Return to Glory: Hellas Verona (CM4)

[SirFozzie]

'Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.'. -- Bill Shankley, English football manager

In the city of Verona, this statement is proven every day. Billions of Lira are spent on watching the local team Hellas Verona, on rooting them to glory, on living on every move they make. To follow the gialloblu (the yellow-blue, the colors of Verona), is to be alive. the Bentegodi, Verona's home stadium, has a capacity of 45000, with 25,000 of those being seated, but even for those standing, there are no bad views of the pitch. The team pulled off the most magical dream in 1984-85, as they won the scudetto, the Italian Serie A championship. Those days may be gone, but the famous rooting section in the Curva Sud, (South Curve) demands results, and quickly, for the team is in purgatory.

Not only have they dropped down to the 2nd level of Italian football, Serie B, but they have become overshadowed in their own town and their own stadium. There is a 2nd team in Verona that plays at the Bentegodi, created by several suburbs of the Italian city in 1929. Two years ago, they were promoted to Serie A. The year after that, Hellas Verona were relegated to Serie B. To say relations between the two teams is strained would be an understatement. To the city folks of Verona, Chievo is nothing more then a bunch of upstart interlopers who do not deserve to be at their heights. To followers of Chievo, Hellas Verona are a team supported by racists and thugs.

Into this gap stepped a 28 year old Italian, determined to return Hellas Verona to their destiny. Serie A, and one day, to hold the Scudetto once more:

Hellas Verona fact sheet

Team: Hellas Verona
Division: Serie B (Italian 2nd Division)
Status: Professional
Finances: Okay
Stadium: Bentegodi, Verona
Stadium Capacity: 45,000 (25000 Seated) w/Under Soil Heating
Training Ground: Adequate
Continental Competition: None

[SirFozzie]

((Note: I will be using Italian Lira as my money guide, and the Lira converts to the US Dollar as follows. $1.00 US Dollar=2168 Italian Lira (approximately)))

The chairman has made it clear, what our goal is. We must return to Serie A and quickly. We do not have a great amount of cash to do so (we have 15.8 Billion in the bank, but chairman Giambattista Pastorello has only authorized a transfer budger of 2.28 Billion). What we do have, is a dedicated squad, and a desire to return to where we once were.

Our squad:

Goalkeepers

#12- Matteo Gianello (26, Transfer value: 1.1B Lira) A decent #2, we may look to improve here, but Gianello is generally competent.

#1- Gian Luca Pegolo (21, 875M): Young, and a bit eccentric, Pegolo will be our #1 entering the season. Very good at one on ones.

#20 Davide Zomer (24, 475M): Not as good as the other two, I might list him to get some value for him and give him a place where he can play. As things stand, he may be put on the reserve squad along with..

No Number, Jess Van Stratten (20, Australian, 240M) Average goalie defensively, he'll have to show me something in the next couple years to improve.

No Number, Ruslan Nigmatullin (27, 13 Caps for Russia, 4.1 Billion Transfer Value) On Loan at Serie B side Salernitana, we may bring him back to see if he can go for the #1 spot against Pegolo and Gianello.

Next: Defense

[SirFozzie]

Defense

#14 Giancarlo Fillipini (33, 625M): Able to play a right side or a center defensive position, he was judged to be one of the best players in the side by the former coaching staff. I'm not so sure, but he'll get every chance to play.

#21 Marco Casetti (25, 1.2B): Very versatile, as he also can play on the right side or in the middle, but he can also play at the Defensive Midfield position as well as defense.

#18 Alberto Comazzi (23, 750M): Another right/center back player, Comazzi looks to start the season on the subs list, But there are some flaws I'm not sure about. Need improvement from him before we think about starting him regularly

#75 Nicola Diliso (27, 1.2B) I think he was too highly rated by the previous coaching squad, if I get an offer like his value, I would take it in an instant.

No Number Yet Mauro Minelli, (21, 2.6B), We have this player on loan from Serie A side Atalanta, a pretty decent player, but I'm not sure if he'll crack the match day 18 player squad this year. But I would like to bring him in long term, but he's still new to Atlanta, and spent last year at lower league side Lumezzane, appearing 33 times with 2 goals.

No Number Yet Marco Zamboni (24, 6.5B) This local boy (born and raised in Verona!) is on loan to us from Udinese of Serie A, and trust me, we want him in full time in the gialloblu. He will be our sweeper, our last line of defense before the goalie. Strong and ready to tackle (and tackle CLEANLY)

3 Andrea Dossena (20, 625M) This youngster needs a season or two more of seasoning before he cracks the lineup, but I think the talent is there, just a matter of bringing it out.

No Number Yet Alessandro Gamberini (20, 4.8B): This youngster, on loan from Bologna, has already been tested in the crucible of il calcio (football), as he has made 30 starts for the Serie A side in the past two seasons. Considered to be one of the best players on this team, and I'm inclined to agree.

#5 Carlo Teodorani (25, 1.2B): A rarety on Verona, a Left-side defender, Teodorani looks to get the Left back job by default. However, we may look to improve this position, and Teodorani is capable, but not anything more then that.

No Number Yet Dario Biasi (22, 80M): On loan from Alessandria, the coaching staff has a feeling that this player is worth much much more then his value indicates, and pretty much they all agree we should attempt to bring him on full time. He has plenty of potential, if not tons of current ability, and we have made an offer to Alessandria to keep him on a long term basis.

Next: Midfielders

[SirFozzie]

Midfielders:

No Number: Anthony Seric (23, 10 caps, 1 Goal for Croatia, 2.1B) This left sided midfielder is on-loan at Serie A side Brescia, while we decide what to do with him. Seric also has Australian nationality.

#4 Alessandro Mazzola (33, 450M) Likely one of our starters, but if anybody comes in, they likely will take his place in the 11. Very dependable if not flashy, and very good at team work.

#8 Andres Yllana (28, Argentina, 1.6B) This hot-tempered Argentine will start for us, and he could be a good playmaker, great passing and marking.

No Number: Marco Mancinelli (20, 325M) On loan at lower league side Martina, and doesn't fit in to our plans. Probably will be listed, and either release on a free at his contract expiry, or sold.

#79 Luca Matteassi (23, 1B) A right sided midfielder, but he might play central midfielder. A good at slotting a cross in, we'll have to figure a place for him to play.

#24 Vincenzo Italiano (24, 1.8B) Some folks say he's the best player on our team. He will definitely be our own field captain, and will take our free kicks and a person who makes the goalie nervous when he has the ball, even when at long range.

No Number: Emiliano Salvetti (28, 10.75B) For some reason, Salvetti and the previous manager had a falling out, and Salvetti still may have a grudge against us. As an attempt to smooth things over, a loan agreement with Bologna was worked out before I took over, and I don't wish to upset the Serie A side by cancelling the loan, especially if he still has a grudge against Verona. We'll see where we go from here.

27. Martino Melis (28, 3.7B) A Model professional, Melis realizes that he will be a backup, but still a vital cog in our system. He wants to play, he's a pretty good player, but as a left sided midfielder, there's no place for him in our current tactics. We will see what we can do.

next: Forwards and strikers

[SirFozzie]

Forwards and Strikers:

13 Andrea Cossu (22, 1.4B). Likely will play in the AMC spot, a very good player, and hopefully a guy who will feed our front man plenty of opportunities.

11 Adailton (25, Brazillian, 2.6B) Will get some games as a starter, some games off the bench, but needs to show a bit of improvement.

24 Michele Cossato (32, 1.4B) An absolutely fearless player, Cossato is pretty good in tight with a header. He'll be on the bench to start, but I think he'll get his share of action.

32 Andrea Pisanu (20, 750M). I think he'll be pretty good in a year or two. We might loan him out to get first team experience, but right now, he's backing up our front line players

33 Mario Antonio Salgado (21, Chile, 1.6B) He's suggested by my staff to start at the Striker position, and pretty good at finishing, but will have to make the most of his opportunities, as our style of play demands a good strike rate.

22 Massimiliano Vieri (23, 2.5B) he's familiar with Serie B, and he did quite well at Serie B side Ancona, netting 12 times in 36 games last year. Will be our 2nd choice at the striker position.

Next: the Catenaccio Tactic, not exciting, but will it work?

[SirFozzie]

Our tactic hankers back to the days of the Milan dynasty of the mid 60s. It was a very patient formation, waiting out the opposition, frustrating them offensively and then counter attacking when the opponent makes mistakes. Here's how we'll line up for our first friendly, to show you how it works


GK Gianello

Sweeper Zamboni

DL Teodorani DC Gamberini DC Filippini DR Casetti
| |
| |
+ +
MC Italiano MC Mazzola MC Yllana
|
|
AMC Cossu

FC Salgado

(The | are forward runs)

[SirFozzie]

Our first game is against lower league side Varese, and we want to see how our players respond to the new tactic more then anything.

It looks good to start, as we get a 4th minute goal from Cossu, as he puts in a rebounded shot from Salgado, and 8 minutes later, we double that lead, as an Italiano free kick from just outside the box takes a wicked deflection off the wall into the corner of the goal, with the goal keeper having NO shot at it. They get one back in the 34th minute from midfielder Giuliano Gentili, but we go into the break 2-1 up.

Gentili scores again on a counter attack in the 60th minute to tie it at 2, and Zirafa scores for them off a corner in the 78th minute sending us to defeat to a lower level side in our first friendly. Varese 3, Hellas Verona 2

[SirFozzie]

Our next game pits us against Serie A side Modena, and I want to see if we get any better. Only a couple changes, as Pegolo steps in net, and Vieri replaces Salgado up front.

It's scoreless and a tight game at the break, but we take the advantage early in the 2nd half when Vieri puts in a rebound. We try to hold on, but they get a goal with 20 minutes to play when a Modena shot slams off the bar and right to Modena's Andrea Fabbrini, who puts it past the downed Pegolo to tie it at 1. They score in injury time to get a winner, and again we've lost a lead. It's only a friendly, but, I'm not liking our stamina...

Modena 2, Hella Verona 1

[SirFozzie]

Groups are set up in the Italian Cup. We get placed in group G, with games against Bari, Monza, and Crotone. It likely will be the two Serie B sides Bari and Verona for the guaranteed spot in the next round, and the two lower league sides battling it out at the bottom. We will play Bari at home, next, Crotone at their stadium a week later, and then finish up group play at Monza just after the league starts.

Two major transfers take place in the preseason, as Barcelona acquires Portugese midfield star Simao from Portugese side Benfica for 25.5 Billion Lira (approximately $11.75 Million US), and Deco goes to Valencia from Porto for 20 Billion Lira, (approx 9.225 Million Dollars)

[SirFozzie]

The game against Bari has some good action on both sides. What it didn't have was any goals, a 0-0 final meant whichever team did better against the smaller teams of the group will advance, which is a liability given our main tactic. I switch to a basic 4-4-2 attacking formation for the game against Crotone, knowing that we need a win with a couple goals, and that the catenaccio may not get the goals.

There is a bonus as in the 8th minute as Crotone's Croatian midfielder Ivan Juric is sent off for a horror challenge on Martin Melis. I gather the team at the touch line quickly, and I tell them we have to go on the attack here, see if we can put a big # on them.

Crotone surprisingly take the lead as they throw everybody forward on a corner in the 19th minute, and Pellegrini puts the header home to give them a lead.

The referee gives us a break as we get a penalty for a push in the box in the 31st minute, but Filippini puts it off the post. This could be an ugly game as they double it, as Pegolo goes out of the box and boots the ball forward, only to see a Crotone player intercept it and hit it 50 yards into the open net. 2-0, and the man up doesn't help.

The few Veronese in the stands file out after a boring second half, and I'm quite furious. To have a man advantage for 80 minutes and lose 2-0 to a lower league side.. well.. let's just say it's not going to be fun to be in practice for a few days.

Crotone 2, Verona 0

[SirFozzie]

We have one more preseason game before the league starts, against Serie A side Empoli. I want a win here to get us back in a good swing before the season begins.

We get hit on a fifth minute counter attack, and give up a goal to Tommaso Rocchi, their star striker, Pegolo looks lost out there, coming out and flapping at a cross ineffectively, luckily, the header goes over the bar. Some of the Curva Sud have already started on Pegolo's case, calling him il Mongol or, the Mongol.

We don't give up any more, but we don't look close to scoring, looks like it's time to shut down the Catenaccio for now and attack attack attack.

Hellas Verona 0, Empoli 1

[3ric]

Good start, this could be interesting!

Edit: (Uh, I mean your dynasty write-up, not the pre-season results. Better luck in the regular season!)

[SirFozzie]

Thanks 3ric, I'm trying, and boy is my team trying (patience, that is)

Our first league game is at home against Cosenza, and we decide to run the Catenaccio one more time, see how it works in a league setting. At first, the answer is, "not well", as Cosenza score in the 26th minute, a shot from a good five yards outside the box, and the whistles and shouts of "Il Mongolo" from the Curva Sud are piercing.

Even though we're down 1-0 at the break, we're not out of it, and Vieri scores his first in the gialloblu, 10 minutes into the 2nd half. We can't take the lead, but it's not for lack of opportunities, time and time again we counter, but can't put the ball in the net. It's a draw, not a win, but the formation is starting to work I think.

Verona 1, Cosenza 1

[SirFozzie]

We're playing for pride (and to not finish last), when we play Monza in the final Italian Cup group match. As before, we have a few chances, our strike rate is very disappointing, but we manage to finally put one in the win column, as a 75th minute strike from Vieri gives us the win.

Monza 0, Verona 1

Up next is a home game against Livorno, and Pegolo, who's quickly turning into the bane of my existence, mishandles a 30 yarder, and we're down 1-0. Cossu does equalize off a corner in the 33rd minutes, so we're even on the board. In the 42nd minute, Mario Bortolazzi loses his head and shoves Cossu over, and receives a red, and the loss of the Livorno player puts us a man up with over a half left to play.

Of course, our offense decides since we won't let up any more goals, we won't score any more, so it's our second 1-1 draw in the league.

Verona 1, Livorno 1

[SirFozzie]

Pegolo will sit down for the game against Venezia, because quite frankly, I don't need a heart attack from trying to put up with his once per game mistakes.

Instead, what I get is a goalie who's seemingly ducttaped to the goalline, and it costs us twice as loose balls in the box (one in the SIX YARD BOX) get converted twice into goals, and we lose, 2-0 and the fans are REALLY started to get worried.

Verona 0-2 Venezia

[SirFozzie]

We manage to pull it back together slightly, beating Catania 1-0 in a injury time goal from Mario Salgado, we're currently 10th in the league, on 5 points from 4 games.

We blow a 3-0 first half lead at home against Ternana, only scoring a 3-3 draw.This might be the last straw for the Italian U-21 keeper, Pegolo. We won't be able to bring somebody in until after the first of the year, but we have begun looking.

Pegolo also gets blasted in the press, in hopes that a public shaming will remind him that we expect great things from him.

[3ric]

I say bring back Nigmatullin. IRL, he's great.

[SirFozzie]

Pegolo refused comment only saying that I was entitled to my opinion and he would continue to give one hundred percent for the club and its fans.

Mixed results for the Azurri, as they beat Romania 3-1, but then only can manage a 1-1 draw at the Millenium Stadium against a plucky Welsh side. Italy still leads the Euro qualifier group with 7 points from 3 games, but Wales are 2nd, with 4 points and a game in hand. Yugoslavia third, with Finland, and group minnows Azerbaijan bringing up the rear.

It's better results for Verona, as my questioning Pegolo seems to have taken fruit, as we go on the road at Messina and beat them 2-0. Salgado scoring both goals in the 2nd half. With the catenaccio temporarily on hold, results have improved somewhat.. but we're still 8th in the table.

Even though Pegolo had a decent game, the scouts are out beating the bushes in a world wide search for a goalkeeper to hold down the #1 job with regularity. There are a few names floating back so far, but nothing concrete..

[SirFozzie]

Originally posted by 3ric
I say bring back Nigmatullin. IRL, he's great.

3ric: I'd love to, but unfortunately he's on an unrecallable loan (growls)

:)

[SirFozzie]

We have decided on a keeper to supplement/replace Pegolo, and it's just a matter of making the right offer for him, and hopefully we will have the transfer done in the next week or two. Unfortunately, due to the transfer window, we won't have him on staff until the 1st of the year.

Pegolo has his 2nd clean sheet in a row, as we beat Napoli 2-0 through goals by Italiano (a stupdendous 35 yard free kick. Words don't do it justice) and a goal by Cossato late. So with the win, we are up to 5th, just outside the promotion spots, hopefully Pegolo will continue to hold the fort while our new transfer waits until the transfer window.

[SirFozzie]

Just when I'm thinking I'll have to make up for my warning to Pegolo by praising him in the press, he lets up another howler of a goal against Cagliari. Fortunately, we were up 3-1 at the time, from two goals by Cossato (one from the spot) and a 30 yard laser by Italiano, who is getting better and better all the time.

The win moves us to the promotion positions, as we are now 4th in Serie B. We are able to agree terms with the Metrostars in MLS, after one of my scouts saw Tim Howard play, and all that's left now is to get the signature of the player on the contract.

Chievo's still in the UEFA Cup, a fact that makes the true Veronese fans red with anger (tinged with a bit or more of jealousy), but they'll need a good away result, as all they could do was draw 1-1 at the Bentegodi against Croatian side Dinamo.

Our next game is home against Vicenza, and it's seemingly "another day, another wonderful 30 yarder", as Italiano does it AGAIN... he's really been a midfield wonder. Then, just to show it's not a fluke, he does it again in the 2nd half to double our lead, and Vicenza seemingly folds, as Cossato puts a 3rd past them, and we are cruising. Filippini scores his first in the gialloblu with 18 minutes left, and an own goal completes the humilation of the mid-table team, 5-0 is the final, and the Curva Sud sings in praise of their boys!

[SirFozzie]

The win has an upside and a downside, the upside is a story in the Verona daily had a quote from Chairman Pastorello and his delight in our demolition of Vicenza, saying that the team was showing it's ability. While we're not on top of the table yet (moved up to 2nd on goal difference, three points behind leader Ancona), the fans are aware that the race for promotion is well and truly on.

The gialloblu will miss seeing Andrea Cossu for a month, an injured groin will see him miss the next four weeks of action. Adailton will likely take his spot in the starting eleven, he's gotten limited work off the bench.

Unfortunately, our express turns into a train wreck, as we travel to top side Anacona, and play ok, but not good enough as we fall 2-0. The loss puts us six back, but we're still in the promotion spots.

[SirFozzie]

A bit of an up and down timeperiod for Verona, and we have mixed results:

We won two straight over Ascoli and Triestina by identical 2-0 scores, but then we traveled to Genoa and got beaten soundly, 4-0, only managed a 0-0 draw with Lecce, lost to Salertina 2-0. We somewhat recovered with a 1-1 home draw with Siena, and then lost ground with another shutout loss, 3-0 to Sampdoria.

We have agreed to terms with Howard, and he will join us in the new year, about 10 days away. Here's the current table through 17 of 38 games:

Sampdoria 40
Ancona 36
Cosenza 33
Siena 30
----Promote----
Lecce 28
Genoa 27
VERONA 27
Livorno 26
Ternana 25
Palermo 25
Vicenza 24
Cagliari 23
Catania 23
Napoli 22
Triestina 21
Salnertiana 19
----RELEGATION--
Bari 18
Ascoli 15
Venezia 14
Messina 3

[SirFozzie]

News:

a Hellas Verona supporters liason group spokesperson has confirmed that many of the club's supporters are growing restless with current manager David Yellope. He confirmed that the fans are very disappointed with recent form, and the manager's criticism of Gian Luca Pegolo, a player who has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise bleak period at the club recently. He also added that they felt that Yellope had been at the club long enough to make a better impression and that fans wanted to see a vast improvement in results quickly

Are these the same fans who whistle at Pegolo and call him il Mongolo? Bah.

[SirFozzie]

We complete the aforementioned transfer for Tim Howard, and he will take the #1 job immediately from Pegolo, and we also acquire midfield help from overseas, as we acquire 20 year old Marquinho from PSV's reserve side on a season long loan.

It gets better, but not by much. Howard has to have a brilliant game in the gialloblu (12 saves) to keep it a 1-0 loss, as time and time again, the defense is beat over the top. But, we're getting better. We just need a couple defenders.

We continue to work the overseas transfer market and bring a couple of defenders on for loans: Philippe Mexes of Auxerre is somehow left on their reserve team and we'll gladly take him on for the season. Feyenoord teenager Glenn Loovens will also join in.

The difference in the styles is evident when we travel to Bari. They only have 2 shots on goal, but we miss numerous opportunities in front of the net, a nil-nil draw, makes us 10th in the league. and maybe we need a forward too on loan :(

[SirFozzie]

Atalanta want to pry Italiano from us, and are willing to offer 2 billion Lira, and a 30% of next sale clause. I counter with 3.1 Billion and the same 30% for the 2.1 Billion Lira rated player. Perugia also join the fun, offering 2.6 Billion Lira. I tell them it'll take 4 billion to pry him away.

Atalanta back off, but ANOTHER bid comes in, from Udinese at 2.5 Billion. Just like Perugia, it'll take 4 billion lira or no sale.. And Perugia doesn't want to pay 4 billion lira. ANd finally, Udinese step away. We didn't want to deal him, but I didn't want to just reject the bids outright.

We lose to Ancona 1-0 to continue the slide, and it's just SICK how many chances we blow. Desperate to score (we've scored ONE goal in the last EIGHT games, which is rediculous), we bring in another midfielder, Nano from Barcelona, and put him on the left side of midfield, and move Marquinho up to an attacker.

[MylesKnight]

Great Read Sir Fozzie.. What a coincidence as I'm right in the middle of reading the book, A Season With Verona, by Timothy Parks. I'm sure you've already checked it out..

Keep up the Great Work!

By the way, is Castel di Sangro available in CM4?

[SirFozzie]

Myles: Yup, that's where I'm getting bits and pieces of informationm about the curva sud, il mongolo, and especially CHIEVO VAFFANCULO! :)

Castel di Sangro is available, they are in one of the levels of Serie C (either C1 or C2)