Championship Manager 97/98 - Leading Parma A.C to Glory

[djsatu]

This is my favorite CM game ever, and I recently had an itch to play it again. Many sleepless nights were lost on this game, as Im sure many of you can attest. Hope to have some followers, hope you enjoy the read, and hope to bring Parma A.C to Italian and European glory!




After losing out on the title last year by only 3 points, Parma A.C have hired a rookie unknown coach to lead them to glory. Gone is Carlo Ancelotti, and in is SB. The team will start the season trying to quality for the CL, but it won't be an easy task, as we have been drawn against FC Barcelona and Hristo Stoichkov.

The Squad:





We inherit a strong attack minded squad, that is also strong at the back. 19 year old phenom GK Gianluigi Buffon will be our starting keeper, with Centerbacks Fabio Cannavaro and frenchman Lillian Thuram anchoring our solid Defense. Dino Baggio is our leader in the middle of the park, and will play in front of the pair. The rest of the midfield is pretty decent as well with Federico Giunti, Mario Stani, and Massimo Stanic completing the 4 man midfield. Our other big strength lies up front with our forwards. Enrico Chiesa, Faustino Asprilla, Hernan Crespo and young 19 year old Brazilian Adailton make up our forward group. Unfortunately with a foreign player limit of 3 players that can start, some tough decisions will be made.

[djsatu]

The Formation:

This is how we intend to play most of the year (If I last that long).



Transfer Budget:

We have 19.5 M to spend, and I plan on using that money wisely out the gate.

News and Notes:

We re-sign Thuram to an extension up until 2003. Offers have been made to Buffon and Cannavaro, but they are refused. Adailton, Asprilla are transfer listed, and hope to get some decent offers for them. We offer 2.5 to Monaco for young striker David Trezeguet, and they accept. We also offer 2.5 M to Monza for LB Mirco Sadotti who will be a massive upgade at the position if we get him, and our offer is accepted. Both players are willing to discuss terms, and we finalize the deals very quickly.

[djsatu]

CL Round 1 - Leg 1:

Barcelona - Parma



Attendence: 118,117

1-0 - Stoichkov (2')

Ex Parma striker Hristo Stoichkov scored in the second minute, and Barcelona held on for the 1-0 win. Gianluigi Buffon won MOM honors, and young David Trezeguet made his debut with the club. We will need a big game at home next leg if we want to stick around and make the big bucks in Europe.

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

Lazio offers us 3.1 M for Dino Baggio, and 2.9 M for Luigi Apolloni which are both refused. We offer 2.3 M to Brescia and sign RB/RM Emmanuele Filippini, beating out competition from 3 other teams in Italy. He is european cup-tied however until Quarters of CL if we make it that far. Im pretty happy with the set-up of my team, and I probably won't be making any other purchases.

[djsatu]

CL Round 1 - Leg 2:

Parma - Barcelona



Attendence: 27,755

We did it! Trezeguet scored in the 27th minute, and we didn't give up a shot on goal the whole match. Enrico Chiesa missed a penalty during the match, and of course the game went to penalties where our quality prevailed, and we move on to the next round! After the match I get a message saying that the board thought our win was a good result. We are also awarded 1 M for reaching the group stage.

MOM: Miguel Nadal

[djsatu]

European Champions League Draw: Group E



I like our chances in this group. Hopefully we are able to give United a dogfight for top spot! Next up is our Serie A opener at home against Vicenza.

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 1:

Parma - Vicenza



Attendence: 27,651

David Trezeguet scored 3 goals on his debut, and Asprilla netted another one as we thrash Vicenza at home. Our board is pleased once again with our big win at home. Things are starting off very very good for us, and we need to maintain this pace throughout the year. We host Il Fenomeno and Inter in the second round of the Coppa Italia in 2 days time.

MOM: David Trezeguet

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

Enrico Chiesa will miss a few weeks after hurting his calf in training. Asprilla will start against Inter.

[djsatu]

Coppa Italia Second Round:

Parma - Inter



Attendence: 24,318

David Trezeguet scored in the 90th minute as we narrowly escape with the win, and move on to play Ravenna in the third round. Another clean sheet for Buffon, and zero shots against this game. Aron Winter got stretchered off, and Dino Baggio was lucky not to see red after his horror tackle. Our next match is Week 2 at home against Sampdoria in 10 days time after an international break.

MOM: David Trezeguet

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 2:

Parma - Sampdoria



Attendence: 27,476

All 3 goals came in the first half, and a second half red for Cannavaro on a deliberate hand ball sealed our fate this match. He will miss one Serie A match. Fabrizio Ferron made a few key saves for Samp, and was named MOM. Next up in 2 days time, we are home against Feyenoord for our opening fixture in CL group stage, and we hope Chiesa will be back and fit for the match.

MOM: Fabrizio Ferron

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

Juventus offer 3.5 for Bennarivo and 8.5 for Chiesa which are both refused.

[djsatu]

European Champions League Group E : Game 1

Parma - Feyenoord



Attendence: 27,620

We ran into a hot goalie, and a sound defence, as Feyenoord made the most of its opportunities. All of sudden the goals from our strikers have run dry, and our board was not happy after this defeat calling it poor. Things don't get any easier for Week 3 of the Serie A away to Brescia in 3 days time.

MOM: Zolt Petry

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 3:

Brescia - Parma



Attendence: 19,246

Goals were aplenty this match, with Trezeguet scoring another 3 goals, and Stanic adding a 4th late. We were not going to be denied this match, and the tandem of Chiesa - Trezeguet was just too much for Brescia to handle today. Our board was pleased, and said it was a good result after the match. We travel back home to play Roma in 2 days time and hope for another good result.

MOM: David Trezeguet

[Young Drachma]

Way to still have a copy of this!

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 4:

Parma - Roma



Attendence: 26,900

A first half goal from Giunti, a second half strike from Stanic, and MOM play from keeper Buffon ensured victory for us against Roma. With a game in hand, we sit 5th after 4 matches with 11 GF and 3 GA. First big test of the Serie A season has us travelling to first place Milan in 3 days time.

MOM: Gianluigi Buffon

[Northwood_DK]

Good stuff.

Taking Parma back from Serie D to the top was a close second when I decided on my USD Novese story.

Originally Posted by Young Drachma

Way to still have a copy of this!

Is this the copy that is available for free download?

[djsatu]

Originally Posted by Northwood_DK

Good stuff.

Taking Parma back from Serie D to the top was a close second when I decided on my USD Novese story.



Is this the copy that is available for free download?

Indeed this is a freeware copy guys. Had the cd copy of the italian league, but it is long gone Northwood I am following your Novese story. Keep it up.

[djsatu]

News and notes:

Cannavaro will miss the match against AC to serve his 1 game suspension. We bid 6 M for Thierry Henry from Monaco, and its being considered. The combo of Trezeguet and Henry up front for many season's would be amazing.

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 5:

AC Milan - Parma



Attendence: 82,385

Unbelievable comeback victory for us. George Weah scored 2, and Chiesa responded in the 38' with his first. Second half we completed the comeback with a second from Chiesa, and eventually Giunti scored the winner in the 72'. The victory came at a cost though, as Thuram was injured and will be out a couple of weeks. The board was extremely pleased, and our result was very good. The win vaulted us up to 5th in the standings, 3 points back from league leaders AC. Our board is pleased with my overall performance as manager, and we turned in a profit of $244,356. Next up is my second fixture in the CL on the road against Shevchenko less Dynamo Kiev.

MOM: Gianluigi Buffon

[djsatu]

European Champions League Group E : Game 2

Dinamo Kiev - Parma



An early goal from Cannavaro in the second minute was all we needed, as we crushed Kiev away 3-0. Giunti scored a first half penalty, and Cannavaro got his brace late. The morale is high throughout the locker room, and we plan on keeping it that way as we are playing excellent football at the moment. Today's win nets us a cool $750,000, and our board called it a superb result. We are tied for second with Feyenoord who lost to Man Utd with 3 points. Cannavaro is suspended for one CL match on yellow cards. Next us we travel back home to the Tardini to face 10th place Udinese in Week 6 of the Serie A.

MOM: Fabio Cannavaro

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

Buffon hurt his back in training and will miss a few weeks, so Luca Bucci will step in between the pipes for his first action of the season. With the nice injection of cash, we immediately offer new extensions to Cannavaro to 2004 and Buffon to 2002. Thierry Henry has rejected the move to Parma.

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

Buffon and Cannavaro both renew.

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 6:

Parma - Udinese



A second half strike from Stanic was all we needed, as Luigi Turci was outstanding for Udinese, and kept the game much closer than it needed to be. At 5-1 through our first 6 Serie A games, we will definately take it. After the game Nestor Sensini requested a transfer, and we were happy to meet his demand. Our next fixture has us travelling to Turin to face 6th place Juventus.

MOM: Mohamed Gargo

[rush_27]

Wow. This brings back some memories!

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 7:

Juventus - Parma



Attendence: 68,802

What a game. Angelo Peruzzi was a machine in this match. Juve scored 2 in the last 10 to seal our fate. They had 3 shots on goal, and capitalized on them all. This game was fun to watch, but just wasn't meant to be. The loss drops us to 6th, and Juve leapfrog us into 5th. Next up is another road test as we travel to Naples to play Napoli.

MOM: Angelo Peruzzi

[djsatu]

Originally Posted by rush_27

Wow. This brings back some memories!

Yeah man, it doesn't get any better

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 8:

Napoli - Parma



Attendence: 67,367

We fell behind early after a 6th minute goal, but took over the second half with goals from Chiesa and Giunti. Tagliatella was a monster in net, and the score could have been much much worse. Happy with the perserverance the lads showed to come from behind yet again. After the game the board respond with a message saying they are pleased with our current league position, which is now tied for second with Lecce on 18 points! Milan is 6 points clear after playing 9 matches. Our next 2 fixtures are massive as we travel to Old Trafford to play United, and then travel back home to the Tardini to face off against Lecce!

[djsatu]

European Champions League Group E : Game 3

Man Utd - Parma



Attendence: 54,504

The beatiful play continues, as we do the unthinkable at Old Trafford! United finished the game with 54% possession, but we only gave up 1 shot on goal. Sensini filled in admirably for Cannavaro (1 match ban). We get another $750,000, and another pleasing message from the board for a good result.

MOM: Nestor Sensini

CL Standings Leg 1:



Next up, Lecce!

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 9:

Parma - Lecce



Attendence: 27,245

An 8 goal thriller at the Tardini! We fell behind with a beautiful strike from Giannini, scored the next 4, and Lecce kept it close to the end. We take over second in the standings, Milan win again to keep the gap at 6 points, and Juventus jump to third with one more game played of course. We travel to Ravenna for Coppa Italia third round in 2 days time.

MOM: Enrico Chiesa

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

AC Milan bid 3.4 M for Cannavaro, and 10.5 M for Chiesa which of course are both refused.

[djsatu]

Coppa Italia Third Round:

Ravenna - Parma



Attendence: 12,482

Kudos to the Serie B side for playing a tough tough game. I trailed twice, and had to claw my way back. We did enough to secure a QF date with Udinese for home and away legs. Next up is a home fixture against 7th place Bari in Serie A.

MOM: Andrea Sardini

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

Our month end report is the board are delighted with my overall work as manager. We reported a profit of $680,683 last month, and our financial position is good!

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 10:

Parma - Bari



Attendence: 27,473

We thoroughly dominated the match from start to finish as our player ratings suggest. Francesco Mancini was tremendous in the nets for Bari, definately deserving of his MOM award. The game I have been waiting for is next, as we travel to Holland to hopefully get revenge against a tough Feyenoord side.

MOM: Francesco Mancini

[djsatu]

Stats & Standings after 10 games in Serie A:

[bbgunn]

George Weah!

[djsatu]

Originally Posted by bbgunn

George Weah!

Guy was a beast plain and simple. Let's continue on...

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

Hernan Crespo has put in a transfer request, which we accept. The EU limit and the addition of Trezeguet made this a hard decision, but the right one. Hopefully we get some offers from abroad.

[djsatu]

European Champions League Group E : Game 4

Feyenoord - Parma



Attendence: 50,873

2 first half goals from Giunti and Sadotti were all we needed to secure the big win on the road in Holland. Of course the win came at a price, as Chiesa and Trezeguet went off injured in the second half. Both players are out a couple of weeks. We collect another cool $750,000 for the big win. Next up is a big tilt against Lazio on the road in 3 days time.

MOM: Lilian Thuram

[BYU 14]

Holy Old School, nice!

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 11:

Lazio - Parma



Attendence: 82,481

We get another big win on the road, but lose 2 more players to injury. Its almost crisis mode up front, as we renew interest in Henry and bid 7 M, hoping he has a change of heart and wants to join my team. Crespo is out 6 weeks, and Susic is out 1 month. The win vaults us up into second place. Next up is another road game, this time we travel to 14th place Atalanta.

MOM: Gianluigi Buffon

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 12:

Atalanta - Parma



Attendence: 26,471

Phew, Buffon saved us big time this match. We clawed back after they scored to go ahead, and Buffon made some incredible saves. After the match, the board let me know what a poor result that was. Before the match, we bid 1.5 M for 22 y/o Marco Caputi for midfield depth, and terms have been submitted. AC lost again, so we are now 3 points back of first with a game in hand. Next up we travel back home to the Tardini to face 4th place Inter!

MOM: Gianluigi Buffon

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

Caputi has joined, and once again Henry rejects Parma.

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 13:

Parma - Inter



Attendence: 27,438

We were lucky again to come away with the draw in this one. Cannavaro had a slip up in D, and Ronaldo scored, but the goal was called back. Caputi started as DM, which pushed Baggio further up the park in midfield, and it worked this game. Trezeguet should be back for out next match. Next up is our 5th CL match at home against Kiev.

MOM: Gianluca Pagliuca

[djsatu]

European Champions League Group E : Game 5

Parma - Dinamo Kiev



Attendence: 27,421

Trezeguet started and ended up with MOM honors. Whole team played well, and we made the most of our chances. The win took us tops in the group with 12 points, Man Utd at 10, Kiev 4, and Feyenoord 3. We also get the nice $750,000 cash injection for the big win! Next up is a game away in Empoli.

MOM: David Trezeguet

[djsatu]

News and Notes:

We turn down an offer from AC for Bennarivo. Our board is very pleased with my performance as manager. However, we made a loss of $1,277,903 last month. Current financials are in good shape still.

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 14:

Empoli - Parma



Attendence: 13,796

We drop 2 more points with the draw in Empoli. Couldn't muster up very many scoring chances against a stingy defense. Of course the board wasn't too happy with our poor result. We drop to third, 2 points back of Juventus, and 7 back from Milan. Fiorentina and Inter are right at our heels, so we are definately feeling the pressure now. Next up we play at home against Udinese for our first leg of the Italian Cup QF.

MOM: Lilian Thuram

[djsatu]

Coppa Italia QF Leg 1:

Parma - Udinese



Attendence: 27,929

Chiesa finally got back on the score sheet with a brace, and we dominated Udinese in the first leg 3-0. Hope we can continue playing like this next match, as we welcome 4th Fiorentina with Batistuta.

MOM: Lilian Thuram

[djsatu]

Serie A Week 15:

Parma - Fiorentina



Attendence: 27,730

We roll with the same line-up, as Baggio serves his 3 game yellow card suspension and it worked perfectly. Fiorentina were limited to 1 shot on target. Giunti was hurt, but luckily for us it was just a knock, and he will be back in a few days. Next up we finish our Group Stage play in the CL, and host Man Utd.

MOM: Mario Stanic

[djsatu]

European Champions League Group E : Game 6

Parma - Man Utd



Attendence: 27,990

Buffon got the Italy call before the game, so he missed this one. We lose, but still advance to the CL QF! We get a cool million for doing so. We will play Newcastle United, with the first leg being at the Tardini. Trezeguet and Sensini miss 1 CL game each for red and yellow card limit. Next up is our second leg of Coppa Italia QF away in Udine.

MOM: Peter Schmeichel

[djsatu]

Originally Posted by BYU 14

Holy Old School, nice!

Yes sir. Hope you are enjoying the read.