retired_deljo

28.3.09
Hector Cuper has selected his big names for the visit of Inter this afternoon. That means that we are going to have an extremely hard afternoon against one of the world's best sides.

Varese 0

Inter 2
Raul 12
Veron 32

We never had a look in. Inter's defence is so well marshalled by Javier Zanetti that we never ever had a chance to get to test Frey. We also needed to hold onto a 0-0 for longer than twelve minutes, but Raul's header broke any chance of that. Another header, from Juan Sebastian Veron, consigned us to our thirteenth defeat in 27 league games, but despite that. we're two games away from being mathematically safe, and considering there are seven games left, I take that as a positive. This game was poor to watch - not much other than the goals happened - and I'm depressed at the lack of effort we had (bar Orellana and McPhee, who were tireless).

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini(c), Orellana, Lewis, Franzese (C.Vieri 45), Cavalcante, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

1.4.09
April Fools Day. We had better not be made to look fools by Udinese as we travel to the Friuli. One change - Franzese is suspended, so Asencio covers.

Udinese 3
Marianini 4
Pinga 45
Rota 57

Varese 5
Alexiou 2
Santos 7, 37
Dobek 32, 44

I'm not sure I've figured out what happened today. The start was fast and frantic, but before I knew what went on we were 5-1 up :eek: . An early lead is always a good sign that we're up for the match, and Alexiou finished a fantastic slick passing move to silence the 25000 in the Friuli. Francesco Marianini scored an eighreen yard piledriver just two minutes later, but by seven minutes we were back ahead, as Santos, despite stumbling, managed to beat De Sanctis. And then my lads just turned on the skill and turned up the heat. Mateusz Dobek scored a carbon copy of Santos' goal to make it three, and after De Sanctis failed to hold McPhee's shot, Santos was on hand to score his 20th of the season. Then Dobek scored a diving header from Santos' cross, and we were 5-1 up . Pinga made that 2-5 on the half time whistle by passing into an empty net. Orazio Rota scored a lucky third for Udinese as his long cross evaded everyone before landing in the far corner of the net. But quite amazingly, we came away with a 5-3 win! Having been under pressure for a lot of the game, it's a great scoreline.

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini(c), Orellana, Lewis, Asencio, Cavalcante, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

4.4.09
After the trip to Lazio we have five games left, and bar Juventus we could win them all. Which is why beating Lazio is imperative to continue any feint hopes of maiking an unlikely UEFA Cup spot. Greg Lewis is away with Australia, so Edu Dracena returns.

Lazio 3
Stankovic 7
Inzaghi 12
Corradi 41

Varese 2
Doukas 37
Cavalcante 48

If we had started better we may have taken something, but as Lazio romped away early on we really couldn't have won, but we did pretty well to recover as we did. Dejan Stankovic bundled in after three attempts saved by Stekelenburg from various Biancocelesti players, and then five minutes later Simone Inzaghi launched a header past the Dutch keeper. The 2-0 lead was cut by a goal as Stilianos Doukas tricked his way to the edge of the area before chipping Kapantsov. If we could have gone in 2-1 down instead of 3-1 then a point may well have been ours. However, Bernardo Corradi volleyed in his fifth of the season to give Mancini's side a stronger lead. Claudio Cavalcante scored with a bullet of a shot to reduce the arrears, but we couldnt find the last one. We are twelve points from sixth place, which could rise to fifteen tomorrow.

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini(c), Orellana, Edu Dracena, Asencio, Cavalcante, Doukas, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

12.4.09
This afternoon's match against Atalanta was in serious doubt due to the abysmal weather. It hasn't stopped raining for twenty hours, and as such the pitch, despite looking playable, will hold up and make passing hard. Asencio stays in ahead of Franzese, Lewis returns, and Vieri is in for the out of form McPhee - just to get the Scot thinking.

Varese 4
Asencio 23
Alexiou 27, 62
McPhee 84
Doukas injured 62

Atalanta 1
Ventola 70

As the rain lashed down, we rained in on Atalanta's goal in a downpour of goals. Christos Alexiou is having a wonderful season, and was brilliant today. It took until halfway through the first half before we opened the scoring, and it was Pablo Asencio who repayed my belief in the Argentinian by slamming past La Notte from twenty-two yards. It's been hard for him with the emergence of Cavalcante, but he's still progressing nicely. Four minutes later Alexiou picked up a loose ball and scored at the near post with a powerful shot. The lead meant we could relax a little, and play what football we could on the deteriorating pitch. Shortly after the hour, the only decent passing move of the game cut Atalanta's defence to pieces and Alexiou was on hand to sidefoot a simple goal, taking him to sixteen for the season. The 3-0 lead allowed me to take off the injured Doukas, and bring on McPhee, dropping Dobek to midfield. It had an adverse effect, as Atalanta started attacking and rescued a goal from Nicola Ventola. Santi came on to balance things up, and then McPhee got his goal. He beat one man before beating La Notte from an impossible angle to reach double figures for his campaign. Impressive again, as we continue to be, amazingly, Serie A's top scorers.

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini(c), Orellana, Lewis, Asencio, Cavalcante, Doukas (McPhee 62), Santos, Dobek, C. Vieri (Santi 79), Alexiou

19.4.09
Piacenza are almost relegated. They are one place from the bottom of Serie A, have been in the relegation zone all season, and have gone on a run of fifteen without a win. Add this to a 5-0 defeat to Roma last week and 4-0 to Milan previous to that, and we really should win. Franzese replaces the injured Doukas, and McPhee is rightfully restored.

Piacenza 0
Ola sent off 57

Varese 6
Santos 29
McPhee 34, 55
Cavalcante 42
Dobek 47
Franzese 58 pen

An absolute rout :cool: . Our biggest win for six years (congrats to those who remember my 6-0 drubbing of Sangiovannese back in Serie C1A ) and frankly it could have been twelve or thirteen. Even more surprising was that it took 29 minutes to break through, but when we did it was Santos who was onto the ball in a flash before beating the hapless Ricardo Patti. That was the signal for the floodgates to open, and just five minutes later McPhee found a small space to turn and unleash a stunning left foot strike. Just thirty seconds later the Scot was in again, with a delightful lob following a breathtaking move. But he was offside . No worries, as a 42nd minute corner was emphatically headed in by Claudio Cavalcante. Another header followed after half time, as Dobek was left free at the back post to score an eleventh of the season. McPhee was soon in again, with another shot that was pure goalscoring - nobody would have stopped it. Daniel Ola was then sent off for a foul as the last man chasing Alexiou, and Franzese tidied up. Dobek had a few more stopped, but it was so easy, but that isn't to detract from the quality we exhibited.

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini(c), Orellana, Lewis, Asencio, Cavalcante, Franzese, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

The game saw a new record set. With the six, we moved to 71 goals for the season, which is a modern day record, eclipsing the 69 scored by the Milan of the early 00's. :cool: - and there's still three games left.

retired_deljo

more from Northern Italy....

26.4.09
Brescia arrive for the penultimate penultimate game of the season. No changes made after the emphatic 6-0 win.

Varese 3
Alexiou 14
Cavalcante 22
Orellana 83

Brescia 2
Spinesi 35
Salvatori 60

The result means we stay in 8th place. Our form players shone again today, in particular the first half . On forteen minutes Christos Alexiou capped off a wonderful move to make it seventeen for the season. Another flowing move was finished by the flourishing Claudio Cavalcante. The young Brazilian is a star waiting to blossom, and he is coming into his own now, with his third goal in four games, a sumptuous finish leaving Macelloni floundering. Unfortunately, we sat back after going 2-0 up, and allowed Brescia to desperately rescue what they could in vain hope of getting something to avoid relegation. Gionatha Spinesi hooked past an uncertain Stekelenburg to make it 2-1, but there was little else. Until progressive striker Donato Salvatori scored another goal to add to his impressive collection to upset the balance and make it 2-2. But Daniel Orellana saved the day. Where the strikers failed, the Argentinian defender scored with a three yard tap in from a corner.

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini(c), Orellana, Lewis, Asencio, Cavalcante, Franzese, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

3.5.09
Pablo Asencio is suspended on the final away game of the season, in Naples, so Stilianos Doukas' return to fitness is a benefit. The San Paolo stadium is bathed in scorching heat as we look to beat Napoli and make sure of eighth place.

Napoli 0

Varese 3
Doukas 44
Alexiou 58
McPhee 68

There was never any doubt today. Napoli were more concerned with sunbathing than winning, and it showed. Not only did we score three, but also had three disallowed :eek: . The first of these came ninety seconds into the game, as McPhee strolled in to beat Agliardi - but was seen to be offside. Alvaro Recoba went down the other end and struck the post. On 19 minutes McPhee put Santos in for a header, but the Brazilian had his effort ruled out for offside. He was furious - the goal would have made him our top scorer ever, and he was booked for his protests. Seconds before half time Santos flicked on a long ball and Doukas was on hand to nudge into the goal, and this one stood. Into the second half, and two minutes after the restart Alexiou was the next one to have a goal chalked off, as he ran too early onto Franzese's ball. It was the only real correct decision of the three. Needless to say I wasn't happy, but the smile returned to my face as Dobek found Alexiou, and a delightful shimmy gave him another goal for his sixth in eight and equalling his 18 of Serie B - and twelve assists again (albeit in more games) :cool: . Doukas' cross arrived perfectly for McPhee to boost his total again, and finally win the match. The win means we are certain to finish 8th - a fantastic season, with Juventus the last game at the Franco Ossola.

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini(c), Orellana, Lewis, Doukas, Cavalcante, Franzese, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

retired_deljo

10.5.09
Last game of the season, and once again the fans deserve a wonderful last day in the sun. Juventus can't win Serie A, as Milan clinched it already, and I want to prove our performance in the Delli Alpi wasn't luck. Edu Dracena covers the suspended Orellana.

Varese 3
Santos 15
Alexiou 45, 56

Juventus 0

The capacity crowd had a wonderful day, as we finished the season with five straight wins, none more gratifying than beating a strong Juventus side. The fiftteenth minute saw a piece of history. Carlos Alberto Viera Dos Santos scored a header which takes him to 46 league goals - eclipsing the record of 45 set by Gabi Batistuta, and as he is a midfielder that is special. On the stroke of half time Franzese, Dobek, and Santos linked to provide Alexiou with a simple chance to double the lead. Ten minutes into the start of the second Alexiou drilled his 20th of the season from eighteen yards off the crossbar to secure an absolutely magical final day. We may have only finished eighth, but considering we were favourites to go down, and the other three sides who came up with us all went back down says wonders for our achievements this season. I send the team out to complete a lap of honour (I am forced to join in ) to honour the fans, and have the fans honour a great bunch of players, who will soon have the experience to take Italy by storm. Great stuff

Team: Stekelenburg, Gorini(c), Edu Dracena, Lewis, Doukas, Cavalcante, Franzese, Santos, Dobek, McPhee, Alexiou

The Final Table makes great reading:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">********************************************* ************************************************** * Italian Serie A - Sunday 10th May 2009********************************************** ************************************************** ================================================== ============================================== 2008/9 Table============================================= ================================================== =Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag Won Drn Lst For Ag Pts--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1st C Milan 34 15 1 1 36 7 9 4 4 29 18 77 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2nd Roma 34 12 3 2 29 4 9 4 4 22 12 70 3rd Parma 34 12 2 3 24 6 8 4 5 16 15 66 4th Juventus 34 9 6 2 18 5 10 2 5 24 15 65 5th Bologna 34 13 2 2 40 12 6 5 6 28 27 64 6th Inter 34 8 5 4 24 13 10 3 4 26 11 62 7th Lazio 34 10 4 3 23 12 7 7 3 16 10 62 8th VARESE 34 11 1 5 45 27 6 2 9 35 32 54 9th Lecce 34 7 7 3 24 17 4 4 9 13 23 44 10th Napoli 34 9 3 5 27 19 3 4 10 17 31 43 11th Salernitana 34 8 3 6 30 23 2 6 9 13 26 39 12th Udinese 34 7 5 5 21 27 2 4 11 17 30 36 13th Atalanta 34 6 5 6 25 24 3 2 12 13 31 34 14th Venezia 34 7 5 5 24 16 1 3 13 7 28 32 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15th R Fiorentina 34 4 6 7 13 16 2 4 11 6 23 28 16th R Brescia 34 5 2 10 15 25 3 2 12 13 35 28 17th R Piacenza 34 5 4 8 16 31 0 4 13 8 43 23 18th R Chievo 34 2 5 10 12 30 2 5 10 11 36 22 </pre>

retired_deljo

2.6.09
Season Review time again

Last July we were everyone's favourites to go straight back to Serie B. Despite the media recognising we had quality in the squad, they saw our inexperience at this level as a major hinderance. I hope they're eating humble pie now . Two of the sides who came up with us - Fiorentina and Chievo - went back where they came from, and we finished a magnificent 8th. To become the 8th best side in Serie A takes a lot of hard work, and everyone here deserves huge congratulations and all the plaudits thrown at them. Our debut season in Serie A was unforgettable - there are so many memories - big trips to Milan, Rome, Turin and beyond - and not disgracing ourselves. A Coppa Italia run was halted at the Semi Finals - next year we really could win that. We set a new record for goalscoring in Serie A, and we didn't even qualify for Europe!

Despite the goals, we finished in eighth as a result of the defence. That said, I'm happy with everyone in the defensive roles this season. Maarten Stekelenburg and Sergio Girardi were both more than adequate when needed, and both kept us in certain games with fantastic performances. At left centre back, Daniel Orellana is progressing perfectly. He is as consistent as anyone, and I can see the boy being a big name in world football for a long time to come. Orellana was capped for the Argentine Under 21 side this season, and had received much praise. Alongside him, as an ever present, was captain Edoardo Gorini. After years of toiling with Varese, the veteran of over 420 games for the club (his only club) finally reached the big time, just in time too. He's 35 now, and we both agree that this will be his last full season. He'll stay around, but he knows that he was at time the weaker link. As a player/coach, I know he'll play an important role in finding a replacement for the legend amongst the tifosi, and a new Varese captain. Greg Lewis was bought in late on in the season and fulfilled his role nicely, adding some steel to the defence that Edu Dracena and Igor Tcherevchenko were only doing at times.

The midfield saw a few new names this season. The usual suspects of Roberto Franzese, Pablo Asencio, and Raffaele Moroni were no longer guaranteed starts, as two names arrived and made huge waves. Stilianos Doukas is a very talented player who were are lucky to have. He has been highly creative and adds a few goals, but also is integral to the three in partnership. Then we found Claudio Cavalcante. He will be a legend, that is for certain. I thought he may have taken some time to acclimatise, but he grew and grew in his role, and come the last day of the season he had chipped in with a fair total of goals, but more importantly balances the team perfectly. He is the key to success - he does so much I can't express it all here. One of the greatest in the league already. I was really quite happy with the midfield this season.

Attackers. Who needs 'em? I do, and I'm fortunate to have quality through and through. Carlos Alberto Viera Dos Santos contines to astound me. He continued upon improving, and scored 22 goals from attacking midfield this season - and the header on the last day against Juventus saw him become our all time leading league goalscorer - a lovely moment. Mateusz Dobek started with a bang, proving he could handle the big sides. He went quiet in the winter, but came back with a bag at the end, and even became a full Polish international. On the other side of the attack Christos Alexiou earned rave reviews for his striking prowess. He scored 20 goals in all competitions, and created another thirteen. Defences everywhere - even up to the big names - are worried about facing him, and the Greek international is attracting suitors from around Europe. I will not let him go - he is such a good player, and I know what I have. Then in the middle, Juho Makela had a mixed time. He was great in the Cup, but found Serie A a little harder. Christian Vieri was too injured or old to handle a full campaign, and backups such as Gulessarian and Dudu did well in fits and spurts, but not consistently. So I turned to Stephen McPhee. I was a little dubious about the Scot in the first half of the season, as he wasn't exactly setting the world alight. But that all changed when he came in permanently. He scored fifteen goals in little more than eighteen games, and gave the side another dimension - an aggressive man up front who can do it all. He certainly opened my options, and it's no coincidence that his performances saw a turnaround in our form. If he can do this all of next season who knows what's possible.

Where to now? Obviously, our aim is primairly to stay in Serie A. But after such a great debut season we can look forwards. A trophy would be nice, as our cabinet looks somewhat sparce, and it would provide a European route. That's also possible from Serie A itself. If we can get a quality defender and perhaps a proven top level goalscorer to keep the strikers hot (I have tabs on someone) then I really think we can make the next step. The end to this season was awesome, and maybe it's a sign of the future. It's certainly a great time to be at Varese!

retired_deljo

Lets also take our yearly trip around Europe to see the movers and shakers at the end of the footballing calender.

After four seasons, the Inter dominance of Italy has been ended, but Milan still holds the Scudetto crown. Carlo Ancelotti's Rossoneri have the best squad in the world, and it showed as they walked the title, with a seven point margin from Roma. Milan lead from week 14, so it wasn't a surprise when they won the title. Joining Milan and Roma in the Champions League are Parma and Juventus, only slightly ahead of Bologna, and Inter, whose sixth place is their lowest for more than a decade. Fiorentina, Brescia, Piacenza and Chievo are all relegation material, and next season will be replaced by four experienced Serie A sides - Cagliari, Perugia, Bari, and Sampdoria.

Liverpool are by far and away superior in England as they took a third Premiership Title with Man Utd again in second, but looking at a 17 point gap. It is Houllier's defence of Robinson, Hyypia, Anestesiadis, and Sagnol that made the title possible. Sunderland and Millwall pip Portsmouth to the remaining Champions League spots, whilst Pompey are joined by Ipswich in the UEFA Cup. Chelsea and Aston Villa join them through the domestic Cups. Leicester, West Ham, and Crystal Palace make the familiar trip to Division One, and Middlesnbrough, Watford, and Charlton make a similarly familiar trip back up.

Who won the league in Spain? If you said anyone else other than Barcelona, you haven't been paying attention. Van Gaal's warriors won their eighth straight La Liga title, and they show no signs of letting up, with a 20 point margin this time. Saviola, Kluivert, Di Vaio, Buffon, Riquelme, Beckham - unstoppable. Real Madrid are the best of the rest, beating back Betis to take the automatic ECL spot, leaving the Seville side needing to qualify for the final place. At the other end, Athletic Bilbao are relegated for the first time in their history, leaving Real Madrid and Barcelona as the only Spanish sides never to be relegated. The Basques are joined by Zaragoza and Salamanca in relegation, which is about as surprising as Rayo, Las Palmas, and Sevilla in getting promotion.

After eighteen long seasons, Marseille finally found theirn way back to France's summit. Cyril Chapuis' 20th goal of the season away to Troyes was enough to win Alain Perrin's side the title, from Saint Ettiene in second. Lyon pipped Montpellier into third and possibly £10m better off as a result. Lille, Troyes, and Sedan were the sides to go down, with Laval, Nimes, and Toulouse up. And spare a thought for Paris Saint Germain. Once one of the world's biggest, they were this season relegated from the French Second Division. Despite Salas' 23 goals, Thierry Froger's side are going down to the French National, joining the likes of Dunkerque, Tours, Sete, and Dijon.

Finally to Germany who have regained their quota of four Champions League spots. Dortmund take the first of those with their return to the title after two years away. Sammer rebuilt, and took advantage of Cologne's last day defeat to nip in and deny Funkel's side a first title since 1978. Still, they are joined in the Champions League by Stuttgart and FC Bayern. Schalke, Bochum and MGB go down, and going up are Unterhaching, Saarbucken, and Kaiserslautern.

6.6.09
Once again it's the time where Awards are given out

FIFA World Player of the Year - Juan Roman Riquleme (Barcelona)
World Footballer of the Year - Juan Roman Riquleme (Barcelona)
Serie A Manager of the Year - Carlo Ancelotti (Milan)
Serie A Player of the Year - Manolis Ligkos (Bologna)
Serie A Young Player of the Year - Christos Alexiou (Varese)
Serie A Defender of the Year - Fabio Rustico (Juventus)
Serie A Goalkeeper of the Year - Maarten Stekelenburg (Varese)
Serie A Top Goalscorer - Manolis Ligkos (Bologna, 27 goals)
Serie A Italian Player of the Year - Simone Inzaghi (Lazio)
Serie A Foreign Player of the Year - Manolis Ligkos (Bologna)

Now to discuss this. Maarten Stekelenburg is suprisingly considered the best keeper in Serie A - a very high honour. And four of the side were considered good enough for team of the season. Stekelenburg takes the goalkeeping jersy, and Mateusz Dobek is named in the midfield. Alexiou and Santos are subs.

But above all that, Christos Alexiou is rewarded. He comes second to Manolis Ligkos in the Foreign Player of the Year Award (imagine those two together for Greece!) and was voted the Serie A Young Player of the Year, ahead of Daniel Orellana. In previous years this Award has been the springboard for success, as nearly all winners have gone on to bigger and better things. I have no doubt Alexiou could lead us on the same path. I'm proud of all our winners. :cool:

retired_deljo

Just a message to those who read this - I am back playing the game after a short absence, and still have some story to post, it's just a matter of finding time

retired_embartl

Well it's been great stuff so far Junichi You'll get there in the end Wish I had the patience to keep with it but alas no. KUTGW and look forward to to more posting soon

retired_deljo

cheers Brian/Juan - whichever moniker is yours

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16.6.09
More Awards;

European Footballer of the Year - Marco Di Vaio (Barcelona)
European Goalkeeper of the Year - Gianluigi Buffon (Barcelona)
European Defender of the Year - Wilfried Bouma (Barcelona)
European Midfielder of the Year - Francesco Totti (Roma)
European Striker of the Year - Marco Di Vaio (Barcelona)

19.6.09
At the Awards Evening everyone collects their awards, including Christos Alexiou, who picks up the Fans Player of the Season Award. Then Varese GM Fabrizio Cabrini announces that with immediate effect, the club's training facilities are to be improved to include a state-of-the-art youth academy :cool: . Building for the future.

20.6.09
To my absolute dismay and shock Christos Alexiou asks to leave the club this morning :eek: - what has changed in such a short space of time? I reject him, saying we are as big as anyone, and we will become the greatest in the country, with him leading the way. He's not happy, but neither am I. Maybe I can persuade him with a new contract. Off I go to sort that one out.

In the afternoon I find out we have been entered into the Intertoto Cup :cool: - I wondered why we hadn't been approached to enter - we have no choice. So Europe may be on the agenda after all .

24.6.09
Christos Alexiou decides to sign a new deal . I think I know why he wanted to leave - I forgot he was only on £850 a week :eek: - now he's on something far more appropriate for his talents.

1.7.09
Ins and outs at the club today. Raffale Moroni's move to Chievo fell through as the Donkeys couldn't afford the fee Ianis Zicu has left for Reggina though. In have come Francesco Toldo - who may be 37 but is still a decent keeper. Olof Mellberg will shore up the defence, as he is a world class signing who has encaptured the fans imagination. Roberto Javier Mina is an experienced Ecuadorian striker who attracted attention from FC Bayern - so to have him is a real bonus. I'm happy with my latest shopping spree.

12.7.09
We are drawn against Lierse in the InterToto Cup Third Round. They've had a fall from grace, and we really should beat this lot.

retired_deljo

18.7.09
We arrive in Belgium for the first leg of our Inter Toto Cup match against Lierse. A few players are still not match fit, so the side is a little experimental.

Lierse 0

Varese 0

Lierse are a whole lot better than I gave them credit for. They dictated a lot of the play, but we were pretty solid in defence, and looked OK for a side new to European competition of any level. Francesco Toldo was in particularly top nick, as he impressed in his unofficial debut. Our best attack play came from another debutant, Ecuadorian Roberto Javier Mina was lively and kept Lierse busy. We should have enough to progress at the Franco Ossola.

Team: Toldo, Lewis, Mellberg, Edu Dracena, Franzese, Asencio(c), Doukas, Santos, Mina, McPhee, Alexiou

25.7.09
The return leg with Lierse throws up more problems. The middle of July is not the time for peak physical fitness, and as such a majority of the squad are unfit to play a whole match. Which is why my side is nothing like what I hope it to be come Serie A Kickoff in September.

Varese 2
Franzese 22 pen
Dobek 60

Lierse 1
Declerck 66 pen

Much tighter than I'd have hoped, and we could have been embarrasingly eliminated. Yet these hard tests will only stand us in good stead. Early dominance paid off in the twety-second minute because Greg Lewis was unfairly held in the penalty area. Roberto Franzese converted in his usual precise style. However, Lierse were coming forwards with confidence. Davy Cools and Botuly Empoke were causing no end of problems, and Girardi had to be at his best to keep our lead. Mateusz Dobek gave us valuable breathing space on the hour with a fine shot dispatched into the top corner. We weren't comfortable for long, as Lierse were given a spot kick, finished by captain Guy Declerck. Then, from a Ronny Lambert run, Cools headed past Girardi to level the game at 2-2. At least he would have, if Daniel Ospelt hadn't have correctly called an offside. So we scrape through, and just possibly four games from the UEFA Cup.

Team: Toldo, Legrottaglie, Mellberg, Tcherevchenko, Franzese, Lewis, Martinez, Santos, Mina(c), Dobek, Alexiou

26.7.09
In the Semi Finals, we end up with possibly the hardest side left. SC Freiburg have played in the Champions League in the past decade, and are going to prove a very hard opponent. We have the home second leg, which is good. Despite the tough nature, I feel my first choice XI is a match for anyone.

28.7.09
I recieve a call from Napoli, who are offering us a bid of £5m for Daniel Orellana. Since he's an integral part of the side, and also since that is a paltry sum for a player of his qualities, I tell the Neapolitans where to go.