsea ENG KR ICE Real Sociedad SPAGroup E: CSKA Sofia BUL Bayern GER Newcastle ENG PAO GREGroup F: Dinamo Kiev UKR FC Copenhagen DEN Man Utd ENG Porto PORGroup G: CLUB BRUGGE BEL Marseille FRA Milan ITA PSV HOLGroup H: Lazio ITA Monaco FRA Real Madrid SPA Sparta Prague CZE </pre>

retired_deedee465

Nice work.
Anderlecht still the best though
KUTGW