FM14: Willkommen in München

[sabotai]

August 19th, 2017

Bundesliga
Freiburg (5th, 1-0-0, 3pt) at 1860 Münich (16th, 0-0-1, 0pt)

Unavailable: Stefan Wannenwetsch (Sus)

Pre-Game thoughts: In the last 2 seasons, Schalke finished 4th and 6th. Freiburg has finished 9th two years running. Freiburg is at the top of what I think is the list of teams I need to compete against and win. Schalke is in the list of teams I probably should just chalk up as loses. This will be my first real test. If I can compete against Freiburg, I have a good chance to stay in Bundesliga.

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Con
DM Stark
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

In the 7th minute, Stark comes off with an injury. I move Bouy down to his spot and bring Roguljic in as AMC.

In the 26th minute, Marco cuts inside, holds, puts a pass into the box and Stoppelkamp gets there and buries it to give us the lead.

31st minute, they tie it up. Their player knocked the ball to the side, Donkor misplayed it and they had an easy goal.

61st minute, Roguljic sets up Marco with a long pass, but Marco doesn't take it cleanly, nor can he dribble passed his opponent and can't get a clean shot off.

In the 77th minute, they had a free run when Kirchhoff misjudged the ball. Kirchhoff makes up for it by catching him and sliding to knock the ball away just as he was about to shoot.

Freiburg 1 - 1 1860 Münich
17 - Shots - 7
5 - On Target - 4
7 - Fouls - 11
2 - Yellow Cards - 1
51% - Poss - 49%

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 7.0 , DL Achenteh 7.0 , DC Kirchhoff 7.3 , DC Donkor 7.0 , DR Con 6.9 (YC) , DM Stark NR (off 7 - Inj) , DM Stahl 6.8 , AMC/DM Bouy 6.8 , AML Marco 6.8 , AMC Roguljic 6.5 (on 7) , AMR Stoppelkamp 7.5 , ST Dimitrijevic 6.7 (off 65) , ST Wood 6.5 (on 65)

Goals: Stoppelkamp
Assists: Marco

[sabotai]

DM Stark will be out for 3-4 months. That.....sucks.

There were a couple of veteran DMs on the free transfer market, but I think I'll let Wannenwetsch and Stahl hold down the fort. I'm not going to have much depth there, though, and if either of them gets dinged, I might have to bite the bullet and just sign someone.

[sabotai]

Just occurred to me, I haven't done a run down of my team for this year. Here we go.

(All players sorted by Ability (according to assman))

Goalkeepers
Odisseas Vlachodimos - 23yo - GRE - 3.5 / 4 - $52k p/w until 2020
Michael Netolitzky - 23yo - GER - 3 / 4 - $11.5k p/w, 2020
Daniel Martinez - 19yo - ESP - 2 / 3.5 - $8.75k p/w, 2018
Karl-Heinz Schmitt - 17yo - GER - 1 / 3.5 - $405 p/w, 2019
Tobias Beck - 18yo - GER - 1 / 2.5 - $2.2k p/w , 2019
Christoph Stöger - 15yo - GER - 2.5 / 2 - $140 p/w, 2020

Vlachodimos has a big edge of Netolitzky because he has a high One-on-One (17) and high Reflexes (16). Other than that, they are somewhat similar, but those two are big. Netolitzky also has high Eccentricity, and I'm not all that sure that's a good thing...

[sabotai]

Defenders (Left)
Rochdi Achenteh - 29yo - MAR - 2.5 / 2.5 - $33.5k p/w, 2020
Carlos Crasso - 20yo - ARG - 2.5 / 4 - $12.5k p/w, 2019
Ali Ahamada - 20yo - FRA - 2.5 / 4 - $9.5k p/w, 2020
Andreas Ulmer - 31yo - AUT - 2.5 / 2.5 - $15.5k p/w, 2020
Dan-Patrick Poggenberg - 25yo - GER - 1.5 / 1.5 - $6.5k p/w , 2018
Stefan Kreß - 16yo - GER - 1 / 3.5 - $85 p/w, 2020
Björn Fischer - 18yo - GER - 5 / 2.5 - $1.7k p/w , 2018
Dominik Richter - 15yo - GER - 4.5 / 4 - $140 p/w , 2020
Tobias Schultz - 16yo - GER - 3.5 / 1 - $85 p/w, 2019

I've already transfer listen Ulmer. Achenteh I might keep for awhile, unless I get an good offer. My hope is that either Ahamada or Crasso really take to the role. Looking long term, Richter might be the future at the spot.

Defenders (Right)
Kristijan Con - 18yo - GER - 2.5 / 4 - $6k p/w, 2020
Matthias Fahrenholz - 16yo - GER - 2 / 5 - $85 p/w, 2020
Mortiz Volz - 34yo - GER - 2 / 2 - $9k p/w, 2018
Benno Schmitz - 22yo - GER - 1.5 / 2.5 - $8.5k p/w, 2018
Malte Berauer - 22yo - GER - 1.5 / 2 - $7.25k p/w, 2018
José Alberto - 17yo - GER - 1 / 3.5 - $425 p/w, 2020
Janik Herberger - 17yo - GER - 1 / 3 - $775 p/w, 2019
Herbert Bockhorn - 22yo - GER - 1 / 2 - $3.9k p/w, 2018
Mamadou Traoré - 16yo - GER - 4.5 / 3 - $85 p/w, 2019
Jamal Rachdi - 15yo - GER - 3 / 2.5 - $140 p/w, 2020

Con is a total defensive player. His best position is "Limited Fullback". He won't be much help on the offense. Fahrenholz is the opposite. His best position if "Complete Wingback" and already has a 10 for dribbling, 8 for crossing and 7 for passing. The first two, well ahead of Con (and he has a 9 for passing).

Fahrenholz is also "Accomplished" on the left side.

The future looks really bright for these two positions. Currently....not so much, but in a few years (if I'm still around)...

[sabotai]

Defender (Center)
Jan Kirchhoff - 26yo - GER - 4 / 4 - $57k p/w, 2019
Isaac Donkor - 22yo - GHA - 3.5 / 3.5 - $19.5k p/w, 2020
Andreas Hartmann - 18yo - GER - 2 / 2.5 - $1.4k p/w 2020
Christopher Thaller - 16yo - GER - 1 / 4.5 - $85 p/w 2021
Claudio Maier - 17yo - GER - 1 / 2 - $85 p/w 2018
Haguibo Soro - 18yo - GER - 1 / 2 - $1.4k p/w 2019
Lukas Grill - 24yo - GER - 1 / 1.5 - $5.5k p/w 2018
Florian Uhde - 15yo - GER - 4.5 / 3.5 - $85 p/w 2019
Mario Rott - 16yo - GER - 4.5 / 2.5 - $85 p/w 2019
Frank Langer - 15yo - GER - 4 / 2 - $140 p/w 2020
Matthias Hampf - 15yo - GER - 3.5 / 1.5 - $140 p/w 2020
Tobias Schultz - 16yo - GER - 3.5 / 1 $85 p/w - 2019

A lot of youth players but not a lot of hot prospects. Thaller is the only one among that bunch that has the chance to be a star, Uhde may be a productive player as well. The rest are just taking up space. I might bring in a veteran 3 star player or something just to give me depth at the spot. DL Ahamada can play DC if I need him, but I'd rather have a veteran who is natural at DC back up Donkor and Kirchhoff.

I remember being worried about the money Kirchhoff was going to cost me. Turns out it was the right choice. He's (usually) been a rock at that spot for me while Donkor (and López even more so) were shaky a lot of the times.

[sabotai]

Defensive Midfielders
Yannick Stark - 26yo - GER - 4 / 4 - $41k p/w, 2021
Stefan Wannenwetsch - 25yo - GER - 3.5 / 3.5 - $45k p/w, 2020
Dominik Stahl - 29yo - GER - 3.5 / 3.5 - $35.5k p/w, 2019
Michel Lieder - 21yo - GER - 2 / 3.5 - $7.5k p/w, 2019
Luca Bastians - 16yo - GER - 1.5 / 4.5 - $85 p/w, 2020
Alexander Wagner - 17yo - GER - 1.5 / 3.5 - $450 p/w 2019
Daniel Langer - 17yo - GER - 1.5 / 3.5 - $800 p/w, 2019
Joseph-Antoine Tchoumi - 18yo - GER - 1.5 / 2.5 - $1.8k p/w, 2018
Marcel Sobottka - 23yo - GER - 1.5 / 2 - $6k p/w, 2018
Marian Schmidt - 15yo - GER - 1 / 5- $85 p/w, 2019
Stefan Bönig - 16yo - GER - 1 / 2.5 - $85 p/w, 2020
Daniel Schwabl - 15yo - GER - 4 / 2.5 - $140 p/w, 2020
Stefan Hein - 16yo - GER - 3 / 1.5 - $85 p/w, 2018

I think Wannenwetsch has a better agent that Stark. Stark has a yearly salary raise, Wannenwetsch doesn't but I think he had a decent sized "% increase on promotion" clause that bumped him up nicely. It will work back into Stark's favor after this year, though.

Still pretty much set here for the very long term. Stark + Wannenwetsch + Stahl for now. Bastians + Schmidt with Langer and/or Wagner giving depth several years from now. Lieder might be able to step in for Stahl in a year or two. Stahl doesn't have many years left.

[sabotai]

Attacking Midfielder (Left)
Marco - 19yo - ESP - 4 / 5 - $1.9k p/w, 2020
Dominik Masek - 22yo - CZE - 2.5 / 3.5 - $8k p/w, 2019
Sinan Gümüs - 23yo - 1.5 / 2 - $12k p/w, 2018
Ante Tomas - 15yo - 3 / 2.5 - $140 p/w, 2020

Marco could have cashed in this year, but wasn't talking to me so I exercised a clause in his contract giving me two more years. Terrible agent. Nothing coming through the pipeline in case he bolts, though. Lots of strikers who can play AML, but no natural hot prospects at that position.

Attacking Midfielder (Center)
Ouasim Bouy - 24yo - NED - 3.5 / 4 - $57k p/w, 2021
Ante Roguljic - 21yo - CRO - 3.5 / 4 - $21k p/w, 2020
Florian Rauscher - 17yo - GER - 1.5 / 3.5 - $2.6k p/w, 2020
Tim Fahrenholz - 23yo - GER - 1 / 2 - $4.6 p/w, 2018
Felix Wallner - 16yo - GER - 5 / 2.5 - $85 p/w, 2020
Sebastian Duhnke - 16yo - GER - 3.5 / 1.5 - $85 p/w, 2019

As long as I keep Bouy and Roguljic, I'll be fine. I don't have much coming up through the pipeline though. I'll have to keep my eye out for a youth player. I do have a few strikers who can play AMC, but their attributes don't match up well with what I do there. Most don't have much in way of passing, long shots, etc.

Attacking Midfielder (Right)
Mortiz Stoppelkamp - 30yo - GER - 2.5 / 2.5 - $53k p/w, 2019
Steve Clancy - 20yo - ENG - 2.5 / 4.5 - $16k p/w, 2019
Daniel Hägler - 20yo - GER - 1.5 / 2.5 - $7.25k p/w, 2018
Max Endres - 16yo - GER - 4.5 / 4 - $85 p/w, 2020
Gerold Franz - 16yo - BIH - 3 / 2 - $85 p/w, 2019

Stoppelkamp has definitely lost a step. Since 2013, he's dropped 1 point in most attributes, 2 points in several. Clancy will get a lot of playing time over the next two years, at which point it'll probably be time to say goodbye to Stoppelkamp. Endres is the main prospect here.

[sabotai]

Strikers
Bobby Shou Wood - 24yo - USA - 3 / 3.5 - $25k p/w, 2018
Uros Dimitrijevic - 17yo - GER - 2.5 / 5 - $6k p/w, 2020
Nils Quaschner - 23yo - GER - 2.5 / 4 - $18.5k p/w, 2018
Mohammad Karnib - 16yo - GER - 1.5 / 5 - $85 p/w, 2020
Lars Wölfel - 17yo - GER - 1.5 / 3.5 - $1.7k p/w, 2020
Tobias Schmidt - 17yo - GER - 1 / 2 - $85 p/w, 2018
Christopher Romminger - 16yo - GER - 5 / 3.5 - $85 p/w, 2019
Niklas Moll - 15yo - GER - 4.5 / 3.5 - $140 p/w, 2020
François Yao - 17yo - GER - 4.5 / 2 - $240 p/w, 2019
Steffen Cuntz - 15yo - GER - 4 / 3.5 - $140 p/w, 2020

Having 2 5-star prospects is a good problem to have. Karnib can play AMC and is the only one of my strikers that can realistically pull off the position. He does have the PPM "Dwells On Ball" so I need to get him to stop that. Lots of 3.5 star prospects that I can develop and sell.

I need to make a decision on Wood or Quaschner. Both will get playing time and we'll see. Whoever has played better, I'm keeping, the other I'll try to sell before the next window opens (which is when teams can come in an poach players with a pre-contract).

[sabotai]

August 25th, 2017

Bundeslinga - TV
1860 Münich (17th, 0-1-1, 1pt) at Nürnberg (13th, 0-1-1, 1pt)

Unavailable: Con (Inj), Stark (Inj)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

In the 8th minute, Kirchhoff hit a header off a corner, but it goes right to the GK and he knocks it away.

Stoppelkamp to Bouy to Dimitrijevic in front of the net. Too easy for a player like him. We go up 1-0.

In the 19th minute, Bouy made a nice pass to Marco and he should have had a goal, but got caught from behind by their player who slides and knocks it out of bounds.

In the 31st minute, Volz passed it to Vlachodimos, who tries to play it to Kirchhoff, but the pass is weak and their player intercepts it, has a one on one and scores. Fucking pathetic. To make a point, I immediately sub in Netolitzky.

In the 57th minute, Dimitrijevic had a great chance, but he gets caught while dribbling and a defender knocks the ball out of bounds. In 2.Bundesliga, that was a goal. *sigh* Need more speed!

In the 63rd minute, Bouy gives it to Marco. He had a ton of space so no one caught him this time and he finishes strong to give us the lead again.

In the 75th minute, they got a great chance. Volz sent a long pass to the other side of the field. Of course, it was off target and after a few passes, they had a great look but their player sent it wide.

1860 Münich 2 -1 Nürnberg
13 - Shots - 10
8 - On Target - 2
14 - Fouls - 17
3 - Yellow Cards - 2
60% - Poss - 40%

POM: Ouasim Bouy (2 Assists)

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.4 (off 31) , GK Netolitzky 6.9 (on 31) , DL Achenteh 7.1 , DC Kirchhoff 7.1 (YC) , DC Donkor 6.8 , DR Volz 6.9 (YC) , DM Wannenwetsch 6.9 , DM Stahl 7.0 , AML Marco 7.3 , AMC Bouy 8.5 , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.8 (off 63) , AMR Clancy 6.7 (on 67) , ST Dimitrijevic 7.2

Goals: Dimitrijevic, Marco
Assists: Bouy (2)

[sabotai]

DC - Davide Moncelli - 20yo - ITA - 2 / 4
Found him on the free market. Signed for $15k p/w, until 2020, Squad Status: Rotation. Gives me some depth at DC for now, and hopefully a player to develop at DC.

[sabotai]

September 1st, 2017

Pos	Inf	Team		Pld	Won	Drn	Lst	For	Ag	G.D.	Pts
1st		FC Bayern		3	3	0	0	11	1	+10	9
2nd		Schalke		3	3	0	0	6	0	+6	9
3rd		Mainz		3	2	1	0	6	1	+5	7
4th		Hannover		3	2	0	1	4	4	0	6
5th		Leverkusen		3	1	2	0	6	2	+4	5
6th		Dortmund		3	1	1	1	8	3	+5	4
7th		Werder Bremen		3	1	1	1	5	3	+2	4
8th		Wolfsburg		3	1	1	1	3	2	+1	4
9th		Gladbach		3	1	1	1	4	5	-1	4
10th		1860 München		3	1	1	1	3	5	-2	4
11th		Freiburg		4	1	1	2	3	6	-3	4
12th		Hoffenheim		3	1	0	2	1	3	-2	3
13th		Augsburg		3	1	0	2	2	6	-4	3
14th		RB Leipzig		4	1	0	3	3	11	-8	3
15th		Stuttgart		3	1	0	2	2	10	-8	3
16th		Frankfurt		3	0	2	1	3	4	-1	2
17th		Hertha BSC		3	0	2	1	3	5	-2	2
18th		Nürnberg		3	0	1	2	3	5	-2	1

[sabotai]

September 2nd, 2017

Bundesliga
Wolfsburg (8th, 1-1-1, 4pt) at 1860 Münich (10th, 1-1-1, 4pt)

Unavailable: Stark (Inj), Ahamada (Inj)

Starting Lineup
GK Netolitzky
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DL Con
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Quaschner

In the 9th minute, Quaschner had a great chance, but he pushed it wide. Just seconds later after the goal kick, they take it right down field, cross it to the far post where none of my defense was and got a way too easy header. 3 of my defenders were glued to one of their players in the middle of the box, leaving the guy at the far post uncovered.

In the 43rd minute, Bouy puts a nice pass between two defenders to Marco who absolutely should have scored, but he ends up waiting to shoot a half second too long and their GK got in front and knocked it away.

At half time, 2 clear cut chances and 2 half chances for us, zero goals. 1 CCC and 2 HCs for them, 1 goal. This is a team I figured was no question a lose. Quaschner's first half performance was terrible, it's like he wants my decision to be easy. And my fullbacks are getting smoked by their wingers. I did have possession 63% of the time.

In the 61st minute, Quaschner had a chance on a cross from Marco, but his header is just wide.

In the 63rd minute, they score on a play that I used to use a lot in the lower division. Long pass from midfield and their attacker blows by the defender for an easy score.

In the 78th minute (8 minutes after I made the sub for him), I watched as Bouy and Marco went down the field, and Quashner ran down, offsides the entire time. They didn't pass to him, and it looked to me that his being offsides the enitre time so that he couldn't be passed to ruined a decent chance. BTW, this was 8 MINUTES after I had made the decision to sub him out.

Wolfsburg 2 - 0 1860 Münich
13 - Shots - 11
7 - On Target - 5
7 - Fouls - 10
0 - Yellow Cards - 2
42% - Poss - 58%

We had 4 CCC, 3 HC. They had 3 CCC and 3 HC. This game could have been won but a few bone headed plays from my players cost us.

Player Performances
Netolitzky 6.9 , DL Achenteh 6.9 , DC Kirchhoff 6.8 , DC Donkor 6.7 , DR Con 6.9 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.8 , DM Stahl 6.9 , AML Marco 6.8 , AMC Bouy 6.9 , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.6 (off 79) , AMR Clancy NR (on 79) , ST Quaschner 6.2 (off 79) , ST Dimitrijevic NR (on 79)

9 fucking minutes to make the subs. How the fuck does that happen?

[sabotai]

One thing that bothers me about my tactic is that despite the Attacking mentality and the Higher Tempo TI, I keep seeing my guys just pass the ball around, not looking like they care much about pushing the ball upfield.

So I read about another attempt to recreate "Gegenpressing" (here: Borussia Dortmund tactic for Football Manager 2014 - Nerdoholic ) and am going with his Go Route One TI, which takes off "Work It Into Box", "Pass Shorter" and "Retain Possession" TIs, and give all of my players, except the two play makers, the "Pass It Shorter" PI (the two playmakers get "More Direct Passing") and I'll see how that goes.

Sept. 9th, 2017: Friendly vs. SK Rapid Wien. WIn 3-1. Most of my starters were away for International play.

[britrock88]

I've mostly been in my FM12 dynasty, but picking up FM14, it certainly does seem that it takes longer to get subs in--often in the neighborhood of 5 minutes.

[sabotai]

Usually 2-3 minutes for me, and I've seen as long as 4-5 minute. 9 minutes? That was absurd. Not that I would know, since I don't follow the sport in the real world so for all I know, sometimes it does take that long...somehow I doubt it, though.

[sabotai]

Netolitzky has demanded a transfer, saying that I did not fulfill my promise to give him first team playing time. Uhhh...since I made that promise, we've had 3 games, he started 1 and played most of the other....

I told him off. Said he was being unprofessional and that he could sit on the reserves squad for all I care. Congrats Vlachodimos, you just got your job back.

[sabotai]

September 16, 2017

Bundesliga
1860 Münich (14th, 1-1-2, 4pt) at Hannover 96 (7th, 2-1-1, 7pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Con
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Wood

I took off the player instructions for the GK to pass shorter and distribute to defenders. Hopefully I don't see those dumb goals again.

During the first half, they had 3 CCCs, including one from our former player Osako, but Vlachodimos came up big. Our offense hasn't done much, just 1 CCC. And possession was 51/49 in our favor.

In the 53rd minute, Bouy knocks in a cross from Marco to give us the lead. Not much in way of defense there, most of their players were still trying to get back when the quick run down the sideline and the cross to the box occurred. That's exactly why I want my guys to transition quickly and to drill their crosses. I don't have any big bodies for floating crosses into a crowd.

We had a great chance just a minute later. It was Wannenwetsch on the break. He tried to give it to Marco to the side, but his pass was off and that ended our chance.

We had another chance in the 58th minute. Wood's shot was just wide, though.

80th minute, I tell my defensive line to play much deeper and change to a Counter mentality.

1860 Münich 1 - 0 Hannover 96
15 - Shots - 8
5 - On Target - 3
5 - Clear Cut Chances - 3
1 - Half Chances - 2
8 - Fouls - 15
1 - Yellow Cards - 2
52% - Poss - 48%

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.6 , DL Achenteh 6.9 (off 61, YC) , DL Ahamada 6.7 (on 61) , DC Kirchhoff 7.2 , DC Donkor 6.6 , DR Con 7.0 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.9 , DM Stahl 6.9 , AML Marco 6.8 , AMC Bouy 7.7 , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.5 (off 61) , AMR Clancy 6.7 (on 61) , ST Wood 5.7

It's like neither Wood nor Quaschner want a job...

Goals: Bouy
Assists: Marco

[sabotai]

September 22nd, 2017

Bundesliga
Augsburg (15th, 1-0-4, 3pt) at 1860 Münich (12th, 2-1-2, 7pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Moncelli
DR Con
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

We get started in the 9th minute when, while in their end, Bouy takes the ball from their defender, gives it to Dimitrijevic and he scores. Nice play by Bouy.

In the 58th minute, Marco looked like he was going to get a great shot off, but I guess he failed a First Touch check because he received the pass badly, the ball went to his side and when he got the shot off, it was at a bad angle and it goes wide.

In the 84th minute, Moncelli misplays a long pass and their guy gets a run at my GK. Vlachodimos turns the shot away.

In the 85th minute, Dimitrijevic takes a pass from Bouy and takes a long shot from just outside the box and catches the very corner of the net. One foot more and it dings off the post. Their manager complained about it being offsides, but it wasn't even close to being offsides.

In extra time, Clancy takes a corner kick to him, all along in the penalty area, and drills a shot. The GK got a piece of it, but not enough.

Augsburg 0 - 3 1860 Münich
10 - Shots - 13
3 - On Target - 4
1 - Clear Cut Chances - 2
0 - Half Chances - 4
10 - Fouls - 12
0 - Yellow Cards - 0
50% - Poss - 50%

POM: Ouasim Bouy (2 Assists)

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.8 , DL Achenteh 8.1 , DC Kirchhoff 8.0 , DC Moncelli 7.6 , DR Con 7.9 , DM Wannenwetsch 7.6 , DM Stahl 6.9 , AML Marco 6.4 (off 64) , AML Wood 6.8 (on 64) , AMC Bouy 9.0 , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.3 (off 64) , AMR Clancy 7.3 (on 64) , ST Dimitrijevic 8.8

Goals: Dimitrijevic (2), Clancy
Assists: Bouy (2), Achenteh (Corner)

We are off to a much better start this time around. Last time, we only got 2 wins during the whole season. We've already surpassed that.

[sabotai]

Roguljic is complaining about his lack of first team soccer. He has a point, he hasn't played much. Bouy's been playing at such a high level that I don't want him off the field, but I need to keep Roguljic happy too.

The day after that happens, Bouy's injured and will miss 2 weeks........seems a bit suspicious.....

Con gets injured during practice, out for 6 weeks to 2 months. Ugh.

[sabotai]

September 30th, 2017

Bundesliga
1860 Münich (7th, 3-1-2, 10pt) at Leverkusen (14th, 1-2-3, 5pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Grasso
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Wood
AMC Roguljic
AMR Clancy
ST Dimitrijevic

We start off fast in the 4th minute. Roguljic dribbles into their third of the field, gets the attention of a defender, passes into the box where Dimitrijevic smokes the two defenders near him and buries it to give us the early lead.

They get it back quickly. Grasso was running into the penalty area to help cover due to the ball being brought up on the other side. Quick pass to their MC, quick pass to their uncovered winger and he makes it look easy.

They take the lead in the 14th minute on what looks like a cross that ends up finding the corner of the net. Vlachodimos was positioned in front of the attacker who was the target of the cross, so when the cross was a bit too high for a header and kept on going....

In the 16th minute, they nearly start the route when their winger gets behind Grasso and makes a run, but Vlachodimos makes the great save.

26th minute, Volz gets injured for the second time. Not major, but I decide to bring him off. I move Donkor over to the DR spot (because I don't have anyone else to play the spot) and sub in Moncelli.

In the 32nd minute, we had a chance to tie it. Roguljic takes a pass in the penalty area, and everyone reacts. Instead of shooting, he passes to Dimitrijevic, but he put the shot wide. That one hurt. That has to be a goal there. We had a ten minute period of lots of possession and a few close shots, but nothing to show for it.

In the 42nd minute, a run by Wood is shut down due to a bad offsides call.

In the 66th minute, Vlachodimos comes up with another save. This time Moncelli attempted a tackle and missed, giving the attacker a CCC.

In the 84th minute, Clancy gets a great chance, but their GK sends it to the side. It rolled to the side and if we had a guy in the area...but, their player ultimately gets there and kicks it away.

1860 Münich 1 - 2 Leverkusen
11 - Shots - 12
5 - On Target - 6
4 - Clear Cut Chances - 5
3 - Half Chances - 0
9 - Fouls - 4
58% - Poss - 42%

POM: Ante Roguljic (1 Assist)

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.7 , DL Grasso 6.0 (off 63) , DL Achenteh 6.7 (on 63) , DC Kirchhoff 6.8 , DC/DR Donkor 6.9 , DC Moncelli 6.8 (on 28) , DR Volz 6.6 (off 28) , DM Wannenwetsch 6.8 , DM Stahl 7.1 , AML Wood 6.3 , AMC Roguljic 8.3 , AMR Clancy 6.0 , ST Dimitrijevic 7.0

Goals: Dimitrijevic
Assists: Roguljic

[sabotai]

October 1st, 2017

Pos	Team		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1st	FC Bayern		7	6	0	1	+15	18
2nd	Schalke		7	6	0	1	+11	18
3rd	Mainz		7	4	2	1	+7	14
4th	Wolfsburg		7	4	2	1	+7	14
5th	Werder Bremen		7	4	1	2	+8	13
6th	Gladbach		7	4	1	2	+1	13
7th	Frankfurt		7	3	2	2	0	11
8th	Hoffenheim		6	3	1	2	0	10
9th	1860 München		7	3	1	3	-1	10
10th	Stuttgart		7	3	0	4	-9	9
11th	Dortmund		7	2	2	3	+4	8
12th	Leverkusen		7	2	2	3	+1	8
13th	Freiburg		6	2	2	2	-2	8
14th	Hannover		6	2	1	3	-3	7
15th	Nürnberg		7	1	1	5	-5	4
16th	RB Leipzig		7	1	0	6	-12	3
17th	Augsburg		7	1	0	6	-13	3
18th	Hertha BSC		6	0	2	4	-9	2

The last several years, the Bundesliga has been a 2 team race with FC Bayern and Dortmund. One wins the division, the other finishes 2nd. Dortmund's coach left to coach the national team, and Dortmund is off to a poor start.

[sabotai]

October 4th, 2017

German Cup, 2nd Round
Freiburg at 1860 Münich

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Roguljic
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

In the 10th minute, Marco drills a cross and is headed in by Dimitrijevic to gives us the early lead.

In the 15th minute, Kirchhoff takes a corner kick at the near post and scores after holding it for half a second.

In the 23rd minute, Roguljiv passes to Marco in the box and he hits it in stride to give us the 3-0 lead. Marco just barely beat his man to it.

In the 29th minute, Dimitrijevic dribbles the ball to the back line near the goal. He passes it into a crowd, but Roguljic comes up with it and the goal.

In the 40th minute, a pass from Stoppelkamp to Dimitrijevic and his shot finds the corner. I'm stunned at how much my team is dominating this match. At half time, we had 5 CCCs and 5 HCs.

They get on board in the 60th minute with a long, strong shot that squeezed in between Vlachodimos and the goal post.

In the 76th minute, they head in a corner kick to the near post.

Freiburg 2 - 5 1860 Münich
9 - Shots - 25
5 - On Target - 16
1 - Clear Cut Chances - 6
2 - Half Chances - 8
15 - Fouls - 4
0 - Yellow Cards - 0
46% - Poss - 54%

POM: Uros Dimitrijevic (2 Goals, 1 Assist)

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 7.1 , DL Achenteh 8.0 , DC Kirchhoff 8.0 , DC Donkor 7.4 (off 67) , DC Moncelli 6.6 (on 67) , DR Volz 7.1 , DM Wannenwetsch 7.1 , DM Stahl 7.8 , AML Marco 8.8 , AMC Roguljic 9.0 , AMR Stoppelkamp 7.8 (off 67) , AMR Clancy 6.7 (on 67) , ST Dimitrijevic 9.3

Goals: Dimitrijevic (2), Marco, Roguljic, Kirchhoff
Assists: Dimitrijevic, Marco, Roguljic, Achenteh (Corner), Stoppelkamp

[sabotai]

October 7th, 2017

Bundesliga
Hertha BSC (16th, 1-2-4, 5pt) at 1860 Münich (8th, 3-1-3, 10pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Ahamada
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Wood
AMC Roguljic
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

They put the pressure on early with a few could have/should have been goals. Vlachodimos is the only reason we weren't down 2-0 within 10 minutes.

In the 16th minute, Wannenwetsch to Wood to Dimitrijevic, two short passes in the box and an easy goal.

In the 29th minute, they send a long pass upfield and their player beats Kirchhoff to it, has a one-on-one with the GK and ties the game.

Bouy, who has just started trining again, comes on at half time because Roguljic was exhausted.

By the 60th minute, I had generated hardly any offense. I switch Wood to ST and bring on Marco and switch to my Counter tactic to see if I can catch them off guard.

In the 64th minute, it seemed to work. Wannenwetsch to Wood for a goal, but it was waved off due to offsides (it was close).

In th e72nd minute, they score on one of those "the winger is left completely alone by my defense" plays. In fairness to Ahamada, there were two attackers and only one of him, and none of my other players where close.

Hertha BSC 2 - 1 1860 Münich
13 - Shots - 10
8 - On Target - 6
5 - Clear Cut Chances - 2
3 - Half Chances - 5
5 - Fouls - 12
2 - Yellow Cards - 1
51% - Poss - 49%

Player Performance
GK Vlachodimos 6.7 , DL Ahamada 6.6 (YC) , DC Kirchhoff 6.8 , DC Donkor 6.7 , DR Volz 6.5 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.8 , DM Stahl 6.8 , AML/ST Wood 6.9 , AML Marco 6.6 , AMC Roguljic 6.2 (off 45) , AMC Bouy 6.8 (on 45) , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.4 , ST Dimitrijevic 7.0 (off 63)

Goals: Dimitrijevic
Assists: Wood

[sabotai]

October 20th, 2017

Bundesliga
1860 Münich (11th, 3-1-4, 10pt) at FC Bayern (2nd, 6-1-1, 19pt)

Because this is FC Bayern, I am changing my tactic a bit. Defensive Line is going to be made "Much Deeper". They will run all over me if I sit my defensive line in midfield. I've been thinking of making this change because I've let up too many of the type of goals I was aiming for last year. My Gegenpressing tactic won't be very pressing anymore...

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Roguljic
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitirjevic

In the 11th minute, they kick a corner, it's headed around three times before finding the net.

After several more minutes, I just put it on Only Commentary because my team is completely outclassed and will probably get slaughtered so I just wanted to get it over with. I was surprised it only ended 0-3, with one of the goals being an own goal by Donkor.

1860 Münich 0 - 3 FC Bayern
2 - Shots - 19
1 - On Target - 5
0 - Clear Cut Chances - 3
1 - Half Chances - 4
5 - Fouls - 7
0 - Yellow Cards - 1
43% - Poss - 57%

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.4 , DL Achenteh 5.8 , DC Kirchhoff 6.5 , DC Donkor 6.8 , DR Volz 6.6 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.8 , DM Stahl 6.9 , AML Marco 6.4 , AMC Roguljic 6.2 (off 60) , AMC Bouy 6.7 (on 60) , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.2 , ST Dimitrijevic 6.3 (off 60) , ST Wood 6.6 (on 60)

[sabotai]

October 28th, 2017

Bundesliga
Dortmund (11th, 3-2-4, 11pt) at 1860 Münich (12th, 3-1-5, 10pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Amrco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Wood

In the 3rd minute, Achenteh kicks a corner that bounces off their own guy and into the net. We start off the game very lucky.

In the 6th minute, they make a pass into the box and their winger barely beats Achenteh to it, but he sends it just wide.

In the 10th minute, Marco passes to Bouy who shoots. It's blocked but Wood is in the perfect spot to get the rebound and put in an easy goal to give us the 2-0 lead.

By half time, it was a defensive battle. We had had 1 CCC and 1 HC, they had 1 CCC and 0 HC.

In the 57th minute, they kick a corner, their man holds up for a second, passes in the box and then scores.

In the 64th minute, I take Marco out, move Wood to AML and send Dimitrijevic in. Marco was having a pretty bad game.

In the 76th minute, they tie it. A pass to the winger and an easy goal because of Achenteh. I'm wondering if it's because I have his role as "Complete Wing Back". Still seems to me that when my team is on defense, his first job would be to make sure the winger doesn't get behind him for an easy pass...but what do I know.

In the 80th minute, Dimitrijevic makes a superb move to get around a defender, but his shot is blocked.

Very late, Stahl takes an injury and I take him off. Kirchoff moved to DM, Moncelli in for Stahl at DC.

In the second half, they put on more pressure but we held on for the draw.

Dortmund 2 - 2 1860 Münich
15 - Shots - 6
6 - On Target - 3
3 - Clear Cut Chances - 2
2 - Half Chances - 1
17 - Fouls - 9
1 - Yellow Cards - 0
54% - Poss - 46%

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.6 , DL Achenteh 6.6 , DC/DM Kirchoff 6.9 , DC Donkor 6.8 , DC Moncelli NR (on 90) , DR Volz 6.7 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.7 , DM Stahl 6.9 (off 90) , AML Marco 6.1 (off 64) , AMC Bouy 6.8 , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.8 (off 76) , AML/ST Wood 7.0 , AMR Clancy NR (on 76) , ST Dimitrijevic 6.6 (on 64)

Goals: Wood
Assists: Bouy, Stoppelkamp

(Not sure where Stopplekamp's assist came from, but there it is in the stat sheet)

[sabotai]

Making a few chances to my tactic.

the DL will no longer be a Complete Wing Back and the DR won't be Fullback - Defend. I don't think my squad (read: Achenteh and the other DLs) are good enough to pull off this quasi-asymmetrical tactic. I'm going back to what they both were last year, Fullback - Assist.

The same with the wingers. I'm making both of them Inside Forwards - Attack again. The AML was already this, but the AMR (Stoppelkamp and Clancy) was Winger - Support.

Aside from the German Cup game, we've had a pretty bad run of games here, and I've noticed a trend of my opponents' wingers blowing by Achenteh. I think he's too offensively minded in those moments due to the Complete Wing Back role. And Stoppelkamp has had an average rating of 6.59 in league games. I think he'll do better in the Inside Forward - Attack role than the Winger - Support role.

I also think there is an element of Stoppelkamp just not being able to perform at this level. He took a big hit to his attributes after a major injury (and I'm very worried that will happen to Stark).

I've also changed the "Much Higher Defensive Line" shout to just "Push Higher". With a Rigid for fluidity, I think "Much Higher..." might have been bunching up my DCs and DMs too much. "Push Higher" will keep them back a bit more.

[sabotai]

November 1st, 2017

Pos	Team		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1st	Schalke		10	9	0	1	+14	27
2nd	FC Bayern		10	7	1	2	+17	22
3rd	Werder Bremen		10	7	1	2	+12	22
4th	Wolfsburg		10	6	3	1	+10	21
5th	Mainz		10	6	2	2	+10	20
6th	Gladbach		10	5	2	3	+1	17
7th	Hoffenheim		10	4	3	3	+1	15
8th	Freiburg		10	4	3	3	-2	15
9th	Leverkusen		10	4	2	4	+3	14
10th	Dortmund		10	3	3	4	+3	12
11th	Frankfurt		10	3	3	4	-3	12
12th	1860 München		10	3	2	5	-5	11
13th	Stuttgart		10	3	1	6	-12	10
14th	Hannover		10	2	3	5	-5	9
15th	Hertha BSC		10	2	2	6	-9	8
16th	Nürnberg		10	2	1	7	-9	7
17th	Augsburg		10	2	1	7	-10	7
18th	RB Leipzig		10	1	1	8	-16	4

[sabotai]

November 4th, 2017

Bundesliga
1860 Münich (12th, 3-2-5, 11pt) at Stuttgart (13th, 3-1-6, 10pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DL Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

They start off with a lot of pressure (1 CCC and 2 HCs by the 5th minute), but it's us on the counter attack, Bouy to Marco to Dimitrijevic, who draw first blood in the 6th minute.

In the 12th minute, we get a penalty kick (they fouled Bouy) and get the quick 2-0 lead.

In the 43rd minute, they cut our lead in half with a Vlachodimos own goal (it looked more like a piss poor save attempt, but whatever).

In the 77th minute, Bouy takes a free kick and sends it into the penalty area. Marco picks it up, holds, dribbles wide a bit and shoots, Donkor was still near the net from the free kick set up and redirects the shot with a header and it goes it. Donkor's first goal of the year.

1860 Münich 3 - 1 Stuttgart
9 - Shots - 13
6 - On Target - 4
3 - Clear Cut Chances - 1
2 - Half Chances - 4
9 - Fouls - 19
0 - Yellow Cards - 1
40% - Poss - 60%

I think we were a bit more lucky than good in this one. Pass completion was 66% (it's usually ~80%) and they dominated possession. If we played like that against most other teams in the Bundesliga, we would have gotten beat down.

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.8 , DL Achenteh 6.5 (off 61) , DL Ahamada 6.6 (on 61) , DC Kirchoff 7.5 , DC Donkor 8.3 , DR Volz 7.3 , DM Wannenwetsch 7.2 , DM Stahl 7.2 , AML Marco 7.6 , AMC Bouy 7.4 , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.9 (off 61) , AMR Clancy 6.7 (on 61) , ST Dimitrijevic 7.3

Goals: Dimitrijevic, Stoppelkamp (PK), Donkor
Assists: Marco (2), Bouy

[sabotai]

After that match, Stuttgart fired their head coach. It's very tempting for me to throw my name into consideration. They have a payroll budget of $1.6M p/w (nearly double what I have at 1860 Münich), Financial Status "Rich" (we are at "Secure") and Training Facilites "Top" (we are at "Good").

I'd be able to do all kinds of things with that budget and those facilities.....but no. I'm trying to build this team into that and more.

[sabotai]

November 11th, 2017

Bundesliga
Frankfurt (9th, 4-3-4, 15pt) at 1860 Münich (11th, 4-2-5, 14pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Roguljic
AMR Clancy
ST Dimitrijevic

In the first half, they started off with a good amount of pressure, but it only generated 1 half chance. After the initial offense from Frankfurt, it was all us, but we still only got 3 half chances. At the end of the first half, my team was all 6.5-6.7 for ratings.

Very close calls in the 59th minute. They had a CCC with the shot going off the post, we manage to get the ball out of the box but they cross and a header goes off the top bar. Two times it should have been a goal. We escaped that one.

In the 74th minute, the corner kick to Kirchhoff scores for the 3rd time this year. That gives us the 1-0 lead.

In the 76th minute, my D just sits back and watches them pass it around for a full minute before their attacker finally gets by Kirchhoff and ties it up.

In the 84th minute, they take the lead with a semi-longish shot with Vlachodimos looking like he didn't know where the net was. He just stood and watched as the ball went between him and the near post.

Frankfurt 2 - 1 1860 Münich
12 - Shots - 12
8 - On Target - 3
3 - Clear Cut Chances - 1
3 - Half Chances - 5
9 - Fouls - 16
0 - Yellow Cards - 1
50% - Poss - 50%

Player Performance
GK Vlachodimos 6.7 , DL Achenteh 6.9 (YC) , DC Kirchhoff 7.3 , DC Donkor 6.9 , DR Volz 6.8 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.7 , DM Stahl 6.8 , AML Marco 6.6 , AMC Roguljic 6.8 , AMR Clancy 6.5 (off 76) , AMR Stoppelkamp NR (on 76) , ST Dimitrijevic 6.4 (off 61) , ST Wood 6.6 (on 61)

Goals: Kirchhoff (Corner)
Assists: Achenteh (Corner)

One week off due to international play. Normally I'd set up a friendly, but with so many of my players getting called up, I decide not to and just have a week of training focused on Fitness.

[sabotai]

Marco and Mohammad Karnib were injured while playing for the international teams. Marco will miss a few weeks, Karnib will miss 4 months. That hurts a lot. I'm worried that will significantly hurt his progress and his potential.

[sabotai]

I sign a new contract. $15k p/w until Jun 2020 (up from $12.5k p/w now). It gets cut by 25% if we get relegated (doesn't matter, I'll probably be fired if that happened), and I get a $100k bonus if we do not get relegated.

[sabotai]

November 26th, 2017

Bundesliga
1860 Münich (12th, 4-2-6, 14pt) at Werder Bremen (2nd, 9-1-2, 28pt)

Unavailable: Yannick Stark, Marco, Dominik Masek (Inj)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Gasso
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Wood
AMC Bouy
AMR Clancy
ST Dimitrijevic

In the 3rd minute, they get on the board. A corner kick, it gets kicked around a bit until finding its way to the penalty area where their player buries it. It just took 3 minutes for them to get 2 CCCs (the corner kicked didn't count as one). Vlachodimos saved us on those.

In the 20th minute, Bouy crosses to Clancy, and just before going out of bounds, he heads to the goal, it goes off their GK and into the goal to tie it up.

In the 27th minute, they take the lead again. Grasso and Kirchhoff both beat by their guys to let up the goal.

By half time, they had 4 CCCs and 4 HCs. We just had the one CCC which we scored on, so we're lucky to just be down 2-1 at the half.

In the 49th minute, Bouy gives it Dimitrijevic. Two fo the defenders react and Dimitrijevic passes into the box, Wood runs up and gets to it before their GK. A move to his left and an easy goal ties it up again.

They get the lead back in the 67th minute with a cross and header which just barely caught the corner of the net.

In the 78th minute, they score again on a basic pass to the left, shoot to the right and catch the corner of the net.

Wood gets injured very late. Well, that makes all of the players on my senior squad that can play AML injured.

They add insult to injury scoring in extra time.

1860 Münich 2 - 5 Werner Bremen
5 - Shots - 31
3 - On Target - 17
2 - Clear Cut Chances - 5
1 - Half Chances - 9
17 - Fouls - 10
4 - Yellow Cards - 2
42% - Poss - 58%

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.5 , DL Grasso 6.4 (off 63, YC) , DL Achenteh 6.5 (on 63) , DC Kirchhoff 6.3 , DC Donkor 6.3 (off 63, YC) , DC Moncelli 6.3 (on 63) , DR Volz 5.9 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.4 , DM Stahl 6.7 (YC) , AML Wood 7.2 (off 90 - Inj ) , AML Stoppelkamp NR (on 90) , AMC Bouy 6.8 , AMR Clancy 7.1 , ST Dimitrijevic 6.1

Goals: Wood, Clancy
Assists: Bouy

[sabotai]

Time to make some wide sweeping changes to my tactics, as I've been doing a lot more reading on the subject and because I've gone through a streak of poor games, I'm starting to fall in the rankings, and if I'm gonna go out, I want to go out playing my type of soccer....

Tactic: The Münich Counter
Formation: 4-2DM-3-1
Mentality: Attacking
Fluidity: Balanced

Team Instructions: Pass Into Space, Drill Crosses, Play Wider, Much Deeper Defensive Line, Higher Tempo

GK: Goalkeeper - Defend

DL: Fullback - Support
DC: Central Defender - Defend
DC: Central Defender - Defend
DR: Fullback - Support

DM: Deep-Lying Playmaker - Support
DM Ball-Winning Midfielder - Defend

AML: Inside Forward - Attack
AMC: Trequartista - Attack
AMR: Inside Forward - Attack

ST: Advanced Forward - Attack

Players do not have shouts by default. They are dependent on the player's attributes (and my opponents if I feel the need to do something). An example would be a fast player with Dribbling of 15 or higher, I will tell him to Dribble More if the shout is selectable. On the other hand, if he has a single digit Dribbling, I tell him to Dribble Less.

The same for the rest of the simple More/Less ones. If he's terrible at it, I tell him to do it less, if he's great at it, I tell him to do it more.

An example: Kirstijan Con in the DR position. He has a Crossing of 5 (Cross Less Often), A Dribbling of 6 (Dribble Less), and a Passing of 9 and Technique of 11 (Fewer Risky Passes). In fact, he's so bad at support, that I just have him become Fullback - Defend when he's in. He's still just 18 though, so hopefully he becomes awesome at defense and serviceable at support in a few years.

Another example. In the DM - DPL spot, when Stark is in, I tell him More Direct Passing. Wannenwetsch gets no shouts and Stahl, if I ever need him there, is told to Dribble Less.

In the DM - BWM spot, if Stark is there, I tell him More Direct Passing and More Ricky Passing. Wannenwetsch and Stahl get no shouts in that spot.

[sabotai]

December 1st, 2017

Pos	Team		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1st	Schalke		13	11	0	2	+15	33
2nd	Werder Bremen		13	10	1	2	+19	31
3rd	FC Bayern		13	8	3	2	+22	27
4th	Mainz		13	8	3	2	+13	27
5th	Wolfsburg		13	6	5	2	+9	23
6th	Leverkusen		13	6	3	4	+5	21
7th	Frankfurt		13	6	3	4	+1	21
8th	Dortmund		13	5	3	5	+5	18
9th	Gladbach		13	5	3	5	-2	18
10th	Freiburg		13	5	3	5	-4	18
11th	Hoffenheim		13	4	4	5	-2	16
12th	Augsburg		13	4	2	7	-5	14
13th	1860 München		13	4	2	7	-7	14
14th	Hertha BSC		13	2	5	6	-9	11
15th	Hannover		13	2	4	7	-9	10
16th	Stuttgart		13	3	1	9	-20	10
17th	Nürnberg		13	2	3	8	-11	9
18th	RB Leipzig		13	1	2	10	-20	5

[sabotai]

December 2nd, 2017

Bundesliga
Mainz (4th, 8-3-2, 27pt) at 1860 Münich (13th, 4-2-7, 14pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Grasso
DC Kirchhoff
DC Moncelli
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Wood
AMC Roguljic
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

In the 16th minute, Stoppelkamp kicks a long free kick into a crowd in the penalty area and Wood heads it over the GK and into the goal.

They tie it up in the 23rd minute. A few passes, out to the winger, he blasts it and Vlachodimos gets a piece of it, but the shot was too strong and it finds the net.

In the 39th minute, they score on what looked like was supposed to be a cross, but it finds the net as it goes right over our GK's head.

There are times where it looks like my guy is CLEARLY going to beat out their player to the ball, but for some reason, they hold up and let the other guy get it....

In the 51st minute, Wood scores off a penalty kick. A long cross to Stoppelkamp went unplayed because he was fouled.

I think we were quite lucky to get away with a draw in this one.

Mainz 2 - 2 1860 Münich
23 - Shots - 7
12 - On Target - 4
3 - Clear Cut Chances - 2
7 - Half Chances - 2
5 - Fouls - 5
0 - Yellow Cards - 0
53% - Poss - 47%

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.7 , DL Grasso 6.9 , DC Kirchhoff 6.8 , DC Moncelli 6.4 (off 66) , DC Donkor 6.9 (on 66) , DR Volz 6.8 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.8 , DM Stahl 6.7 , AML Wood 8.8 , AMC Roguljic 6.3 , AMR Stoppelkamp 8.2 , ST Dimitrijevic 6.2

Goals: Wood (2)
Assists: Stoppelkamp (2)

[sabotai]

December 6th, 2017

German Cup, Third Round
Hannover at 1860 Münich

Kristijan Con is finally back. Stark is in full training again, but is severely lacking match fitness so it'll still be a few weeks for him.

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Achenteh
DC Kirchhoff
DC Donkor
DR Con
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Wood
AMC Bouy
AMR Clancy
ST Dimitrijevic

In the 7th minute, we were putting on a bunch of pressure. A shot, their GK blocks it, Clancy passes to in front of the net, Bouy's shot is blocked. Finally, Wood buries the rebound to give us the early lead.

In the 17th minute, Dimitrijevic passes to CLancy who passes to Wood. Beautiful. Except Wood's shot is blocked, but again Wood picks up the rebound and gets his second goal.

In the 26th minute, their attack split my defenders on a thru pass and just beat them by a half step. He shoots the ball in stride and just beats Vlachodimos to cut our lead in half.

In the 65th minute, Dimitrijevic dribbles up the middle of the field. Their defense gets sucked in as he approaches the net, leaving Clancy wide open for an easy pass and shoot.

I usually take players out at this point, but everyone is playing really well and I don't want to take anyone out.

They get it back to within 1 in the 68th minute off a corner kick - header by our former player Osako. Thanks a lot Osakoa.

In the 86th minute, they tie it up on a play that sure as hell looked offsides. Oh well, we go into extra time. I sub in Roguljic for Bouy (want fresh legs for the middle of my attack) and Grasso in for Achenteh as he's started to fade.

No one scores in extra time. Neither team got much pressure.

It goes to penalty kicks and we come out on top, 11-10.

Hannover 3 (10) - (11) 3 1860 Münich
17 - Shots - 22
5 - On Target - 10
3 - Clear Cut Chances - 9
4 - Half Chances - 3
18 - Fouls - 7
3 - Yellow Cards - 1
52% - Poss - 48%

POM: Bobby Shou Wood (2 Goals)

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.5 , DL Achenteh 6.6 (off 90) , DL Grasso 6.8 (on 90) , DC Kirchhoff 6.9 , DC Donkor 6.8 , DR Con 6.7 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.9 , DM Stahl 7.0 , AML Wood 9.0 , AMC Bouy 6.8 (off 90) , AMC Roguljic 6.7 (on 90, YC) , AMR Clancy 7.7 , ST Dimitrijevic 7.7

Goals: Wood (2), Clancy
Assists: Bouy Dimitrijevic

[sabotai]

We draw Dortmund for the Quarter Final in the German Cup.

[sabotai]

December 9th, 2017

Bundesliga
1860 Münich (13th, 4-3-7, 15pt) at Gladbach (8th, 6-3-5, 21pt)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Ahamada
DC Kirchhoff
DC Moncelli
DR Volz
DM Wannenwetsch
DM Stahl
AML Marco
AMC Roguljic
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

They start off fast with a goal in the 5th minute.

In the first half, they completed dominated. We didn't get a single shot, they had 17. We're very lucky to just be down 1-0 at half. I add the team shouts "Retain Possession" and "Shorter Passing" to try to turn this around. I also switch to Counter mentality.

They add to their score with a goal in the 54th minute.

In the 56th minute, we finally put something together and it results ina Marco cross to Dimitrijevic for a goal.

In the 60th minute, I put Bouy in for Wannenwetsch, move Kirchhoff to the BWM DM spot and send Donkor in for Stahl. Wannenwetsch was having an uncharacteristically bad game and Stahl was exhausted.

In the 64th minute, we almost get another goal with another Marco cross to Dimitrijevic, but this time Dimitrijevic sends it a bit wide.

In the 78th minute, we get another. Once again, Marco cross to Dimitrijevic ends up in the net to tie it.

We get away with one here. Should have gotten beat down.

1860 Münich 2 - 2 Gladbach
5 - Shots - 26
3 - On Target - 9
1 - Clear Cut Chances - 1
1 - Half Chances - 10
11 - Fouls - 6
2 - Yellow Cards - 0
35% - Poss - 65%

POM: Uros Dimitrijevic (2 Goals)

Player Performance
GK Vlachodimos 6.7 , DL Ahamada 6.5 , DC/DM Kirchhoff 6.6 (YC) , DC Moncelli 6.4 (YC) , DC Donkor 6.7 (on 60) , DM Wannenwetsch 5.8 (off 60) , DM Stahl 6.7 (off 60) , DM Bouy 6.7 (on 60) , AML Marco 7.3 , AMC Roguljic 6.6 , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.3 , ST Dimitrijevic 8.8

Goals: Dimitrijevic (2)
Assists: Marco (2)

[sabotai]

One minor tweak to my tactic. I turn off Pass Into Space because I don't want all of my players doing that! And the Playmaker role as "More Risky Passing" player shout on by default, so there's no need for it.

[sabotai]

The game crashed when the Leipzig match was almost over (and up 3-1, blech), and I didn't feel like sitting and watching them again so a few quick results and then we're in the mid season break. (And I also changed it to auto-save every week instead of every month)

Dec 17th: Hoffenheim at 1860 Münich: Win 1-0

Dec 23rd: 1860 Münich at RB Leipzig: Win 2-0

So the crash ended up helping me turn a draw and a win to two wins. Still would like to have that hour+ back, though.

[sabotai]

Time for a rundown of the roster as we are about to hit the transfer window.

Strikers
Uros Dimitrijevic - Has solidified his spot as the #1 striker on the team. Contract ends in 2020.
Bobby Shou Wood - Hasn't really matched his potential, and as I go to negotiate another contract with him, he wants $43k p/w. He's basically a backup at this point and that's too much. I have to let him go. I'm going to try to find a buyer for him when the transfer window opens. But he's in the last year of his deal, so anyone can jump in and grab him.
Nils Quaschner - #3 of the strikers, but one that's much cheaper than Wood. I signed him til 2021 to a $25k p/w contract recently.
Mohammad Karnib - At 16 years old, according to assman, he's already 2 star player, with 5 star potential. He's going to want some first-team playing time, and he'll want it very soon. Quaschner might get pushed out of the picture before long.
Niklas Moll & Steffen Cuntz - 4 star prospects years from contributing anything, but if Dimitrijevic and Karnib reach their potential, these three might bring in a good amount of cash.

AMC
Ouasim Bouy - My #1 AMC and signed until 2021.
Ante Roguljic - #2 AMC but star rating, attributes, etc. just as good at the spot as Bouy. Signed until 2020.

Both are still young (Bouy 24, Roguljic 21) which is good because I don't have any young players coming up through the pipeline. So, I think it's best if I hold onto both of them, unless I get an insane offer that I can't refuse.

AML
Marco - At 19, he wants out. I have him signed until 2020, but unless I become the best team in Germany before then, he'll probably want out. When I try to give him more money, his agent tells me that he does not like the club (meaning me, because I didn't sell him to Chelsea). I don't have high hopes that he'll stay even if we do the impossible and become a top team in the next two years. I hate to say it but it looks like I need to sell him. But, that will wait until next year at the earliest. Unless I find someone on a free that can step in right now.
Dominik Masek - Has some decent potential (3.5 stars) and can hopefully fill the spot if needed. Not a long term solution for the spot, though.

And that's it. Steffen Cuntz is a left footed striker who can play AML. I'm going to try to get him trained there and to work on his passing and crossing.

AMR
Moritz Stoppelkamp - Our 31 year old captain. Signed until 2019 and while he's still holding his own out there, I can easily see some fading skills. Contract up in 2019.
Steve Clancy - 20 year old, possible replacement. He's a 4.5 star prospect with a 2.5 star ability right now. I'm going to start working him in more often now. Next season, I'll aim for a 50/50 split in time with Stoppelkamp unless Stoppelkamp's skills fade too much. Signed until 2019.
Max Endres - 16 year old who is a 4 star prospect. Future rotation guy with Clancy, hopefully.

Dominik Masek can also play this side as well if need be.

DM
Yannick Stark - 27yo and #1 DM, and according to all staff, a 3.5 star player following that major injury. Signed until 2021.
Stefan Wannenwetsch - 25yo, can play either DM role (DLP or BWM). 3.5 star. Contract up in 2020.
Dominik Stahl - 29yo, realistically is limited to the BWM role. 3 stars. Signed until 2019.
Luca Bastians - 16yo 4.5 star prospect.
Marian Schmidt - 16yo with a 4.5 star prospect. Is currently at 1.5 stars. His best abilities are in the BWM/DM/Anchor roles.

I have a few other 3 and 3.5 star prospects, but if I want to keep doing my 2DM formations, I need to find a few more DM prospects in case Bastians and/or Schmidt don't work out. Luckily Bouy can move down to the DM spot (Accomplished) and play the DLP role if the worst happens.

DC
Jan Kirchhoff - 27yo - I was worried about how much he cost to bring here, but he's been worth every penny. Signed until 2019.
Isaac Donkor - 22yo - still has a bit of progress to make. 3/3.5. Signed until 2020.
Davide Moncelli - 20yo, 4 star prospect. Contract up in 2020.
Christopher Thaller - 16yo 4.5 star prospect.
Florian Unde - 15yo 4 star prospect.

Lots of contenders to take over Kirchhoff's spot, but hopefully he sticks around awhile. Thaller and Unde are going to need at least a few more years. I did offer a pre-contract to a DC recently so we'll see if I land another prospect here.

DL
Rochdi Achenteh - 29yo. His hold on the spot has always been shaky. He's had a solid career here so far, but there are a few times each game where he just makes a massive mistake. His contract is up in 2020 but I'm going to look to move him soon.
Carlos Grasso - 20yo, 2.5/4 stars. Ready to start getting more starts and hopefully starts progressing quickly.
Ali Ahamada - 20yo, 2.5/4 stars - hasn't shown the same as Grasso. Hopefully he progresses more if I get him some playing time.
Andreas Ulmer - 32yo - Have been trying to unload him. Contract up in 2019.
Dominik Richter - 15yo - 4.5 prospect

I'm set here....potentially.

DR
Kristijan Con - 18yo - 2.5/4 stars. Has been the starting for a bit, and has been injured quick often recently. I'm wondering if those injuries are taking a toll on him.
Mortiz Volz - 34yo - Holds the fort down when Con is hurt. His contract is up this year and it's time to find another stand in.
Matthias Fahrenholz - 17yo 2/4.5 stars - Will be looking for some first team playing time soon.

I'm pretty much set here as long as Con and Fahrenholz keep progressing.

GK
Odisseas Vlachodimos - 23yo - 3.5/4 - Signed to 2020. Established starter.
Michael Netolitzky - 23yo - Been trying to find a buyer. Signed to 2020.
Daniel Martinez - 20yo - 2/3.5 - Backup, signed to 2020. Recently resigned him.
Karl-Heinz Schmitt - 17yo - 4 star prospect.

I'm set here for awhile as well.


So the plan for the transfer window: Find buyers for GK Netolitzky, ST Wood, DL Ulmer and DL Achenteh. I won't be looking to buy anyone, but I might look for some prospects with contracts expiring.

[sabotai]

Dec 30: Friendly vs. Verase. Lose 0-3.

So this suddenly happened. The offers I've been getting for Matthias Fahrenholz have been in the $500k to $1M range. Nothing I'd come close to considering.

Real Madrid tossed out a $7.75M offer. I countered with a $9M offer. Their final offer was $7.75M + monthly installments bring it to ~$8.25M + 30% of profit from the next sale + Friendly. I took the offer.

I might regret this.....I sold Isaac Donkor to Parma for $4.5M. I feel for that money, I can easily find a similar level talent for much less.

Jan 6th: Friendly vs Union Berlin. Draw 1-1

Both transfers have gone through. And now my job status is "Untouchable". Really!?

I take some of the pile of cash I recently acquired and buy a DC for $1.5M. He was in the last year of his deal but I need a replacement for Donkor now. He's older, 28yo, but should last a few good years allowing Moncelli to develop.

DC Zargo Touré - SEN - 28yo - 4 / 4
He signed a $49k p/w deal through 2021. After all of that, I might have, in the short term, upgraded at DC. Long term will depend on how my prospects develop.

Of course, after I sign him my staff say my scouts were wrong and that he's actually a 3.5 player. Whatever, as long as he performs for a few years.

Jan 13th: Friendly vs Sepahan. Lose 3-1. Didn't watch but according to the stats, we dominated in chances and shots.

Jan 20th: Friendly vs. Club Brugge. Draw 0-0.

[sabotai]

It seems my Head of Youth Development signed a player.

DC Kabamba Zola - 17yo - BEL - 2.5 / 4
The transfer goes through July 1st.

[sabotai]

January 28th, 2018

Bundesliga
1860 Münich (12th, 6-4-7, 22pt) at Freiburg (10th, 6-5-6, 23pt)

Unavailable: Jan Kirchhoff (Inj - will be back next week)

Starting Lineup
GK Vlachodimos
DL Grasso
DC Moncelli
DC Touré
DR Con
DM Stark
DM Wannenwetsch
AML Marco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

In the 24th minute, I add the "Retain Possession" and "Shorter Passing" shouts. Partly because I was being dominated with possession. Also because I saw the weather is it said "Gusty, Sleet" so.....yeah, probably don't want the ball in the air that much.

And not much happens.

1860 Münich 0 - 0 Freiburg
4 - Shots - 11
0 - On Target - 4
0 - Clear Cut Chances - 0
1 - Half Chances - 6
2 - Fouls - 6
0 - Yellow Cards - 0
39% - Poss - 61%

POM: Davide Moncelli

Player Performances
GK Vlachodimos 6.8 , DL Grasso 7.1 , DC Moncelli 7.2 , DC Touré 6.9 , DR Con 7.1 , DM Stark 7.1 , DM Wannenwetsch 6.8 (off 81 - Inj) , DM Stahl NR (on 81) , AML Marco 6.4 , AMC Bouy 6.3 (off 68) , AMC Roguljic 6.6 (on 68) , AMR Stoppelkamp 6.3 (off 68) , AMR Clancy 6.5 (on 68) , ST Dimitrijevic 6.7

[sabotai]

February 1st, 2018

Pos	Team		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1st	Schalke		19	15	2	2	+20	47
2nd	Werder Bremen		19	13	3	3	+22	42
3rd	FC Bayern		19	11	4	4	+27	37
4th	Mainz		19	10	5	4	+12	35
5th	Leverkusen		19	8	7	4	+8	31
6th	Wolfsburg		18	8	6	4	+10	30
7th	Dortmund		19	8	4	7	+8	28
8th	Frankfurt		18	7	6	5	-1	27
9th	Gladbach		19	6	6	7	-4	24
10th	Freiburg		19	6	6	7	-5	24
11th	1860 München		18	6	5	7	-4	23
12th	Stuttgart		19	7	2	10	-16	23
13th	Augsburg		19	6	3	10	-7	21
14th	Hoffenheim		18	5	5	8	-4	20
15th	Hertha BSC		19	3	7	9	-13	16
16th	Nürnberg		18	3	4	11	-13	13
17th	Hannover		19	2	6	11	-16	12
18th	RB Leipzig		18	1	5	12	-24	8

[sabotai]

The transfer window closes and I don't get any offers for the players I was looking to unload. I'm sure a team will come in soon and give a contract to Bobby Shou Wood soon. The rest, I'll just have to pay them until their contracts run out.

[sabotai]

February 2nd, 2018

Bundesliga
1860 Münich (11th, 6-5-7, 23pt) at Wolfsburg (6th, 8-6-4, 30pt)

Unavailable: Vlachodimos (Inj - will be back in a few days)

Starting Lineup
GK Martinez
DL Grasso
DC Kirchhoff
DC Touré
DR Con
DM Stark
DM Wannenwetsch
AML Marco
AMC Bouy
AMR Stoppelkamp
ST Dimitrijevic

They score off a header from a corner kick in the 28th minute.

They score again in the 29th minute. Wannenwetsch held up the ball in our penalty area. I said "WTF, get rid of it!" and he did. Launched it to the sideline (instead of giving it to Stark who was open), their player gets it, 2 passes later it's in our net.

Dimitrijevic gets us on board in the 41st minute with a strong shot off a pass from Stoppelkamp. He blasted that by the GK.

We get very lucky in the 44th minute. They should have scored off a long shot, but it bounced off the top bar.

They score in the 49th minute. A pass into the box and they made it look easy.

In the 79th minute, after having zero offense for the longest time, A pass from Bouy to Dimitrijevic to a breaking Marco ends up cutting it back to within one.

They dominated on offense. Wolfsburg is one of the teams I place in a category of "I have no chance", so I'm happy to come away with just -1 damage to my GD.

1860 Münich 2 - 3 Wolfsburg
3 - Shots - 26
2 - On Target - 10
1 - Clear Cut Chances - 3
1 - Half Chances - 8
5 - Fouls - 7
0 - Yellow Cards - 0
44% - Poss - 56%

Player Performances
GK Martinez 6.4 , DL Grasso 6.1 (off 63) , DL Ahamada 6.9 , DC Kirchhoff 6.4 , DC Touré 6.5 , DR Con 6.2 , DM Stark 6.9 , DM Wannewetsch 6.7 (off 63) , DM Stahl 6.9 (on 63) , AML Marco 7.2 , AMC Bouy 6.8 , AMR Stoppelkamp 7.2 , ST Dimitrijevic 7.8

Goals: Marco, Dimitrijevic
Assists: Stoppelkamp, Dimitrijevic

[sabotai]

Update on Vlachodimos - Just as he started trining again, he gets injured again and it out 4-5 weeks.

The very next day, Daniel Martinez goes out for 3 weeks due to injury.

I have to bring up Netolitzky.

[sabotai]

February 7th, 2018

Bundesliga
Schalke (1st, 15-3-2) at 1860 Münich (11th, 6-5-8, 23pt)

We have a brutal schedule coming up (a few games with just 2-3 days break) so I have to do a lot of rotating. (So of course I'd lose both of my goalkeepers for this stretch of games.)

Starting Lineup
GK Netolitzky
DL Ahamada
DC Moncelli
DC Touré
DR Con
DM Stark
DM Stahl
AML Masek
AMC Roguljic
AMR Clancy
ST Dimitrijevic

Not much happens in the first half. Our best chance came during injury time. Masek sent a long pass to Dimitrijevic who dribbled towards the goal, but was a bit too wide and couldn't get around the defender running with him. He puts it into the side netting, but if he could have gotten a bit better angle would could have gone into half time with a lead.

In the 67th minute, after playing so well and making some nice saves, Netolitzky lets in a lazy long shot. That was pathetic.

In the 78th minute, another long shot. He got a piece of it, but another goal off a long shot makes it 2-0 Schalke.

In the 80th minute, a Quaschner own goal off a corner.

Schalke 3 - 0 1860 Münich
19 - Shots - 6
9 - On Target - 1
0 - Clear Cut Chances - 0
7 - Half Chances - 1
10 - Fouls - 10
0 - Yellow Cards - 4
58% - Poss - 42%

Player Performances
GK Netolitzky 6.7 , DL Ahamada 6.3 , DC Moncelli 6.6 , DC Touré 6.7 (YC) , DR Con 6.5 (YC) , DM Stark 6.8 , DM Stahl 6.9 (YC) , AML Masek 6.8 , AMC Roguljic 6.2 (YC) , AMR Clancy 5.9 , ST Dimitrijevic 6.5 (off 64) , ST Quaschner 6.6