virtex

I believe something similar was once done on here with Sheffield United but I would like to see if any on here would be interested in doing something along those lines once again by posting updates and tactical discussions.

This time at the opposite end of the scale, Celano F.C. Olimpia of Italy recently promoted from Serie D for their first season in the Serie C2C and expected to finish dead last. I think it would be interesting for as many people as interested to start life out with this club and to see how the use of tactics and training, either done individually, or discussed on this thread, can help the club proceed further than normally expected.

There is minimal funds to be spent and a fairly poor squad to work with, so it really will be down to you perform on the training pitch to give a cats hell in chance of survival.

Both the experienced tactians on here and those looking to learn could enjoy and benefit from this tactics challenge.

The Celano Squad Pic

Would anyone be interested in participating in this?

Leroy1883

Well I've just started with Celano.

Have only played 1 friendly so far against Aglianese which was a 2-2 draw.

I terminated the contracts of most of the staff and brought in staff of my own choosing. I always do this, but it is especially important with lower league clubs.

I think you will all agree it makes sense to replace two physios both rated 2, for one who is rated 8 in physiotherapy.

Another thing I have done is to increase the training workload of my seniors to 1 notch lower than heavy, it's preseason after all.

I have my assistant manager who has a rating of 19 in fitness to just carryout the strength routine.

My other coach does the rest except goalkeeping which is done by my GK coach.

I consider strength to be most important in pre-season and hopefully a 5 star rating will give me the best possible start. Once pre-season is over I will split the assignments up more evenly.

Finally, I have got in 2 decent scouts. One is scouting the next opposition and the rest of Italy and my scout with Judge Potential rating of 15 is scouting the Italian under 20's for the next superstar of Italian football.

Leroy1883

I have now completed my friendlies

4-6(A) Avezzano (Had Marco Morelli sent off for headbutting and a susequent 5 match ban, conceeded 2 home goal and a penality.)
1-1(H) Civitanovese
5-1(H) Centese
3-1(H) Vis Pesaro

I have also played the first 3 matches in the Serie C Cup

3-1(H) Val de Sangro
5-3(A) Rieti (2-1 down at half time, then went 3-1 down, brought on Luiso up front who got two back 3-3. Rieti had there keeper sent off on 76 mins and as they had used all there subs were in trouble. Luiso score the resulting penalty and then added a another to bag a 4 goal haul on his debut.)

0-0(H) Viterbese

Leroy1883

Right, first game proper, A baptism of fire against Andria Bat who are favourites to win the C2C title away from home.

The scout warned me about the aerial prowess of the Andria strikers.



3-1 down at half time, I increased the D-line, increased my width and set my wingers to long farrows instead of short ones.

Leroy1883

Next up the final group game for Celano vs C1/B side Lanciano who are 1-14(Fav)



I played counter-attacking in this match as the scout indicated that they could be exposed by a fast attack.

Unfortuantely Lanciano equalized in the 89th minute. So they will probably qualify for the next round if they can beat bottom side Val di Sangro in their final match.

However, I am upbeat. Undeafeated in the cup, I can now concentrate on the league.

Leroy1883

Oops, that wasn't very good. Sometimes you get games when it just isn't going to happen for you. When Sanetti missed a penalty when we were 1-0 down, I had a feeling it wasn't going to be our day



Luckily though Lanciano could only manage a 1-1 draw with Val de Sangro, meaning Celano finished top of group H on goal difference.

The reward was a 2 legged match vs Varese from C2/A.



That's more like it. Exactly the way to bounce back after the previous game.

Leroy1883

Things started well at at half-time, I felt that we deserved to be further in front. Then disaster struck and my captain Gabrieli got sent of for a second booking.

In this situation I focus passing through the middle and adopted a narrow 4-3-2 formation. Never click counter in this situation as you do not want to let the opposition come at you.

Managed to hold out for a 2-2 draw, so not to much damage done.



I decided to play counter-attacking against a high tempo direct Igea Virtus side. As you con see the stats were pretty even. After the previous game I had praised Sanetti's form in the media and he didn't let me down with a superb hat-trick scoring two from corners.

You should never underestimate the effect morale has on a player or a team, even if the tactics are spot on, if the player doesn't perform on the day then all that hard work will be in vain.



I can believe it happened again. Made the same changes as in the Real Marcianise game. Luckily for me Monopoli balloned a penalty. Apart from that they only managed 1 shot on target.

I issued a warning to Gabrieli after the Real Marcianise game and did the same to Bagalini after this one.

However after 6 games Celano are 2nd in Serie C2/C only missing out on top spot on goal difference to Benevento.

virtex

Nice start Leroy, I'll get some screenies and updates of my own posted up later.

Leroy1883

I've continued with a 2-1 win over local rivals Val di Sangro and a 2-2 draw against Sorrento.

It was a had fought match against Catanzaro who are the are predicted to finish 1st by the media. I managed to scrape a 1-0 win.



Media comments have just started so I warned against complacency as my squad are quite determined and I am considered the underdog.

My keeper reacted very well to this.



Here's a quick update of how the players have been performing up until now.

Leroy1883

Celano lost the first leg of the Serie C Cup 3-2 away to Varese.

This was followed up by a 1-0 away victory against bottom of the league Vibonese.

The second leg against Varese saw Celano come out winner on away goal winning 1-0. Heres the stats for the game.



The next game we were out played by a very good Gela side, the match ended 2-1 but it could have been a lot worse were it not for the heroics of my keeper S. Bartoletti.

Next up was the first leg of the Serie C cup against Venezia. Managed to get a 0-0 away after being bombarded.

Next match was home against high flying Benevento, the only after going 2-1 down did I increase my defensive line to try and force some possession. It worked as Celano went on to win comfortably 4-2.



Finally for this update was the 2nd leg at home against Venezia, top in Serie C1/A.



A 2-1 victory saw Celano go through to the first round proper of the Serie C cup being drawn against Salernitana.

I not going to continue to post any futher updates to this thread as it hasn't seem to have taken off.

So I sign off 2nd in Serie C and still in the cup.

Francesco Sanetti was a goal machine for me with 19 goals in 20 appearances.

I can now speak Italian(Basic).

The one thing I did notice about this level of football, is the technical skills of the players are so much better than in England, do not be surprised to conceed goals from long range. I would recommend tight man-marking in most situations and a slower tempo.

Hope you enjoyed reading about my Italian Job.