[FM22] Trip to: France (w/ Paris Saint-Germain)

Post 08: January 2022:

Happy New Year! Patrice Ben Arfa takes his side into 2022 sitting top of Ligue 1, into the knockouts in the UEFA Champions League and in the tenth round of the Coupe de France. Here's how his PSG team got on in January, as they took on Lorient (again), Lyon, Brest and Reims.

January 2022: “A chilled out first month of 2022, that. We haven't actually been breathtakingly brilliant or anything, but we've just got on with the job and eased past our opponents.

Lyon, managed by Frank Lampard, in fairness played good against us, but goals from Rafinha and Lionel Messi sealed a win that always felt like it was coming. Speaking of Lyon, they won their big derby over Europe chasing Saint-Étienne 7-0 - I thought United's loss to Liverpool was bad… Lorient were beaten in the cup 1-0 again, just as they were in Ligue 1 at the end of December. Further victories over Brest and Reims have helped us extend our lead at the top by 1pt to 8pts.”

Transfers: “No incomings in January, despite my best attempts. I requested help from the board (transfer budget only at around £40m) to finance big money transfers but Nasser Al-Khelaifi was absolutely having none of it - despite one of my board requirements being to sign star players, which they are currently “disappointed” with me about.

On Deadline Day I made a last ditch effort to sign Paul Pogba after he fell out with Ole Gunnar Solskjær, with the Frenchman even (after bids) handing in a transfer request. I eventually worked out a deal worth around £267m, which the board explicitly stated they could ‘work out’. Yet, come confirmation they did nothing but offer a delay. I then made a loan offer, which United accepted, but Pogba oddly rejected it. Frustrating.

One big departure was confirmed, though it won't go through until the season's end. Kylian Mbappé has penned terms on a July move to the aforementioned Manchester United. I had no interest in letting him go in January and didn't want to potentially upset the apple cart by offering him out and transfer-listing him, so decided to keep him for the full campaign and let him do what he wanted - no-one we could bring would've been better suited to us for this season than Mbappé, in my opinion. So long, Donatello! I have my guy Mauro, anyways.

Elsewhere, 11 more players departed. though the only notable one was Colin Dagba - a back-up right-back who forced a transfer, yet only secured a loan move to Club Brugge. Well in, Colin.”

Next post: end of February 2021.

Post 09: February 2022:

February sees Patrice Ben Arfa and PSG continue their quest for Ligue 1 glory, as the Coupe de France continues and the UEFA Champions League returns - with the latter seeing an all-star match-up with La Liga side Real Madrid. Here is how it went:

February 2022: “7 games, 7 wins. Great stuff!

The standout result is that 3-2 victory at the Bernabéu, which is actually a slightly disappointing scoreline as we had raced into a three-goal lead via Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Mauro Icardi. Unfortunately Nacho and David Alaba got two back late on to keep the tie very much alive. Elsewhere, we progressed through two rounds in the Coupe de France as we dispatched Nantes and Lille - we also met the latter in the league at the start of the month, meaning we've faced them four times this campaign - Icardi netted hat-tricks in the first two encounters and, shock horror, netted twice across each of February's matches; Lille fans must hate the sight of that man!

Other wins in February came against Nantes (league), Rennes and Saint-Étienne. Our lead in Ligue 1 has shot up to 11pts, which is very pleasing - beat Monaco in March and that - should - be the title secured. In the cup we've been handed a semi-final tie with top-flight strugglers Metz; the other tie is Paris FC vs. Monaco, so it could be a Parisian derby or a super club match-up in the final. In the UCL, we have the second leg scheduled with Real Madrid at the Parc des Princes. March is gonna be big!”

"Pain.

Gonna have to rely on Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi and Neymar… 😏”

Next post: end of March 2021.

I can't get rid of Mbappe, that sounds bad doesn't it, but no one will pay for him I'm in January too, he's gonna end up leaving for free damn it lol 

I'm still winning games but not convincingly at all. Scraped through the Champs League group too. Seems like complacency creeping in. Messi still a machine at AMC as shadow striker, he's got 26 in all comps so far. Icardi, Mbappe and Neymar have 15 between them 

Surprising that no-one wants him! I never tried, as wanted to keep him for the season and made peace with him going for free, but I would've assumed someone like Real Madrid or a PL club would go for him if I had attempted to.

Interesting to see how your season eventually ends, you aren't filling me with confidence though!😂

Post 10: March 2022:

March promised to be a critical month in Patrice Ben Arfa's first season in charge of French giants Paris Saint-Germain, as he led a team that were aiming for a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals (currently 3-2 up versus Real Madrid in R16) and the Coupe de France final; whilst also tightening their grip on top spot in Ligue 1. Let's see how he and his team coped with the month's five fixtures

March 2022: “This is what happens when Mauro Icardi gets injured.

In previous iterations of FM, I always expected to lose penalty shoot-outs - early days, but looks like that mantra isn't going anywhere with Football Manager 2022! Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid eliminated us out of the UEFA Champions League at the first knockout hurdle, an absolutely gutting outcome. I can't moan at my players whatsoever as we played superbly, across both legs, but unfortunately just didn't get the luck. The treble will have to wait until next season…😉

Elsewhere, it hasn't been an overly positive month either. We dropped points in Ligue 1 to Nice and Monaco, though did beat Bordeaux comfortably. Fortunately we still managed to extend our lead in 1st to 15pts! Also thankfully, we got past Metz to seal a spot in the 2022 Coupe de France final against Mona… no! Paris FC! What an upset in the other semi-final, as sixth place in Ligue 2 knocks out second place in Ligue 1 Monaco - which means it'll be an all Paris affair come 8 May 2022. What an occasion that'll be at the Stade de France!

We have been severely hampered by injuries and international call-ups, especially for that cup semi-final with Metz - I mean, no disrespect to my players, but look at the state of that line-up we fielded. Anthony Martial was the only fit forward, Kylian Mbappé wasn't fit enough to start, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Ángel Di María and Julian Draxler were on international duty or otherwise unavailable. We had midfielders Georginio Wijnaldum and Rafinha on the wings, with youngster Bandiougou Fadiga in midfield; Thilo Kehrer is a back-up squad member, too. We bossed the match, but only netted a spot-kick - a stronger opponent and we would've been in trouble.”

"Be more like Steve Vigneau and Bastien Lecomte, kids …”

Next post: end of April 2021.

The social media thing is so stupid, always 1 positive, 1 negative and 1 neutral. I don't bother looking there for the most part. 

Not one club was interested in Mbappe, so just going through the last 5 months of the season with him, I'm nowhere near as dominant in the league as you, only lost 2 but drawing so many games, am only 3 points in front of Monaco who gave me my other loss, the twats!

I thought Monaco would run me close like they are you, but they and the likes of Marseille, Lyon etc. are keeping themselves busy in a battle for 2nd - leaving my lot to run away with 1st.

If they were to do away with the social media thing then I'd be absolutely ok with that.

I'm still “flying the flag” for the unbeaten crew, seven points clear of Monaco after 15 games - including a 6-0 home win over struggling Nantes. 43 goals have been netted in those 15 games so far and just the 5 have been conceded. 

#ShedenderLossBingo Marseille, 1-0, Sergio Ramos (o.g.) (90’+4) 😆

It nearly came at home to Nice but thankfully Marco Veratti salvaged a point. We beat Marseille 3-0 away from home, the return fixture isn't until the middle of April.

Thankfully…

I use the rolling save setting, so I had a back-up to go back to and only had to re-play one game. Lucky.

Post 11: April 2022:

The penultimate month of the season has arrived for PSG and Patrice Ben Arfa. The club are off UEFA Champions League disappointment after losing out on penalties to Real Madrid in the round of sixteen, though high hopes remain for a domestic treble (if you include the Trophée des Champions) as they hold a fifteen point lead in Ligue 1 and have a Coupe de France final on the way with second tier rivals Paris FC.

April would see seven matches and all were in Ligue 1, as the opportunity to officially claim the title would likely soon arrive - could they manage to do so? Let's see:

April 2022: “Champions! A job well done.

As noted, seven Ligue 1 fixtures were played and, amusingly, the only one we didn't win was the one that actually secured the title - a goalless draw away to Angers. Otherwise, it was a perfect month of league action as we got decisive victories over Lorient, Clermont, Troyes, Marseille, Lens and Strasbourg; a favourable fixture list, that! We still have two matches left to fulfil in the bread and butter against Montpellier and Metz, but May's standout event will be the Coupe de France final with our Parisian neighbours - bring it on!

As shown in my last post, I was on the end of a lost save moment - but thankfully had that back-up available. Not sure why the save corrupted as I had previously saved and exited like I always do, so must've been something on FM's end - I'll report it when I get the chance. The match I had to re-play was the Strasbourg finale, which we actually drew 0-0 originally; usually I'd keep re-playing to get the same result, but as it was a dead-rubber I couldn't be bothered to be honest. Hopefully I'll have no further issues with the save file, at least not until I finish the current season.

One piece of transfer news to bring you: Youri Tielemans will be joining us in July, after we struck a deal with Leicester City to capture the Belgium international. We're swamped with midfielders, but there will likely be a mini clearout in the summer and Tielemans is top notch anyway; and Ligue 1 proven, after his preceding stint with Monaco.”

Next post: end of May 2021.

Post 12: May 2022:

2021-22 reaches its conclusion as Patrice Ben Arfa and his Paris Saint-Germain team aim to add the Coupe de France to their trophy cabinet, having already secured Ligue 1 and the Trophée des Champions. Here's how they got on, as they had three matches scheduled to end the campaign.

May 2022: “Cup winners!

A domestic clean sweep, I can't not be happy with that. The biggest match was the month's opener, as we got past Ligue 2 city rivals Paris FC thanks to goals from Lionel Messi and Anthony Martial. We subsequently ended the Ligue 1 campaign in strong fashion, defeating Montpellier 3-0 and Metz 4-0; Mauro Icardi returned to form in those matches, while youngster Xavi Simons even got a goal. Our end to the season sees us finish on 97pts, unfortunately short of 100pts. Both cups were won, though disappointment did arrive in the UEFA Champions League.

Hopefully we'll have a better run in Europe's premier competition in 2022-23. Speaking of next season, I've made another new signing to join Youri Tielemans in the arrivals lounge. Lautaro Martínez will be coming in from Serie A's Inter Milan. A top quality striker, who is pretty much the replacement for the outgoing Kylian Mbappé - who made his last appearance for us in the cup final, due to injury. It's another Argentine player, to go with Lionel Messi, Mauro Icardi, Leandro Paredes and Ángel Di María - viva La Albiceleste!

Some news from the rest of Europe. Moneybags Newcastle United were relegated from the Premier League, though did win the FA Cup over Arsenal; Alexander Isak scored the winner, he was their main incoming in the transfer market; with Brendan Rodgers and Jorge Sampaoli (current) sharing the hot seat. Leeds United (and, obvs, Norwich City) got relegated too. In the UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig beat Bayern Munich in an all German final on penalties.”

Next post: end of June 2022.

Post 13: June 2022:

2022-23 started a month earlier than usual, as Patrice Ben Arfa and PSG headed to a special event in China - the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup, which the club had qualified for after their runners-up finish in the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League final. PSG were drawn into a group with Brazil's Internacional and South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Could they go all the way?

June 2022: “Short and not very sweet.

Bayern Munich blew us away in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final, meaning - just like with the UEFA Champions League last season - we exited at the first real hurdle. Annoying, but with the schedule (two days rest in group stage, one day (!) rest in quarters) our players were practically dead by the Bayern match so no surprise to see them batter us.

I've made two more new signings, as Youri Tielemans and Lautaro Martínez have been joined by Niklas Süle (free) and Mason Greenwood (loan). I wasn't totally convinced by Sergio Ramos and Marquinhos last campaign, Ramos was also shocking at the Club World Cup, so wanted a new centre-back and Süle is a great pick up. Greenwood arrived after Arsenal put in an offer for Ángel Di María, which I accepted as he is 34yo and I've switched to a tactic without wingers - so made sense to let him go (well, currently work permit pending) for a fee and get in Greenwood, who can play upfront as well as on the wing; just in case I switch back."

Next post: end of August 2022.

Good showing, won the league comfortably in the end mate.

Indeed! 2022-23 is all about doing something in the Champions League now.

100+ Goals? Check 

100+ Points? Check

Unbeaten League campaign? Check

It was always going to be a one season “challenge” in the hope to win the Champions League but unfortunately I failed as Dortmund dumped us out in the first knockout stage of the competition, on penalties. The one thing I found slightly tough was getting some players to perform on a regular basis but Mauro Icardi deserves massive praise as the Italian bagged 27 goals in the league this season and 43 in all competitions.

Nice!👏

Exact same UCL fate as myself, the pain!

“as the Italian” - Argentina would like a word. How dare ye misnationalise the 🐐! 

I was thinking about just doing one season too, especially as I can't wait to jump into a journeyman when the full game is out in a few days, but I'm intrigued by my new signings so will most likely to carry on for one more campaign at least.

I don't even know why I thought Icardi was Italian. Oh well, there's no point editing the post as I've been scundered.

😆

Marco Icardicci it is!