FM - Rise of Slovakia - Nitra's Power - COMPLETE?

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #5 - Home vs Kosice – I begin controlling.

Goals

Kotori to Bilbao, 25th
Djuric to Zej, 28th
HALF
Them 58th
Then 69th
Kamenik to Djuric, 81st


We win 3-2. MOM is Zej

I hand out rest.

I reject offers for Kamenik and they want a better deal. I make them an offer

[Abe Sargent]

Champion Round 4, Leg #1 – Away vs Red Star – We just need to do a professional job today! A tie. A 1 goal loss where we score at least once. A win. That’s a lot of options. I begin defensive and make no changes to our game. They get a card in the first minute. They have the early initiative. Hello pretty yellows by the by. They get carded again in the 19th minute. Will that come to bite them?


Goals

They score, 23rd minute
Mitrea to Farago, 26th minute. Mitrea!!!
PK, Mitrea, 45th minute. Mitrea!!!
They score in the 48th minute
Farago to Djuric, 56th minute

We hold!

We win 3-2. MOM is Farago his first.

We make 2 mill for winning and a NASTY 12.7 mill for making it to the Group Stage!

NICE!!!

Group D

Benfica
Liverpool
Nitra
Valencia

That was a nice campaign. See you next year!

Kamenik signs his new three year deal!

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #6 Away vs Zilina - Eddy starts for a tired Farago. I am defensive today. Kotora is starting for Bilbao.

Goals

Them 4th minute
Eddy to Djuric, 10th minute
Them, 39th called offsides
HALF
Them, 78th minute

We lose 1-2.

I refuse some offers for Pop and I offer them a new deal. I add a 1.0 mill release clause, the best I could negotiate.

I have 19 players on international duty

[Abe Sargent]

September

12th – Away vs Trencin
15th – Away vs Valencia
20th – Away vs Ruzomberok
23rd – Away vs Bystrica, Cup Round One
26th – Home vs Senica
30th – Home vs Benfica

Good training – Djuric, Kamenik, Ferguson


Wanna see how many loaners I have?
\
https://i.ibb.co/M1XL0k0/Nitra-88.png

Lots!


Djuric came in 2nd in Player of the Month

Pop signs his deal!

I connect Sabo and Samu


Fortuna Match #7 -Away vs Trencin – We already have away losses against two heavies and this could be a third. I begin defensive with Bilbao starting. Hello yellow uniforms and light rain! Their early initiative is turned as is our nice counter. Then minutes leave. They grab a card in the 15th. Kamenik crosses to Pop for goal in the 19th. Nice counter! Kamenik has more assists in 5 games than Krasic had in half a season! They score back in the 21st. They grab another booking. Half 1-1. Show me something else! We lightly injure one of theirs. Kamenik a light knock and Krasic heads in. Sabo for Zej. Walkes for Milanovic. They score in the 77th. Then two minutes later Samu finds Djuric for goal. 5 minutes. Game 2-2 tie. MOM is Djuric. We gotta get more points away!

[Abe Sargent]

Champions Group Game #1 – Away vs Valencia – I begin defensively. Let’s get this woodshed started. Pretty yellow kits! I’ll skip the synopsis. We lose 0-2. Closer than you might have expected. Not as bad as away against Torino last year. But not a result.

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Match #8 – Away vs Ruzomberok – Can I get an away win against the #2 team in the Fortuna right now? I begin defensively. Wow. We score in the 15th minute off a cross to Djuric and then… that’s it. We both finish with fewer than ten shots on the day. We had 3 on target to their 4. That was a quiet 1-0 win. But any win is a win. They have MOM

We finish our transfer window with a few loans leaving.

That win moves us up to 2nd.

Timothy Weah is U21 capped by the USA and has declared for them

[Abe Sargent]

Cup Round One, Away vs Bystrica - I start Ferguson and Sabo, Kotora and Eddy and Walkes.

Goals

IFK Mitrea feeds Walkes for assist to Samu for goal in the 35th minute
HALF
Djuric to Pop on a counter, 49th.

That’s it. We win 2-0 MOM is Walkes

I’ll take it!

I hand out rests to my main starters

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Match #9 – Home vs Senica – I begin standard. I leave in Kotora but swapped everyone else. We’ve been all over the early game with nary a goal. We lightly injure one of their players. I swap Milanovic one he’s carded. Djuric to Pop, goal, 44th. Djuric to Zej, goal, extra time. Half, we are up 2-0. Keep it up guys! In the 56th, Djuric shoots, the ball is blocked and then he shoots the rebound and sinks it. Eddy for Farago. They score in the 65th. They are carded. Pop to Djuric, goal, 68th. They score in the 70th. Ferguson for Samu. They get another card. 4 minutes of added time. Can we hold? We do! MOM is Djuric obviously.

Now that the team is flush with cash we agree to increase our training facilities, and youth facilities.

[Abe Sargent]

Champions Group Game #2 – Home vs Benfica – I begin countering with Bilbao for Kotora. This is our best chance to emerge with points. It’s driving rain today. We injure someone early.

Goals

Pop to Samu on a counter attack, goal, 9th minute
They score 21st
Pop to Ofori, goal, 41st
HALF
They score 73rd

Final score 2-2! They have the MOM

We net 500K in cash after our tie.

We have set a Champion’s Cup record for most goals at 35!

[Abe Sargent]

October

4th – Home vs Poprad
7th – Away vs Sala, 2nd Round
17th – Away vs Zdana
21st – Away vs Liverpool
24th – Home vs Trnava
28th – Home vs Streda
31st Home vs Slovan Bratislava

Good training – Mitrea, Pop, Weah

Kotora is called up to the Slovakian squad.


Fortuna Match #10 – Home vs Proprad, a recently promoted foe. I begin controlling and Kotora is starting.

Goals

Kamenik drives and crosses to Djuric, 29th minute
HALF
Weah drives the flank and feeds Djuric, 77th minute


We hold and win 2-0. MOM is Djuric with both goals.

[Abe Sargent]

I have 21 players called for international duty

Cup, Round 2, Away vs Sala – I start a lot of players that aren’t on duty. I have at this spots:

GK Jimenez
DC Mitrea, Bilbao, Milanovic
DMC Walkes
MC Kotori
ML Samu
MR Krasic
AMC Farago
ST Kjellborg
ST Jan Sadlek, a 17 year old youth squader

Alright this’ll be weird! I begin countering.

Goals

Mitrea, PK, 41st
HALF

That’s it. We win 1-0. MOM is MITREA!!!

Next is Ruzomberok.

Kotora got his first cap for Slovakia and I congratulate him!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/26TnZGM/Nitra-89.png

Here is the division after 11 game save for our game in hand against league leader Streda. That game is scheduled for later in October.

Fortuna Game #11 – Away vs Pohronie Zdana – I begin countering. I have my normal squad back. Hello yellow jerseys!


Goals

Them, 8th minute.
HALF = Do you wanna win this?
Pop to Ofori, 80th minute. Tie
Zej to Pop, goal, 91st minute.

We win 2-1. MOM is Ofori

[Abe Sargent]

Champions Group Game #3 – Away vs Liverpool – Ready for the spanking? Let’s get ‘er done. We begin defensively.

Goals

Them 7th
Us 11th!

https://i.ibb.co/8jNbDVf/Nitra-90.png

Pop to Djuric!
Them 26th minute
Them 28th
Us 32nd!

https://i.ibb.co/F3BG3yB/Nitra-91.png

Samu to Pop!!!

Them 45th
HALF

56th minute…

Pop to Djuric!

https://i.ibb.co/mNphL9N/Nitra-92.png

Nice! Make this a game!

Them in the 66th.

Game, we lose 3-5. Respectable! And we added to the goal-scoring record by another three goals!

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #12 – Home vs Trnava - I begin controlling.

Goals

Pop drives crosses to Djuric, 36th
Zej to Djuric, 44th
Them 47th pk
HALF
Pop and Djuric feed the ball back and forth on a counter, Pop to Djuric, 55th. That’s his hattrick
Pop to Djuric off a counter, 63rd
Them in the 73rd

We win 4-2, MOM is Djuric. Obviously

Streda lost and that win puts us into 1st for the first time this year.

Djuric set a Nitra record for most goals in a league game.

[Abe Sargent]

Cup Round 3, Away vs Ruzomberok – They always play us well so I begin defensively.

Goals

Ofori to Djuric, goal, 6th
Them in the 19th
HALF
Bilbao to Djuric, 78th
Weah to Pop, goal, 86th

We win 3-1 and MOM is Djuric

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #13 – Home vs Slovan Bratislava – I begin standard. They beat us earlier.


Goals –

Kamenik crosses to Djuric – 30th. That’s Djuric’s 30th goal this season
HALF
Samu feeds Pop on an attacking run in the 57th
Bilbao to Samu, goal, 68th


We win 3-0 and MOM is Samu.

https://i.ibb.co/6489L4t/Nitra-93.png

Great win!

[Abe Sargent]

November

3rd Home vs Liverpool
7th Away vs Michalovce
21st Away vs Kosice
25th Home vs Valencia
28th Home vs Zilina

Good training – Dario, Djuric, Kotora

Djuric won Player of the Month!


Champions Group Game #4 – Home vs Liverpool – We played them well on the road, can we get a result here? Or even a respectful result? It’s driving rain here in Slovakia today. (We don’t play our home EURO and Champions games in Nitra as the stadium is too small) I begin countering. We injure one of their players in the 4th minute and they are subbed out. They score in the 38th, Half 1-0 them. Show me something else! I send in Ferguson for Kamenik after he is carded. Bilbao or Sato head in. Can we steal a tie? Three minutes. Nope we lose 1-0.

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #14 – Away vs Michalovce – I begin countering. This is Milanovic’s 100th game for us!

Goals

Djuric to Pop, 14th
Pop to Djuric, 44th
HALF


We win 2-0. MOM is Djuric.

One of my youth was capped for Hungary!

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #15 – Away vs Kosice – I start Eddy. I begin countering. Pretty yellow kits and driving rain.

Goals

Kamenik crosses to Samu, goal, 13th
Kamenik to Pop, 19th
HALF
Kamenik to Pop, 57th
Mitrea, DFK, 61st. Mitrea!


We hold and win 4-0. MOM is Samu

Nice!

[Abe Sargent]

Champions Group Game #5 - Home vs Valencia – Farago is back today. I begin countering. My goal today is to score a lot of goals and add to our record!

Goals (Get ready)

Them , dfk, 12th minute; 1-0 them
Bilbao intercepts the ball and heads to Djuric who heads it to Samu for goal one minute later. 1-1 tie
They score off a counter in the 35th minute; 2-1 them
HALF
They score off a corner in the 51st. 3-1 them
Zej feeds Samu on an attack run and he feeds Pop for goal in the 66th. 3-2 them
Zej feeds Samu on an another attacking run for goal in the 83rd. 3-3

We tie them! Mom is Samu!

We made 500k

I don’t know if you have noticed but Samu tends to play up to big competition.

Our U19 coach left to head to a lower level club as t’s new manager. I wish him well! I post the job.

I get the board to increase the number of coaches allowed.

I hire GK Coach Argentinian Albano Bazzari. I hand out better Gk stuff.

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #16 – Home vs Zilina. I begin standarding against them.

Goals

Them in the 19th
Pop solo goal as he bounces on it, 21st
Them 46th
HALF
Bilbao to Pop on a counter, 75th
Ferguson to Pop, 87th


We hold and win 3-2. MOM is Pop.

We have won 9 league matches in a row!

[Abe Sargent]

December

2nd – Home vs Streda
5th – Home vs Trencin
8th – Away vs Benfica
12th – Away vs Streda

Good training – Eddy, Zej, and Jimenez

Pop player of the month!

Fortuna Match #17 – Home vs Streda. I make no changes to my roster. Streda are our main competition for 1st and winner and a result here would be lovely! We begin standard as well.

Goals

Samu to Djuric, 40th minute, nice cross
HALF
Samu, 75th, solo goal, he leaped on a free ball in the box
Samu, pk, 82nd
Them 84th

We win 3-1 and MOM is Samu

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Match #18 – Home vs Trencin – I begin standard. I am starting Ferguson for Kamenik, swapped with Samu, Eddy and Bilbao.

Goals

HALF
Them 63rd
Samu to Sabo, 67th, his first goal for us!
Mitrea to Milanovic, 71st, IFK. MITREA!!!
Sabo to Farago, 88th minute after I subbed in Farago


We win 3-1, MOM is Mitrea

We have broken the league record for wins in a row with 11.

[Abe Sargent]

Champions Group Game #6 – Away vs Benfica – I make no changes to my roster and I begin defensively.


Goals -

https://i.ibb.co/JzDvL5C/Nitra-94.png

I doubt the score lasts, but here you can see Kamenik to Djuric in the 13th minute.


They score back in the 18th
They score in the 35th
HALF, 2-1 them
Them in the 61st

Djuric to Pop in the 77th. Can we steal a tie? Nope! We lose 3-2.

Not bad!

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Match #19 – Away vs Streda – this is our final match before the winter break. I begin defensively. I make no changes to my squad

Goals

Them in the 41st
HALF
Them in the 87th
Them in extra time

We lose 0-3. That ends our winning streak.

https://i.ibb.co/C98Zc55/Nitra-95.png

Here we are after 19 games. We split our matches with Streda, and we are really far in front of the rest of the pack.

[Abe Sargent]

We hire a new U19 head coach.

Kotora wants to head out but Mitrea talks him down.

So my main question is this.

Who will leave in the break?

Kotora learned a lot from the Eddy link up

December 29th arrives

I start scouting folks leaving their contract in 6 months

https://i.ibb.co/dgYdJ46/Nitra-96.png

These are the ones expiring.

I need to make decisions on a few.

Bilbao. 3 star rotation. I can start him in an emergency. I like him enough to give him starts for injury and tiredness. Is he worth keeping around in that role? Or can I comfortably find another rotation guy.

For now I leave Bilbao unsigned.

I will let Krasic head out.

The youth will head out as well

Now the big question. Jimenez

https://i.ibb.co/2Fmz59T/Nitra-97.png

Here is Jimenez today. He led the league in shut outs last year and had great stats. But he’s just a three star rating. Is he worth keeping around?

I don’t want to lose him without having another option in case my new option sucks.

I make him an offer to extend him by one year.

Should I do a year for Bilbao?

Yeah we offer another year at rotation.

I have won the Slovakian Coach of the Year award!


Pop wins Romanian Player of the Year! I congratulate him!

Djuric won the Fortuna Best Player Away and Samu came in 2nd. I congratulate him.

[Abe Sargent]

January

16th – Friendly vs Hanisk
23rd – Friendly vs Zlin
30th – Friendly vs Brno

Good training – Sabo, Pop, Djuric,

Farago won Goal of the month!

I get offers for Walkes but he’s matured into a better DC and DMC and I like him as my 5th option. No thanks!

I take a look at who was recently released. Maybe I can find some inspiration or that 4th St I still need.

I hand out some scouting stuff but I don’t see any Strikers that can take us home.

I offer some trials to some young prospects.

Bilbao accepts the offer

Here’s Ferguson today by the by

https://i.ibb.co/WpTCs06/Nitra-98.png

Just in case you cared. He’s getting closer and closer to starting level.

[Abe Sargent]

I make an offer to a stud Brazilian DC I find. I also offer a buddy to swing on by as well.

I sign his buddy first, Guilherme.

He joins!

I’ll show you after he joins in March when he turns 18

I turn down my first offers for Pop and Kotora

I withdraw talks from a a stud young Italian GK who wants too much (5.0k) for a hot prospect deal.

Jimenez signs!

I brought my new DC on trail until his deal hits…

https://i.ibb.co/J7GhQp9/Nitra-99.png

This is Alan Assis! He’s raw but he shows every sign of progress! I have some foreign spots to use and he’ll be a fun future starter for me at DC once he’s grown like Kotora.

[Abe Sargent]

I get an offer for Djuric and reject it.

I reject more offers for my ley three youth – Kamenik, Pop, and Kotora

The transfer window opens

I just turned down a 925k offer for Kotora. We might be losing him

I accept a loan offer for first team for Weah.

I give Mitrea a leave of absence for a month for him to head on home

I just got a 1.4 mill offer for Kotora from Sampdoria

My board is not auto accepting it. Good job board you’ve learned.

Friendly vs Hanisk – We win 2-0

[Abe Sargent]

Someone has made an offer for Pop and it hits his minimum release clause of 1.1 mil. That sucks!

I have an idea though you may enjoy.

Sampdoria increased their offer for Kotora for 2 mill and that’s close to his 3.5 min release fee.

My offer for Djuric is up to 850k but no thanks. I have the monies now.

Weah heads out on loan on first team Striker, he needs play there

Friendly vs Zlin – We win 1-0

While Pop is figuring out where to head next I make an offer for my next Striker, transfer listed for 250k

I reject more than a million for Djuric.

He arrives before Pop decides his destination!

Are you ready?

https://i.ibb.co/3N666s3/Nitra-100.png

Welcome Back Gabriel Dodoi! He’s now fully developed technically and we like him a lot. He knows the club and loves the Manager (that’s me for those following along)

I move him to start. I give him the advanced forward role for now.

[Abe Sargent]

Friendly vs Brno – We win 1-0. Our lone goal was by….DODOI!

Wow! On the 31st which is the end of the transfer window I get an offer for Djuric for…1.7 MILLION dollars. No thanks.

Blast it!

Benfica hit 3.5 mill on Kotora!

That;s his minimum release fee!

That sucks…. Having the Slovakian Wonderkid on a Slovakian team was awesome.


However, we are about to get in the money even more.

Right now that means my DCs are this:

DC Mitrea, Bilbao, Milanovic – starting
DC/DMC – Walkes primary backup
…

I look to see if I can find a good 5th option.


None for free

The only ones for transfer are too expensive…

I got nothing. I just gotta use my Brazilian when he gets here.

Benfica signed Kotora

[Abe Sargent]

February

6th - Friendly vs Dukla Prague
13th – Friendly vs Inter Bratislava
20th – Home vs Ruzomberok
27th – Away vs Poprad

Good training – Kjellborg, Pop, Ferguson

Kamenik was runner up for Czech Player of the Year!

He won Czech Young Player of the Year and I congratulate him!

Alright Kamenik it’s just you and me.

I just turned down a 975k offer for Walkes. We gotta get through this!

Pop signed with OGCN

Walkes wants an improved deal and I offer rotation, as he;s too old now for Hot Prospect.

I make an rotation offer for 1.7k/week, two years


Friendly vs Dukla Prague – We win 5-2 and Djuric scored 4 goals..


Friendly vs Inter Bratislava – We win 4-2. Dodoi has a hattrick

Mitrea is back

Walkes signs

Ofori is out for two weeks. Eddy will start for him

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #20 – Home vs Ruzomberok – Starting today is Dodoi, Bilbao and Eddy. Ready for the new Nitra? I am starting standard as I respect the #3 club too much not to.

Goals

Kamenik feeds Djuric for goal in the 8th
Them in the 13th
Djuric to Dodoi on a break, 25th minute
Mitrea, PK, 34th. MITREA!!!
HALF
Them in the 71st
Mitrea an og in the 77th. Mitrea???
Mitrea, DFK in the 79th. MITREA!!!
Them in the 82nd
Dodoi in the 87th
Them in the 88th
Them in extra time

We lose 6-5.They had 5 shots on target and they all sinked. That was a Lukas Hrasso game.

That is the highest scoring game in the history of the Fortuna!

[Abe Sargent]

Now I am getting offers for Samu. Go away!

Zenit St. Petersburg in 2nd in Russia right now offers me an interview…

I consider. But I say no.

Fortuna Game #21 – Away vs Poprad – I make no changes to my roster. I begin countering. I hope we can call the last game a one of and move on.


Goals

Farago to Dodoi, goal, 20th
Them in the 35th off a counter
HALF
Mitrea in the 55th off a PK. MITREA!!!

That’s it we hold and win 2-1. Mom is Mitrea
 
The transfer deadline has passed

[Abe Sargent]

March

6th – Away vs Senica
17th – Away vs Kosice, QF

Good training – Kjellberg

Kotori is back from injury

Alan Assis joins us officially and I put him on my match squad.

https://i.ibb.co/X5DjgZH/Nitra-101.png

We get our youth squad! How is Duris?

WOW

https://i.ibb.co/6YKdP23/Nitra-102.png

Thanks Football gods!

He’s very developed! He’d be my replacement if Kamenik left!

[Abe Sargent]

Fortuna Game #22 – Away vs Senica. I begin defensively because they are our kryptonite. Kotori is back!

Goals

Mitrea to Djuric on an IFK in the 19th. MITREA!!!
Them in the 23rd
HALF
Sabo to Dodoi off a counter, 66th
Dodoi to Milanovic, corner kick, 87th minute

We win 3-1. MOM is Ofori

Here’s the table at the 22 game mark.

https://i.ibb.co/QmyvXRK/Nitra-103.png

Streda dropped two games in a row we won and drifted really far down the chart. We have 11 points on them.

[Chas in Cinti]

I think in all my years of FM, I've never had much luck with my youth intakes... regardless of squad, level of facilities... Just cursed I guess... certainly never anything like this... maybe a rotation player once or twice...

You seem to get a first 11 player regularly... :)

[Abe Sargent]

Sabo loved his hookup with Samu!

I decline another interview with Torino

Torino

EURO Qual Game #1 – Away vs Zilina. This is a rough match to start the playoffs. I begin defensively.

Goals

HALF
Djuric to Ofori, goal, 58th minute

Game. We win 1-0. MOM is Ofori

I hand out rests

[Abe Sargent]

I think in all my years of FM, I've never had much luck with my youth intakes... regardless of squad, level of facilities... Just cursed I guess... certainly never anything like this... maybe a rotation player once or twice...

You seem to get a first 11 player regularly... :)

I know but in real life Nitra is one of the biggest cities and doesn;' share it;s youth with others unlike, say, Bratislava with it's many clubs.

I also got two of the best players of their generation in Portugal with Nacional de Maderia over on the island of Maderia (which discovered Ronaldo).

[Abe Sargent]

Quarter Final Away vs Kosice – I begin countering. Pretty yellow uniforms!!!

Goals

HALF
Zej to Djuric, 48th
Them in Extra time

PKs

We win the shootout!

We got lucky there!

I hand out more rests

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Qual Game #2 – Away vs Streda – This is the best place for Streda to gain ground. I begin defensively. Away vs Streda was a loss for us in the regular season.


Goals

Them in the 15th
Farago one minute later on a loose ball in the box score
HALF
Them in the 54th
Them in the 81st
Them in the 90th


We lose 4-1.

[Abe Sargent]

That was another Hrasso score. They only had 6 shots on target…

Early Jimenez would have made that, at worst, a 2-1 loss.

https://i.ibb.co/tw6yV7x/Nitra-104.png

Let’s figure out if I should give Dario some starts.

Jimenez is a better shot stopper, aerial, distributor, and they are the same elsewhere…

Jimenez is better on paper. A little. I’ll leave him in for now.

We have 21 players called up

[Abe Sargent]

April

3rd – Home vs Trencin
6th – Away vs Zdana, Semis Leg 1
10th – Away vs Slovan Bratislava
17th – Home vs Zilina
20th – Home vs Zdana, Semis Leg 2
24th – Away vs Ruzomberok

Good training – Dario, Assis, Kjellborg


EURO Qual Game #3 – Home vs Trencin – I begin standard.

Goals

Zej to Djuric, 9th minute.
Farago feeds Dodoi on a counter, 19th minute
Them off a corner in the 37th.
Kamenik to Dodoi, goal, 43rd
HALF
Walkes to Zej, goal, 63rd

We hold and win 4-1. MOM is Zej!

[Abe Sargent]

Semi Final Leg #1 Away vs Zdana – I begin countering today.

Goals

Zej to Djuric on a corner kick in the 17th minute
HALF
Zej to Kjellborg, 86th minute. That’s his first goal for us.


We hold and win 2-0. MOM is Zej. Dude’s on fire!

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Qual Game #4 – Away vs Slovan Bratislava – The big one. I begin defensively. I have moved Dodoi to his old poacher role.

Goals

Mitrea to Dodoi on a break in the 7th. MITREA!!!
Zej to Djuric, goal, 11th minute.
HALF
Farago to Djuric, 72nd minute
Them 81st


We win 3-1, MOM is Djuric

Streda lost

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Qual Game #5 – Home vs Zilina – I begin standard. I don’t feel that much above the folks in the QUALS to go control.

Goals

Farago feeds Samu for goal in the 9th minute
Them in the 27th
HALF
Them in the 63rd
Them in the 91st

We lose 3-1. They had….4 shots on target. Another Hrasso performance by Jimenez….

The Table after 5 games.

https://i.ibb.co/W00ZxXP/Nitra-105.png

We are still way out in front.

I hand out rests

I move Dario to start.

[Abe Sargent]

Semi Final Leg #2, Home vs Zdana – I begin controlling. I come into this match with a two goal lead so this is a good chance to see what Dario can bring. Let’s drop some goals…


Goals

Farago to Zej, 12th minute
Djuric to Dodoi, 37th minute after being setup by Mitrea
Farago to Dodoi, goal, 46th minute
HALF


We hold and win 3-0. MOM is Zej. Shut out in Dario’s first start!

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Qual Game #6 – Away vs Ruzomberok – If we win today then we win the Fortuna! Dario starts. I begin defensively. This has always been a rough ask. Can we emerge from them today with a winning result? Let’s find out!

Goals

Dodoi steals the ball and scores in the 7th minute.
They score in the 18th
HALF
Them in the 54th
Kamenik in the 93rd called offsides controversially

We lose 1-2. They had 22 shots, 10 on target to our 5.

[Abe Sargent]

May

1st – Home vs Streda
4th – Finals vs Slovan Bratislava
8th – Away vs Trencin
15th – Home vs Slovan Bratislava
22nd – Home vs Ruzomberok

Good training – Kamenik, Assis, Kjellborg



EURO Qual Game #7 – Home vs Streda – If we win today then we win the Fortuna! Dario stays up as we only allowed 20% of shots in. I begin controlling.

Goals

Djuric to Zej, 10th minute, on a counter
Them in the 14th
HALF
On an IFK, Milanovic to Zej, goal, 56th
Zej to Djuric, 83rd


https://i.ibb.co/7XQhkRG/Nitra-106.png

We win the Fortuna!!!

Can we do the double against Slovan Bratislava?

[Abe Sargent]

The Pofar Finals

Your #1 ranked team FC Nitra

Vs

Your #4 ranked team Slovan Bratislava


I begin standard. I am starting Dario for this match as well. For the fans!!!!!!!

Goals

Dodoi to Djuric,16th minute from the center drive.
HALF
Kamenik jukes past a player, crosses, goal to Djuric in the 66th
They score back two minutes later

https://i.ibb.co/H2NYN9s/Nitra-107.png


The double is ours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Djuric was MOM

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Qual Game #8 – Away vs Trencin. I begin defensively. Pretty yellow kits!

Goals

Them a PK in the 11th
Kamenik to Samu, in the 15th crossing from one side to the other
Bilbao to Djuric, goal, 24th minute
Dodoi to Zej up the center, 37th minute
HALF
Ofori to Djuric, 66th minute

We win 4-1. MOM is Djuric!

With that assist Kamenik ties the league record for Nitra at 18 with two games to go!

With those two goals Djuric beat Bruno’s record setting goals in the Fortuna at 27 with two games to go!

Ofori is called up for Ghana in the African Cup of Nations.

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Qual Game #9 – Home vs Slovan Bratislava – I begin standarding.

Goals

HALF
Kamenik to Zej, extra time

We win 1-0. We finished with 20 shots and earned the win. MOM is Zej.

Kamenik broke our record!

Dodoi will miss the final with an injury. I’ll start Kjellborg. I move striker Luka Begovac to his spot who recently came back from a loan.

Our 78 goals sets a new record!

With one game to go!

Poprad are relegated back down

[Abe Sargent]

I extend one of my best youth DMC

https://i.ibb.co/DGjZPMZ/Nitra-108.png

Him! He came through our youth ranks and he’ll be on squad rotation this upcoming year for me. Woith a Min release fee of 5.5 mill.

I also offer a new deal to Kamenik as he has outplayed his. With a 5 mill min release clause, his is 3.5 mill right now.


EURO Qual Game #10 – Home vs Ruzomberok – I begin standarding.

Goals!

Milanovic from Bilbao on a corner kick in the 10th minute
Kjellberg to Djuric for goal in the 16th minute
HALF
Them in the 79th

We win 2-1, MOM is Djuric.

[Abe Sargent]

End Table

https://i.ibb.co/BskFm6F/Nitra-109.png

Here you are! As you can see we finished very comfortably in 1st as Streda lost form at the end of the season and Ruzomberok are 2nd.

We scored 80 league goals and allowed 46 which was mid-table defensively.

[Abe Sargent]

Stats

MOM – Djuric was 1st with 9 MOM. Ofori and Zej were tied with 4 each for 3rd.

Distance Covered – Ofori was 2nd, Zej was 5, Samu was 6th

Average Rating – Djuric led with 7.70; Kamenik was 3rd with 7.27; with 7.24 Ofori at 4th; At 6th was Zej and Samu rocked 9th


Headers Won – Djuric 1st with 322; Milanovic was second with 256; Mitrea was 8th


Goals – Djuric set the record with 28! Pop had 14 goals in 60% of a season when he left. He finished 7th.

Avg Minutes Per Goal Djuric was first with 102.86;

Shots – Djuric was 2nd

Shots on Target – Djuric was 1st with 57; Pop finished 7th

Assists – Djuric and Kamenik tied at 4th with 10; Pop was 9th with 8; Zej was tied with Pop.

Key Passes – Zej was 2nd with 53; Djuric was 7th with 40

Chances Created – Djuric was 5th with 21; Zej and Kamenik were 6th with 20;

Pass Completion – Ofori was 1st with 91%

Dribb/Game – Kamenik was 4th with 3.41

Key Headers – Djuric 3rd with 53; Milanovic 10th with 31

Picks – Milanovic was 5th with 140; Mitrea 7th with 126

Headers Won % – Milanovic was 3rd with 86%; Bilbao tied at 6th for 85%, Farago 7th with 84%

Shutouts – Javi with 7; 7th best

Saves Held – Javi was 9th with 42

[Abe Sargent]

For Next Year:

GK Jemez – 0 Looking to replace, might just let Dario start

DC Bilbao 1 – Need to find a replacement

DC Milanovic – 2 - Had a down year statistically, is this is the end of him?

DC Mitrea – 2 – Age is the reason he’s at 2. He’s 33 years old.

DMC Ofori – 3 – Locked in.

MC Farago – 2 – Not bad but not great. Not a place I am actively loking for a replacement,

ML Samu 3 – Locked in for the last year of his deal.

MR Kamenik – 3 – No one is locked in more.

AMC Zej 3 – Locked in for now.

ST Djuric – 3 – Stepped into the Bruno gap perfectly.

ST Dodoi – 2 – Didn’t really close games like I’d hope but he’s not on my short list right now.

[Abe Sargent]

My Goals!


Here are my goals for the team:

1. Year 1 - Establish a youth squad. Nitra has very little – CHECK Year One!
2. Stay up this year – CHECK Year One!
3. Get a mid-table finish comfortably – CHECK Year One!
4. Year 2 - Next year get to the top half of the league and begin to play for EURO play in the playoffs – CHECK ONE YEAR EARLY!
5. Turn Nitra into a power that can rival the major team in this league – Slovan Bratislava, CHECK Year Two!!
6. Win a Slovak Pohar – CHECK Year One! CHECK Again Year Four!
7. Win the Fortuna – CHECK Year Three! CHECK Again Year Four!
8. Qualify for Champions play. CHECK Year Three! CHECK Again Year Four!
9. Turn Nitra into an Eastern European heavyweight on the level of a Sparta Prague or CSKA Moscow. CHECK Year Four.
10. Secure Nitra well enough that it’ll survive after the manager leaves. CHECK Year Four.


We are a powerhouse. We’ve won it twice in a row, and won the double this year. For Champions play we were one of only three Eastern European teams to make the Group Stage. We have taken out many nearby threats in Eastern Europe like Red Star, Rapid Wien, and BATE. We have defeated teams from places like Portugal, Sweden and Denmark in our Euro campaigns. We tied Valencia and Benfica and were never blown out in the group this year. We have narrow losses like 3-2 away at Dinamo Kiev and scored 3 on the road against Liverpool. We are a powerhouse…

Financially we are secure. We made tons of Champion cash this year. We also made millions in sales. The board isn’t forcing sales anymore for higher prices.

The team should be safe enough to leave and it’s in a good spot. It has amazing youth, and senior squad that won the division twice. I didn’t want to be all about me and then leave.

That leaves me three options…

1. Retire. I took Nitra and Slovakia as far as I can. Good dynasty!
2. Continue. I earned an easy campaign, right? Right! Let’s dominate Slovakia and see if we can’t get out of the Group Stage!
3. Go Somewhere Else. See what’s left and head there! Rebuild the dream somewhere else!

In my Romania dynasty I did the somewhere else and rebooted at Huddersfield in the EPL post-Brexit. In one year we did really really well with it!

I’m leaning towards #3.

[Abe Sargent]

But what team?

And in what division?

What jobs are open?

Blackburn at the back of the Championship and just missed relegation

Spartak Moscow

Orenburg

I’ve never done Russia. I don’t really wanna.

Iasi

In Romania

Spartak Moscow?

Take heavy?

I apply

[Abe Sargent]

I also apply to Blackburn as a backup place and Orenburg in Russia

Blackburn tells me they have already hired their next manager.

My preference is Orenburg who were relegated so I won’t have the pressure of a Spartak Moscow while learning a new league and language.

Our initial budget is 140k/week.

I interview with both teams

Barcelona defeated Man Utd 2-1 to win the Champions League. Kamenik led the competition with 8 assists.

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/mRt0kv3/Nitra-110.png

Fan Awards!


I hold a team meeting – we’ll win this next year too!

Djuric score 46 goals for Nitra, more than Bruno’s 36 last year!

Kamenik beat Wohlfarth’s 18 assists record by hitting 19.

https://i.ibb.co/xKvKghY/Nitra-111.png

More facilities upgrades!

[Abe Sargent]

Zej is named player of the month and I congratulate him

On June 2 it happens!

Spartak Moscow hires elsewhere. On the same day I get three interview options and I take them…

Who?

I get a job interview option for a newly open job over in Italy’s Serie A. Genoa. They finished 17th.

Now I get an interview in France! It’s at Bordeaux which finished 8th. I take it.

Finally Everton finished 13th in the EPL and they let go their popular Portuguese manager and are looking for a ner manager.

I interview with all three.

We’ll take the first one that comes down.

https://i.ibb.co/YpvJ9C0/Nitra-112.png

[Abe Sargent]

June 9th it happens!

https://i.ibb.co/s2fz8HR/Nitra-113.png

Now this is my first time in France. Here are the rules…

https://i.ibb.co/hyH0b5R/Nitra-114.png

As you can see it allows just four non-EU folks rather than the 5 at Slovakia.

Now I have never run a team in France before. I’ve done top flights in Germany, Portugal, Spain twice, and England loads, but never the majors in Italy or France, so this will be fun. Only twice before have I left a team and then continued to play at a new team.

1. Sepsi in Romania. After four years I took over Hudderfield in the EPL and played them for a year.
2. Carlisle in the UK. After three years and promotion to the penultimate level I then was offered a job at Kaiserslautern in Germany which I took and ran for three more years.

But this is rare. I most dread getting things set up. Taking over a team and then forging a new team is both exciting and very time consuming


Welcome to Bordeaux!

[Abe Sargent]

Our finances:

I have a transfer budget of 13 mill, none of it spent

I have a salary budget of 1.16 mill/week. We are currently at 220k under so we have a little room there.

We have no major injuries.

I look at my squad…

I have a big fat squad of three loanees and 23 other players

Let’s get you (and me) caught up. I’ll start with everyone of my players with a key or first team status.

I am skipping my three first team loaners for this purpose.

I have ten first team and key players:


GK Benoit Costil

https://i.ibb.co/FgykGLt/Nitra-115.png

He has been our starter for four years, and he’s fine. Last year he had 13 shut out across various competitions and a 6.97 rating. He only has a three star rating and I could see bringing in another guy at some point in time. I’d give him a 3

DC Rob Holding

https://i.ibb.co/h7yNDgb/Nitra-116.png


Holding is our only key player on the squad and at 4 stars is pretty good at this level. He’s very well rounded and I love his mental stats. I can also use him as a solid DMC if I wanted to, although I like him too much at DC for that. 3. I like him and he is locked in for me. He’s young at 25 and one of our best players. I have no intention of swapping him out.


DC Nicolas Isimat-Mirin

https://i.ibb.co/zfDfw5T/Nitra-117.png

Our other DC is this guy. He’s fine in most places but I prefer a better passing at this level and his tackling isn’t selling him to me. 2 for now as I enjoy his speed and physical gifts and his mentals are fine as well. However I may replace him sooner than later.

DMC/MC Bibars Natcho

https://i.ibb.co/nCsdD8s/Nitra-118.png


Natcho is an Israeli force. He can play any of the middle center roles. He’s a 2. I like him and his stuff but he’s too old to keep for too long. He’s my Kona.


DMC/MC Otavio

https://i.ibb.co/1mKH8FJ/Nitra-119.png

Here is 27 year old Brazilian Otavio. Note that he’s well round and solid and has a 3.5 star rating. I like him as a Deep Lying Playmaker at DMC. He’s a 2 for me. He’s fine for now and yet I could see a replacement at some point in time.

DM/M/D Center Lukas Lerager

https://i.ibb.co/MfzX6DZ/Nitra-120.png


Lerager is a 27 year old international. He’s a 3.5 rating which is fine and he plays the same spots at Otavio and Natcho. I’m not sure who I like best from them, but it’s hard to give a first team rating to all three. None of them feel like an obvious AMC to me and I don’t like Lerager enough at DC to run him out there either. One of these three could wind up being expendable. 2 for him as well.


ML, AML, ST Takuma Asano
 
https://i.ibb.co/Wfgyw2b/Nitra-121.png

Just a 3 star rating, and I don’t like him for ST at all with that low of a finishing. I also don’t like that first touch or technique here either. 0 I expect to look somewhere else for him.

DL/DR Sergi Palencia

https://i.ibb.co/tskzcvG/Nitra-122.png


3.5 stars at fullback. I don’t like him much either. There’s no passing or first touch, crossing or heading, technique. He’s fast, and savvy, but I need a better presence at fullback. 0. He’s not long for this team.


ML/AML/ST/AMC Admir Mehmedi -

https://i.ibb.co/H7WQPcs/Nitra-123.png

Mehmedi is 30 year old and better. Flair is great. First touch and technique, and more. I’d like better cross and pass from an AML or ML, and he’s on the slower side for this level. He’s probably a better AMC than AML but he doesn’t know it well. 1. Age and lack of speed and passing make him a target for improvement.

AML/ST AMRC Nicolas de Preville


https://i.ibb.co/wMF6SVJ/Nitra-124.png

De Preville lacks finishing so I see him as a support role not a attacking one. I like him elsewhere and yet that poor crossing is rough to see. 2 for now as I have other targets of opportunity and I may keep him starting for a year. Note we have two guys who naturally play ML and AML on first team roles.


And there we have it!

[Izulde]

From my own multiseason dynasty in France, it's a really fun country to play in. TBH, in some respects I found it even more fun than England.

[Abe Sargent]

We had these positions

1 Gk
2 DC
1 DR/DL
2 ML/AML
3 DMC/MC
1 ST

That sounds like one of the modern variants of a 4-5-1. We could do a 4-2-3-1 with two DMCs.

Our three loanees are on first team or key players and are these positions:

AMC
AMRL
DL

Makes sense

Now I don’t like our fullback much and our other good one is a loaner.

Am I looking to go to my 3-5-2 again? Or the 3-1-2-1-2 rather?

I take a look at the rest of the league –

4231 – 7
4-3-2-1 - 2
4-4-2 – 4
4-4-2 Diamond with two middle sin the middle rather than on the wings - 3
3-4-3 – 2 (It’s more of a 3-4-2-1 with the normal strikers split out wide in AM roles)
4-2-2-2 – 1 (With two DMCs instead of MCs)

They tell me that they used the 4-2-3-1 last year and it didn’t work well.

What do I want to do?

They have 7 teams out of 20 with two forwards which feels a bit high in today’s game.

So what about me?

Let’s look at two tactics.

My 3-1-2-1-2

I would start these:

Gk Costil

DC Holding, Isimat – need 3rd DC
DMC Otavio
MC Lerager OR Natcho
ML Mehmedi
MR - ???
AMC - ???
ST - ???

In this role I need a DC, AMC, MR, and two STs

What if I did a 4-2-3-1?

GK Costil
DC Holding, Isimat
DR ???
DL ???
MC Otavio and Lerager or Natcho
AML Mehmedi
AMR ???
AMC ???
ST ???

I would need DR, DL, AMR, AMC, and ST.

I need five players each way.

I commit to my 3-5-2 variant. I head over to tactics

[Abe Sargent]

From my own multiseason dynasty in France, it's a really fun country to play in. TBH, in some respects I found it even more fun than England.

Awesome!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/SJFTpFt/Nitra-125.png


Who am I starting at MC? This is Natcho vs Lerager. Lerager is better at defending, speed, and physical and aeriel. Natcho is better a vision and attacking. I go with Lerager. I move Natcho’s role to rotation.

https://i.ibb.co/LthwVCX/Nitra-126.png

This is my current AMC on rotation deal and I put him in the rotation at AMC for now. He’s not that bad but he has to be support with that finishing. He’ll be my baseline at the role for better.

I transfer list a few fullbacks

https://i.ibb.co/vP76FM4/Nitra-127.png

Here’s my third DC and again he’ll be my baseline for replacement.



I also rotation to Asano, Palencia, De Preville,

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/HP7KBjc/Nitra-128.png

Here was the league table. We came in 8th and we had one player with a 3rd placed spot, our GK’s shutouts. None of our other players charted in the top three.

[Abe Sargent]

My top choice would be Jack Bruno but he’s probably not available from Tottenham. He had 6 subs last year in the EPL. I make an enquiry but it’s probably not happening.

I make some other enquires for DC. I found one I like.

Now what about MR?

Is Kamenik my new MR? He’s the best player for Nitra now.

I make an enquiry for Kamenik the Czech wonder kid to be my new MR.

How about AMC?

Wow!

I found a stud GK who’d be interested in coming to us. He starts for Stoke who just got relegated. Can I pick him up in a firesale? I make an enquiry. Andre Moreira.

I found an AMC who is transfer listed for 350k. I scout him, name of Andre Gomes. I make an offer to bring him over full cost. Actually his deal ends next month I just make an offer to bring him over. I make him an offer for 55k/week

I also find a ST with his deal expiring I could bring in. 23 year old Dominic Solanke.

I also make a rotation offer for a DC I could bring in named Axel Tuanzebe also for Stoke.

I get a 3.1 mill deal offer for one of my fullbacks. I accept it.

I get an offer of 1.7 mill for another fullback and I accept

I get an offer of 2.3 mill for another fullback and accept

I send most of my transfer money to Stoke for their starting GK. He’s an absolute stud and the best player willing to come to Bordeaux. We agree to an 80k/week offer

We make an offer of 2 mill for Kamenik and it’s accepted. We make a first team offer for him.

[Abe Sargent]

I find a wonderkid DC in Denmark. Niklas Nielsen. Brondby agree to 3.6 mill. We offer him first team.

I need one more ST.










Wow!

There is a big name available, Oliver Giroud, and I offer him a deal. He won’t come he’s too expensive.

Who else?

I am making scouts and enquiries for others.

I transfer list my current GK

We agree to 1.7 mill for a 32 year old Target Man from Atalanta. He’ll be my starter until I can find better.

Andre Gomes agrees to his deal!

We sign our ST Slimani

Nitra moved up to 128th ranked club after their successful campaign last year.

DC Nielsen joins us!

We have now renovated our defense.

We sell a FB and get 1.9 mill added to our transfer

ST Solanke is joining us!

I decline offers for Lerager.

Rotation DC Tuanzebe joins us!

I sell another FB and we add 1 mill to the transfer kitty

I move a 3rd FB and get 3.3 mill back

I make a 5.5 mill offer for a stud French wonderkid named Vincent Besnard, who plays ST. I need a 3rd option for my squad. I offer him a hot prospect deal.

I accept an 850k offer for another full back

Besnard arrives first

https://i.ibb.co/Kw3jVJw/Nitra-129.png

I see this 18 year old stud being my primary backup at ST. He’s already 3 stars and has loads of potential to goal. Check out that sexy finishing, dribbling, and more!

Our squad are back from break and I hold a team meeting.

We’ll qualify for the EURO this year. They agree!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/jwmq4mS/Nitra-130.png

Our contracts coming up. I review all and make some offers.

I get offers for another fullback for 500k

July

10th – Home vs Sparta Prague
17th – Home vs Slavia Prague
24th – Home vs Viktoria Plzen
31st – Home vs Villanaise

All friendlies

July 1st is here

https://i.ibb.co/LzL10bm/Nitra-131.png

Here’s Kamenik. He’s almost fully developed. Let’s see if he can take his game up for us!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/Xy2yvQ6/Nitra-132.png


Here’s my starter ST. As you can see he has a four star rating. He’ll be sitting as a complete forward for us given how well rounded his talent set is. I like most of his stats save his low crossing. Enjoy him!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/j5kFd3D/Nitra-133.png

Let’s start with 21 year old Nilkas Nielsen. He’s 4 stars right now and can really improve. Our scouts loved him! I do too! He’ll be our third DC Starter.

https://i.ibb.co/PMnX62X/Nitra-134.png

Here’s my other DC signing for a rotation deal Axel Tuanzebe. I enjoy how well-rounded he is! I adore his marking although I’d prefer slightly better tackling at this level. He’s four stars and will be my first rotation option.

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/7CxCpX5/Nitra-135.png

It was hard to find a proper target man so Islam Slimani is it. He’s well rounded although just a 2.5 star rating. We have him on rotation for two years so he’ll begin at ST but I’m free to swap him around.

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/gThzV8J/Nitra-136.png

GK Andre Moreira is here! What a stud. He is already capped by Portugal, has 4 stars, and you can see what an aerial master he is! Welcome to the club!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/4mJ43Wm/Nitra-137.png

Here’s my new starting AMC Andrew Gomes. I only grabbed two years for him to run out there. He’s well rounded but doesn’t excel in any major areas. I’ll be playing him in the role linked there

None of these take up a valuable foreign spot on my roster. The ones with other nationalities on their main group have EU ones as well.

[Abe Sargent]

I take a look around. Right now I am 50k under my budget.

Anyone else out there than I wanna chase?

I scout for folks currently out of deals. Can I find any Timothy Weahs or Robert Pops? Or anyone like that stud GK that will improve my roster massively?

Not that will sign for us

How about any that aren’t EU?

Nope

No youth either.

I sell a fb for 550k

Our expectations

Quality for the EURO
Quarter Final French Cup
Quarter Final Coupe de la Ligue

I sell another fullback for 500k

Friendly vs Sparta Prague – We win 2-1

[Abe Sargent]

We have loaned GK Costil for the year


I hire a Japanese GK Coach


I name Slimani as the new captain

Friendly vs Slavia Prague – We win 3-1


We are 30-1 to win the league

Friendly vs Viktoria Plzen – We win 2-0.

https://i.ibb.co/mbHJ4b4/Nitra-138.png

Besnard got 2nd!

Friendly vs Villavanaise – 3-0 us

My Goals for Bordeaux

1. Get them back to EURO this year in year one
2. Do some damage in the EURO.
3. Get them high enough to qualify for the Champion’s League.
4. Win Ligue 1
5. Win a Cup

That’s it! We already have good finances, respect, a solid tam and youth squad, and loads more

[Abe Sargent]

August

7th – Away vs Strasbourg
14th – Home vs Havre
21st – Away vs PSG
28th – Home vs Angers

Good training – Zaire, Dupuy, Zouaghi

Alright let’s get er started!

My primary subs:

ST Vicente Besnard
DMC/MC/AMC Natcho
DC Lacroix
DC Tuanzebe
ST, AMC, ML De Preville
MR, AMC Jankovic
DM, MC Sankhare



Ligue Game #1 – Away vs Strasbourg – I begin countering. Can we emerge from our first Ligue Game with a win? Let’s find out!

Here’s our first goal!

https://i.ibb.co/hcxDxtP/Nitra-139.png


Our stud wonderkid scores on his debut on a corner kick in the 12th minute!

Goals

Dominic Solanke drove the corner and crossed to Slimani for goal in the 21st.
HALF
Them in the 73rd


We hold and win 2-1. Great win boys! MOM is Nielsen.

We sold 10,340 season tix

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #2 – Home vs Havre – I begin controlling.

Goals


HALF


0-0 Draw. Wrong match. I want that next week not this one…

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #3 – Away vs Paris SG – Ready for the heavy away? I begin defensibly. They begin with two lightly injured players not here and their star Mbappe is injured and missing the game.

Goals


HALF
Them in the 58th minute
Them in the 68t minute

We lose 0-2 and were never in this match. That’s not bad!

[Abe Sargent]

Rob Holding is out for 4-6 weeks after suffering an injury. I will start Axel Tuanzebe in his spot.

The transfer window is about to close and I make an enquiry for Timothy Weah. We agree to an offer of 950k. We offer Weah a 5 year hot prospect deal.

I have two callups from my two Danish starters that are on Denmark’s international squad (Lerager, Nielsen)

Weah signs!

Here is him today after a year of starting last year


https://i.ibb.co/XZ93cMS/Nitra-140.png

He’s looking very competent, but needs more development at this level mentally. I offer him for loans he could use with additional development there. He’s fine technically and ready to start.


We have 1.85 mill left in our transfer kitty.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #4 – Home vs Angers. I begin controlling. I miss my pretty yellow Nitra kits. This Bordeaux Blue is a boring shade.

Goals

HALF
Lerager to Solanke, goal, 55th minute. That;s his first goal for us
De Preville to Andrew Gomes in the 86th. That’s Gomes first goal as well!

We win 2-0. MOM is Gomes

One of our coaches left. I make an offer to another.

I accept an offer for my backup GK for 160k

Nitra is in 1st of the Slovakian division – Djuric has 6 goals already. They are starting Dario at GK

[Abe Sargent]

The final day of the transfer window has arrived. I take one final look. Is there I GK I can bring in for coverage cheaply?

I make an offer for Maurizio Schaeper, a 22 year old GK Product from Italy. We agree to 2.4k/week over three years for a backup role

https://i.ibb.co/CmvWvCv/Nitra-141.png


Here he is. He has room to grow, he’s technically fine, and he’s fast. His mentals aren’t the best in the world, but he also has room to grow and I like him in an emergency role who can grow.

The transfer deadline passes.

https://i.ibb.co/mqVzhR5/Nitra-142.png

Here is the recap of the big moves.

[Abe Sargent]

September


12th – Away vs Montpelier
18th – Home vs AS Saint-Etienne
22nd – Away vs RC Lens
25th – Home vs Lorient

Good Training – Antwi, Benoit, Traore

Backup Cristian is out for a month

I have fewer international call ups – 17, then I did at Nitra!

DC Axel Tuanzebe was capped by the DRC. I congratulate him!


Ligue Game #5 – Away vs Montpelier – I begin defensively.


Goals

Them in the 11 off a DFK close to goal that was a yellow card by Lerager
HALF

We lose 1-0.

[Chas in Cinti]

Looks like the squad has some growth in it... need some time to gel, but looks like you're putting together another nice one

[Abe Sargent]

Looks like the squad has some growth in it... need some time to gel, but looks like you're putting together another nice one

Hopefully!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #6 – Home vs AS Saint-Etienne. I begin controlling.

Goals

Mehmedi crosses to Solanke for goal in the 44th
HALF
Gomes to Solanke, goal, 65th

We win 2-0 – MOM is Solanke

I still don’t have this dominant result.

Sub Sankhare is out for a month with an injury

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #7 – Away vs RC Lens. I begin countering.

Goals


HALF
62nd minute Gomes feeds Jankovic, goal
73rd minute Natcho to Besnard on a corner goal
88th minute Mehmedi to Besnard, goal!

We win 3-0. Nice. All three of my subs came in late. MOM is Besnard.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #8 – Home vs RC Lorient – I begin controlling.

Goals

Them in the 8th
HALF
Kamenik crosses to Solanke, goal, in the 63rd
De Preville to Solanke, goal, 87th minute

We hold and win 2-1. MOM is Solanke

Kamenik is injured for 3 weeks

I’ll start Jankovic for him

PSG Finally lost away to AS Monaco

Crisitan is back from injury

[Abe Sargent]

October

1st – Away vs Rennes
17th – Home vs Lille
23rd – Away vs Toulouse
28th – Away vs Dijon, Coupe de la Ligue
31st – Home vs OM

Good training – Dupuy, Antwi, Gros


Ligue Game #9 – Away vs Rennes. I begin countering. They are 20th in the Ligue right now so I hope to help myself to some goals.

Goals

HALF
46th minute Ismiat-Mirin finds the loose ball on an IFK and scores


We win 1-0. MOM is our goal scorer!

Rob Holding is back from his injury and starting again

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/R30bZPC/nitra-143.png


Nine games is the quarter mark. Wanna see the table after nine?
We have the 3rd spot locked with just two losses. We have had good form but great defense with 5 shut outs in 9 games.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #10 - Home vs LOSC – I begin controlling against the 16th team.

Goals

Otavio to Mehmedi, long shot, 6th minute
Them, 41st, called offsides
HALF
Slimani to Solanke, 91st minute
Mehmedi to Slimani, 92nd minute


We hold and win 3-0. They had 2 more shots and 1 more on target and we shut down out!

Wanna see my 10th game?

https://i.ibb.co/1704mP7/Nitra-144.png

Sure thing! MOM is Mehmedi

Kamenik is back from his injury. Jankovic has played well and is staying at MR for now

[Abe Sargent]

Our next match is my 200th!

Ligue Match #11 – Away vs our rival Toulouse – We begin countering.

Goals

Them off a PK in the 6th
In the 8th Lerager feeds Slimani for goal
Slimani is sent off in the 17th, Uh oh. I pull back to contain
HALF
They score in the 61st


We lose 2-1

I issue a warning to Slimani and he accepts it.

I’ll start our wonderkid ST next game.

Cristian wants first team and I offer to sell him and he agrees. I list him

[Abe Sargent]

Coupe de la Ligue, 3rd Round Away vs Dijon – I begin countering. This is the match Slimani is missing. Besnard is in for him.

Goals

HALF
Natcho PK in the 75th, that’s our first shot on target!
Solanke steals the ball in the 91st and scores

We win 2-0. MOM is Mehmedi!

Besnard is injured for 2 weeks.

Lerager is suspended the next match due to too many cards.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #12 – Home vs OM. I begin standard as I respect them way too much.


Goals

Solanke feeds Gomes on an attack run for goal in the 13th
They score in the 25th
HALF
In the 56th, Nielsen feeds Gomes on a counter attack where he split two defenders and earned a 1:! On the GK.

We hold and win 2-1!

Take a look…

https://i.ibb.co/3pbLwjT/Nitra-145.png

Here you can see they out played us in our home and yet we stole a win against them! MOM is Gomes.

Sankhare is back from injury

[Abe Sargent]

November

5th – Away vs Caen
20th – Home vs Nantes
27th – Away vs Guingamp

Good training – Antwi, Slimani, Thomas

Antwi is a stud 15 year old GK wonderkid who came through our youth camp.

https://i.ibb.co/TBZv0wM/Nitra-146.png

Thanks Zidane! I appreciate the support!


Ligue Match #13 – Away vs Caen. I begin countering. Natcho is starting in the middle.


Goals

HALF
Solanke feeds Slivani in the 54th
They score in the 88th.
Tuanzebe feeds Solanke a counter in the 92nd

We hold and win 2-1. MOM is Solanke.


Besnard is back from his injury

[Abe Sargent]

League Match #14 – Home vs Nantes. I begin standard. They are 5th and I respect them too much to do anything else. Natcho is back on the bench.

Goals

HALF


0-0 Tie. MOM is Otavio

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #15 – Away vs Guingamp – I begin defensively.

Goals


HALF
Them in the 84th
Lerager with a red in the 87th

We lose 1-0.

I issue Lerager a warning and Natcho starts.

I move Kamenik to hot prospect

[Abe Sargent]

December

1st – Home vs OL
5th – Away vs Ajaccio
10th – Home vs Nice
15th – Home vs Auxerre, Coupe de la Ligue
18th – Away vs Havre
22nd – Home vs Paris SG

Good Training – Besnard, Dupuy. Antwi


Ligue Match #16 – Home vs OL. I begin standard.

Goals –

Them in the 26th
HALF
Them in the 81st.

We lose 2-0.

Mehmedi and Otavio have reached their card limit

That loss dropped us from 3 to 6.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #17 – Away vs Ajaccio – I begin defensively. Lerager is back. I start Besnard.

Goals

HALF
Besnard to De Preville, goal, 88th minute
Gomes to Besnard, goal, 92nd minute


We win 2-0. MOM is Besnard

One of our former tranfees has 50 appearances and we get 1.7 mill from them

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #18 – Home vs Nice – I begin controlling. Natcho and De Preville are starting for my cards. They are currently manager less after he left for another gig.

Goals

Rob Holding to Besnard, goal, IFK, 5th minute
Besnard grabs the ball in the corner, crosses to Slimani, and he scores in the 11th minute.
De Preville to Gomes, goal, 36th
HALF


We hold and win 3-0!

Wanna see?

OK!

https://i.ibb.co/Jzkybg3/Nitra-147.png

As you can see we were near them statistically with shots. MOM was Besnard. Another shut out!

[Abe Sargent]

Coupe de la Ligue 4th Round – Home vs Auxerre – I begin controlling. My carded folks are back. I leave in Besnard.

Goals

Besnard to Slimani on a counter in the 31st
They score on an IFK in the 36th
Gomes to Slimani in the 43rd
HALF
Besnard to Slimani, goal, 49th – that’s his hattrick.
Besnard to Mehmedi two minutes later


We win 4-1. MOM is Slimani.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #19 – Away vs Havre – I begin defensively. This is Lerager’s 125th appearance for us.


Goals

Mehmedi grabs an intercepted pass and long shots it past the keeper. 43rd minute
HALF
They score in the 58th
Solanke to Besnard on a counter, 85th minute.


We win 2-1! MOM is Mehmedi.

[Abe Sargent]

Wanna see the table after the half way point?

https://i.ibb.co/1z8nFsG/Nitra-148.png

Done deal! As you can see a lot of folks have 18 games around us and some have 20 so the table is inconsistent. But there you are!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #20 – Home vs PSG – Are you ready for woodshed part two? We lost to them 2-0 on the road. Can I steal points form them at home like I did with OM? Let’s find out!

Goals

HALF
Them in the 61st minute
Otavio is sent off in the 65th

We lose 0-1.

I issue Otavio a warning

My team needs better card control

[Abe Sargent]

Dec 29th is here

What I need to compete against the heavies in the Ligue are 11 of my GKs Moreira. He is he best player on my team and isn’t even close to anyone save …. Nielsen. If I had that then I could have a shot. DC Nielsen has gotten to the place he’s now a 4.5 star rating and getting better. I need Nielsens and Moreiras. Gomes and Holding are good rocks as well. Besnard is good as well. But anyone else is subject to replacement as I need to improve my talent to a Moreira/Nielsen level of quality.

Are there any players looking for a new home in six months time that are one or the other?

Not at that level. I scout some others

I take a look elsewhere. I purchased Nielsen for 3.5 mill from Brondby. Can I find another for the Winter window? I send out scouts.

I offer Kamenik for loan. He needs more first team starts and he has been outplayed by the locals here and was my worst playing addition. I overpromoted him.

What about Kotora?

Nope. Bruno is it and he’s worth way too much.

I have won the Slovakian Head Coach of the Year!

I accept an offer for a fullback on our B Squad.

I am losing Natcho, Cristian and Sankhare among other backups I loaned out.

I find a DC from Portugal who blows away Isimit-Mirin and make an offer rafter his contract expires. I make an offer Joao Luis for 3 years and 25k/week


I make an offer to a 16 year old Belgium potential but raw wonderkid DC Tobe Peeters from Lierse.

I make an enquiry for 20 year old Tomas Machacek over at Nottingham Forest who may be a bit of a grower as well as a decent shower.

A player on our reserves who plays for Reunion won African Young Footballer of the Year! His name is Nicholas Niobe. I send him congrats!


I have my board inject more cash into our transfer kitty and I make a 7.5 mill offer for Machacek.

We agree to a 1.8 mill deal for Tobe Peeters.

[Abe Sargent]

January

2nd – Cup vs Stade Montois
12th – Home vs Guingamp, Qf Coupe de la Ligue
15th – Away vs Angers
19th – Home vs AS Monaco
22nd – Home vs Montpelier
29th – Away vs AS Saint-Etienne

Good training – Guillet, Dupuy, Nielsen

The transfer window opens

Neymar won Ligue Player of the Year

I make a 5 year first team offer for Machacek.


Who is free that I may wanna bring in?

Nope!


French Cup 9th round, Away vs Stade Montois – I begin countering.

Goals

Gomes feeds Besnard for goal in the 20th
HALF
Besnard crosses to Slimani for goal in the 66th

We win 2-0. MOM is Besnard.

I swap Solanke for Slimani and give him a deep forward role. Let’s see if Solanke and Besnard will play well together for a few starts.

[Abe Sargent]

Wanna see the Fortuna after 19 games?

https://i.ibb.co/mhNCkzr/Nitra-149.png

I though you might! Nitra is in first over the big bad by 8 points.

We have signed Tobe Peeters!

https://i.ibb.co/WD9Q7Z7/Nitra-150.png

Here he is! He’s is awesomely powerful and my scouts love him a lot. He’s a great future DC

Luis Joao will be joining us next year!

That’s one

We beat out four teams for Machacek! He’ll join us in 6 months.

That’s two

[Abe Sargent]

QF Coupe de la Ligue – Home vs Guingamp = I begin controlling. Will my changes to my Strikers result in damage? Otavio is back from his card.

Goals

Solanke to Jankovic, 3rd minute. Let’s kick this thang off!
Jankovic to Gomes, goal in the 7th minute. Let’s REALLY kick this thang off!
HALF
Them in the 47th off a counter
Weah crosses to Besnard in the 53rd minute
De Preville to Solanke, goal, in the 66th minute

We hold and win 4-1. MOM is on their team

Great win!

We draw PSG in the next round. Ah well!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #21 – Away vs Angers -I begin countering. Our foe has 3-6-1 and is outnumbering our midfield!

Goals


HALF


0-0 Draw. MOM is Rob Holding

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #22 – Home vs Monaco – I begin countering. We gotta get through Courtois…

Goals

Them 27th minute
HALF
Solanke feeds Besnard in the 53rd. We scored too soon here they come!


We hold and tie 1-1!!!

https://i.ibb.co/yVkG01L/Nitra-151.png

Good job! Our defense held them to one score. MOM is Otavio!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #23 – Home vs Montpelier – I begin controlling.

Goals

HALF
In the 50th minute off a corner kick by Besnard DC Nielsen finds goal.

We win 1-0. Not as dominating as I’d like but I’ll take any win. MOM is Nielsen


Isimit Mirin will be out the next match due to cards. Axel Tuanzebe will start for him.

[Abe Sargent]

Couple de Ligue Semis – Away vs PSG. I begin defending….


Goals

Them in the 28th minute
HALF
Them in the 66th

We lose 0-2. MOM is Neymar

We get 1.21 mill for making it this far!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #24 – Away vs Saint-Etienne. Isimit-Mirin is back at DC. I begin countering.

Goals

Jankovic to Gomes, long shot, in the 13th
Them in the 43rd
HALF
Jankovic to Besnard, goal, 48th minute

We hold and win 2-1. MOM is Jankovic

The last transfer day is here!

Villareal offered 8 mill for Axel Tuanzebe…

No thanks! If you offered Joe Lacroix, yes

We offer a new contract to him still rotation but increasing his pay 6k week

I loan Kamenik to Rennes

The deadline passes

[Abe Sargent]

February

2nd – Cup Away vs Lorient
5th – Home vs RC Lens
8th – Away vs Lorient
12th – Home vs Rennes
19th – Away vs Lille
26th – Home vs Toulouse

Good training – Besnard, Solanke, Dupuy

10th Round Cup, Away vs Lorient – I begin countering.

Goals

HALF
Gomes crosses to Besnard, goal, 56th
Jankovic to Solanke, goal, 71st.
Them in the 80th off a DFK
Them in the 86th
Natcho to Solanke, goal, extra time


We hold and win 3-2. Wanna see?

https://i.ibb.co/M2cnWtm/Nitra-152.png

[Abe Sargent]

Axel Tuanzebe signs his new deal.

Ligue Game #25 – Home vs RC Lens. I begin controlling. They are #16 which means we’ll struggle against them rather than rain goals…

Goals!

HALF
In the 70th Natcho scores from a Gomes assist.

And that’s it! MOM is Holding. Like I said, we’d struggle. We play up to the good teams and down the to the not-good ones.

I hand out rests

The Bordeaux record for shuts out is 14, which our new GK has tied!

I accept a 3.8 mill off from Lokomotiva Moscow for Lacroix. He would be my 6th DC next year and I would be looking to move him anyway. Might as well do it a month or three early.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #26 – Away vs Lorient – We begin countering.

Goals!!!

Besnard to Solanke on a counter in the 6th minute
HALF

We hold and win 1-0. Again. MOM is Solanke

Our GK has broken our record for shut outs!

We get 2 mill from an old transfer sell on fee

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #27 – Home vs Rennes – They are 17th so I begin controlling. We’ll struggle again.

Goals

HALF
They get a red card in the 48th
Holding to Mehmedi in the 60th on a counter for goal
Natcho to Nielsen off a corner in the 73rd for goal

We win 2-0. MOM is Mehmedi.

Solanke is injured for two weeks and Slimani will start

Lerager is back from his injury and will replace Natcho

Another shut out!

We have sold Lacroix

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #28 – Away vs LOSC – We begin countering against the #13 team.

Goals

Them off an IFK in the 17th minute
HALF
They have a PK in the 48th but we block it
Them in the 77th

We lose 1-2

Mehmedi has too many cards…

That loss drops us to 4th.

Solanke is back from his injury.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #29 – Home vs Toulouse – This is our rival and are 19th in the league. They beat us away when we gave up a PK and red card early. We have to keep our 11 here today. I begin controlling


Goals

HALF
They give us an OG in the 78th off a Weah cross.


We win 1-0. Another shut out!

[Abe Sargent]

March

1st, Cup vs Martigues
6th Away vs OM
12th – Home vs Caen
18th – Away vs Nantes

Good training – Nielsen, Antwi, Dupuy

French Cup, 11th Round – Away vs Martigues – I begin countering. Mehmedi is back from his card.

Goals

Besnard, 18th, called offsides
Otavio to Mehmedi, long shot, 28th minute – I already have 14 shots to their 1
Besnard leaps onto a rebound and scores in the 41st
HALF
Solanke another solo score in the 53rd
Jankovic PK in the 64th


We win 4-0. MOM is Jankovic. Wanna see what’s likely my most dominant win thus far?


https://i.ibb.co/f1wnXr6/Nitra-153.png

Here you are. Another shut out!

We made it to the quarter finals!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/9NPDyrM/Nitra-154.png

Our youth have arrived! I take a look and sign some great players, including DC Mickeal Chauvin with a great top end.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #30 – Away vs OM – Ready for woodshed time? I begin defensively. We defeated them at home. Can we steal points away? Let’s find out!

Goals

They score in the 13th minute called offsides.
HALF
They score in the 87th
They score extra time at the 92nd

We lose 2-0.

[Abe Sargent]

Here’s the table!

https://i.ibb.co/9rTYW9v/Nitra-155.png
As you can see we are in 4th right now but ten points above 5th with 8 games to go! That would give us the EURO that we need.

Otavio reached the yellow card limit.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #31 – Home vs Caen – I begin controlling. Natcho is playing for Otavio.

Goals

Besnard drives and crosses to Solanke in the 7th minute
Them in the 33rd
HALF
Jankovic to Solanke on a counter, goal in the 48th
Gomes to Besnard, 90th minute

We hold and win 3-1. MOM is Besnard.


Otavio is back from cardage.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #32 – Away vs Nantes. I begin defensively today. They are sitting at 7th and I respect them too much to run countering out there.

Goals

Them in the 8th
HALF
Own Goal by Holding in the 53rd

Game. We lose 0-2.

The international break begins – we have 19 called away

[Abe Sargent]

April

5th Home vs LOSC, QF Cup
10th – Home vs Guingamp
15t – Away vs OL
23rd – Home vs Ajaccio
30th – Away vs Nice

Good training – Pires, Gauthier, Dupuy

PSG Defeated Monaco 3-1 to win the Coupe de la Ligue

Quarter Final LOSC Cup – I begin standard.

Goals

Mehmedi feeds Besnard for goal in the 16th minute
Gomes feeds a ball through two defenders to Besnard in the 24th minute for goal
Jankovic crosses to Solanke for goal in the 29th
HALF


We win 3-0. MOM is Besnard.

We are through to the semis!

We get some cool cash!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #33 – Home vs Guingamp – I begin standard for this one as well. I start Axel for a carded Isimit-Mirin.

Goals

Besnard is fed by Mehmedi in the 27th
HALF
Nacho kicks a PK in the 78th
Jankovic to Asano in the 85th. That’s his first goal of the season

MOM is Besnard

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #34 – Away vs OL – I begin defensively. Woodshed time? Isimat-Mirin is back.

Goals

Solanke to Besnard on a counter, 44th minute.
HALF
Them in the 93rd minute.

We tie 1-1. I’ll take it! We had 9 shots to their 28

We draw PSG in the Semis, again. Away again.

https://i.ibb.co/mC7SmyK/Nitra-156.png


Here’s Nitra after 28 games. They are very much in the driver’s seat of the Fortuna.


PSG have won the Ligue 1 before we play the 35th match.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #35 – Home vs Ajaccio – I begin standard.

Goals

HALF

0-0 tie! That was actually exciting there was a lot of back and forth.

We gotta stop dropping points to folks like that!

[Abe Sargent]

French Cup Semi Final Away vs PSG – Woodshed time! I begin defensively.

Goals


Them in the 18th
HALF – We have the same number of shots as they do, we just need to sink them
We score off a IFK in the 55th minute. Isimit-Mirin to Solanke.
Them in the 67th

We lose 1-2. Close!

Our GK is in the running for GK of the Year voting.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #36 – Away vs Nice - I begin countering.

Goals

Besnard feeds Mehmedi on an IFK for goal in the 20th minute
HALF
Jankovic to Solanke, long shot, in the 55th
Besnard sinks a DFK in the 67th and that is his 2nd DFK on target today


We hold and win 3-0. Another shutout. MOM is Besnard.

We have qualified for the EURO!

[Abe Sargent]

May

8th – Away vs AS Monaco
14th – Home vs Strasbourg

Good training – Gros, Zouaghi, Boumsong

We won Goal of the Month!

Toulouse is relegated

With two games left we are locked into at least 4th, but we are three points behind OL at 3rd although they have a game in hand. We’d need at least 4 point from Monaco and Strasbourg and three losses by OL to go over them.


The extra game is on the 4th with PSG, a likely loss. PSG win 3-1. There goes their extra game, now just three points.



OL are playing PSG again this week. Another possible loss.

Ligue Game #37 – Away vs AS Monaco – We played them well at home. Can we get at least a tie today? I begin defensively obviously. Can we break through Courtois again? Besnard has a nasty shot on goal at the 1:06 mark turned away easily by the big bad.

Goals

HALF

We tie them 0-0! That was boring. Another shut out! Now did OL lose?

https://i.ibb.co/86xxG2C/Nitra-157.png



Yes they did, so now we have 2 points between us heading into the final week and a win by us over Strasbourg and a loss by them against away against Montpelier will give us a #3 spot and a Champions slot!

OL have been bad form over the last few games with only one win against Saint-Étienne in the last 8 games so this is feasible.

[Abe Sargent]

I have calls up for the World Cup

Asano is injured

Ligue Game #38 – Home vs #7 Strasbourg. I begin standard. I don’t wanna make any mistakes, I just wanna win. This is Holding’s 100th game for the club.


Goals

Them in the 29th
Us in the 31st off an OG. I’ll take it!
HALF – We have 10 shots to their 5

We tie 1-1. MOM is on their team.

[Abe Sargent]

The table

https://i.ibb.co/160D5Dg/Nitra-158.png

As you can see we finished 4th and OL won. This is a rise of four spots from 8th last year when I took over and gets a qualification to the EURO. We did well all season and had good form and we finished with 9 losses on the year.

Overall we played up to OL, AS Monaco and OM but only average against PSG not getting blown out but not getting a point against them in four tries.

We played down to teams like Toulouse, and Ajaccio among others.

We were the Cardiac Kings

[Abe Sargent]

My Goals –

My Goals for Bordeaux

1. Get them back to EURO this year in year one. COMPLETED Year One
2. Do some damage in the EURO.
3. Get them high enough to qualify for the Champion’s League.
4. Win Ligue 1
5. Win a Cup

[Abe Sargent]

Stats

We scored 48 goals which was 8th most, and allowed 27 which was 3rd best. AS Monaco led with 24 goals allowed.

MOM – Besnard was 4th with 9 MOM. Solanke was next on our team with 4.

Distance Covered – Gomes was 2nd, Mehmedi was 11th

Average Rating – Besnard was 14th with 7.18

Headers Won – Holding was 6th with 238

Goals – Besnard was 13th with 11 and he tied Solanke.

Avg Minutes Per Goal – Besnard was 9th

Shots – Besnard was 7th

Shots on Target – Besnard was 6th, Solanke was 8th

On Target % - Solanke was 7th

Pass Completion -Otavio was 5th

Cross Completion Ratio – Slimani was 4th, Gomes was 5th

Dribbles/Game – Besnard was 7th

Tackles/Game – Otavio was 14th

Mistakes – Mehmedi, 2nd, with 83

Key Headers – Isimit-Mirin 3rd with 69; Holding 12th

Picks – Holding 9th

Headers Won % - Holding 2nd, Nielsen 4th

Shots blocked – Holding 1st!

Goals Allowed – Moreira was 2nd with 27

Shutouts – Moreira was 3rd with 19

Saves held – Moreira was 2nd with 79

Saves Parried – Moreira was 1st with 45

[Abe Sargent]

Roster for next year

GK Moreira – 4 on a scale of 3. Cannot be more locked in than this guy! He was great across the board! He had more saves than Courtois in either category. By most metrics, only Courtois out played him.

DC Holding - 2. He played well and I am going to make him my captain but he’s also the weakest of my starters next year. But I like where his stats are at and I am happy to run him out there next year. He’s my Milanovic- the worst by look and the best by play.

DC Nielsen – 3. Wonderkid locked in. He can be inconsistent at times, and thus only a 3.

DC Itimit-Mirin 0 – Already replaced

DMC Otavio – 1 – Looking for replacement actively but won’t force it

MC Lerager – 0 – Same as Itimit-Mirin I have already replaced him. I put him on rotation as well as the DC.

ML Mehmedi – 1- Played out of position and cannot run Winger like I want. Too many mistakes.

MR Jankovic – 0 – Played out of position and never attacked the flank but played more like an inside winger, which I don’t want. Actively looking for replacement.

AMC Andre Gomes – 2. Locked in for now.

ST Solanke – 2 – Didn’t play as well as I wanted to with Slimani but had a solid relationship with my wonderkid ST. If I could find a stud target man like Djuric that can feed Besnard then I’d be happy but it’s not a priority.

ST Besnard – 4. Out of 3.

I offer a first team contract to Besnard for twice as much money and another year. He’s grown into my best player.

https://i.ibb.co/s67YQbY/Nitra-159.png

As you can see…


Compare that to last year when I signed him!

I need more of Besnard and Moreira please!

[Abe Sargent]

Nitra won the Fortuna and that’s their third victory in a row!

Besnard is called up for the France senior squad for their World Cup games, as is Moreira, and Nielsen.


Wanna see my new Czech Wonderkid now?

Okay!

https://i.ibb.co/LvWrq3Z/Nitra-160.png

Here’s Machacek! I will start him at MC and he can grow into his role like Nielsen and Besnard did

https://i.ibb.co/BKd498N/Nitra-161.png

Awesome my budget and transfer kitty have risen!

Besnard signs his new deal!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/dG3xWdF/Nitra-162.png

My scouts have, again, found Ross Ferguson

One of our coaches announces his retirement

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/9Wy5D0q/Nitra-163.png

Here are our season awards! Besnard was obviously their favorite everything.

I hold a team meeting – EURO again!

I get better training facilities from our leader

PSG defeat Nantes 3-1 to win the French Cup

Besnard and Moreira set team records for most MOM and most shuts out.

We made a profit of 14.95 mill this year

Asano is back from his injury

Nielsen won Ligue Most Promising Player and I congratulate him.

June arrives

[Abe Sargent]

Otavio has gained French citizenship! Lerager too!

I get a big big big offer for Moreira. 25 mill from Tottenham. Nope!

Here’s a 10.5 mill offer for Holding

I look to see if any others are coming free that may wanna swing my way?

Not yet

What about transfer listed?

Huh I may have found another French wonderkid this one playing the AMC spot. 19 years old and plays for Brest. I make an offer.

We agree to 4.5 mill.

We are past the June 10th window for internal moves so he’ll arrive now

I am considering an 8 mill offer from OL for Axel Tuanzebe as he’ll be my 5th DC. I accept I can find another DC his level. I can use the money for transferring.

https://i.ibb.co/0hFNyRX/Nitra-164.png

Here he is! Donovan Marchi! Expect me to run him as a rotation option for MC and AMC at first, and then give him Andre Gomes’s starts near the end of the year or next year.

[Abe Sargent]

I need a new backup GK and I make an enquiry to a Brazilian project. I make an offer. Watford are too high and I reject it.

I make an enquiry for a nice young French DC I can grow as my new 5th player but I am rejected by Havre, hard. They wanna start with 107 Mill and work down. He was likely a wonderkid…

We have moved up 4 places to the 58th club in Europe.

Serbia, Albania, and Montenegro have joined the EU!

My coach retires. I make a offer to a Belgian one to replace him

Our coach arrives!

I sell Tuanzebe and get 4 mill back in the kitty.

Have I found my new DMC. He’s Austrian and clearly a wonderkid. He plays for Stuttgart. We negotiate him for 11 mill….that’s all but 4 mill of my budget…

Do I wanna make the deal?

I scout him up. Name of Stefan Bell.

I offer a hot prospect deal to an Austrian.

Relegated – Toulouse, Caen, Angers

I agree to the deal with my Austrian

I accept a 3 mill offer for Otavio

I name Holding my captain and Moreira my Vice.

Otavio heads out and we get 1.5 mill back so we have 5.5 mill in the kitty.

Our squad is back. Let’s get EURO again!

I given Nielsen as week off as he is dead tired.

[Abe Sargent]

June 30th is here.

We lose 19 players.

https://i.ibb.co/C5XmztP/Nitra-165.pnghttp://

Who is leaving this next year? Gomes and Holding are good. The rest? I’m fine with them heading out.

I still need an ML and MR.

I scout to see if anyone came free I wanna grab.

I need a rotational guy who can play a lot of spaces so I make an offer to Jens Toornstra.

I search up some wingers on both sides.

I make a 2.5 mill offer for Ramiro Cano who’s raw (for this level) wonderkid.

[Abe Sargent]

July

9th – Friendly vs Slavia Prague
15th – Home vs Plzen
23rd – Home vs Dukla Prague

July 1st

Luis Joao is here!

https://i.ibb.co/rGT0wDX/Nitra-166.png

Take a look at this stud and that great jump/head and other stats. He is great technically, mentally, and physically. Welcome to the club! We signed him from Chaves in Portugal. He’s another 4 star rating dude! He is with Portugal now in the World Cup as a starter for them at DC.

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/W5F0pDP/Nitra-167.png

Here’s my other major acquisition Stefan Bell! I’ll be running him out there at DMC which is one of my best roles out there. Enjoy him! He’s technically, mentally, and physically gifted.

[Abe Sargent]

On the 2nd I sign my rotation offer from the 30th

https://i.ibb.co/jk6k9Dz/Nitra-168.png

This is Jens! I have the 33 year old Dutch player for two years on a rotation deal. I adore that he can play pretty much any middle role from MR to ML to AMC to MC to DMC.

[Abe Sargent]

I confirm my expectations for the year.

I accept a 7.5 mill offer for Asano

I sell him and get 3 mill back in my transfer kitty.

I have to increase my offer to 4.5 mill for my guy but he signs on the 8th.

Ramiro Cano

https://i.ibb.co/s3nP35c/Nitra-169.png

Here he is! We signed him from Villareal and he’s on the cheaper side of life. He needs development but some starts and subs should help him out. I’ll start him on the MR side of things for Jankovic and see what happens. He’s lethal in passing

I am unable to find another winger I can bring in.

[Abe Sargent]

Now it’s time to look for my 5th DC

My goal is to find someone with a hot prospect role who won’t demand play or starts.

No one free who is willing to come to us is good enough to be my 5th one. Can I sign someone?

Hmm…

What about Kotora?

Benfica want a starting negotiation of 72 mill.

I scout some

In the mean time I promote my top reserve DC Aurélien Tchouameni to my main squad. He;s more of a DMC but he’ll be okay in an emergency.

I loan Weah

Friendly vs Slavia Prague – We win 2-1

My Portuguese players are back from the World Cup


Friendly vs Plzen – We win 2-0.

[Abe Sargent]

I loan Marchi for 1st team deal with Metz.

I set my bonuses.

I make a 300k offer for Ferguson. He’s developed nicely and could be my new ML.

Friendly vs Dukla Prague – We win 4-0.

We sell 10,397 tickets

I loan Tobe Peeters

I get an offer for Aurélien Tchouameni for purchase by OM. Do I take it? He’s my 5th DC right now…

I decline.

We have 4-1 odds of winning Ligue 1

PSG have a new manager

https://i.ibb.co/HP9gLyg/Nitra-170.png

Ferguson signs with us and here he is. He is good technically and physically but he needs more work mentally.

I loan Kamenik to Sparta Prague.

[Abe Sargent]

August

7th – Friendly vs Brno
14th – Home vs Havre
20th – Away vs As Monaco
27th – Home vs AS Saint-Etienne

Good training – Boumsong, Zaire, Aurelien


As we get ready for my 6th year in this dynasty I have only once made it six years. That was my Carlisle into Kaiserslautern one where I spent 3 years in each space. I’ve only done 5 years once, and that was Sepsi into Hudderfield,the rest are 2, 3, or 4 years. If I finish year 6 I will have tied my longest dynasty ever, and if I were to go to year 7 then I’d really push myself around.

Friendly vs Brno – We win 3-1

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #1- Home vs Havre. I begin standard I don’t want to over welcome the year. I am starting Cano at MR and Mehmedi at ML. Joao and Bell and Machacek are out there as well. Ready to get this party started? Let’s do it to it!

Goals

Besnard to Machacek, goal, 9th minute. He scored on his debut.
Besnard to Solanke, goal, 25th minute. He drove the corner of the box and crossed it over.
HALF – we have 11 shots to their 3
Besnard steals the ball and feeds Solanke for goal in the 62nd minute
Besnard scores a solo goal in extra time after stealing the ball

We win 4-0. Wanna see?

https://i.ibb.co/k6hMPzn/Nitra-171.png

They had as many shots on target as us, good game Moreira. We shut them down. This is a great way to kickoff the year. But better than that…. We didn’t play down to Havre!

[Abe Sargent]

Solanke is injured for a week and Slimani will start the next game


I hand Machacek a box-to-box role.

My youth and reserve games tend to dominate our foes as an FYI. We just won a U19 game 7-0.


Ligue Game #2 – Away vs Montpelier. I will begin today countering. I have the target man role with Slimani. No other changes to my roster.

Goals

HALF – We have 7 shots to their 2. Quiet half.
52n minute, Besnard intercepts the ball and scores
In the 63rd, Gomes feeds Machacek for goal
In the 81st, Machacek scores again!


We win 3-0. MOM is Machacek!

[Abe Sargent]

Solanke is back from his injury.

I just get a big offer for Andre Gomes of 20.5 mill from AC Milan. No thanks!

I get the EURO Cash for making the group stage.

We are seeded 2nd

Ready?

We are in Group I

Benfica
Bordeaux
Malaga
Maccabi Tel-Aviv

Having a group with Spain and Portugal isn’t easy…

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #3 – Home vs AS Saint-Etienne – I open standarding. Can we hold our form?

Goals

HALF
Jens to Gomes on a counter in the 78th minute

We hold and win 1-0. Not great form but I’ll take any win.

The nternational break begins, we have 23 on break

The transfer deadline passes

[Abe Sargent]

September

11th – Away vs Metz
15th – Away vs Benfica
18th – Home vs Strasbourg
21st – Away vs Lorient
25th – Home vs FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
29th – Home vs Malaga

Good training – Gomes, Cano, Magne


I register my EURO squad.

Machacek wins the Ligue Player of the Month and I congratulate him!

https://i.ibb.co/xsxjcz7/Nitra-172.png

The board offer me more money. Okay!

I now have 10.5 mill in transfer money

Luis Joao got his first goal for Portugal!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #4 – Away vs Metz – I begin defensively.

Goals

Them in the 17th
HALF
Gomes to Machacek in the 55th
Solanke to Besnard, cross, goal in the 73rd

We hold and win 2-1. MOM is Machacek again! Dude is good at box to box!

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Group Stage #1 – Away vs Benfica – I begin defensively

Goals

Solanke feeds Besnard, 3:06 mark…

Wanna see our first EURO goal in my campaign with Bordeaux?

https://i.ibb.co/3sdMrSj/Nitra-173.png

Ok! I doubt that score stands but we are clearly showing up.

Goals More

HALF
They score in the 70th. You knew that was going to happen. Can we hold or score?

We hold and tie them 1-1. I’ll take it! MOM is Besnard

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #5 – Home vs Strasbourg. We begin controlling. Hello Natcho! He signed with them.

Goals

HALF – I have no shots on target
Gomes sinks a PK in the 49th
Solanke to Besnard, goal, 84th minute

We win 2-0. Another win and shutout. That’s our 5th win in 5 tries. MOM is Mehmedi

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #6 – Away vs FC Lorient – I begin defensively. They have been playing well and are 5th in the Ligue right now and I respect them.

Goals

Gomes to Besnard on a counter, 2:02 mark!
HALF – They have outplayed us
Them in the 71st


We tie 1-1. MOM is for them

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #7 – Home vs FC Sochaux-Montbéliard a recent promote. I begin controlling.

Goals

Cano crossed to Besnard, goal, 28th minute
Cano to Besnard for goal again in the 42nd
Solanke to Besnard, goal, 44th minute
HALF
Gomes sinks a PK in the 61st.
Solanke to Besnard, goal, 71st
Them in the 82nd

We win 5-1! Wanna see!


https://i.ibb.co/ZdSJbT1/Nitra-174.png

BOOM!

Mom is obviously Besnard.

NICE!

[Abe Sargent]

We are playing this season very, very differently than last…

Besnard sets a club record for most goals in a game!

Our training facilities have been finished.

EURO Group Stage Game #2 – Home vs Malaga. Can we get points today? I begin standardly. We are 3-2 favorites.

Goals

Mehmedi in the 5th minute!!! Called back for handball. No Hand of God today!
HALF
Machacek to Besnard, 59th minute in the box
Them in the 89th minute
In the 91st minute, Solanke leaps on an open ball and scores!

We win 2-1. Wanna see?

https://i.ibb.co/Z1R5wTp/Nitra-175.png


We had 37 shots on the day! We defeated Malaga! MOM is Machacek

[Abe Sargent]

October

2nd – Away vs Guingamp
15th – Home vs Lens
20th – Home vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv
23rd – Away vs Reims
30th – Home vs OM

Good training – Machacek, Nielsen, Magne

Besnard wins Ligue Player of the Month!

Ligue Game #8 – Away vs Guingamp. – I begin countering. Bell is suspended and Jens is starting for him at DMC.

Goals

HALF
Besnard in the 47th minute after stealing the ball

We win 1-0, MOM is Besnard.

[Abe Sargent]

Losses by OM and PSG have put us in 1st! Wanna see?

https://i.ibb.co/tzmHGC5/Nitra-176.png

Here you go! We have a pretty good early start to the season, although, to be fair, we haven’t had Monaco, OL, OM or PSG yet either. But that’s not bad! I doubt it’ll last long so enjoy it!

The international break begins

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #9 – Home vs RC Lens. I begin standard. Bell is back from his cards.

Goals

Machacek to Besnard, assist up the middle, 21st minute
Solanke to Nielsen, goal, corner kick, 37th minute
HALF
Them in the 79th
Them in extra time.

We tie 2-2. That sucks. MOM is on their team

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Qual Group Game #3 – Home vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv – I begin standard.

Goals

Machacek to Besnard, goal, 38th minute
HALF
Besnard off Mehmedi, goal, offsides
Solanke to Besnard, goal, 51st

We win 2-0. MOM is Machacek

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #10 – Away vs Reims. I begin countering.

Goals

Gomes feeds Machacek in the 2nd minute
Cano crosses to Besnard in the 25th
Besnard to Machacek in the extra time.
HALF
Them in the 48th
Solanke to Besnard in the 65th

We win 4-1. MOM is Machacek

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #11 – Home vs OM – Now it’s time to test ourselves! I begin standard. We beat them at home last year 2-1, with a 2-0 win on the road, and we played up to the top talent not named PSG last year, can we do so this year?

Goals

Mehmedi to Solanke, goal, 5th minute – nice start
Besnard drives the corner and crosses to Solanke for goal in the 19th
HALF – We have 17 shots to their 4
Solanke, PK, 65th minute
They score two minutes later. We knew it was going to happen.
Mehmedi crosses to Solanke for goal in the 76th

We hold and win 4-1. Wanna see?

https://i.ibb.co/y6mKpDn/Nitra-177.png

Here you go! Finished with a four set of goals. Someone was up for the game today!

My team keeps playing up to the non-PSG top clubs!

[Abe Sargent]

November

3rd – Away vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv
6th – Away vs OL
19th – Away vs Nice
24th – Home vs Benfica
27th – Home vs Ajaccio
30th – Away vs LOSC

Good training – Besnard, Cano, Ferguson

I’ve been working on Besnard’s aerial ability and it’s showing fruit.

EURO Group Game #4 – Away vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv – I begin countering today.

Goals

Solanke crosses to Besnard for goal in the 4th minute
Besnard crosses to Solanke, his shot is deflected and Solanke sinks it in the 11th
HALF
Them in the 59th
Besnard to Cano, in the 62nd
Cano crosses to Besnard in the 86th

We win 4-1, MOM is Besnad.

https://i.ibb.co/bbbgNrG/Nitra-178.png

[Abe Sargent]

Gomes will miss the next game due to injury and Jens will start for him

Benfica lost to Malaga which moves us to 1st.

Ligue Game #12 – Away vs OL – I begin defending. This was our biggest loss last year 0-3, our only three goal loss. I didn’t lose by that much in my three away PSG matches! Can we do better today? Hello Axel Tuanzebe!

Goals

Them in the 38th
HALF
Them in the 58th

We lose 0-2 and were never in the game. Well it was one goal better than last year! In two years we’ll tie them 0-0 away!

We finally lose!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/CwL7wWG/Nitra-179.png

That loss drops us to 3rd


The international break begins and we have 17 out there

Besnard is capped by France! He scored two goals in his debut against Poland.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #13 – Away vs Nice. I begin countering. Andre Gomes is back from his injury. Robert Pop is their starting striker, by the by. Hello Pop!

Goals

HALF
Machacek to Solanke down the center for goal in the 65th

We win 1-0, MOM Is Solanke. Another shutout. Not as dominant as we’ve been but I’ll take it!

Stefan Bell is jaded and needs some rests. I’ll start Lerager at DMC

Rest Time cause the big match is here…

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Group Stage Match #5 – Home vs Benfica – we tied them away can we beat them here? I begin standardly. If we win then we win Group I with a game to go away against Malaga.


Goals

In the 13th minute Solanke drives goal off a counter, feeds unmarked Mehmedi for goal.
They score in the 43rd minute
Cano crosses to Machacek for goal in the 46th minute
HALF
Jens to Besnard, goal, 65th minute
Machacek to Jens, 76th minute, goal. That’s Jens’ first goal for us!!!
Besnard drives the corner, crosses to Solanke on an attack run, goal, 91st minute


Wanna see our 5-1 shellacking of the mighty Benfica? I bet!


https://i.ibb.co/pfv9CTP/Nitra-180.png

Here you go! MOM is Machacek. Whew! That was an authoritative win!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #14 – Home vs AC Ajaccio - I begin controlling. This is Lerager’s 150th game for us.

Goals

Machacek to Mehmedi, long shot, 9th minute
HALF


We win 1-0. MOM is Machacek.

That win drove us back to 1st

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #15 – Away vs LOSC – I begin defensing. Bell is back.

Goals

Mehmedi to Gomes in the 21st
HALF


We hold and win 1-0. MOM is Gomes.

Those are scores that are more like last year’s.

[Abe Sargent]

December

4th – Home vs Rennes
8th Away vs Malaga
11th – Away vs Nantes
14th - Away vs Clarmont, Coupe de la Ligue
18th – Home vs PSG
21st – Away vs AS Monaco

Good training – Bell, Gomes, Besnard

https://i.ibb.co/GcS654y/Nitra-181.png

Here’s Besnard today! Not bad right? Right!

Ligue Game #16 – Home vs Rennes – I begin standarding. They are 6th in the Ligue right now.


Goals

Cano crosses to Besnard for goal in the 17th
Cano crosses to Besnard for goal in the 38th
HALF


We win 2-0 and MOM is Cano with his two assist day. Another shut out.

I am offered a new 3 year deal by the club

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Group Stage #6 – Away vs Malaga. This is my 2nd hardest match. Can we take away points? I will operate defensively.

Goals

Joao to Holding on a corner kick in the 25th minute
HALF
Besnard to Holding, on an IFk, 88th minute – can Holding get a hattrick?


We win 2-0! MOM is Holding.

https://i.ibb.co/DGF0F9B/Nitra-182.png

Another shutout on the road against a Spanish team! We didn’t lose a game in our Group Stage!
 



We get a whole lot of cash. We won group I.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #17 – Away vs Nantes – I begin countering.

Goals

HALF
Besnard to Solanke, 64th
Mehmedi to Solanke, goal, 81st

Game. We win 2-0 and MOM is Solanke. Another shut out.

Solanke and Besnard appear to be much better as a duo than last year. In 13 league games (he missed some due to injury earlier in the year) Solanke has 9 goals and Besnard has 15 goals 17 games.

We draw Hoffenheim from Germany for the 1st Knockout round in the EURO.

[Abe Sargent]

Away vs Clermont, Coupe de la Ligue Round #4 – I begin countering. I start Ferguson, Lerager, Jankovic, and Aurélien Tchouameni. And Jens too.

Goals

Machacek to Besnard, goal, 3rd minute – nice start!
Machacek to Besnard, goal, 16th minute – nicer start!
Solanke to Besnard, goal, 31st minute – nicest start!
HALF
Besnard to Solanke, goal, 63rd minute


We win 4-0. MOM is Besnard. Another shut down.

The existing record for Bordeaux in assists is 12 and Solanke has 11

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #18 – Home vs PSG. I begin standard. Ready for the woodshed of Neymar and Company? Last year I went 0-4 against them.

Goals

Jankovic to Cano in the 42nd minute.

https://i.ibb.co/Tb4PDjK/Nitra-183.png

That score likely won’t hold but I’ll take it!

HALF
Neymar scores in the 55th
Solanke to Besnard, goal, 64th minute
Them a PK in the 87th

We hold and tie them 2-2. MOM is on their squad. Good tie!

[Abe Sargent]

AS Monaco move in front of us and take 1st

And we’ll take them on….

Ligue Match #19 – Away vs AS Monaco. I begin defensively. We tied them on the road last year as my squad played up to the talent. Can we do so today? Mehmedi is suspended and Jankovic is starting. Can we puncture Castle Courtois?

Goals

Them in the 43rd
HALF
Them in the 81st


We lose 0-2 for our second loss of the year.

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/ZNS4x7F/Nitra-184.png

Halfway through the Ligue. As you can see we dropped to 3rd after our loss. We have a 6 point lead over OL in 4th and another 7 points form them to 5th.

[Abe Sargent]

I offer Nielsen a new deal. 5 year, 37.50/week.

I offer a new deal for Rob Holding. 4 years

December 29th is here and I scout out folks coming free

https://i.ibb.co/xG4sgCw/Nitra-185.png

Here is who is coming free. I made an offer to Holding. I will not bring back Gomes he has underwhelmed me and I have his replacement out on loan. I have an offer to Holding. Mehmedi is heading out as is Jankovic and Slimani and De Preville. None of these are big. All are in their 30s save for Jankovic.

Now I wanna bring in my new ML now… I have more transfer cash after the injection a few months ago for the Winter Window.

Did I find my new Cano? There is a 18 year old Spaniard playing for Granada and named Lorenzo. I begin scouting him. I make an offer for 8.5 mill for him.

[Abe Sargent]

Get ready!

https://i.ibb.co/prT7GY5/Nitra-186.png

Besnard is here!

[Abe Sargent]

January

1st – Cup, Away vs Chateuroux
11th – Home vs Nantes, Coupe de la Ligue
14th – Home vs Montpelier
18th – Away vs AS Saint-Etienne
21st – Home vs Metz
28th – Away vs Strasbourg

Good training – Besnar,d Bell, Cano

I accept a loan offer for Ferguson

9th Round French Cup Away. I begin countering –

Goals

Besnard to Machacek, 21st minute, off corner kick
Besnard to Machacek, 34th minute, off another corner kick!
HALF
Mehmedi to Cano, goal, 57th minute
Them in the 75th

We win 3-1. MOM is Machacek.

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/jwffHbJ/Nitra-187.png

Lorenzo signs! Wanna see him? Sure thing! See the media description! He’s a wonderkid. Welcome to the team! We’ll run him out there at ML and I move my current starter to rotation.

Now you may accuse me of Iberian’ing my squad. I have 5 starters from Portugal – Gomes, Joao, Moreria, and Spain – Lorenzo, Cano. But that’s fine and dandy just like candy!


Anyone available for free I want to sign?

Not really

[Abe Sargent]

We draw…..AS MONACO for the next round in the Cup.

Ferguson heads out to Lens on a loan

Cano loved his linkup with Jens

Cano has asked for an improved deal. I agree and offer him one at first team from hot prospect. I offer him a 4 year first team deal.

Cano signs his new deal!

[Abe Sargent]

Coupe de la Ligue quarter final Home vs FC Nantes – I begin standarding. I start Lorenzo.

Goals

Besnard to Machacek, corner kick again, 4th minute
Gomes feeds Solanke for goal in the 6th minute
Cano to Besnard, goal, 11th minute
HALF
OG for us in the 47th
Gomes to Besnard, 65th minute
Solanke to Besnard, goal, 76th minute

https://i.ibb.co/mzxrC3m/Nitra-188.png

We hold and win 6-0 and MOM is Besnard and his hattrick. This was against a fellow Ligue club as a reminder! That’s a signature win!

We draw AS Monaco again in the Semi Finals!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #20 vs Montpelier – I begin standard against this above average formed foe.

Goals

Them in the 16th
HALF
Machacek leaps on an open ball abd shoots long in the 58th minute
Solanke drives the corner and crosses to Lorenzo who scores in the 63rd
Lorenzo to Besnard, 83rd minute

We win 3-1, MOM is Lorenzo!


I get a 26 mill offer from PSG for Machacek. No thanks!

No pushback by the lad.

PSG dropped a game and we jumped over them to 2nd

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #21 – Away vs AS Saint-Etienne – I begin countering.

Goals

Gomes feeds Besnard between two defenders for goal in the 33rd
HALF
Them in the 89th

They tie us 1-1. That favored them as we outplayed them.

That dropped us to 3rd

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #22 – Home vs Metz – I begin standard.

Goals

Solanke scores off a rebounded shot by Besnard in the 12th minute
HALF
Mehmedi to Gomes, 87th minute

We win 2-0. MOM is Gomes

I reject another pair of Machacek offers and he wants a new deal and I make him an offer

[Abe Sargent]

Couple da la Ligue Semi Final – Home vs AS Monaco – Can we defeat Castle Courtois at home? I begin in a standard way.

Goals –

Besnard crosses to Gomes for goal in the 12th minute. We cracked it!
Machacek to Besnard, 16th minute…

Wanna see the score that won’t stand?

https://i.ibb.co/ByswCVX/Nitra-189.png

OK!

More Goals and Such

HALF
Nielsen to Solanke on a corner kick, 49th minute
Them in the 63rd
Besnard to Solanke, goal, 75th minute
Nielsen to Besnard, 89th minute

https://i.ibb.co/m9DBHcX/Nitra-190.png

That’s a 5-1 thumping of Castle Courtois! They had more shots than us. MOM is Besnard.

We’ll be playing Metz in the final!

Our 15 goals is a competetion record

DC Joao wants a new deal and I agree. I offer him.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #23 -Away vs Strasbourg – I begin today countering. Hello Natcho!

Goals

Them in the 22nd minute
Andre Gomes a nice solo strike in the 26th minute
HALF

We tie them 1-1

Gotta stop dropping points to them.

[Abe Sargent]

10th round French Cup, Home vs AS Monaco – We’ll probably lose today 3-1. I begin standard. Lerager is starting for Bell who is carded.

Goals

We block a PK in the 7th
Them in the 21st
Them in the 28th
Gomes to Nielsen in a IFK in the 35th minute
Them in the 33rd. Score Is 3-1. Who predicted that?
HALF

We lose 1-3. We are out of the French Cup

The winter transfer window ends

[Abe Sargent]

February

4th – Home vs Lorient
8th – Away vs FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
12th – Home vs Guingamp
16th – Away vs Hoffenheim
19th – Away vs RC Lens
23rd – Home vs Hoffenheim
26th Home vs Reims

Good training – Cano, Tchouameni

Machacek won Czech Player of the Year!!!

Kamenik got second on loan over at Sparta Prague

My Ass Man, Fernando, was offered a lower level gig and has accepted it. I need to hire a new one.

A few days later I hire my new guy

https://i.ibb.co/BzhKrGV/Nitra-191.png

Justin Cochrane, a Caribbean international. He’s nice! He steps into the shooting training my old AssMan was doing. I hope you enjoy him!

Joao signs his new deal.

Islam Slimani is going to retire at the end of the season

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #24 – Home vs FC Lorient - I begin controlling. Bell is back from his suspension.


Goals

Cano to Lorenzo on an attack run in the 37th minute
HALF
Them in the 53rd
Them in the 61st
Gomes feeds Solanke in the 65th for a goal to tie it
Besnard to Jens, goal, 93rd minute

Wanna see our comeback?

https://i.ibb.co/YfNnDW1/Nitra-192.png

We dominated them statistically as you can see with a full 10 shots on target. Solanke is MOM.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #25 – Away vs FC Sochaux-Montbéliard – I begin countering. This is Holding’s 125th appearance for us.


Goals

Solanke feeds Besnard on a break away 40 yards down the pitch, jukes, a defender, and scores. 6th minute
Gomes sinks a PK in the 36th
HALF
Them in the 56th
Them in the 74th. Are we going to come back this time?


Nope. We tie them 2-2.

[Abe Sargent]

Wanna see the table after 25?

https://i.ibb.co/31S3jYN/Nitra-193.png

Sure thing! As you can see there are three points between us and PSG at #2, but ten points down to OL.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #26 – Home vs Guingamp – I begin controlling.

Goals

HALF
Machacek to Mehmedi, 81st minute

We win 1-0. That’s a last year game. We don’t wanna any more of those

[Abe Sargent]

I hand out rests for the big game

EURO First Knockout Round, Leg #1 – Away vs Hoffenheim – I begin defensively. I’ve been surprised by how good we’ve been. Can we continue that? The good news? Their form is horrible they are down to 12th in their league and we are on proverbial fire.

https://i.ibb.co/qJL78Pc/Nitra-194.png

We begin the match with the first goal of the game! Lorenzo crossed beautifully to Solanke who regularly seems to play up. I doubt that score stands.

Other Goals

HALF
Jens to Lerager, goal, in the 88th minute on an IFK

We win 2-0. MOM is Bell. Good shut out!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #27 – Away vs RC Lens – I begin defensively. Lorenzo is suspended for this match and Mehmedi is starting for him. Hello Ross Ferguson!

Goals

Besnard drives the box, feeds Gomes for goal, 15th minute
Besnard intercepts the ball and drives the box in the 33rd minute
HALF
Them in the 61st
Them in the 67th, can we get that winner?
Cano to Slimani, at the 94:21 mark!!!

MOM is Besnard in this 3-2 game. NOICE!

I hand out rests for the big game

[Abe Sargent]

EURO 1st Knockout Round, Leg #2 – Home vs Hoffenheim – I begin standarding. Lorenzo is back. We come in with an 2-0 win on the road. Now we need to be professional.


Goals

They score in the 4th minute
In the 30th Besnard drives the corner and crosses to Solanke for goal, but the shot is turned aside and Gomes springs on the rebound for goal.
HALF
Lorenzo crosses to Besnard for goal in the 92nd minute


https://i.ibb.co/27mwVKF/Nitra-195.png

We win 2-1 and 4-1 aggregate! MOM is Lorenzo

We are doing damage this EURO campaign! Go away Germany!

[Abe Sargent]

Next?

Shakhtar. Not as bad as it could have been.


Gomes is out for a week and Jens will start for him

Our gate receipts of 1.2 mill is a new record!


Ligue Game #28 – Home vs Reims – I begin controlling against the 20th team in the Ligue. Which means we’ll struggle and finish 1-0. Which I’ll take.

Goals

Besnard to Joao, ifk, 22nd minute. Besnard!
Them in the 37th
HALF
Besnard to Slimani, goal, 71st minute. Besnard!!
Besnard to Slimani, goa, 74th minute. Besnard!!!
Besnard to Slimani, goal, 83rd minute. Besnard!!!!
They score in the 91st minute


We hold and win 4-2. MOM is Slimani. He will not go quietly into retirement!

I have 4.5 million left. I go wonderkid shopping. Any wonderkids I can sign? Anywhere? I can develop them and make them happy.

I scout some folks. A Dutch winger and two Argentinian keepers.

[Abe Sargent]

March

4th – Away vs OM
9th – Away vs Shakhtar
12th – Home vs OL
16th – Home vs Shakhtar
19th – Home vs Nice

Good training – Bell, Besnard, Nielsen

Just five games but these first four are rough.

We finish with an offer for 3 mill for 17 year old GK Nicolás Gutiérrez from Argentina. He’ll join us in a few months. I also offer to another player in the same country.

We agree to 750k for Cristian Escobar another young youth from Argentina.

Ligue Game #29 – Away vs OM. I begin defending. Gomes is back from his injury.


Goals

Besnard to Lorenzo, 18th minute. Besnard!
They get a red card in the 43rd minute when they have no shots on goal
HALF
Them in the 78th

Game. We tie them 1-1. Credit OM for playing us hard for a half.

One big game down, three to go.

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/TWXmPvy/Nitra-196.png

Wanna see how close the table is? We are sitting in 3rd with 67 points and Monaco and PSG are tied with just two points more with 9 games to go. It really could be any one of us at the end of this thang. However OL are back a full 14 points away and we are comfortably in 3rd for Champions victory. Had we won against OM there would have been a 3 way tie!

https://i.ibb.co/cwJRQD1/Nitra-197.png

Our youth intake is here. I investigate the “golden generation”. That was true of Nitra when it happened.

I hire a new Algerian international head coach for my U19 squad

[Abe Sargent]

EURO 2nd Knockout Round, 1st Leg – Away vs Shakhtar – I begin defending.

Goals

Gomes to Solanke, goal, 44th minute


Wanna see?

https://i.ibb.co/CQ76BHT/Nitra-198.pnghttp://

Sure thing! Again I doubt the result stands but I’ll take it. Solanke plays up.

Goals

Andre Gomes scores on an open goal in the 43rd.
HALF
Them in the 61st
Them in the 88th
Andddd

We hold and tie 2-2. Good away goals! Gomes was MOM

Two big games done. Two left

[Abe Sargent]

Here’s the Fortuna after 22
https://i.ibb.co/FbSxFbg/Nitra-199.png

Ligue Game #30 – Home vs OL. I begin standard against our jinx. They are our Senica or Ruzomberok. If we can get a result here then that’d be good for our chances of living at the 3 or higher spot.

Goals

Cano to Solanke, 6th minute
They score us back in the 14th
Cano to Besnard, goal, 26th minute
They score back in the 39th
Machacek to Gomes, 42nd minute – it’s going to be one of those games…
HALF
Them in the 67th
Gomes to Besnard, 71st.
Besnard to Machacek, 86th minute
They get a red card

https://i.ibb.co/MGrtyQZ/Nitra-200.png

Wanna see my 5-3 cardiac victory? MOM is Besnard.

Three big matches done….

Now the biggest…

[Abe Sargent]

Now the biggest…

EURO 2nd Knockout Round, 2nd Leg – Home vs Shakhtar. We got a lot of away goals in our tie, so a 0-0, 1-1, or any win gets us through. We just need to be professional. I begin countering. I wanna get a feel for the match first.

Goals


HALF
Machacek to Besnard, 76th minute!

https://i.ibb.co/DrRcQkF/Nitra-201.png


We have a ton of shots on target but they have held until now.

They score in the 84th


We hold and are through on away goals!

We made it to the quarter finals!

That’s our fourth big match!

We drew…OL for the Quarters!

What fun that’ll be!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #31 – Home vs Nice – I begin controlling.

Goals

Lorenzo crosses to Machacek for goal in the 15th
They score a DFK in te h20th
HALF
Them in the 80th

We lose 1-2 at home. That’s our 3rd loss on the year.

Where is my Moreira? They only had 4 shots on target.

The international break begins
Machacek with his first goal for country!

[Abe Sargent]

April

1st – Neutral vs Metz
7th – Away vs Ajaccio
13th – Home vs OL
16th – Home vs Lillie
20th – Away vs OL
23rd – Away vs Rennes
29th – Home vs Nantes

Good training – Machacek, Cano, Antwi

Ready for the big one!

The Coupe de la Ligue Final

Your #3 team Bordeaux

Vs

Your #9 team FC Metz

We will have Joao out for a card, and Init-Mirin is in for him. I begin standard,

Goals

https://i.ibb.co/c3zBRvM/Nitra-202.png

We score first off a corner kick!

Cano to Besnard, goal, 45th minute
HALF
Them in the 83rd

https://i.ibb.co/F3CgPdz/Nitra-203.png

We win 2-1! Holding was MOM

We win 2.5 mill cash

We officially qualify for the EURO even if we lose every game left.

Besnard was the top goal scorer with 9 goals and Machacek the top assist king with 4.

Besnard set a top rating in the Couple over Mbappe the previous high.

Besnard’s 9 goals is two more than the competition’s record.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #32 – Away vs AJ Ajaccio – Joao is back. I begin countering.


Goals

Rob Holding, 20th minute, called offsides
Gomes, PK, 26th minute
They get a red card in the 41st
HALF
Slimani to Besnard, 73rd minute

We win 2-0 and MOM is Lorenzo

[Abe Sargent]

EURO Quarter Final 1st Leg, Home vs OL – I begin countering. I wanna get a feel for the game. We had the crazy 5-3 result here earlier this season so I wanna make sure we aren’t getting carried away.

Goals

Solanke to Lorenzo in the 22nd minute
They score and hit us back in the 27th
They get an OG from João a few minutes later
HALF
Gomes to Besnard, goal in the 47th minute – ties it back up
Them in the 72nd minute


We lose 3-2. Not a good day for Moreira. They had 3 shots on target. That should have been 2-0 or 2-1 us. We need him to play back to form.

[Abe Sargent]

We are likely out barring a two goal away match against our Ligue kryptonite. Unlikely to say the least!

https://i.ibb.co/vJHdtTn/Nitra-204.png

Wanna see the best player who is willing to coming to us? This person would be our Neymar but we need money in the 20s and we don’t have it. I have him on my shortlist in case that changes in the future.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #33 – Home vs LOSC – I begin standardly.


Goals

Cano crosses to Besnard for goal in the 17th
Besnard drives the corner and crosses to Solanke for goal in the 44th
HALF
They score off a DFK in the 57th
Them in the 83rd
Besnard to Solanke, goal 88th can we hold and win?
They score in extra time

Game 3-3 tie. MOM is Cano


That tie pretty much guarantees us 3rd. Both PSG and AS Monaco won and now have 5 points on us with 5 games to go, so even if we win out the likelihood of passing both isn’t high.

https://i.ibb.co/vBBCDsn/Nitra-205.png

Here! As you can see we are still 11 points over OL so we are very safely in 3rd, and we could lose out and still make it.

[Abe Sargent]

EURO QF, Leg #2 – Away vs OL – I begin defensively. Can we win by two goals? Can we get the 5-3 result away? This is likely a woodshed game.

Goals

Them in the 37th
HALF – They are dominating this match
Them in the 53rd
Them in the 57th

We lose 0-3. That was a spanking. We struggle more against OL than against PSG. That’s my first three goal loss this year.

Gomes is out for two weeks and Jens will start for him

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #34 – Away vs Rennes, currently 5th in the Ligue. I begin defensing.

Goals

Them in the 17th
Besnard to Solanke after driving the box in the 26th
Them in the 32nd
HALF
Besnard steals the ball and feeds Solanke for goal in the 73rd minute. If that result holds then we would have stolen this game from Rennes. We have 5 shots to their 17
They score in the 84th minute. Not a shock. Can we get another goal?


We lose 3-2 on the road. MOM is Solanke. They had 6 shots on target that should have been 2-2 or 2-1 with my Moreira…

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #35 – Home vs Nantes – They are 8th in the Ligue to I begin standarding. This is my 100th Bordeaux Game.

Goals

Cano crosses to Solanke, goal, 19th minute
HALF
Them in the 57th
Them in the 63rd
Solanke with a PK in the 65th

We tie them 2-2. They had three shots on target. This is not my Moreira.

[Abe Sargent]

May

5th – Away vs PSG
14th – Home vs AS Monaco
20th – Away vs Havre

Good training – Cano, Machacek, Besnard

We close rough I need my old Moreira to show up.

Solanke won Player of the Month

Reims is relegated

Ligue Game #36 – Away vs PSG – Ready for the woodshed? I begin defensively. Gomes is back for this match. Lorenzo is out with a card and Mehmedi is starting.

Goals

Solanke to Machacek, goal, 25th minute.
HALF. We play better against PSG than OL!
They score in the 58th
Them in the 67th and I hope we can steal a result.

We hold and lose 1-2. Close!

LOSC defeated OL away from OL’s home.

OL have made it to the EURO final against Man City.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #37 – Home vs AS Monaco – I have hopes for today’s math. We have played them at home three times in my run with Bordeaux. Those were 1 tie, 1 5-1 thumping of them, and one 1-3 loss. We have six points on OL so I’ll take a tie. Or another thumping. I begin countering and then will relax after I get a feel for the game. Can we siege Castle Courtois? Lorenzo is back.

Goals

Them in the 17th
HALF
Them in the 73rd

We lose 0-2.

The bad news? We lost to AS Monaco. The good news? OL tied FC Lorient 2-2.

We qualify for the Champions cup! We get 3rd locked in

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match - #38 – Away vs Havre – I begin defensively.

Goals

Them in the 27th
HALF
Solanke to Rob Holding on a corner kick in the 51st
Lorenzo to De Preville, goal in 85th minute

We win 2-1 and finish our slide with a win.

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/QrFhNkf/Nitra-206.png

The final table. AS Monaco won! We finished with 6 losses and 8 ties, and a big fat 23 wins.

My Goals for Bordeaux

1. Get them back to EURO this year in year one. COMPLETED Year One
2. Do some damage in the EURO. COMPLETED Year Two
3. Get them high enough to qualify for the Champion’s League. COMPLETED Year Two
4. Win Ligue 1
5. Win a Cup. COMPLETED Year Two


We won the Coupe de la Ligue after our resounding 5-1 victory against AS Monaco. We devastated Europe in the EURO and knocked out many big name teams from big name places, like Malaga and Benfica. We finished 3rd and are making the Champions league next year due to our early form.

Good job team!

[Abe Sargent]

Roster

GK Moreira – 3. He didn’t finish well. But he’s my best GK no doubt so we’ll need to get him back up to quality like he began the year.

DC Nielsen – 3 – Locked in as a starter

DC Holding – 3 – Locked in as a starter and my captain

DC Joao – 3 Locked in as a starter

DMC Bell – 3 Locked in as a starter

MC Machacek – 4 My best signing this year locked in+ as astarter.

MR Cano – 3 – Locked in as a starter

ML Lorenzo – 3 – Locked in as a starter

AMC Gomes – 0 – Letting go and have his replacement already under contract

ST Besnard – 4 – Cannot move him

ST Solanke – 2 – Playing the wrong role since I signed him as a complete forward but he plays deep lying one which is not his strength. I might be willing to bring in a stud deep lying forward or target man and drop him to #3 on my depth chart.

Leaving – Slimani, Gomes, De Preville

We tied PSG with 77 goals for most in the Ligue. We allowed 44 which was tied for 7th/

[Abe Sargent]

Stats

MOM – Solanke was 4th with 6

Distance Covered – Machacek was 1st; Cano was 6th

Dist/90 Min. – Machacek was 3rd; Cano 6th, Mehmedi 8th

Avg Rtg. Besnard 2nd; Solanke was 5th

Headers Won – Holding 1st

Goals – Besnard 1st with 26; Solanke 3rd with 18

Avg Min/Goal – Besnard 3rd; Solanke 5th

Shots – Besnard 1st; Machacek 3rd; Gomes 6th

Shots on Target – Besnard 1st; Solanke 7th

Target % - Solanke 9th

Assists - Besnard 1st with 17; Cano 4th with 12; Solanke 6th with 11.

Key Passes – Besnard 1st; Cano 9th

Chances Created – Besnard 1st; Solanke 4th; Cano 7th

Pass % - Bell 4th

Cross Completion % - Besnard 6th

Drib/Game – Besnard 6th;

Picks – Holding at 6th

Headers Won % - Holding at 7th

Shots Blocked – Nielsen at 3rd

Shutouts – Moreira 7th

Saves Held – Moreira 5th

Saves Parried – Moreira 9th

Not a good year for my Gk in the latter half of the season…

[Abe Sargent]

Nitra won the Fortuna.

This dynasty is now tied with my longest of all time. If I play one game in year 7 this will be my longest ever…

https://i.ibb.co/HXZs0pn/Nitra-207.png

Here are our annual season awards. Besnard was Player of the Year!

I hold a team meeting, let’s qualify for the Champion’s Cup again!

Great training for the year – Bell, Cano, Besnard, Lorenzo and Machacek.

We made 36 mill this year

Besnard’s 43 goals for Bordeaux is a new record. As is his 27 assists and his 12 MOM.

Man City defeated OL 2-0 to win the EURO

We get 6.6 mill from the EURO

Besnard was 3rd in the Player of the EURO and he made the EURO Dream Team. Good job Besnard!

Besnard is the gift that keeps giving…

[Abe Sargent]

I’m surprised no one chased him in this past Winter break and I was expecting to lose him. That may happen in a little bit.

As Monaco won the French Cup 1-0 over Nantes

Our transfer money arrives and it might be enough for my stud winger, William Santana. It’s 28 mill. I go shopping.

We agree to a 22 mil dollar deal – that’d leave me 6 mill in surplus which should be fine. I have my starting XI ready so I only need a big giant stud like Santana

We offer him 75k/year for four years

I have 21 players called up for the U21 EURO Championships including four starters like Bell for Austria and Marchi and Besnard for France. As well as players like Ross Ferguson and Kamenik and Neilsen.

Kamenik was named as the Czech Division Young Player of the Year playing for Sparta Prague. Good job Kamenik.

Jankovic is now French

Santana has signed! There was interest from places like Man utd and Liverpool but no one else made an offer. He’ll count as a valuable Foreign player my first. He’ll join us in July 1st

Bordeaux moved up 5 spots to 52nd on the Euro clubs list

Aurélien Tchouameni signed with Strasbourg

We get that sweet Ligue 1 cash from our TV rights

We set a new audience high with an average attendance of 31,773

I set up friendlies with the Czech First Division.

I move Cano back to hot prospect in order to make room for my big acquisition

The job interviews are coming again. I decline one for AC Milan.

[Abe Sargent]

Jun 30th is here

Now who will my squad be?

GK Moreira
DC Nielsen
DC Joao
DC Holding
DMC Bell
MC Machacek
AMC Marchi
ML Lorenzo
MR Santana
ST Solanke
ST Besnard

And my subs?
 
MR/L Cano
DC Isimat-Mirin
DMC/MC/AMC/MR/ML Jens
DC/DMC/MC Lerager


And…

I need three keys subs. One St, one DC, and one that can play a few places on my squad.

https://i.ibb.co/rfFwKdf/Nitra-208.png

One of these is already on my squad. Peeters needs some subs. He is away at vacation now and has his arrows down, common in FM18. He has developed into my 5th DC Option. I’ve had this stud for 18 months and he’s proven himself.

[Abe Sargent]

Weah still hasn’t learned the ST roles and I doubt he ever will. He;s not my 6th player like I was hoping…

I look to see if we have any STs I can bring in on a free.

A few big names like Alexis Sanchez and Gareth Bale are interested…

Could I bring in one for a year at AMC and then move in Marchi after another year of development

https://i.ibb.co/Bqmx0dX/Nitra-209.png


Here is Marchi today. I could give him another year of growth and then start him next year…

I also am considering a stud ST that replaces Solanke and that would work for a year or two and send him to the bench.

I find…another young Australian Striker… I call him Bruno II. I make him an offer and he should be my 4th St, but I still need a 3rd or 2nd.

[Abe Sargent]

Are either Bale or Sanchez looking a rotation deal? I doubt it. Nope.

It’s too bad I don’t run a 4-2-3-1 I could run both at AML and AMR.

Actually…

I was considering a 3-6-1. We are in the era of middies and you out middle the 4-5-1 or 3-5-2 variants.

But I’m not switching tactics in order to bring in temporary talent like Sanchez or bale.

There’s a good defensive forward but nope.

I can’t find anybody on a free.

How about for sale?
 
Nope!

I’ll just need my youth to be my #3 Striker, and we’ll stick with Solanke as no one is better than him!


Other than Weah do I have another Striker I can develop at the four spot?

Nope. I’ll give Weah my 7th sub for now but I’ll look for another.

[Abe Sargent]

July

8th – Friendly vs Teplice
15th – Friendly vs Slavia Prague
22nd – Friendly vs Sparta Prague
29th – Friendly vs Dukla Prague

July 1st is here!

https://i.ibb.co/rktXfzV/Nitra-210.png

Wanna see my new project? I offer to loan him out and I get a few offers immediately from Caen. This has a great, high future ability and will be my future project. He takes a valuable foreign spot but my hope is that after a few years of French play he’ll get EU membership.

https://i.ibb.co/3dsW4tz/Nitra-211.png

Here’s my other Argentinian youth that is on loan at FCSM here in French in Ligue 1. They are meant to play together!

https://i.ibb.co/Zfgy4fX/Nitra-212.png


And the bug guy coming in at 4.5 stars.

I send Gutierrez to Caen

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/f29Tgmj/Nitra-213.png

Here are my contracts set to expire. We have three subs but no starters up for renewal. I make offers to some youth.

Our players return!

https://i.ibb.co/KDG3Ycn/Nitra-214.png

Besnard again a major award! He got 7 goals in four appearances! He also was the Golden Boot winner, Goal of the U21 Euros, and named to the best XI!


Bordeaux is the House that Besnard Built!

[Abe Sargent]

https://i.ibb.co/ctcBxcw/Nitra-215.png

My Australian ST arrives!

Here is Fotis Fevgas, another Australian player (he’s also Greek so he counts as EU). I like his ability to be a target man and he could develop into Solanke’s 2nd across from Besnard if he develops correctly. He needs mental development.

I am currently 400k under my budget!

[Abe Sargent]

Friendly vs Teplice – We win 6-0. MOM is Santana with a goal and an assist and a 9.4 rating

Friendly vs Slavia Prague – We win 3-0. MOM is Machacek with a goal and a 9.3 rating

Friendly vs Sparta Prague – We win 2-0 MOM is Besnard. We’ll probably win the next game 1-0

I hire a new Russian coach who is better at tactical coaching.

We are 7-2 odds of winning.

Friendly vs Dukla Prague – We win 4-1, MOM is Besnard

Besnard is the favorite to top the Ligue goal charts

[Abe Sargent]

August

5th – Friendly vs Toulouse our rival
12th – Away vs FC Sochaux-Montbéliard
19th – Home vs Montpelier
26th – Home vs Angers

Good training – Peeters, Traore, Lorenzo

Friendly vs Toulouse – We win 6-0. MOM is Besnard with four goals.

I keep my captain and vice captain.


Ligue Game #1 – Away vs FC Sochaux-Montbéliard – I begin defensively. This is my longest dynasty ever in FM after this game!

Goals!

Joao to Besnard on a counter in the 41st
HALF
Cano crosses to Besnard for goal in the 69th
Cano to Besnard, goal, 73rd.
Them in the 75th
Joao to Jens, goal in the IFK on the 86th
Them in extra time

We win 4-2. Wanna see?

https://i.ibb.co/bFPdb9G/Nitra-216.png

MOM is Besnard. Moreira allowed two goals on three on target shots and appears to be still showing his bad form.

[Abe Sargent]

I loan Ferguson to Guingamp again

Ligue Game #2 – Home vs Montpelier - I begin standard. I start Cano at ML for Lorenzo after his hot assists in the last game.


Goals

Marchi to Santana in the 7th minute. That’s his first goal and that’s his first assist
Santana to Solanke in the 18th minute
HALF
Cano to Santana, goal in the 61st
Cano to Besnard, goal in the 73rd

We hold and win 4-0. They had one shot on target not hard for Moreira. MOM is Santana.


I’ll leave Cano in for now as the dude has four assists in two games! I drop Lorenzo to hot prospect as well.

I accept an offer for my Italian backup GK.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #3 – Home vs Angers – I begin standarding.

Goals

Santana to Besnard, goal, 21st minute
Solanke PK in the 23rd minute
Them in the 33rd
Marchi to Santana, goal in the 41st minute
HALF
Them in the 71st
Besnard to Marchi in the 76th
Solanke to Besnard 89th

We win 5-2. They had five shots on target. MOM is Besnard!

I reject an offer for Weah and I agree to offer him more money and I offer a backup role. He’s too old for hot prospect.

21 of my players are called up

We get a ton of cash for making the Champions League Group Stage

The transfer deadline is here, I haven’t gotten any offers for my wonderkids. Weird.

Wow.

So long Champion;s Cup…

Are you ready for our group?

Get ready!

Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Benfica
Bordeaux

That’s…rough.

That’s the woodshed group.

The transfer deadline passes

[Abe Sargent]

September

2nd – Away vs AS Saint-Etienne
16th – Home vs Guingamp
20th – Home vs Bayern
23rd – Away vs Havre
27th – Home vs Caen
30th – Away vs Metz

Good training – Calvat, Dupuy, Cano

Santana was 2nd in Player of the Month and Besnard 3rd

My transfer budget is increased to 28 mill!

Ligue Game #4 – Away vs Saint-Etienne – I begin defensively.

Goals

Machacek to Besnard, goal, 33rd minute
Them in the 42nd
HALF
Them in the 47th
Lerager to Marchi in the 63rd
Them in the 67th


We lose 3-2. They had 5 shots on target. Moreira…

[Abe Sargent]

I look for a replacement. The transfer window shut but there is a rule you can move one player from a French squad. Are there any with other French squads? This rule is called the Joker rule.

Yes!

The backup GK at PSG is not happy and is transfer listed by request. He wants to start…

Name of Sergio Rico, he’s 30 and would be a slight improvement on Moreira.

I make him an offer of the transfer listing of 15 mill.

The international break begins.

Rico joins us!

https://i.ibb.co/0hSGjLT/Nitra-217.png

Here he is! He’s a bit slower than I’d like a this level but he’s a better shot stopper although less aerial.

https://i.ibb.co/H4yMDSZ/Nitra-218.png

Here I’ll show you… Rico is better at shot stopping, mental and such, but Moreira isn’t bad. Rico is going to be my new starter. I move Moreira to not needed and transfer list him.

Weah signs his new deal

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #5- Home vs Guingamp – I begin standard. I move Lorenzo back to start. Rico will start. Hello Kamenik!


Goals

Marchi to Besnard, 12th minute
Santana crosses to Solanke, goal, 44th minute
HALF
Santana to Solanke again, 49th minute

We win 3-0. MOM is Santana. Rico with a shutout and a 7.0 rating.

We are 4 wins in 5 games

[Abe Sargent]

Champions Group Game #1 – Home vs Bayern. We have to start Moreira. No other changes. Have a great GK game and give me a selection issue! I begin countering.

Goals

HALF

https://i.ibb.co/ck8fDST/Nitra-219.png

We score first! Marchi to Besnard in the 66th!

They score back two minutes later

We tie them 1-1! MOM is Besnard!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #6 – Away vs Havre. Hello Jankovic! I begin defensively and Rico is starting. Bell is out with a card and Lerager is starting at DMC.

Goals

Lorenzo to Joao, IFK, 18th minute
Santana feeds Besnard for goal in the 41st. That’s his 50th career goal
HALF
Them in the 46th
Lorenzo to Besnard on a counter in the 47th
Solanke to Besnard, goal, 65th

We hold and win 4-1. MOM is Besnard. Obviously

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #7 – Home vs Caen – I begin standard and Bell is back.

Goals

Solanke to Besnard on a break away in the 37th
HALF


Game. We win 1-0, MOM is Santana.

Every team has lost at least once and we are in 2nd place.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #8 – Away vs Metz – I begin defensively

Goals

Machacek feeds Solanke down the center for goal in the 7th minute
HALF
OG for us off a Besnard shot at goal on a counter attack in the 48th
Besnard breaks off a break away in the 64th minute, feeds the corner of the box and crosses to Marchi for goal.
They score off a corner in the 71st minute
Solanke to Besnard, 82nd minute
Sergio Rico my GK to Besnard on a counter in extra time.

We win 5-1. MOM is Besnard. Wanna see?

https://i.ibb.co/dkm5Ytq/Nitra-220.png

They finished with 15 shots but just one goal, a solid performance by Rico.

[Abe Sargent]

October

3rd – Away vs Benfica
7th – Home vs Nantes
21st -Away vs FC Lorient
24th – Away vs Barcelona
28th – Home vs AS Monaco

Good training – Santana, Martin, Calvet

That’s a big month! Two major away Champions games and the big AS Monaco.

Besnard won player of the month!

Santana was 3rd

That win moved us to 1st. Wanna see the table after 8?

https://i.ibb.co/HKjpdW1/Nitra-221.png

As you can see everyone has lost. OL lost three times, PSG and Monaco each twice, so our one loss has us out in front. It’s a good form and place to be. OL Won their first four games big and were overwhelming as the #1 team but dropped three games of four in the back of the first 8 games. Right now we are the most consistent team running around!

I hook up Rico and Santana

[Abe Sargent]

Champions Group Stage Game #2 – Away vs Benfica – I am starting Moreira as Rico wasn’t registered. I begin defensively. We tied them 1-1 away last time, and I’d be happy to do so again this year!

Goals

17th minute they foul Besnard in the box and Solanke….sinks the PK! That;s his 50th goal for Bordeaux
Besnard to Solanke, goal,. 26th minute…


https://i.ibb.co/M5vkYJN/Nitra-222.png


And we are up 2-0! I doubt that score lasts with Moreira in GK.
HALF
Them in the 53rd off a corner kick
Solanke sinks a second PK in the 85th minute. I’ll take it. (They have gotten 5 cards this game to our 0)


We hold and win 3-1. MOM is Solanke’s hattrick. Solanke just plays up. There is a reason he is still on my team…

We make 1.5 mill

Marchi wants an increased deal and I offer him one that increases his salary from 5.5 k to 22.5/k but remains hot prospect.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Match #9 – Home vs Nantes. Rico is back. I begin standard. I respect Nantes they are a good team.

Goals

HALF
Joao to Besnard on a counter, in the 57th minute
Besnard grabs a pick and scores in the 66th minute
They have a second yellow in the 68th
Marchi to Fevgas, in the 69th minute, his first goal for us!

We win 3-0! MOM is Besnard!!!

Besnard got his league 15 goal bonus for 120k just NINE GAMES IN!

PSG drops a game to OL

We have 20 players called up

Marchi signs his new deal!

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #10 – Away vs FC Lorient. No changes to my roster. Defensively minded. Their GK begins the game injured…

Goals

HALF
Besnard to Machacek, Corner Kick, 52nd minute
Them in the 56th
Santana crosses to Besnard for goal in the 63rd
Santana grabs a rebound and sinks it in the 65th.

MOM is Santana, we won 3-1.

[Abe Sargent]

Champions Group Game #3 – Away vs Barca – I begin defensively and am starting Moreira

Goals

Santana to Besnard, 2nd minute!!!

https://i.ibb.co/HBKJtcr/Nitra-223.png

NICE!!!

Goals Continued

HALF
Them in the 71st


We hold and tie them 1-1. MOM is Santana! Good result!

We are tied with Barcelona with 5 points each at the top of Group G!

Benfica defeated Bayern tonight which is the best for us we could imagine.

[Abe Sargent]

Ligue Game #11- Home vs AS Monaco – I begin countering. Rico is back.

Goals

Besnard to Lorenzo, 45th minute
HALF
Besnard to Solanke, 50th minute

Wanna see my 2-0 win over AS Monaco?

https://i.ibb.co/8jPxs6g/Nitra-224.png

Sure thing! MOM is Lorenzo

PSG lost on the road at OM. That’s their 4th loss in 11 games

[Abe Sargent]

November

4th Away vs Nice
8th Home vs Barcelona
11th Home vs Lille
25th Away vs Strasbourg
28th Away vs Bayern


Good training – Marchi, Calvet, Andri

Santana won Player of the Month and I send him thanks. Lorenzo was 2nd.

Ligue Game #12 – Away vs Nice = I begin defensively. Santana is out with cards and Cano is starting. This is Holding’s 150th appearance for the club.

Goals

Besnard crosses to Solanke for goal in the 12th minute
HALF
Machacek to Besnard, 70th minute
Machacek heads into the box for an OG in the 87th

They had tons of shots and Rico held them scoreless. MOM is Besnard. We won 3-0.