Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322


If you're a follower of Italian football you'll surely have heard of Benevento's current plight this season:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ktVNT6MPWEGZd8XMLUzezwtnT7JgYXl4YtFCbk4q.png

Already regarded as one of Serie A's worst ever teams, we could've been looking at 0 points from 16 games had Milan not decided to give in to Murphy's Law and concede in injury time from a goalkeeper's header.
So my aim here is to do better than them, and maybe emulate them in snatching a draw against Milan as well.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/axLypQNgaABbdlyhcD5zD4kgqVVtQTVCZr1229J9.png

(That looks nothing like me, not least because SI took my mugshot and decided to add a hair bun)

Continental A License and a National reputation is probably par for the course for a side as dire as Benevento, but we'll see if that's the case for a Serie A team.
mons
17 years ago
25 minutes ago
85,494
Why that title? Can you change it?
Dan
12 years ago
4 months ago
16,964
Why that title? Can you change it?

I've changed it
DNZY
15 years ago
3 weeks ago
1,882
Premium
Glad to see you back @Eric Portapotty, always love reading your stories.
Shedender
17 years ago
1 month ago
13,751
What was the original title that it needed to be changed if you don't mind me asking? Good luck with this @Eric Portapotty.
mons
17 years ago
25 minutes ago
85,494
What was the original title that it needed to be changed if you don't mind me asking? Good luck with this @Eric Portapotty.

Vaffanculo Benevento, which is basically Italian for Fuck Off Benevento.

No I'm privy to the odd bit of swearing myself, but there's really no need for that in a topic title
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Apologies for the slightly colourful title, but you've to admit it did have a bit of a ring to it.

-----------------------------------------------

The Business of.... Business


While the players were on their holidays and we were in the midst of transitioning into a top-flight team, we agreed on our expectiations for the upcoming campaign:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Fz0alZIQGkGwhoUMRZ5xtqK45qN9tJo9LUHpMQNi.png

You'll notice that I'm already around 20k over budget - that's not to be the case, at least not after the wage rises and pre-arranged transfers, with the deficit eventually reaching over 100k. As a result, I had to cull many a player to keep the wage bill down, and unfortunately for the loanees they were the easiest to get rid:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/RrZ31274iFY3EPzIfsMkUb0tjYMakn3qBT7Nj8Hf.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/mGLSxnwAJvZXKYHmf2w6Cbpo7pgLnFZCMAw45ovb.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ys9vXs1aXhNkJtAvK8lqJIBv9IYGaf8zY5arvtVQ.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/CcMOCxZY4fFzqUe2h4OvrChqvZJGDaofkwPlYid3.png


-First out was Pietro Iemmello, who was to be pencilled in to be our starting striker, but playing only 1 position meant he had to go.
He had some great PPMs as well, but with a squad limit and wage concerns he had to be shown the door.

-Next was Cristiano Lombardi, who other than being pretty versatile was deemed (by yours truly) to not be of sufficient quality for the squad.
Mediocre attributes coupled with poor composure didn't make for a good mix.

-Then we had Achraf Lazaar, or the guy who was deemed surplus at Newcastle despite having the likes of Paul Dummett and Masaido Haidara as competition.
Good player, one of the team's best in fact, but he was paid over a sixth of the wage budget, so it was the end of the road for him as well.

-Finally, Alberto Brignoli, who's much better known as the guy who did this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gWeq5abvlM

Unfortunately, business is business, and once I acquired his replacement he was promptly sent back to Juve.

Anyway, that's 4 out, so we inevitably had to go for replacements:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/x2tNA3SrcmqpbHtu25roe5oql5OWMzJNqHyL9as0.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Bx4fkCFJJRujvIydkclEwZXkMPztbbFnrt9JZPI5.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/9QkwZhvsk22J1Jon87T6XoQqq8n0PUxZ6n6dCAyH.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/2SPLpHFOGFhvcpfo7PNnH3794rIL7MfmGdoD56ye.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/pfFSCC3JhMzsqJozNrmGhx7VaFEzIlTRRulVEhQI.png


By now it shouldn't come as a shock we're one of Milan's feeder clubs, and they have helped us out properly with 4 players of (varying) quality on free loans - Mauri can, should and will start for a Serie A side, Calabria is one of Italian football's big talents and is on par with our best RB, Gabriel will probably start as well, and Llamas... The coaches and fans don't really rate him and I can see why, but as a backup LB I can see him being quite serviceable.

And as a bonus we've also got the one and only Gedion Zelalem, also without a wage contribution, and as he's born after 1996 does not need to be registered inside the 25 (20 for us really, as we've got next to no homegrown players).

Now for the best of the rest of the team:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/8c5c6iY6ZbgtLoWZSv7eSTJms7eYg6l84BuGjnXi.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/XcRlDQuHhfbWFpNt83PThLHno7JniAFb8I11hzQf.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/IcA6aS0tC4AQ8AHvUXqgmr6CxZ3jgiPV1HXBID84.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Vy1o4zKF2AIK2Vd8QKsHeRbrMt2JnISf6JntYDFz.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/B6icFFZTl20S4QGjTLg6rbsMBPsYpYHfuVVC0Jv8.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/eSJMljvjHw4VLzHZ1wj3xwuWgxbNUJ0v1MVNNbpM.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ckobLQoBTCFDa3VaYynQuZDHMKwww9cylk8z5utu.png


(A worrying proportion of them are on loan, I know)

-Cataldi is by far the highest paid player in the team, and if I could I'dve gotten rid; too bad his loan deal has a non-termination clause.
No matter, because he's also our best midfielder anyway, and with Mauri could become one of the overachieving centre pairs in the league.

-Same goes forD'Alessandro, though he's much more limited than Cataldi - you can tell he's pretty much a one-trick pony.
That said there's no denying that it's a bloody useful trick, but I still don't think it's worth 20k p/w.

-I prefer Parigini - a more confident winger, with better ball control he's my left inside-forward of choice.

-It's a bit of a dilemma having to pick one of Belec and Gabriel, but since he's new to the club as well there's not much in the way of familiarity, so the latter will probably be given the initial nod.

-I hope to upgrade on Costa next season, but at the moment he's our best centreback so we'll have to make do with him.

-Coda's one of them strikers who's plied their trade in the lower leagues with the occasional crack at the top flight.
Whether he's a Jon Stead or a Charlie Austin only time can tell, but it's never a good sign when you'd much rather have Cameron Jerome instead.

-Finally, Puscas also played his part in that Milan game, but he's evidently absolutely useless.
Nevertheless, until I find a better striker that I can afford he'll stay as Coda's understudy.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/f6GZqzGDAX7v598gYQXtbAVjxZqJctJTeo2ydzXp.png

Preseason was a mixed bag - losing to Craiova is never a good sign, but fighting draws against Ajax and Salzburg does give a bit of hope.

We also took part in the first competitive game of the season - a Coppa Italia ( I refuse to call it the TIM Cup, stupid name) 4rd qualifying round tie against 3rd-tier Livorno:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/A21xeErK6xtzjPY4TXGYqXO2XNymYCwszCqPYgKt.png

Yeah Coda's shit, really shit.
Couldn't score against a 20-year old making his competitive debut for his team, probably can't hit a barn door with another barn door, I won't be expecting him to light up the league.
The team as a whole needs a lot of work, but you know, at least we ended the game with only a bit of egg on our faces.

To end this off, let's see what the bookies think of our chances of survival after the transfer window we've had:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/EPfwWWFSwFAl4HvpLqbWM7bS1CexvUOkF1crjbg4.png

This would be an improvement over the real-life Benevento, so I'll take it.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
August 2017


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/cphhmJk7T6qo4Hg9wBQSxHrHwHqqx2XxlRLMLENY.png

Welp, that was a surprising start to the season.
We set out to play on the break (which we've already expected to have to do many times this season) but still managed to match Sampdoria in our shot count.
And definitely one-up on them in making them count, with D'Alessandro and Coda proving me wrong emphatically - the former with a calm, if scrappy, finish from a low cross, while Coda showed what he could do with a proper howitzer from just outside the box, almost Drogba-esque some might say.
Samp were very, very poor though, their forwards constantly got caught offside, and the chances they did get they came some way off from capitalising.

Now if you'll excuse me I've got to go eat my hat.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/dGILaJg6OJJdSjUoj6zZziMvbpOgR0JuZf9U94Ku.png

Wait, the hat's half eaten, as Coda shows again the frustrating side of his game.
Sure he did his job of holding the ball up to an acceptable level, but when in front of goal he was found wanting; a late miss when put through to a 1v1 against the keeper even prompted a post-match interview question.
Sure it wasn't all him at fault, Parigini was similarly wasteful with his many 'efforts' from outside the box, but as a focal point of the attack I really need more from him.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/uBWGtvIaPtRi1Lx2isGWjUbBALqoOI43ZPBqjWHb.png

And just like that I've already quadrupled the real life Benevento's points tally! Probably should quit while I'm ahead

A couple of transfers were also made as the window drew to a close for the year:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/fpG7X2r95MYB0oZLIc0Qf091BsHkvDSTeKeoLtbf.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/TtpYtsaDY4dPOqGGetGGHO1kJofWdn7ng6tGNCIc.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/xZSn1hjwG1BfGDeJGbTQhXGxigfDne89rLDmLdI2.png

A trio of pre-arranged deals - Memushaj is yet another addition to an already competitive central midfield corps, but definitely a welcome one.
Antei will slot in straight as 1st choice CB, a nifty purchase from Sassuolo.
Armenteros... Well what can I say, I'dve rid of him if I could, and trust me I tried.
He's just not very good at the things he's supposed to do - as a winger (or inside forward) he can't cross or have good decision making, and as a striker he's not more clinical than Coda. The coaches reckon he'd do best as a Defensive Forward, which says it all imo.
I just hope he proves me wrong.

And finally, another loan deal of my own:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/LRBijmv3MeJJqgvLWvK3izoMp3t8gEyLvl9gd8fK.png

I wanted another wrong-footed option on the right flank, and in an ideal world I would've got a Sinan Kurt or Olexandr Zinchenko.
But no, this is real life, so Delgadillo was the best option that I could afford - U20 so he doesn't need to be registered, and good Determination would hopefully translate to good cameos.
DNZY
15 years ago
3 weeks ago
1,882
Premium
Good start, Antei is a very decent buy from Sassuolo btw.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Good start, Antei is a very decent buy from Sassuolo btw.

Very much so, unfortunately he sufffered a hernia and missed most of September as a result.

----------------------

September 2017


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/66GtQIlnXXLto6xCbmvIOju0vdeAD7HjukTmTmAw.png

Well it was coming wasn't it.
Cataldi got us going with a great freekick that took a deflection on its way it, but that was about it for our goalscoring, as we didn't capitalise on our subsequent chances and Rincon quickly equalised with a proper thundercunt of a goal.
From then on the momentum gradually changed - we could only do so much with holding the draw and playing on the break after all - and Belotti eventually plundered him the winner.
(What's most annoying about this defeat was that it was the 2nd go, the 1st was a 1-0 win before the game crashed before the autosave point)

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/yXzciUBya0lWyPfrLiRFVGZZdEib4BbvR4huvYa6.png

Same gameplan against Napoli, but they knew better and had us under the cosh the 1st chance they got, Callejon finishing well from a tight angle, before Mertens doing what Mertens does best with the second.
And a side of their quality rightfully had us pinned in our own half for large amounts of the game, though playing on the break did eventually reap the rewards, Cataldi scoring for the 2nd straight game to keep things interesting.
One thing I will say though, Coda really isn't suited to play as a target man - he's kind of got the minimum ability required to play as one, but Serie A defenders have these guys for breakfast. Really need to get a more specialist forward asap.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/6c882O9hT5EVmHbj6oq8LWgL8Y2DgGCWtrgXoald.png

Well I never! It might be against a vastly underperforming Roma side, but it's still bloody Roma.
Our reactive game against a big side finally worked here, helped by Manolas contriving to turn a low cross into his own net.
We happily ceded possession, and repeatedly cut into their backline once their ponderous attacks broke down, helped largely by Kolarov's ventures up field which left D'Alessandro running at speed against Federico Fazio - you know as well as I do that doesn't end well.
Credit where it's due to the defence as well, a 3rd clean sheet in 5.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/3T0SZPU6sIe4RzQNRcTFsVXpVdAxh3nEWHpsuSzY.png

Make that 4 in 6, though there were lots of nerves in what was apparently a rivalry, probably one that developed when both sides were in Serie B.
Crotone had 7 men at the back (imagine parking the bus in a rivals' clash eh? ) and stuck 3 up top (which was what we'd normally do) so all we had to do was pass it around in front of their double walls and watch out for the counter.
We kept them defending for long periods, our wing backs keeping their wingers occupied and kept probing for the best part of 45 minutes.
They came out with a more positive (as if they could be more negative) system (a 4-2-3-1) and tried to take the game to us, fair play - though it meant that we were now back to our usual game of breaking forward at speed.
Ciciretti had an average game deputising for the underperforming Coda, but he couldn't make amends for his mediocre day up front with the penalty.
So cometh the hour, cometh the man - Coda came on for the former, and whaddaya know, from the next counter he takes the ball wide right from the halfway line, goes on a solo run into the box and goes hero mode with the last gasp winner.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vXLlvnc3UiT3xVC2rqZFg4ZN14Jd91Vg1zos0yA6.png

I certainly didn't expect to get more than 3 this month, so to double that and go 50% is a hell of an achievement.
Next up is Inter though, and with Icardi in his usual hot form we could be in for a dicking.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
October 2017


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/goijyZClHJ5xCjvSvUp63EgvcNDfkhMBRcxIKYP6.png

Well I never, another fighting performance against the league leaders.
Viola took his first time finish from the corner very well to give us an early lead, and we managed to hold out till the 2nd half, where D'Alessandro again used his speed to devastating effect t double our lead.
Now if we managed to keep the clean sheet for longer than the very next corner I'd wager we could've gone on for a shock win, but it wasn't to be - Hull City legend Ranocchia hauling them back into contention.
After that they laid siege on our end, and with our declining fitness levels it seemed inevitable that we'd finally cave. And we did, the Italian Eder breaking Benevento hearts.
Oh well, at least we held Icardi at bay - albeit for only 45 minutes, before being hauled at the interval for Eder.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/uaUHf9zsqhuXPktHjVqbDFBaCiBDYs8kGRZJ3lhQ.png

We should've lost this tbh - on paper we were on par with Verona, but the differences in our current forms might have contributed to complacency within the ranks, and we were playing well within ourselves.
The opposition had us pegged well into our half, leaving us with little more than the occasional counter attack. Thankfully (and not for the first time this season) Gabriel covered for us between the sticks with a number of decent saves.
Ciciretti then came on for Coda (another blunt performance) and did little more, but at least he did put away an eventual penalty (many thanks for the handball btw Caceres), so there's that.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/4Uy058Q5hxwHeCEcga3mMunTOffIgF63rw7QeUsb.png

Well Gabriel could only save us so many times, and when up against FM LEGEND Babacar it's time to just admit his greatness isn't it? (No of course not, he's not lived up to his potential as you're probably aware).
But yeah, poor game from us - Fiorentina did what Verona attempted but with better quality they shut us down better. And as much as Gabriel did the pressure we were inviting was always going to lead to trouble.
I dunno, it's another poor attacking performance from Coda - maybe I've been playing him wrong? Maybe we should just field 2 out-and-out wingers instead of a left inside forward? I'll have to see.

https://i.imgur.com/avZ4kJK.png

Back to winning ways in some style, D'Alessandro earning the MotM gong with 2 great assists and generally terrorising Caliglari's left side with his sheer speed.
Parigini was rested/dropped and with Armenteros out, Puscas was given a 1st start in the league this season, to the left of Ciciretti.
He repaid that faith in cool fashion, a first time finish from a D'Alessandro counter, who also provided Ciciretti with his goal.
Llamas also started on the left behind Puscas, and probably had the best goal of the game - a freekick that struck the post, but went in off the keeper anyway. Great effort, didn't know he had that in him, and I'd only put him for FK duties due to the paucity of options in that area.
Ex-PSG man Van der Wiel then got himself and early bath, but that's none of my business.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/8SbXJaVJXmtsUSeeQdFnuzM1q80sAylMBbo47QjY.png

Urghhhhhhhhhhhhh
I won't say we deserved to win outright, but we had some great chances of our own, and on the day it was simply a case of clinical finishing.
We didn't have any of that definitely, not Ciciretti, not Puscas (neither could replicate their heroics of the previous game) and while D'Alessandro was again a threat on the break he found himself running up a dead end more than once.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/mNGbEh3uSHL1KSFvhl0vW6gGts790J7uy80J598e.png

10 points from the Fiore in 18th, so it's going infinitely better than I'd hoped.
We've still got teething problems but at least we've got a buffer in the event the rest of our game goes to pot.

The overachievement also resulted in a surprise:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/hMnGPsV3R4YjzhET4VJvnikFrpmAZvJ9Z9AYt0pl.png

A contract renewal! The board wanted to tie me down to a new deal and I obliged (obviously, this save is going to be Benevento only), and I got to negotiate out the direct football condition (which I apparently was failing badly at?).
Definitely regret not asking for a bigger wage budget though, because it wasnt from a $940 deficit to... a $2.36k surplus - can't get Messi with that money can I.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
December 2017


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/u4V3YEziYNrBdEQCyAHjnSzAuS4FnXir54AQEBi1.png

It's another fighting performance against one of the giants of the league, and I dare say it's been our best so far.
Again playing on the counter, again managing to nullify attacking threats (Higuain and Mandzukic no less), and forcing Buffon into an MotM performance to keep it at a goalless draw.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/pyhvpPSA6k5szmi5VuYwu9O7JYhKlrUMLSt34r3L.png

Sassuolo played with 2 inside forwards, something that we'd done earlier in the season, and if they had better finishing they'd probably have swamped us at the end.
Turns out we had the better scorers in this contest, Ciciretti with a poacher's double - it was particularly important to regain the lead as well, given that Sassuolo were looking to build on their momentum and break through again.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/IBbwJWLwuFesNr6ui6fgKrVzM7Yll2VsDKb2lD2P.png

Struggling Atalanta has sacked Gianpiero Gasperini, and the hiring of Michael Laudrup seems to have given them a second wind.
Ciciretti was a shadow of himself in the Sassuolo, though granted playing in a reactive system will lead to a lack of service for the forwards at times.
There's no doubt though that Papu Gomez really did the business for our opponents on the day.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/SkVtWH1ReNs3fSrkMxxrmzCq716i0ofNNWQXPRv6.png

Still in a comfortable 7th, 12 points against our previous victors.
That said with both them and Fiorentina looking to climb back up the table after poor starts to the season (and Roma as well, with or without Eusebio Di Francesco) there could yet be a long season ahead.

We now move on to the Coppa Italia:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/t2t3x9rRA1tXhNM7agdSEKvPM66MDMHATD2EyfH3.png

Some might say a win is a win, but it's third tier Lecce, we need to win by more than just one.
It's not like we weren't starting chumps either, the only players who haven't started a game this season were Melara and Zelalem, and to their credit Zelalem provided the assist for the only goal of the game.
I dunno, maybe our defensive mindset has started to sink in too deep?

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/lbNH8XD1t3XAXb8Sd5vSVy7t4BreP441mNBbMZQb.png

So we go into the 1st round, where the last season's Serie A top 8 join the draw - I'd say we got a luckier draw than most, with Fiore being arguaby the weakest of the 8 and struggling this season obviously.
I'd love to get one over them as well of course.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
December 2017


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/JRE13KAOEm8L5oorKmPRFYriSjaLdFcmffWOfaAn.png

We've only just gone one better than real life! A threat on the counter as usual, but the winner coming from some proper possession - Andrea Costa with a cross from wide left for D'Alessandro to head in.
As with previous games (and will be the case for many more games this season) he could've gotten more than his solitary goal simply by outpacing the Milan backline, but his lack of finishing ability did him in again.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/EOVWhgRjXVpDispZoRFWvOQqOTfBZhNI58i8OgNi.png

We controlled the opening stages of the game, and Viola's only goal was the fruit of our labour.
After that they had to turn it up a notch, which they did, and could have continued to keep it up has Behrami not decided to get himself sent off, the idiot - after that it was all about seeing the game out.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/mbzv6QkErQnV343d7BTcN4MamHzNcv2xfrDPcD2q.png

Well I never, a Coda double.
Fielding a weakened team against Serie A's cellar dwellers and in light of the upcoming Coppa Italia clash, we didn't take long to get going - Coda with an early double to provide us with a comfortable lead going into the interval.
SPAL managed to make things interesting for the remaining 20 minutes of the game, but Viola came off the bench to put the game to bed.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/OOyflOwQv66XwYMMi6IRo4kIU401HWihFAATBRkF.png

Genoa are similarly massive overachievers this season, sitting pretty in the European spots and within touching distance of the CL - which is surprising when you realise they field in a seemingly dour 3-4-2-1. No not the Chelsea kind, but the one when you've got 2 walls and 7 men in front of the keeper.
Coda opened the scoring with a fantastic volley off a corner, but we weren't to extend on that, Lazovic levelling inside 10 minutes.
We weren't at our most fluid on the day, whether that be Genoa's back 7 or the same weakened team not quite gelling is up for debate, but I'll take a non-loss regardless.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Llyiqm93awjuZnEpbl8KkLlpoeglPiTz4YbbnNVX.png

As it turned out Genoa were in a slight slump already, while we with our unbeaten month are now going upwards.
3 off parent club Milan won't make them happy I'm sure, but more crucially, at 31 point's we're only 3 wins away from the magic 40-point mark! Amazing stuff it has to be said, and we might just be able to dream big this season.
With our league situation secure for the time being we were able to make modifications to our targets:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/lKCjphV27S674N46hj36RpZjZLusti5AlaEGtawQ.png

Normally I'd just leave it at Attempt To Avoid Relegation (I'm not one to tempt fate) but such was the state of the wage budget that I had to cave in to raise around 10k p/w.
I may or may not use it all this January, but it's always good to have a bit of a buffer to manoeuvre.

The Coppa Italia 1st round also commenced:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/WXfkRSDz72uZuZrxek43swZd3K59uoXzzdUBfTpt.png

Revenge for the league defeat, with the thorn that is Babacar being a largely ineffective sub.
Fiorentina didn't seem to care too much for the cup, with what was effectively a B-Team, and with 1st-teamers rested previously we smelt blood.
Managed to keep possession, did a decent amount with it, but our lack of cutting edge was evident on the night - with 10 shots on target it's be reasonable to expect more than a single goal isn't it.
But score we did, eventually - Ciciretti with a powerful 1st-time shot on his weaker right foot to break Fiore hearts.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/KxHeTHWywkEJrF7BnuoSrXyhWONgIH64n7CZrvcx.png

Now here come the big guns (no offence to any Fiorentina fans around) - Napoli may have been underachieving this season (having lost Sarri to the Italy NT, and sacking his successor) but they've got Roberto Mancini at the helm now, so they're slightly down right now, but by no means out.
We've got the prospect of payback to look forward to, so they write us off at their own peril.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
January 2018


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/xdMjenAWo4jh9hS714mEG5ebiMNnr0eKHZvSksrM.png

Relatively exciting game, if a bit on the aggressive side.
Though again, for all the excitement we couldn't find the net - then again neither could Samp, and arguably speaking they needed a win more.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/tmxLxjiz944I3kIjTAIbsdw96IXoxjLacHo8cXSD.png

A second straight goalless draw, but significant more dour than against Sampdoria.
Neither side has much fluidity with their game, but with 3 straight draws you get the nagging feeling that our game's beginning to get found out.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/yNMUDq3WVdF0mXu00muERWKXYyxTOOKmh527Yb5t.png

And with the apparent foresight of an MOTD commentator it turns out that I could well be right - Bologna shut us out for the majority of the contest, and with the state of our finishing as it is we couldn't have capitalised on the scraps of chances that we did have.
And so it was left to ponytail baldy Palacio to doom us to a 1st loss in 5 league games, which also meant only a single win in that same 5.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/QwbsU9Rq5kuMQht1QRGbHG0DkwfvtdCYIqE19ZdD.png

Ljajic took us apart with instinctive strikes in the 1st half, and the way Torino restricted our play meant that a change of system was necessary - any change really, seeing that it was becoming increasingly predictable.
So we went to a 4-4-2, with Memushaj moving to an unfamiliar LM role. Now neither goal has anything to do with this shift in particular, but that we did come back and hold the game does make one wonder if this is now the way to go. Great game by the lad though, the 1st was a scrappy finish that I'll take any day of the week, but the leveller was a sweet freekick which he seems to have a knack of surprisingly.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/hI2XNHjeeH3q3QSgxycuXeMjZjWx8hLUTtYfHf0d.png

So we're still in 6th and an EL spot, but only by the skin of our teeth - Roma in 11th are only 2 points behind.
Not that I can complain too much, we were heavily tipped to struggle and it was inevitable that we'd hit the rut at some point, and there's still the saving grace of being only 6 points from effective safety.

We move on to the Coppa Italia:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/VR2SFZEdBB410UfyOOEy14sOIXFbu1cG0QXiQ3JC.png

Ah the kind of result that blows the "We've been figured out" thing out of the water.
Ciciretti was absolutely fantastic, combining good anticipation for the opener with a great freekick for his second, and hard work to run the channels and eventually cross for Mauri's goal.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/usMs0uURu1HK3gcccAMZPnhlRP5ez0YWWhypCdHp.png

Semis look like this, after Inter triumphed in a Milan derby, and Juve dished out a 4-0 away to Roma.
I'd fancy our chances against Inter tbh, seems like we've got quite the appetite for the big games this season.

Lastly, with January brings the winter Transfer Window:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/u0jflDgusfqHAOMuwXud4CHDLo4URijhrk7mzx5R.png

Coming from his hometown club in Mali, Koita is one I'll have great hopes for, be it eventually becoming a Benevento legend, or flipping him on for 30++ million or so.
Regardless, expecting very big things from him.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/tU2hwknp69ZWfAYWmcMAgJXc23UvqaAI9wKz6C4R.png

A defensive utility man (at most 3rd choice across the backline really) on loan from Fiorentina had complained about the severe lack of game time, so he was granted his wish to be sent packing. In his place comes Recalde, who's on only about 10% of the recently departed's wages, so no loss there. It's not like he will realistically play anyway, barring a monumentally bad defensive injury crisis.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/urQWdLVMAdWfnkXwqWS8m2YuRFHTezJYEf79iN6g.png

Yes this is Jose Mauri's brother, given the chance to be a Milan player in an arrangement not dissimilar to the Donnarumas.
Like Recalde, he won't play a minute (a SIXTH choice mid mind you) but having shipped off an unwanted guy on loan it's always nice to have a bit of cover, no matter how useless he is - doesn't cost anything (the perks of being a Milan feeder team), and another body on the bench. And no, unfortunately I don't possess youth midfielders of sufficient quality to stand in for him - we're Benevento remember, 2 seasons ago we were in the 3rd tier of Italian football, so quality youth products take time.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/jum5O7tx8rYhOAzhnTC9jy52r9M8Zko11xuS8mRe.png

Lastly, Giulliani was highlighted by the scouts earlier in the season, so I thought I'd take a look for half a season.
Coaches don't really rate his potential, but so far he's been tearing up the U18s so at least he's working his hardest to earn a deal here - maybe I will give him that opportunity.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
This update is brought to you by Benevento's first ever win in the top flight
('Good' to see that Coda's just as rubbish in real life as well)




February 2018


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/C8PEY3fdZWwDWp9A9ETnuNDbiGnbbuWml9H92Flh.png

Another big game, another clean sheet - say what you will about us but if we're playing like Man U then call me Jose Mourinho.
Lots of getting stuck in, leading to a number of cautions, but nothing major.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/1QpqDSwkcaSG1gTnjdCyyZv1oNIAdkmw9zLGAb2C.png

Roma weren't going to be as much of a walkover as they were earlier in the season, they were out for revenge here.
We simply went with our usual game - sit back, play on the break, with the odd spell of possession. As we've all known far too well it relies heavily on a clinical finisher on his day, and today wasn't one of those days.
So eventually Dzeko scored the opener, we had to go for broke, but after Calabria's second yellow I think we all knew the game was out of our reach.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/wSozE4KLD0V0jnNe9gc6aKRjtadY4HIyB4fIwJGX.png

Easiest game of the season bar none, against Crotone and their back 7.
Simple game plan - pass it around them, get the (rather fortuitous) opener, pass it some more, get the second, pass it around again, sit deeper for the 2nd half and see the game out.
Armenteros finally got his 1st goal of the season after begging for more starts in recent weeks, but by contrast it was a shame for Zelalem, who despite being the best penalty taker in the team and coming on as a fresh sub, managed to miss his spot kick.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/w2ktyMpV9kj3NaeWNlUlUcdD8gAq15hXeySw9HHE.png

I should point out that this was played on the eve of the Coppa Italia semifinal 2nd leg tie against yes, Inter.
If we were in relegation trouble Id've fielded the youths for the cup ties and went all out for this, but no we're not so of course the reserves are going to play in this game.
Interestingly Inter had other plans, and fielded their first XI anyway.
Another dogged performance from us (not that you'd expect any less from this team - we've got the dogged defensively part nailed, it's the goalscoring part that needs work), and it took a great hit from outside the box, off the foot of Cancelo, to give them the lead.
They nearly threw it all away too - Handanovic only managed to parry a hopeful Coda shot, and Armenteros somehow got to the rebound first to equalise.
But they were not to be denied, Perisic sneaking in from the left to pounce on the winner.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZE5d1NW8hesQgGG8nUw8kqWj4zBmWuq6i1nbfhKR.png

Our slide down the table continues, though there's the silver lining of being ony 3 points off Chievo in 6th.
Though it has to be said that we've not been at our best in the 2nd half of the season it's still a damn sight better than preseason expectations.

On to the Coppa Italia semis:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/XL9Zh4spUUYvD0Ye2Rr6t74kyowIdL8xv18NB1LB.png

Another fantastic game, not the best defensively but 3 goals from 3 shots on target? Proper clinical that.
Parigini put his (all-season) poor form aside to score only his second goal this campaign, before Vecino went full Gerrard with 2 unstoppable efforts.
But we had answers for his heroics - first Ciciretti displayed another surprising knack for poaching by getting to the end of D'Alessandro's cutback, before a wayward interception by Davide Santon was got to first by D'Alessandro himself, who slotted past a stunned Handanovic.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/FIV1Lp7oFOWDBLD5nq47p67prv7YGztjPv7ftd7f.png

Remember the league game? Well while I had virtually a fully fit XI to play, Inter went with the same lineup as just 3 days ago - now they were match fit as well, just not as fit as ours.
We only had one job, to see the game out as a dead draw, or a single Inter goal at most. Turns out we had it easier than that - a quick counter from D'Alessandro forced a save from Handanovic, whose parried ball only managed to find Parigini. He must've not felt like scoring though, as he contrived to hit the post on an open goal - thankfully it fell to Ciciretti who definitely wanted the goal.
Now it was really time to sit back and wait; Inter kept knocking on the door but a combination of Gabriel, the backline as a whole and some embarrassing shooting led to an easy enough time for us for much of the game. Even Eder's goal only served to remind his team that they still needed 2 unanswered goals to advance.

Though for some reason Spaletti saw fit to line his team up in a 4-2-4-0, which meant that Icardi was left on the bench. Granted he didn't play well at all in any of our encounters, but that was still a pretty odd call. Maybe that's why they somehow managed to concede possession to us too.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/jPTTHcE7jeFSt87CxiT95SMuAo2z12ypIjfN4XDe.png

Boom, the Coppa Italia final.
I'll just put it out there right now - the last time we played Juve Gigi Buffon got the MoTM award, so we can sure as hell give them a run for their money on our day.
Winning it means Europa League football, which while does have it pitfalls, wil be the icing on the cake in an exceptional 1st season in the top flight for Benevento.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
March 2018


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/1vbSzszmVFfOh9mBppnB6qCjIXu7LYcBfPqUbIvn.png

I don't know how we won this to be honest, Verona outplayed us about as well any any other side in the first half, and lesser sides have put us to the sword for our performances.
But hang on into the half we did, and in the 2nd half, from a setpiece Antei gave us a lead that was still very much against the run of play.
The trend of the game continued as Verona looked to level it up, but Armenteros made sure of the 3 points with another poacher's finish.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/lW1fZhTfvtdViihshEIoHWGLRsvkNnm3eeiY6ltj.png

Fiorentina were far more clinical, having the lest laugh over us for the season.
They struck first and quick, Astori from the corner. Viola levelled with a turn and shot from outside the box, but Babacar would continue to be our scourge with yet another goal against us.
Badelj made it ever more difficult by striking first (again) in in the second half, and despite our best efforts we weren't able to find our way back.
That said, I should add that this was the 1st time we'd conceded 3 in a game all season.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/B0eHzSDqx6tVlMbe6vKoVShBs33KHPhsHLH8xJNG.png

Welp, spoke too soon.
We conceded early (again) from Pavoletti's powerful finish, while both Miangue's goals came from corners - not a good day for our centrebacks.
Not that the rest of the team was much better anyway, particularly when facing a Cagliari side in the relegation fight - though they were on a high after decking Lazio 3-0.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/f52Mfc7H8J7JD90qXIYdvHJNIQoNr1J0xH3s85mV.png

Speak of the devil, whose previous victory over Bologna was their first in 7(!), not a good run if you're trying to qualify of the CL.
We weren't to give them a helping hand towards that, but after letting in 6 in 2 games we weren't in much of a position to argue otherwise.
Gabriel was dropped for Vid Belec, and he staked his claim for a starting spot with a decent performance.
First half was cagey, both sides had chances that neither could convert, but it was the 2nd half that the coals came - D'Alessandro delivered a cross that wasn't attacked by anyone other than Mauricio, who promptly converted into his own net.
Armenteros continued his steady revival with the second less than 10 minutes after, and we were looking at a decent end to the month with a clean sheet... If only Parolo's long shot didn't go in and made things tense.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/tnHcRTD1Xn6juArOwYRKgAOuNZxMKm6wkUpkuTeQ.png

For a month that was the worst defensively for Benevento, coming out with 50% isn't too bad.
The most significant part of the table so far definitely is the 6 sides within 2 points, and the last EL spot - we're very much still in a European race!

At least we've got something to look forward to in this month to mediocrity - the youth intake:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/xC8whbDbOxQBn2Scgcqy8bUD3AK8BcvqZfVOAdk7.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/D9nkAOY56UE8cTgJEzMfi0JYY6RsZP4qF6G5Ceyw.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/GGW6KFjQCPeQ2kCzQ0OJ7fZkgEcz9vOSXUdEvKko.png

Scotta is looking very good, he might make it unnecessary for me to re-sign Calabria on loan. Well I say that, none of his fellow Milan loanees have accepted extensions to loan arrangements so I doubt I'll be able to keep him anyway.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
April 2018


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/P5ulBEzJCubhZ7Se5Q5SsE4Wy4zJHQdaxJ02bHlY.png

It looked like we could well replicate our efforts earlier in the season, where we somehow managed to hold Juve to a goalless draw.
Alas, all it took was a couple of untracked runs from Dybala (who crossed) and Higuain (with his clinical 1st-time finish) for that to end.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/0WBh01oKdK16E7KXE3npHnQlOSJB2l52gMnStzfK.png

Great response, Ciciretti with the opener and 2 subsequent assists - him taking all the setpieces and as the lone frontman meant that he's pretty much the most important cog in our attacking wheel.
Armenteros also continued his late-season form with a classic inside-forward's run from the left to finish; I have to say I was completely wrong about him, especially seeing how he's completely outperformed Parigini this season.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/sUmfBlHliWSN81TZPQRd1fj2agfZdobPyb2yPT6i.png

Case in point.
We had to do some squad rotation with Milan coming in 4 days' time, so we set out with a 4-4-2, with Coda and Parigini up front.
They were useless really - Coda was ineffectual as a target man or a more fluid forward, and while the latter did provide the assist for Mauri's opener he spent the rest of the game getting caught offside. The couple of times he had chances to covert? completely fluffed.
Though to be fair we were so much under the cosh that our goal was going to take a battering anyway... Then again it was all the more imperative that we had strikers we could rely on, and this was not to be the case on the day.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/MSHJXnyib5dlKTJPelasZVEnQkD6I0ddYD5l2pkD.png

Completely capitulated, as Kalinic put us to the sword.
There's really not much to be said for this game - we were never in it, we were a bit too enthusiastic with our tackling, Leitizia being WAY too enthusiastic.
Going in 2 footed? Red card any day - D'Alessandro joined him for an early bath for protesting.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vtiVfr5VR4koVNBneBjViUzdQyN24iFZ7jcMhXRo.png

As much as I didn't want to start him, Parigini had to slot in for D'Alessandro for this game (Spoiler alert: He didn't do shit)
Anyway, we got off to the best possible start when both left sided players combined for the opener, Di Chiara to Armenteros.
It then went pretty much end to end with both sides wanting a win (we needed to end this wretched month with a victory, while they're still in relegation trouble) but it was them who found the 2nd goal, a suckerpunch header from Jankto.
After yet more end-to-end stuff Widmer probably let the hype get to him and went with his own Leitizia-style assault that promptly got him dismissed.
We sensed blood from then, but given our misfiring throughout the match it didn't look like we'd get all 3 points - enter Zelalem, who made up for his penalty miss earlier in the season with a bloody well hit winner from outside the box.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/eDg4Flx4znacsCeNXPBJcPHWwNsRqpZU8rOKuTxY.png

We're effectively in the 'Tony Pulis after survival' phase of the campaign, though if we're being honest this is about as good as it gets looking on from the start of the season. But like many a Pulis team, it's all about survival for next season really.
That said, only 5(!) points off 6th, so anything could well happen.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
May 2018


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/p8E9r3isbgL0lwoUKZjSbnV7B4GLKZPVKwtA7FDK.png

It was a shocking performance, being so thoroughly outplayed by a relegation-threatened side. That said I shouldn't have been surprised at ceding possession - SPAL managed to top the possession charts for the season - but it's what we did with what we had that was galling.
SPAL were all over us in the first half, knowing full well that only a win could give them a chance at staying up, whereas having next to nothing to play for we let our foot off the gas.
Armenteros managed a goal against the run of play, but even that didn't stop SPAL, who regained the lead after the interval.
After that we needed to go for broke, if only for our pride. Which we did, D'Alessandro's winner making the result the slightest bit more palatable.
The draw also relegated SPAL, so a lose-lose for all involved in this shitshow.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/fi4SGD46wisAuoZB1h7yD4v5I216JPiXsXb9j8gH.png

With the Coppa Italia final on the horizon a significant bit of rotation was needed, so the likes of Coda and Chibsah were given starts.
And it looked like one of them slip-ups from the B-Team when Lapadula opened the scoring.
And it probably would've been the case had a misplaced pass not been picked up by Coda, who dribbled from the halfway line to finish with a delightful chip over the onrushing keeper; it was a finish of such audacity that shouldn't have come from a striker going through a 11-hour scoring drought!
Chibsah then converted from a corner, before Puscas made the game safe from another counter.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/eB3FtzuBQG0KwVWLgyeQUQ90cOpmHRVVE7KiQxOC.png

Yeah everyone was phoning it in tbh, our spot in the top half was assured, and we weren't going to improve on 10th barring a miracle.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/yL5FtMXbtriC7SNEv8vEoA2YAjrKecDFusAjBJbC.png

I'dve snatched your hand off for this table at the start of my tenure, but the way this second half of the season turned out I can't help but feel we dropped the ball on here.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/51HFBf0fGdyOTUdIAfTYtmkHyeAGXMOdg8F9Nmgi.png

Though seeing this does put things into perspective; no one could've anticipated us staying up, much less being in the relative comforts of 10th.

Now for the showpiece event of our season, the Coppa Italia final, but before the game proper I'd noticed something rather strange:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/xsXP2CA34RGQ2KSmhPR3qADU4oCTvsHb3ue8XcfR.png

For the most part it's a 1st-ish team, with Higuain uptop and a more than decent defence, but it wasn't the best team that they could put out, not with the likes of Alex Sandro, Khedira and Dybala all fully fit.
However it's the centre that was the most baffling by far - Dembecaj and Bruno were both 16-year old recent youth graduates, while Toure was a reserve scrub with nothing more than a bag of pace.
It does seem like Max Allegri has taken the 'Play the youths in the cups' mantra all the way to the final, because I couldn't fathom how else he could decide to play this team - he's already sealed the Serie A title a couple of weeks back, and without a European final he didn't have anything to play for.
So with that in mind:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/bj24aej11YQSqm61NR9KPyW7h1CYdSdeE2wnYfJb.png

We still got dominated by them, but you could tell they weren't as fluid in attack as they normally were, and they weren't as clinical either.
Not that we were any better - their rotational defence had us on a leash easily.
At this we were heading to extra time and probably penalties, and it would've play out like so had it not been for Bruno's handball late in the game, in which Sturaro got himself sent of for his protests - it was a baptism of fire for the youngster, and unfortunately for him he bottled it big time.
Someone who didn't bottle it was Ciciretti, who put his penalty away for the winner.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/OScmwdehVKnpuYsQMf5JP4PS5U5FyJhslqc0e3W8.png

Absolutely fantastic cup triumph, not least because of our run of shock wins along the way.
Ciciretti was indeed our hero in this cup run, chipping in with at least a goal in all the cup games he played in.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/h9PadZd6IYgKzuvbbQNyvaqzLCcQM0ZGlsPzvdIl.png

Will this be a problem for next season? Who knows, probably.
But come on, European football for Benevento in only our second season? No chance in hell am I letting that chance slip.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/51HFBf0fGdyOTUdIAfTYtmkHyeAGXMOdg8F9Nmgi.png

The other great part about the win, an instant bump in budgets.
We'll need it too, about half my starting XI are loanees who have so far refused to participate in our European adventure, while the other half aren't good enough.

So with that, an incredibly productive 1st season comes to an end - season review up next.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Season Review 2017/18


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/RxuHBv5EuWxfZyWe1ABvQDy7bJxu32WTMVZfgtKG.png

Our defence as a whole was the catalyst for our overachievement this season, but it has to be said that Antei was the key in our backline.
Ciciretti should've gotten more votes for his role in our Coppa Italia win, but the inability to hit double figures in the league as a starting striker probably did him in.
Also, very glad to see Armenteros' recognition - I didn't think much of him initially, but it's clear that he's worked very hard into the starting XI.
I still think he's technically rubbish, but credit where it's due he almost always runs his heart out every game.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/pcxcUWsFJV9tAe80r4tcfcctQsELbM9sLzu3tAFL.png

Ciciretti might have been the most productive player, but Coda got the most MoTM gongs - just goes to show how infuriatingly inconsistent the man can be.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/BBgCQd6oHzPz6IbExRXn9O15FORPOhCrqVEgOrRA.png

Don't know what the problem with Gabriel was, sure he had a bit of a dodgy spell around January and February, but he was promptly dropped.
They've forgotten his 13 clean sheets earlier in the season then.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/eoLcxpZPNQTrhpME7ZBOmBKNz8A05u4Gjv5JpMOO.png

Thieves!

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/5JPxnM119M09gy6MGerOLwvPRfwSQbo2OJFVWTH6.png

THE THIEVING BASTARDS

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/wHixM07VHwdXyegtkZUBkrBvxXutWxM3bveDQCmb.png

I'm not sure how to feel about the fact that 2 of our top 5 shirt sellers were of loanees. Well yeah they were indeed very good, but they're no longer at the club as well.

Players of the Season

The defence:
https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/UkFlrybGTw8gzZzS9SLLQN6D7bYZSqXxWnQRDMmG.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/j6sIl0N62XmrbFdq8HfCX5YRLrU5Q8bveJH1dGD4.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/UYZrvyF2rIR9g3QB9kqhOHX0FdQFjB7VN5nPbFIQ.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Fipi0xkjovbJdLUenOsf7YkfYUlu4ViOBfRRFvEq.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/XW3C4KsyX6ZlC299T8KxCem3LQKWOX5QZ7yjhipA.png

The defence which managed 14 clean sheets (probably missed out on a couple of guys and oh shit Gabriel as well).
Particular praise for Di Chiara, who with an inside forward ahead of him all season had the entire left flank to himself. He made full use of it too, marauding forward to be our de facto left winger.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZCnSLNu271wJOFogqI6NJ4FvYFtxBjyo9huqUczP.png

I might not have started Ciciretti had Coda not been so apparently out of place in our system, though I wasn't expecting him to fit in this well.
As the deep lying forward/false 9 he regularly ran at defences from deep and fed through balls to D'Alessandro and Armenteros.
Taking charge of all setpieces and penalties might have statpadded his returns, but he still had to the the skills to pad those stats.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/eVbwfWKgFeyrQmosyuJLn4EBQM5WUV2Su2xfVRug.pnghttps://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/5C8nMAB1PIgXrw5AlDxlNaoP8VMHqLjOUCtQiwPi.png

A memorable first season, and I'd say arguably the most successful first season in all my FM saves.
Looking at the team right now though, we'll definitely need a shit ton of work to fill the gaps left by the departed loan army.
DNZY
15 years ago
3 weeks ago
1,882
Premium
Superb first season, one trophy already AND European football.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Superb first season, one trophy already AND European football.

Aye, not liking how we'll have to cope with the additional games though, especially Italy has historically not given a shit about the UEFA Cup/Europa League.
... And the irl Benevento's recent form might end up making my achievements less impressive at thhe rate they're going.
Cheers bro

-------------------------

Preseason 2018/19


https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/CRxRZ7ZnghRrBDfUc4Vh1n2hbdeJy7LA6Ol3Kpin.png

Good stuff, going the Oviedo route of long term planning.
And if you're familiar with that career save of mine we won't be talking 5 or 10 years, it might be 2 whole decades before this bears fruit - I'm not very good at instant success.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/JbLcKga2D87wYpJNN4mWOkml0pej83mW7y7Gd4lb.png

The same as last season, i.e. Avoid Relegation and Reach the 4th Qualifying Round of the Coppa Italia.
I'm not going to put a target on my back by overpromising for a bit more transfer money, since you know I don't spend anyway.

No really, I don't:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/zbjmI6wyIVN0zoZfvzCHNcCqWzcYlPdW3nQTrarG.png

Look at all the frees and loans, I''m like Mike Ashley's wet dream.
Enough of the imagery though, let's go through the signings:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/48UzolfK36aiCnE9QgfotdfheioAh01Nf58dzJpI.png

Ngoy is the successor to D'Alessandro, who has been retained by Atalanta for the coming season.
You've also seen many a player with explosive speed but no footballing ability, and I'm afraid that Ngoy's one of them, but I hope that with regular game time we can drill some footballing IQ into that little brain of his.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/Uyf9GUUlkTnlL3rL7ztJcSUUdOOSP9DfHxY707ks.png

Normally I wouldn't have signed him, but as it turned out he spent his early years with Benevento, so he fit into the club-grown quota outside of the 21 in the registered squad.
It looks increasingly like I needen't have bothered anyway, because he's nearing on being completely surplus to requirements. The fans agree, which doesn't help.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/jum5O7tx8rYhOAzhnTC9jy52r9M8Zko11xuS8mRe.png

Giulianini was a loanee who impressed sufficiently to have his move made permanent.
You'd be right to point out that he hasn't got a high ability ceiling, but he's got very decent fundamentals so he could turn out to be a serviceable one-trick pony to be sold on a profit.
And of course Gabriel and Zelalem both came back on permanent deals, both on much lesser wages than I expected as well, nifty bits of business if I may say so myself.

Now for the loanees - there are a lot of them yes, but in fairness about half were signed to fill the U18s squad, after I decided to keep less than half of last season's youth intake.
These are the ones that actually matter:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/vtnUFwgWaliXAtt0jHmRAAlapgnojkHJYccjbwML.png

A massive coup this, I love me some utility men and Ndidi also has more than enough ability to start for us.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/l5WyK1jULvA5pqoEAeEHhrPDMx22NnlZxSIF2rXO.png

Backup to Gabriel, but he also has the quality to deputise for him should the former have any lapse in form.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/CvtLfCOhmbyWezsr1Q24HkLvfcfKZ4slHbCMp2Qk.png

Another utility man, and with and unusual 16 for Vision he provides cover for the creative roles as well.
Won't start for us immediately as I don't rate his defensive abilities any higher than what we have currently, but in a back 3 we could well do with a ball-player.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/i2WOyua8e26h2iXridSYENXDj5Rricl3y4P3M6fz.png

A bit of a meme in Portuguese footballing circles, but he's 3rd choice LB/LWB anyway so it doesn't really matter.
I'll try to retrain him to play as a CM as well, his technical abilities are too good not to at least give it a go.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/RJcANaUYGe1pAdlNI6tzvKNPrwTMMwQ5rS1cpwAA.png

Ex-Villa legendTonev with fresh pace off the bench for both flanks.
Hope he knows his place and won't be pissed at not starting over Ngoy.

Lastly Llamas and Mauri have return with what I'm sure was after having some humble pie, thinking that they could earn a place at Milan instead of agreeing to being part of our European adventure in the first place.
That said they were the only 2 that I succeeded in getting to return, so they might have had a point in trying.

Friendlies now, in what was a bumper preseason:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/nRQZWPpesgklFc3rR1BfcHbE51c9okgX1v76uA99.png

Conceding 2 in our opening 2 games, only to record a win (with a clean sheet to boot) against Man Utd no less - football eh.
But it was a muted ending to preseason, hopefully it's just ironing out the kinks in our system and teething probems with the back 3.

We also had the small matters of the Supercopa and Coppa Italia to deal with in between:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/xeBJ4vaZyXfMZv2hjLUq1u4lbSZI7puFQnTLBwx3.png

This time they had a much more full-strength squad, but was stil not without its oddities: Buffon had retired, but Szczesny wasn't even in the squad; Nicola Leali (who is a mighty fine stopper himself, just not as good as Woj) deputised, while the likes of Khedira, Pjanic and Mandzukic weren't included as well.
They still had a hell of a front 2 of Dybala and Higuain, though you wouldn't be surprised that Higuain choked in a final yet again.
Howedes not knowing better didn't help, but a side of their quality and number of chances should've put the game to bed.
But they didn't, we did, and the game was settled thusly.

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/dkVgKFGvriVygXHULyqCBmvrUYyOnkBPqdHC9lz0.png

Comfortable win, but of course it could've been more so has Ciciretti put his spot kick away.
We'd been quite poor in penalties actually, Zelalem missed one in a friendly to add to his other in the league last season. (Yeah it's only 3 missed pens blah... When you've got the likes of Baines, Lambert etc. having like a 90+% conversion rate it doesn't look that good does it)
But I digress - Di Chiara put things right in the very next attack to give us the lead, before Ngoy capped a solid debut with his 1st goal for the club.

And finally:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/fKThRgWjZQzpHD08S5BH2j6HBZvHWlhF1ZM1TMxC.png

Bookies don't like our chances, and depending on how we deal with Europe I wouldn't yet bet on us staying up either.
I should point out though, the bizarre league scheduling that ensured that we open our campaign in September, right before the international break - I've never seen this before, completely shunting the August period - might mean a further cramped rest of the season as well, not good.
Eric Portapotty
14 years ago
1 week ago
3,322
Right, so I've got a bit of an issue:

I'm at Mid-September now, and normally I'dve gotten the groups and fixtures for the Europa League games - well I hadn't, and upon a closer look (i.e. just going to the EL page) it turns out that the knockout stages of last season's tournament weren't even played out. For instance, Hoffenheim:

https://sortitoutsi.net/uploads/mirrored_images/ZXH35xQnyeHRtxjshlRNt1FcHyUjiQEXQ4DAChVn.png

They comfortably won their group, finishing with 6 wins from 6, but were not slated to play any knockout round games, as was every other side in the competition.

So the EL is in flux right now, I'm not sure if this wil correct itself but I'm not hopeful, so this save might have to come to a premature end.

(Probably should just play a 2017/18 save on FM18 tbh)
Sheriff Skacel
9 years ago
1 month ago
940
Premium
Disappointing, I liked the way this was shaping up, especially your use of the loan market in the summer transfer period.

Give her a chance to run, it might sort itself out, if not you could try venturing into international management to at least keep the save alive

You'll need to Login to comment