FM15: Willkommen in München (wieder)

[sabotai]

Team: München Lions (2.Bundesliga)

The last time I played with FM14 and took the München Lions to the Bundesliga, but we plateaued at the mid-table level. I meant to keep playing on, but I guess I got burned out on the game.

Now it's time to try to do better.

Profile

I went with the "Suggest" check for both Coaching Badges and Past Playing Experience. It gave me Continental A License and Professional Player (National Level).

I set the slider one tick to the Tactical Side, so that gives me 72 points for Coaching and 77 for Mental.

Coaching
Attacking: 9
Defending: 9
Fitness: 3
Goalkeepers: 3
Tactical: 15
Technical: 15
Mental: 15
Working With Youngsters: 11

Mental
Adaptability: 10
Determination: 18
Player Knowledge: 5
Youngster Knowledge: 5
Level of Discipline: 14
Man Management: 14
Motivating: 18

I also gave myself German as my second citizenship and the ability to speak Spanish, French and Italian. Because that'd be awesome.

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München Lions Squad

(Current date: June 14th, 2014)
(Contracts end on June 6th)

- Players in red are in the final year of their contract
- Player in bold are my planned starters for the senior squad

Goalkeepers
Stefan Ortega - 21 - GER - $220k p/a 2017 - 3* (3-4 pot)
Michael Netolitzky - 20 - GER - $160k p/a 2016 - 2.5* (3-4 pot)
Vitus Eicher - 23 - GER - $170k p/a 2015 - 2.5* (3 pot)
Kai Fritz - 24 - GER - $37.5 p/a 2016 - 1.5* (1.5 pot)
Florian Schwaiger - 17 - GER - $31k p/a 2015 - 1* (2-3 pot)
György Szekely - 19 - HUN - $26.5k p/a 2015 - 5s (1.5-2.5 pot)
Max Engl - 16 - GER - $4.8k p/a 2016 - 4.5s (3-4 pot)

The plan here is to try to keep both Ortega and Netolitzky for as long as I can. I'm going to let Eicher's contract run out. I'm hoping that if (when) Ortega or Neto become too expensive, Schwaiger or Engl will have developed enough to step in.

Central Defenders
D(RC) Gary Kagelmacher - 26 - URU - $538k p/a 2017 - 3.5* (3.5 pot)
D(RLC) Christopher Schindler - 24 - GER - $263k p/a 2016 - 3 (3.5 pot)
D(C) Guillermo Vallori - 31 - ESP - $363k p/a 2015 - 3* (3 pot)
D(C)/DM Kai Bülow - 28 - GER - $350k p/a 2015 - 3* (3 pot)
D(C)/DM Felix Weber - 19 - GER - $31k p/a 2017 - 1.5* (3-4 pot)
D(LC) Korbinian Burger - 19 - GER - $41.5k p/a 2016 - 1.5* (3-4 pot)
D(LC) Michael Kokocinski - 29 - GER - $50k p/a 2017 - 1.5* (1.5 pot)
D(C) Lukas Aigner - 18 - GER - $31k p/a 2015 - 1* (2.5-3.5 pot)
D(C) Christoph Greger - 17 - GER - $4.8k p/a 2015 - 5s (2-3 pot)

Nearly $700k p/a tied up in two old players. They will act as the main backups, but if everyone can stay healthy, Kagelmacher and Schindler will play the vast, vast majority of the games. And even when they do need a rest, it would help to get Weber and Burger some 1st team experience. I don't plan on re-signing Vallori and Bülow.

Left Defenders
D/WB(L) Maximilian Wittek - 18 - GER - $75k p/a 2016 - 3* (3.5-4.5 pot)
D/WB(L) Sebastian Hertner - 23 - GER - $230k p/a 2016 - 2* (2.5 pot)
D(L) Jannik Bandowski - 20 - GER - $190k p/a 2015 - 1.5* (2-3 pot) - loan from Dotrmund
D(L) Christian Köppel - 19 - GER - $41.5k p/a 2015 - 1.5* (3-4 pot)
D(RLC) Peter Kurzweg - 20 - GER - $41.5k p/a 2015 - 1.5* (2.5-3.5 pot)
D(L) Sebastian Wiesböck - 19 - GER - $31k p/a 2015 - 1* (2-3 pot)
D/WB(L) Angelo Mayer - 17 - GER - $37.5 p/a 2017 - 1* (3-4 pot)
D/WB(L) Arian Emerllahu - 17 - GER - $4.8k p/a 2015 - 4.5s (2.5-3.5 pot)

Wittek could be my DL for the next 10+ years...if I can afford him. A good amount of that $700k that I'll save by letting Vallori and Bülow go will be going to Wittek. Kurzweg could be a good long term backup/rotation for both defensive wingers. Hertner is a bit pricey for a backup. I'll keep him if he takes a pay cut next season.

Köppel and Wiesböck are best as wingers, but my tactics don't use wingers (4-4-2 Diamond Narrow), so they are listed here. Köppel is actually a 1* for D(L) and Weisböck a 4.5s. Both won't be re-signed.

Right Defenders
D(RLC) Martin Angha - 20 - SUI - $538k p/a 2017 - 3* (4-5 pot)
D/WB(RL) Moritz Volz - 31 - GER - $463k p/a 2015 - 3* (3 pot)
D/WB(R) Vladimir Kovac - 23 - SVK - $47.5k p/a 2015 - 1.5* (2 pot)
D/WB(R) Andreas Scheidl - 19 - GER - $31k p/a 2015 - 1* (2.5-3.5 pot)
D/WB(R) Mortiz Heinrich - 16 - GER - $4.8k p/a 2016 - 5s (2.5-3.5 pot)

Angha is the young star here. But I need to find another player. Hopefully Scheidl can develop into that player. Volz is another old player that will be let go, unless I think I need to keep him as rotation for both defensive fullbacks.

My worries with Angha (and D(L) Wittek) are that 1) He could demand to be sold to a better team within the year and 2) I won't be able to afford to keep him come contract talks if he does stick around. So far, my other big time contracts are older and have met their potential. With Angha, the skies the limit and I can't afford that.

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Defensive Midfielders
DM, M(C) Dominik Stahl - 25 - GER - $388k p/a 2016 - 3.5* (3.5 pot)
DM, M(C) Anthony Annan - 27 - GHA - $538k p/a 2016 - 3.5* (3.5 pot)
D(RLC), DM Ilie - 23 - ESP - $413k p/a 2017 - 3* (3.5 pot)
DM Emanual Taffertshofer - 19 - GER - $41.5k p/a 2016 - 2* (4-5 pot)
DM Tobias Henneke - 18 - GER - $31k p/a 2015 - 1* (2.5-3.5 pot)
DM, M(C) Alexander Fuchs - 17 - GER - $4.8k p/a 2015 - 4.5s (1-2 pot)


Central Midfielders
M(C), AM(C) Daniel Adlung - 26 - GER - $425k p/a 2016 - 4* (4 pot)
DM, M(C) Edu Bedia - 25 - ESP - $550k p/a 2017 - 3.5* (3.5 pot)
DM , M(C) Julian Weigl - 18 - GER - $338k p/a 2017 - 3* (3.5-4.5 pot)
M(C) Korbian Vollman - 20 - GER - $120k p/a 2015 - 2.5* (3-4 pot)
DM, M(C), AM(C) Richard Neudecker - 17 - GER - $41.5k p/a 2016 - 2* (4-5 pot)
M(C), AM(C) Daniel Bierofka - 35 - GER - $245k p/a 2018 - 2* (2 pot)
M(C), AM(C) Fabian Hürzeler - 21 - GER - $41.5k p/a 2016 - 1.5* (1.5-2.5 pot)
DM, M(C) Kasim Rabihic - 21 - BIH - $47.5k p/a 2015 - 1.5* (2.5-3.5 pot)
DM, M(C), AM(C) Eric Weeger - 17 - GER - $4.8k p/a 2015 - 5s (2.5-3.5 pot)
DM, M(C) Felix Uduokhai - 16 - GER - $4.8k p/a 2016 - 4.5s (3-4 pot)

Central Attacking Midfielders
....no one

Okay, so I listed everyone by their "Best Role". As it turns out, the AMC position is not the best position for anyone on my team. But as you can see from my M(C) listing, I have plenty of players who can play the role.

Bedia will play the DM role, Annan and Weigl are in at the 2 M(C) spots and Adlung will be the AMC. Stahl is injured for 2-3 months so he's out for now. Ilie will be in rotation for the DM spot as well as the defender options. I'm going to try to get Taffertshofer and Neudecker as much 1st team experience as I can afford. They are two future stars.

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Strikers
AM(C), ST Rodri - 24 - ESP - $962k p/a 2017 - 4* (4 pot)
ST Rubin Okotie - 27 - AUT - $538k p/a 2016 - 4* (4 pot)
ST Stephan Hain - 25 - GER - $488k p/a 2016 - 3* (3 pot)
ST Fejsal Mulic - 19 - SRB - $41.5k p/a 2015 - 2.5* (4-5 pot)
ST Robert Glatzel - 20 - GER - $41.5k p/a 2015 - 1.5* (2-3 pot)
ST Felix Bachschmid - 17 - GER - $44k p/a 2016 - 1* (3.5-4.5 pot)
ST Jimmy Marton - 18 - GER - $75k p/a 2015 - 1* (2-3 pot)
ST Ugur Mustafa Türk - 16 - TUR - $4.8k p/a 2016 - 5s (4-5 pot)
ST Chaka Ngu'Ewodo - 18 - GER - $25k p/a 2015 - 5s (0.5-1.5 pot)


And a few others who are actually wingers but can play ST, but I don't see them getting on the field. Winger Marius Wolf might due to depth, but he's just a 1* at the position.

A lot of money and a lot of star power here. Hain is also out with an injury for 3 months. And in a year or two, Rodri and Okotie could be gone.

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Tactics

Diamond Press
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond Narrow
Mentality: Control
Team Shape: Structured
Team Instructions: Retain Possession, Shorter Passing, Work Ball Into Box, Play Out of Defense, Much Higher Defensive Line, Close Down Much More, Use Tighter Marking, Prevent Short GK Distribution, Higher Tempo

GK: Goalkeeper - Defend
DR: Fullback - Automatic
DC: Central Defender - Defend
DC: Central Defender - Defend
DL: Fullback - Automatic
DM: Regista - Support
MC: Box-To-Box Mid. - Support
MC: Central Midfielder - Support
AMC: Attacking Midfielder - Attack
ST: Deep Lying Forward - Attack
ST: Advanced Forward - Attack

Both STs and AMC have "Roam From Position" instruction. The AMC also has "Move Into Channels" (which is already active for the ST players due to roles).


Diamond Counter
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond Narrow
Mentality: Counter
Team Shape: Structured
Team Instructions: More Direct Passing, Hit Early Crosses, Much Deeper Defensive Line, Close Down Much More, Prevent Short GK Distribution, Higher Tempo

GK: Goalkeeper - Defend
DR: Wing Back - Support
DC: Central Defender - Defend
DC: Central Defender - Defend
DL: Wing Back - Support
DM: Half Back - Defend (More Direct Passes - if the player in the role can pull it off)
MC: Ball-Winning Midfielder - Defend
MC: Central Midfielder - Support
AMC: Advanced Playmaker - Attack (Roam From Position, More Direct Passes, Move Into Channels)
ST: Deep Lying Forward - Attack (Roam From Position)
ST: Target Man - Attack (Shoot More Often, Roam From Position, Move Into Channels)


Diamond Defense
Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond Narrow
Mentality: Defensive
Team Shape: Structured
Team Instructions: Retain Possession, Shorter Passing, Play Out of Defense, Much Deeper Defensive Line, Close Down Much More, Prevent Short GK Distribution, Lower Tempo

GK: Goalkeeper - Defend
DR: Full Back - Defend
DC: Central Defender - Defend
DC: Central Defender - Defend
DL: Full Back - Defend
DM: Anchor Man - Defend
MC: Ball-Winning Midfielder - Defend
MC: Central Midfielder - Defend
AMC: Advanced Playmaker - Support (Roam From Position, Move Into Channels)
ST: Defensive Forward - Support
ST: Advanced Forward - Attack (Roam From Position)


Starting Lineup for all tactics
GK: Stefan Ortega
DR: Martin Angha
DC: Christopher Schindler
DC: Gary Kagelmacher
DL: Maximilian Wittek
DM: Edu Bedia
MC: Anthony Annan (the specialized role)
MC: Julian Weigl (the Central Midfielder role)
AMC: Daniel Adlung
ST: Rodri (the deep lying role)
ST: Rubin Okotie (the advanced role)

[sabotai]

Sold a player, Marius Wolf, to Bundesliga team Hertha for $575k, and could rise to $1.1M. He was a winger and didn't fit into my tactics.

Friendlies
21-6-2014: 1-0 vs Viktorie Köln
30-6-2014: 2-1 vs. Garching
12-7-2014: 2-1 vs. Neckarelz
19-7-2014: 1-1 vs. Dijon FCO
28-7-2014: 1-0 vs. Excelsior '31

The pre-season wasn't a good one injury wise. Both Adlung and Weigl missed most of the friendlies due to injury and Rodri has missed most of the friendlies and will miss at least the first game of the season.

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Aug 2nd, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (0-0-0, 0pts) v. Düsseldorf (0-0-0, 0pts)

Goals
48' - Rubin Okotie scores a long shot just outside the penalty area off a pass from Adlung.
66' - Ilie scores a goal during the scramble after a corner kick
78' - Adlung scores when Kagelmacher launches a deep pass. Their defender badly played it and Adlung got an easy one-on-one with the GK.

Final Score: 3-0 Win

Wittek was injured early in the match. He continued to play until the 60th minute, but his injured elbow will keep him out for about 2 weeks.

Annan was injured during injury time at the end of the game, but he will be fine.

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Aug 9th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Bochum (1-0-0, 3pts) v. München Lions (1-0-0, 3pts)

We had a few chances, they had a few more than us. A few very close calls and we're a bit lucky to make it out with a draw.

Final Score: 0-0 Draw

Edu Bedia was injured during the game. He finished, but he'll miss 2-3 weeks with a twisted knee.

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Aug 16th, 2014 - German Cup 1st Round Match
Viktoria Köln v. München Lions

This match was much closer than it should have been. Viktoria Köln is a regional division team. We should have won this game easily. Until the 73rd minute when we finally scored our first goal, it looked like it really could go either way.

Goals
73' - Fejsal Mulic scores from just inside the penalty area off a nice pass from Adlung.
84' - Rubin Okotie scores after Vollman made a nice play to keep the ball in the box after their defender tried to clear it.

Final Score: 2-0 Win

$171k in the bank with this win.

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Aug 24th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (1-1-0, 4pts) v. Sandhausen (0-1-1, 1pt)

We had three chances in the first half and came up empty.

Goals
88' - Gartler (SND) scores when Kagelmacher miss plays him when he took a pass, giving him a wide open look at the goal. Ortega looked out of position as well.
90+5' - Gartler scores again to put the game away. A header on a short cross caught the inside of the goal post.

Final Score: 0-2 Lose

Daniel Adlung pulled his hamstring and will miss 3-4 weeks. Wittek had to leave the game, but he's fine. Ortega bruised a rib and will miss a week.

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Aug 30th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Inglostadt (2-0-1, 6pts) v. München Lions (1-1-1, 4pts)

Goals
14' - Hartmann (ING) heads in a cross after Volz was beat by the winger on the outside.

We never got much going in this match. Rodri had the best chance and he just flat out missed the goal. A total of 7 yellow cards in this match, 4 on me, 3 on them.

He have another player go down to injury. Ilie will miss 4 weeks due to an injured knee cap.

Final Score: 0-1 Lose


Sept 7th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (1-1-2, 4pts) v. Berlin-Köpenick Dammfeld (2-1-1, 7pts)

Goals
6' - Okotie scores a nice header off a cross from Annan

Final Score: 1-0 Win

Okotie was hurt and had to leave. He will miss 3-4 days, but he'll be back in time for the next match.

[sabotai]

Question for the long time players who know much more than I do about this game.

When I have a player and it's known that a better team (a league above mine) is interested, they will make it known to me that they want the chance to leave. If I then reject an offer that is at or above their value, they usually get pretty pissed off.

There's a player on a 3rd division team that I've been trying to get. His value is $225k and his contract expires in 2015. I've made transfer offers up to $750k to the team and they have rejected them. In fact, they counter with $15M (a very laughable sum for this player). Is there any way to know if the player is now ticked off at his team? Any way to force the team's hand?

Edit: Well, I guess he wasn't ticked off because he just signed an extension until 2017 at $230k p/a.

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Sept 14th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Karlsruhe (0-2-3, 2pts) v. München Lions (2-1-2, 7pts)

Had a few blown chances in the 1st half. That hurt us as we couldn't get much going in the 2nd.

Goals
8' - Vollman with the long shot just outside the penalty area.
29' - Mitsanski (KRL) scored a header off a floated cross. Schindler looked like he misplayed it.

Final Score: 1-1 Draw

We actually made it out of this game without an injury!

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Sept 21st, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (2-2-2, 8pts) v. Nürnberg (2-2-2, 8pts)

Adlung finally returns. Stahl and Hain are close to returning as well. Need a match or two on the reserve squad to get their fitness up some first.

Goals
10' - Okotie blasts a shot by the GK off a pass from Adlung.
13' - Bedia gets one by the GK off a long pass from Angha.
34' - Okotie scores off a rebound after a Rodri shot was blocked.
51' - Rodri finally gets his first goal. A nice shot off a pass from Annan. A few good, short passes got Rodri left wide open.
66' - Okotie scores off a pass from Vollmann. Vollmann passed it into the box, Okotie beat the defender and the GK to it.

Okotie with the hat-trick!

Final Score: 5-0 Win

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Sept 9th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Darmstadt (16th, 1-2-4, 5pts) v. München Lions (9th, 3-2-2, 11pts)

Stahl makes it back into the lineup.

Goals
25' - Adlung scores off a pass from Rodri.
37' Okotie scores off a pass from Rodri.
82' - Sailer (DAR) scores when he splits the defenders and chips a shot by Ortega.

Okotie could have scored a lot more. He missed 3 pretty easy shots.

Final Score: 2-1 Win


Oct 6th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (4th, 4-2-2, 14pts) v. RBL (1st, 5-3-0, 18pts)

Goals
18' - Kaiser (RBL) scores from the middle of the penalty area off a pass. Kagelmacher missed the interception.
52' - Okotie scores off a pass from Adlung.
68' - Damari (RBL) scores a header off a great cross from Jung (RBL). Have to admit that was a great goal.
86' Frahn (RBL) scores from the penalty area. Looks like Bülow was at fault on that one.

After the game, I saw they had changed formation and my opposition instructions were wiped out. Doubt that made me lose, but it certainly didn't help.

Final Score: 1-3 Lose

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Oct 13th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Frankfurt Erlenbruch (10th, 3-4-2, 13pts) v. München Lions (7th, 4-2-3, 14pts)

Goals
36' - Kapllani (FRK) scores off a long pass when Ortega got cold feet or something. He could have easily beaten the ST to the ball.
82' - Wittek scores during a scramble after a throw in.

Final Score: 1-1 Draw

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Oct 19th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga
München Lions (5th, 4-3-3, 15pts) v. Braunschweig (3rd, 5-2-3, 17pts)

Goals
31' - Theuerkauf (BRA) scores off a free kick. Went right by Ortega.
37' - Adlung scores after his 3rd try. His first shot was blocked, second went off the goal post. Third one finally went in.
75' - Nielson (BRA) scores off a long pass. Ortega came out and just badly played it. He's having a really bad game.

Final Score: 1-2 Lose

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Oct 24th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Aalen (10th, 4-2-4, 14pts) v. München Lions (8th, 4-3-4, 15pts)

Goals
3' - Grech (AAL) scores early by catching the corner of the goal to give Aalen the early lead.
36' - Drexler (AAL) scores probably the funniest goal I've ever seen. Ortega has the ball, everyone runs forward, one Aalen player walks towards Ortega as he clears it. Except, Ortega kicks the ball right into Drexler, the ball bounces off him and goes into the goal.
77' - Adlung scores off a pass from Rodri.

Rodri missed a penalty shot in the 61st minute.

Final Score: 1-2 Lose

[sabotai]

Daniel Adlung is unhappy. I held a team meeting and he didn't like what I had to say. He made his comments public as well.

[sabotai]

Oct 28th, 2014 - German Cup 2nd Round Match
München Lions (2.B) v. Hannover (B)

Goals
16' - Albornoz (HAN) scores off a header. The guy was onside for one moment, right when the long pass was kicked.
28' - Okotie scores off a rebound from a shot by Stahl.
105' - Sobiech (HAN) scores a header off a long cross.
109' - Briand (HAN) scores a header off a corner.

Final Score: 1-3 Lose

[sabotai]

Julian Weigl suffers a lower back stress fracture in practice. He will miss 7 weeks - 2 months.

Nov 2nd, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (10th, 4-3-5, 15pts) v. Hamburg St. Pauli (12th, 4-3-5, 15pts)

Goals
78' - Adlung scores off a pass from Hain.

Final Score: 1-0 Win

[sabotai]

Nov 8th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Aue (16th, 4-1-8, 13pts) v. München Lions (9th, 5-3-5, 18pts)

Trying something a bit new here. Using my Press tactic but I made both forward Poachers and give the TI for Whipped Crosses. Aue has two big (won't win many headers vs them0, but very slow DCs. Going to see if I can get the jump on them.

Goals
5' - Okotie scores off a cross from Ilie (playing the DM spot). Just like I drew up. Okotie burned the DC that was on him and kicked it in,
11' - Adlung scores from the penalty kick spot off a pass from Stahl.
25' - Vollman gets in on the action. A pass from Stahl and Vollman's sorta weak kick still makes it passed their GK.
33' - Paulus (AUE) scores a penalty kick. Volz was the fouler.
66' - Okotie scores off a pass from Adlung.

Dominating performance against a weak opponent that for some reason was favored against us.

Final Score: 4-1 Win

[sabotai]

Adlung is no longer unhappy.

There have been a few players I've targeted for transfer, but my transfer budget is just too low.

Edit: Well, one of the players I made an offer to is now upset with his team. Maybe I can grab him now.

[sabotai]

Nov 15th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Heidenheim (18th, 2-4-8, 10pts) v. München Lions (6th, 6-3-5, 21pts)

Goals
8' - Okotie scores off a pass from Adlung.

We hold on to the 1-0 win, but we had several missed chances.

Final Score: 1-0 Win

[sabotai]

Well, I got my guy. Turns out his unhappiness caused the team to reconsider. When I sent an enquiry, they gave me the price tag of $3.5M. I just said fuck it, can gave them a $1M counter. They balked. The next day, the player was mad. I waited a few days and made another enquiry. This time, they offered $1.5M. Still too much form my just barely over $1M transfer budget. But I gave them an offer of just under $1M, about half now, and half in monthly installments with 30% of the next sale price.

I'm sure I overpaid. I probably could have gotten them down more but I wasn't very aggressive. But I needed to add depth to the DC position as I have no plans to re-sign Bülow or Vallori. And my prospects at DC are still a few years from contributing.

D(LC) - Stephan Salger - 24yo - GER
A decent, all-around DC that doesn't excel at anything but isn't deficient at anything either. Can play Left Fullback if needed and can cross the ball (12). Not big, but not small. Not fast, but not slow. Just a very average, all-around player right now. He's scouted at 2 stars right now, with a potential for 3.5. Both Vallori and Bülow were 3 stars before the season, but my reports say they are both 2.5 stars now.

Signed until June, 2017 at $275k/year with the role Backup. Yearly raise of 10% with an optional contract extension by club for one year. He'll be joining the club in January.

[sabotai]

Nov 24th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (5th, 7-3-5, 24pts) v. Greuther Fürth (9th, 5-6-3, 21pts)

Goals
27' - Okotie takes the pass from Adlung, fires it off the top bar, the rebound bounces off a defender and Okotie races with another defender. Okotie gets there first a buries it.
66' - Freis (GF) scores when Ortega aggressively goes after a pass and misses. Freis just sorta stood there for a second, almost as if he was taunting us before finally scoring at point-blank range.
68' - A header off a corner kick is blocked, but when the Fürth defender tried to clear it, he kicked it right into the GK and it goes into the goal. An own goal by Fürth puts us back into the lead.
85' - Okotie at midfield passes to Hain, Hain to Adlung on the break away, Adlung shoots, hits the post but goes in!

I've kept the dual Poachers on from my Press tactic and it seems to be working. But I'm not sure exactly how much it's really changing anything. I run a narrow, pressing tactic, which means there isn't much space when I'm working the ball into the box. Poacher, Advanced Forward, Target Man...they might all work pretty much the same. However, with both of them as Poachers, they aren't dropping back and helping much on defense. Instead they are sitting on the hip of the opposing defenders. Perhaps that's helping keep their defenders from pushing forward...I dunno. I don't know what I'm talking about. But I'm winning so whatever.

Final Score: 3-1 Win

Hain suffered a twisted knee and will miss 3 weeks.

[sabotai]

Rodri has not come close to living up to his contract. 1 goal all season.

I think that might partially be my fault. I had him playing on the right side, and his right foot is his strongest, with his left foot at "reasonable". Okotie's strongest is his right as well, but his left is also "strong". I've switched their sides (prior to the previous game) hoping that Okotie will stay strong but that Rodri will start contributing more.

I told Rodri after the game that he needs to get better, but that I had faith in him. His morale improved.

[sabotai]

Ilie suffers a lower back stress fracture in practice and will miss ~2 months.

[sabotai]

Dec 8th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Kaiserlautern (7th, 6-7-3, 25pts) v. München Lions (3rd, 8-3-5, 27pts)

Goals
2' - Schindler heads in a goal off a long free kick from Bedia.
17' - On the counter from a corner kick, Adlung to Rodri, back to Adlung, to Okotie who gives it to Bedia who barely gets his shot by the GK. It hit the post and sat there for a second before slowly rolling over the goal line.
34' - Matmour (KSL) scores even though he was clearly offsides! (/homer goggles - I also find is suspicious that both Bedia and Adlung suffer minor injuries after I scored that second goal...)
38' - Wittek tries to clear the ball but he ends up passing it directly to Jenssen (KSL) who scores a long shot.
40' Zoller (KSL) scores.

HT - Even though we got off to a 2-0 lead, Kaiserlautern had us beat in possession through most of the first half, so I switch to my counter attack at half time.

48' - Matmour (KSL) scores off a long cross.
69' - Matmour (KSL) scores again because for some reason, the 5 defenders in the box decided the best thing to do would be to bunch up together in the center of the box and leave Matmour completely uncovered by several yards (I know, I should have had someone specifically marking him). Matmour takes the long and pass and scores easily.

Final Score: 2-5 Lose

I fucking ripped into my team after the match. They all responded well to it.

[sabotai]

Dec 15th, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Düsseldorf (9th, 6-6-5, 24pts) v. München Lions (5th, 8-3-6, 27pts)

Goals
47' - Adlung scores after their defender went in for a tackle and missed. Adlung's long-ish shot catches the corner of the goal.

Final Score: 1-0 Win

Lots of yellows handed out in this one. 2 to them, 4 to us. Annan reached the limit and will be suspended for a game.

[sabotai]

Dec 21st, 2014 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (4th, 9-3-6, 30pts) v. Bochum (9th, 6-7-5, 25pts)

Goals
10' - Rodri finally gets his second, although it did come off a rebound from the top bar off a shot by Adlung.
16' - Rodri again! This time off a pass from Hain (in for Okotie who was injured in the 13th minute). He blasted that by the GK.
41' - Vollmann blasts it by the GK off a nice pass from Adlung.
57' - On the breakaway, Adlung passes it into the box, Hain beats his man and the GK to it and chips in an easy goal.
79' - Weigl, who has just gotten back from injury and is on for an injured Vollmann, passes long to Adlung who fires a shot off the goalpost. Hain is there for the rebound and puts it in.

Final Score: 5-0 Win

A great win but it cost us Okotie for 6-7 weeks. Thankfully we're heading into the winter break and hopefully Okotie will only have to miss a handful of games.

[sabotai]

Vollmann is the only player whose contract is expiring this June that I need to re-sign. However, he's...unaffordable. He's been pretty good. An average rating of 6.93. Several games over 7.0, very few below 6.6. At 2.5 stars prior to the season, my staff has him at 3 stars now, with a 4 star potential. Very solid player, only 21 years old, but he's asking more than I can pay. Looks like I might just have to let him go.

I finalize a deal that lasts until June, 2018 for $613K/year, $1.8k app., 10% yearly raise, $15M Minimum Fee Release....let's see if the board approves. This will put me over my budget.

Looks like it goes through. Vollmann signed the deal.

[sabotai]

Now that we are in winter break, let's look at the 2.Bundesliga standings.

January 2015 2.Bundesliga

Pos	Inf	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1st		Braunschweig	19	10	6	3	30	19	11	36
2nd		RBL	19	9	7	3	28	15	13	34
3rd		München Lions	19	10	3	6	33	20	13	33
4th		Kaiserslautern	19	8	8	3	35	21	14	32
5th		Frankfurt Erlenbruch	19	7	9	3	25	17	8	30
6th		Greuther Fürth	19	8	6	5	24	20	4	30
7th		Ingolstadt	19	7	6	6	15	15	0	27
8th		Nürnberg	19	7	5	7	18	21	-3	26
9th		Düsseldorf	19	6	7	6	17	18	-1	25
10th		Bochum	19	6	7	6	15	18	-3	25
11th		Hamburg St.Pauli	19	6	6	7	18	19	-1	24
12th		Darmstadt	19	6	6	7	18	22	-4	24
13th		Aalen	19	6	4	9	16	25	-9	22
14th		Karlsruhe	19	4	8	7	11	22	-11	20
15th		Berlin-Köpenick Dammfeld	19	4	7	8	20	25	-5	19
16th		Aue	19	5	4	10	14	21	-7	19
17th		Sandhausen	19	4	6	9	13	20	-7	18
18th		Heidenheim	19	2	7	10	10	22	-12	13

Just a few points from first, 1 point ahead of 4th place Kaiserlautern.

Okotie leads the league in Goals with 11.
Adlung leads the league in Avg. Rating with 7.65.
Adlung is tied for 1st in Assists with 9.
Adlung leads the league in Key Passes, 60.
Adlung is 2nd in the league with most MOM awards, 4.
Rodri leads the league in Shots On Target Ratio, 64% (a shame he can't get many of them to go in, though). Okotie is 2nd at 60%.
Vollmann is 5th in Pass Completion, 86% (879 / 1016)
Ortega is tied for 1st with most Shutouts, 8.

Schindler is 5th in Interceptions, 198. Kagelmacher is 20th with 160.

In the Bad categories...
Volz is tied for 1st, with 3 other players, in Mistakes Leading To Goals, 3

[sabotai]

Sent Rama on loan to Hamburg St. Pauli. Didn't really want to send him to a divisional opponent, but they also offered $1.5M Future Fee. I talked them up to a $2M Future Fee, so that any time they can purchase him for $2M.

[sabotai]

End of Transfer Window
Kaiserlautern have signed Fejsal Mulic. Potential superstar that couldn't handle that he wasn't ready for 1st team soccer ahead of Rodri or Okotie. Looking back on the season and Rodri's 3 goals...maybe I did make the wrong choice.

Looking back, it looks like I didn't post about it. I had too many players on the senior squad and in shuffling some players around, I sent Mulic to the 2nd Squad. He immediately got into a fight with the 2nd team head coach and became unhappy. Oops on my part.

Mulic will join Kaiserlautern in July.

[sabotai]

Feb 9th, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Sandhausen (17th, 4-6-9, 18pts) v. München Lions (4th, 10-3-6, 33pts)

Events
23' - Vollmann passes to Adlung, who gives it right back. Vollmann then passes to Rodri who is sprinting passed the defender. Rodri scores the easy goal. 1-0
30' - Vollmann is injured and has to leave. Weigl comes on.
38' - Bieler (SAN) scores off a header from a long cross. Kagelmacher missplayed the ball and Bieler ran in behind him. 1-1
45+1' - Wittek gets a yellow card. He'll be suspended for a game. I always tell my team to tackle the wingers Hard. The suspension here and there for my two Fullbacks is inevitable.
50' - Rodri dances around with the ball for a few seconds giving Adlung time to get free. Rodri passes to Adlung and he blasts it by the GK. 2-1
75' - Wittek gets his second Yellow. That, I am not happy about. I switch to my Defense tactic (sacrifice one of the ST spots) and hope I can ride it out.
88' - Stiefler sends in a long cross that misses the mark so much...that it goes into the goal over Ortega. 2-2.

Final Score: 2-2

Vollmann will miss 2 weeks with a gashed leg.

I missed it, but Bedia also picked up a yellow card that put him over the limit. He'll be suspended for a game as well.

I did blast the refs in the post game interview over Wittek's cards. the FA warned me.

[sabotai]

Feb 16th, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (5th, 10-4-6, 34pts) v. Inglostadt (7th, 8-6-6, 30pts)

3 starters out and some issues with match fitness. This game looks lost on paper already.

We dominated possession and had some good chances, but the game ends in a scoreless tie.

Final Score: 0-0

[sabotai]

Feb 20th, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Berlin-Köpenick Dammfeld (15th, 4-8-9, 20pts) v. München Lions (5th, 10-5-6, 35pts)

19' - Ortega gets injured and Eicher has to replace him.
25' - Okotie scores from long range. 1-0
49' - Adlung is injured and is replaced by Weigl (Neudecker moved to AMC, Weigl in at MC).

Final Score: 1-0 Win

Ortega will miss 4 weeks with a fractured arm. Vollmann has resumed full training though, so at least we get him back.

[sabotai]

March 1st, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (5th, 11-5-6, 38pts) v. Karlsruhe (16th, 5-8-9, 23pts)

22' - Bedia fires in a free kick but it's blocked. Stahl is there to get the rebound though and he gets his first goal of the season. 1-0
35' - Okotie scores off a pass from Adlung. The bread and butter of the offense. Adlung takes a pass in the middle of the field right outside the penalty box from one of the other midfielders, and passes it to Okotie or Rodri. Usually Okotie. 2-0
45'+1 - Okotie is injured and is replaced by Hain.

Final Score: 2-0 Win

Looks like Okotie is going to be fine.

[sabotai]

March 2015 2.Bundesliga Standings

Pos	Inf	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1st		Greuther Fürth	23	12	6	5	30	22	8	42
2nd		München Lions	23	12	5	6	38	22	16	41
3rd		RBL	23	11	7	5	33	20	13	40
4th		Braunschweig	23	11	7	5	35	24	11	40
5th		Kaiserslautern	23	10	9	4	39	25	14	39
6th		Frankfurt Erlenbruch	23	8	12	3	31	22	9	36
7th		Nürnberg	23	9	6	8	22	24	-2	33
8th		Ingolstadt	23	8	8	7	17	17	0	32
9th		Hamburg St.Pauli	23	8	6	9	22	23	-1	30
10th		Darmstadt	23	7	9	7	24	27	-3	30
11th		Düsseldorf	23	7	8	8	19	22	-3	29
12th		Bochum	23	6	10	7	19	23	-4	28
13th		Aalen	23	7	6	10	20	30	-10	27
14th		Sandhausen	23	5	8	10	20	25	-5	23
15th		Berlin-Köpenick Dammfeld	23	5	8	10	25	31	-6	23
16th		Karlsruhe	23	5	8	10	14	28	-14	23
17th		Aue	23	5	5	13	15	25	-10	20
18th		Heidenheim	23	2	10	11	14	27	-13	16

[Greyfriars Bobby]

It's good to see some new FM dynasty stories here! Since I discovered it three years ago, it's almost completely taken over my game time.

Looks like you have München Lions playing really well so far. Keep up the good work, and hopefully you'll be top of the league when it matters most.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by Greyfriars Bobby

It's good to see some new FM dynasty stories here! Since I discovered it three years ago, it's almost completely taken over my game time.

I know what you mean. FM2014 had 273 hours played for me, and I'm sure that's small compared to others. I'm up tot 57 with FM2015. Some of that is the game sitting while I update my various dynasties here, but still, compared to my other most played games, it's up there. The only games I play that really compete with FM are Bethesda (Skyrim, Fallout) and Paradox (EU, Hearts of Iron, CK).

Looks like you have München Lions playing really well so far. Keep up the good work, and hopefully you'll be top of the league when it matters most.

As long as I stay healthy, I like my chances. And with the way some of my players are playing...it's promotion or bust. My team's going to get gutted this offseason if I don't. Yeah, I could turn away teams trying to buy my players, but then my guys will be super pissed off and I'll have a mutiny on my hands. Not to mention, some offers might just be too good to turn down.

[sabotai]

München Lions Youth Candidates

(All German players - Position is by their Best Position)

(Pos - Name - Potential)
GK - Fabian Wiesner - 2.5/3.5
D(R) - Björn Marinov - 2.5/3.5
D(L) - Cenk Asiroglu - 2/3
D(C) - Matteo Capello - 3/4
D(C) - Kristian Scoria - 2/3
D(C) - Christopher Becker - 2/3
M(R) - Manuel Sternberg - 1/2
M(L) - Dragon Mitrovic - 1.5/2.5
M(C) - Christopher Benson - 1.5/2.5
M(C) - Hussein Salman - 4/5
M(C) - Hakan Sahin - 0.5/1.5
AM(R) - Ali Konak - 1.5/2.5
AM(L) - Peter Henn - 1.5/2.5
AM(L) - Juan Rodriguez - 1.5/2.5
AM(C) - Dennis Orlishausen - 2/3
ST(C) - Johannes Zellner - 1/2

Bolded the top players (3.5 potential or higher) with Hussein Salman being the real standout of the group. The kid has all of the playmaker roles listed as his best. He's already a fast player (Acc 15, Agi 12, NatFit 14, Pace 11). First Touch 14, Long Shots 15. Flair 16. Salman is alos the only player with a gold star. The rest have various levels of blue.

I'm also guessing that in this game, players don't grow? My 14 year old candidate, Matteo Capello, has his height listed at 6'6".

[sabotai]

March 8th, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Nürnberg (8th, 9-6-8, 33pts) v. München Lions (3rd, 12-5-6, 41pts)

A win here will push us up into 1st place and 1 and 2 have both played their latest game and I am 2 pts behind both. GK Netolitzky gets the start. Figured that since Eicher isn't getting re-signed, I should give Neto first team playing time.

16' - Okotie fouled in the penalty area. Rodri missed the penalty, but their GK blocked it right back to him. Rodri buried the rebound. 1-0
17' - The Adlung to Okotie connection scores again. 2-0
26' - This time, it's Adlung to Rodri who catches the corner of the goal. 3-0
62' - Adlung needs to come out. He's picked up a few minor injuries. Neudecker replaces him.
77' - They score off a corner kick. It's scored as an own-goal by Schindler. I suppose because the strong shot by the shooter bounced off him. 3-1

Final Score: 3-1 Win

Adlung's agent is requesting a new contract for his client. And so it begins. I reject the request. There is no money right now.

Adlung wanted to discuss things. I said I promise to talk a new deal at the end of the season. He's having none of it. There's no option for me to say "I've got no more money!". Fuck it. Fuck the Board if they get pissed. I'll negotiate a new deal with Adlung.

Adlung wanted $1.5M per year. The board will go as high as $625k. So much for that. Guess I'm selling Adlung during the offseason.

Adlung will miss two weeks with a twisted knee.

[sabotai]

March 15th, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (1st, 13-5-6, 44pts) v. Darmstadt (11th, 7-10-7, 31pts)

With Adlung out, I move Vollmann up to the AMC role and get Weigl back into the starting lineup.

4' - Rodri passes to Okotie who blasts it by the GK. 1-0
36' - Annan passes it back to Kagelmacher, but it misses the mark. Rosenthal (DAR) grabs it, and in a one-on-one with Neto, Rosenthal wins and ties the game. 1-1
63' - Neudecker subs in for Vollmann at AMC.
82' - Anga gets his second yellow. I switch to my Diamond Defense and sacrifice the AMC.

Three times a shot went off the top bar. Ugh.

Final Score: 1-1

[sabotai]

Anga and Wittek are suspended for 1 game. Anga for his red card, Wittek for reaching the yellow card limit. Adlung is out.

And our next match is vs. RBL.

[sabotai]

March 21st, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
RBL (1st, 13-7-5, 46pts) vs. München Lions (3rd, 13-6-6, 45pts)

The standings are for before this batch of games started. To give an idea of how close this race is for promotion, RBL is actually in 4th place and I'm in 5th as 3 teams jumped ahead of RBL in just 1 game. This is the 26th game of the season (me and RBL are at 25, Brauchschweig, Greuther Fürth and Kaiserlautern played their 26th and jumped ahead).

There is a drop off after 5th, though. I have 45 pts, 6th place has 35. It's a 5 team race for 3 spots with 8 (9 for me and RBL, this one + 8) games to go.

Ortega has just started full training again, but he's not ready to jump back in. I'll keep Neto for this game.

It's a bit of a patch work, Neudecker in at AMC, Schindler moved to D(R), Salger in at D(L).

25' - Okotie schooled their defenders, dribbling around two of them as he took the ball from midfield to the penalty area...his shot goes off the top bar and over.
HT - I switch to a Counter Attack tactic. RBL is winning possession. I put Hain in for Neudecker and switch Rodri to AMC (Shadow Striker) with Hain as a False Nine.
46' - Right off the bat, Okotie to Rodri. 1-0
50' - Kagelmacher heads a cross trying to clear it. Ends up giving it right to Damari (RBL) who scores easily. 1-1
59' - Okotie floats a cross that Hain gets to and scores. It was touched by the GK, but the ball slowly bounces in, just inside the post. 2-1

Final Score: 2-1 Win

A great win for us. We needed a win over a top team and we did without some of our best players.

After the match, we are in 2nd place, RBL falls to 5th.

[sabotai]

My tactics have changed some since the start of the season, so I'll go over them again now.

Tactic: Diamond Press
Formation: 4-4-2 Narrow Diamond
Mentality: Control
Shape: Structured
Team Instructions: Maintain Possession, Shorter Passing, Work Ball Into Box, Play Out Of Defense, Much Higher Defensive Line, Close Down Much More, Prevent Short GK Distribution, Higher Tempo

GK: Goalkeeper (Defend)
DR: Wing Back (Defend)
DC: Central Defender (Defend)
DC: Central Defender (Defend)
DL: Wing Back (Defend)
DM: Regista (Support)
MC: Ball Winning Midfielder (Support)
MC: Central Midfielder (Support)
AMC: Attacking Midfielder (Attack) - Move Into Channels
ST: Poacher (Attack) - Move Into Channels
ST: Poacher (Attack) - Move Into Channels

I used to have "Roam From Position" on for the STs as well, but I noticed that sometimes they'd drift pretty far off to the side so I took that off. Now they sit inside more and I think that's helped. Having the dual-Poachers seems to push the opposing DCs back some as the ball moves into the offensive third. Gives Adlung a bit more room to sit with the ball for a few seconds, waiting for Rodri or Okotie to get open.

And even though it's been a small sample size, the offense looks totally different when Adlung isn't out there...

Tactic: Diamond F9 Counter
Formation: 4-4-2 Narrow Diamond
Mentality: Counter
Shape: Structured
Team Instructions: Play Out Of Defense, Hit Early Crosses, Whipped Crosses, Much Deeper Defensive Line, Close Down Much More, Prevent Short GK Distribution, Higher Tempo

GK: Goalkeeper (Defend)
DR: Wing Back (Support) - Cross From Deep, Aim For Center
DC: Central Defender (Defend)
DC: Central Defender (Defend)
DL: Wing Back (Support) - Cross From Deep, Aim For Center
DM: Half Back (Defend) - More Direct Passes*
MC: Ball Winning Midfielder (Defend)
MC: Roaming Playmaker (Support) - More Direct Passes, More Risky Passes
AMC: Shadow Striker (Attack) - Move Into Channels, Roam From Position
ST: False Nine (Support)
ST: Poacher (Attack) - Move Into Channels, Roam From Position

* Bedia has been the regular DM player. Even when I switch to the F9 Counter, he stays at DM to play the Half Back spot.He's a great passer, so when he's in for this tactic, I have the Half Back set to More Direct Passes. When someone else plays it, I take that instruction off (unless they're a great passer too).

Haven't used this tactic much. Worked in the last game vs. RBL but it hasn't done very well in other games.

The idea for the Wing Backs is to just launch a bullet from deep to the center of the pitch. With Okotie poaching, Rodri shadowing and Hain hanging back as a False 9, one of them will be around to try to take it.

The Diamond Defense tactic is the same as before.

[sabotai]

March 25th, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
München Lions (2nd, 14-6-6, 48pts) v. Frankfurt Erlenbruch (6th, 9-12-5, 39pts)

A win puts us back in 1st.

Stephan Ortega is back in. Normally I'd want him to play a few B Team games, but because of the cluster of 1st team games in the calendar, I didn't schedule any B Team friendlies, so he has no way to build Match Fitness back up. So...time to build it back up by playing 1st team.

32' - Golley (FE) gets outright red carded.
49' - Bedia sends a long shot through a crowd and into the goal. 1-0
64' - Rodri sends in a shot from near the byline. The GK blocks it but Bedia is in the right spot to get the rebound and get his second goal of the game. I switch to my Counter (and sub out Rodri for Hain) to protect my lead. 2-0
80' - Adlung in for Neudecker, switch to Defense.

We held Frankfurt to just 2 shots. 0 on target.

Final Score: 2-0 Win

[sabotai]

March 28th, 2015 - 2.Bundesliga Match
Braunschweig (4th, 14-7-6, 49pts) v. München Lions (1st, 15-6-6, 51pts)

One of out most important matches comes as the 3rd match in 1 week. Everyone is tired, and everyone on their team is tired.

Anga is out as he's playing in an international match. Schindler gets moved to D(R) and Bülow is in at DC. Vollmann is back, though, and he's rested. Annan is also started as the BWM in place of Stahl. Stahl has been great lately, but he needs to be rested (along with 7 other guys...). Adlung also makes his return to the starting lineup.

4' - Rodri from a pass from Vollmann gives us the early lead. 1-0
35' - Rodri is injured and needs to come out. Hain is put in. not a good poacher but no other choice. I'm winning possession and don't want to switch to the Counter yet.
39' - Adlung is injured and needs to come. Ok, wtf...
46' - Okotie dribbles around their DC and puts one by the GK. 2-0
64' - Ortega makes an insane save! In other news, there are two players that need to come off...but I used 2 subs already.
75' - Switch to Defense
80' - Okotie is injured and needs to come off. I put in Weigl and shuffle the players around into this odd looking 4-1-3-1-1...just need to hang on for 10 more minutes.

Final Score: 2-0 Win

Okotie will miss 2 weeks
Rodri will miss 2 weeks
Adlung will miss 1 week

That makes 11 straight without a lose.