ranks39 Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 October/November 2028 A pretty good run in league play over the last two months but we've failed to secure advancement in Europa League so far. We have one more chance. We sit third, in a good spot, as we've been heavily rotating around our Europa League matches. We definitely have a good matchup and our goal differential means that we'd jump Kobenhavn(or Lille, for that matter) in the event that we end with the same points. I've been playing my strikers based on form and it's Fran Lopez excelling right now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 (edited) Europa League - Final Group Stage Match Edited May 6, 2020 by ranks39 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 Europa League Knockout Rounds Draw Oh, boy. I get to see Mukashev from the opposing touchline now..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 Youth Intake Preview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 December 2028 A nice-looking month sees us play only three league matches with one win, one draw, and one loss. Valencia completely outclassed us and despite us rotating in advance of our Panathinaikos match, we would've been slaughtered with our first team. The win against Panathinaikos sealed our place in the next round and it was a nice surprise to follow that up with a win against Real Sociedad. Very disappointed to draw Espanyol at home, despite dominating the match. We find ourselves in fourth at the midway point of the season but the 3rd - 12th spots are separated by just 6 points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 6, 2020 Author Share Posted May 6, 2020 January + 1 Matchday in February We've been bad in the league lately, there is no way to sugar-coat this. Over our last 6 matches, we've scored just 4 goals and 2 of them were in the same match. We also haven't had a striker score since our Cup match against a third division side. We sit just three points off of Valencia for fourth but we sit just four points above 10th-placed Espanyol. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Operation: Away Leg Heist Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 1 hour ago, ranks39 said: January + 1 Matchday in February We've been bad in the league lately, there is no way to sugar-coat this. Over our last 6 matches, we've scored just 4 goals and 2 of them were in the same match. We also haven't had a striker score since our Cup match against a third division side. We sit just three points off of Valencia for fourth but we sit just four points above 10th-placed Espanyol. Good luck with the run-in @ranks39 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 6 minutes ago, Northernpilgrim said: Good luck with the run-in @ranks39 Thank you, thank you! I'll take all of the well-wishes that I can muster! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Operation: Heartbreak A 97th-minute goal sees us go out on away goals. We got off to a great start, going up early before watching three go by us in the next 11 minutes to go down 3-1. We would claw back to level at 3-3(which would see us go through 4-3 on aggregate) before surrendering the VERY VERY VERY LATE gut punch. My strikers still refuse to put the ball in the net. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 February + 1 Match in March Some decent results beside the OL 3-4 loss. Although we've won some matches, it seems like most of them could go either way - we are so inefficient in front of goal. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 International Call-Ups Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 2028-2029 Youth Intake Yucky. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 (edited) March 2029 By far our most important month as we played Valencia and Atleti, who are both right around us in the table. I was particularly pleased and surprised to get the full three points from Atleti on a 95th minute winner! Valencia were the better side over the 90 but our defense was wonderful! This match was well and truly a coin flip. It sure is nice to be at home. The great month sees us into the Champion's League places. Spots 3-7 are extremely tight, though. Edited May 7, 2020 by ranks39 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 (edited) Mukashev on the move!!!! @kandersson - Thought you might be interested. Due to that release clause in his contract that handcuffed us at Legia, OL has made at least $57M......that's my boy! Edited May 7, 2020 by ranks39 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 April 2029 Not our best month and to drop the 2 points against Real Hispalis was very disappointing, as well. With three matches to play, it's all up for grabs! Also, with two of our final three against the bottom 4, we've got a great shot of grabbing six points. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 We can still POTENTIALLY qualify for Champion's League. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 End of Season We finished up in a very respectable sixth place. The Squad Manu Mendez was the breakthrough prospect who worked his way into the first team. I'm hoping to pair Mendez and Sarabia for years to come. Sarabia was on the fringe of being called up to the Spanish Senior National side until his form dipped late in the season. Olaizola was also right on the fringe of the Spanish National Team, being called up three times without being capped. Vencl was our best player this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandersson Posted May 7, 2020 Share Posted May 7, 2020 3 hours ago, ranks39 said: Mukashev on the move!!!! @kandersson - Thought you might be interested. Due to that release clause in his contract that handcuffed us at Legia, OL has made at least $57M......that's my boy! Legend . Post a screenshot of the guy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 2028-2029 Loan/Academy Highlight Instead of an out-and-out academy highlight, I've settled on highlighting many of my youth prospects, their development, and specifically highlighting my players out on loan. First, French-Senegalese midfielder, Anthony Roux, who was on-loan at Toulouse in Ligue 1. Roux had a solid season in France and developed very nicely - I think he may have a part to play in my first team this coming season. French-Cameroonian, Lionel Manga, who was on-loan at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga this season actually put on a decent performance over 32 starts. Luis Carlos Luna, who made his first team debut late last season for us, was on loan at Segunda Division side, Extremadura. He was the first-choice striker, netting 9 goals and 1 assist in 37 appearances. Giovani Luiz, on loan at Portuguese Premier League side, Olhanense. He was utilized mainly as a striker and appeared 29 times in the league - netting 6 times and assisting twice. Not a bad season away. Francisco Moreno, on loan at Huelva in the Segunda Division B4 showed that he is ready for the step up to at least Segunda Division Football. He put together a very solid campaign, scoring 3 times and assisting 9 times in 36 league starts. Luis Angel Cainzos, on loan at Fuenlabrada of the Segunda Division B4, was one of the best players on his team contributing 10 goals and one assist from his central midfield position. German Lopez, a Right Attacking Midfielder is on loan at Waasland-Beveren of the Belgian Pro League A played in 21 league matches and 2 EURO Cup II matches with little offensive contribution. Finally, Kjetil Liland, who was on Loan at Bundesliga 2 side, 1860 Munich, played all along the right side of the pitch and played in 20 league matches. He contributed 2 goals and 5 assists and really took some positive steps towards being a first team player. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 @kandersson The legend....... I sure could use him right now but we don't have nearly the finances to reel him in. He has played mostly as and out-and-out right midfielder in his time at OL. I'm still his favored club manager. I'm not crying, you are! Interesting that he made his debut against Albania.... Also, once he becomes fluent in English, he will speak 6 languages fluently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 (edited) Roster Transactions Incoming: Jordy Van Damme - A depth piece at striker with good finishing ability but poor in his technique, passing, off the ball, decisions and anticipation as an advanced forward. Jordy came up from Deinze before moving to Beerschot VA(Pro League B) for $28K, he then moved to Club Brugge for $250K, making 3 appearances over 2 seasons. He then moved to FCSM in Ligue 2 for $1M, where he made 63 appearances, scoring 12 goals. Aleksa Vukajlovic - a very good two-way midfielder possessing all of the technical and mental qualities as well as defensive abilities. He has great potential and is already good enough to get some minutes with the first team. He has earned two caps with the Serbian Senior National Team. He came up from the Backa(Serbia) academy before moving to Borussia Dortmund for $3.5M. While at Borussia Dortmund he mainly played for the second team and on loan, amassing 5 appearances at Stuttgart(Bundesliga), 32 appearances with Darmstadt 98(Bundesliga 2), and 9 appearances with the Borussia Dortmund senior team. Mathys Durand - A very good French striker(a position that has been a revolving door for us). A prototypical Advanced Forward with good passing, dribbling, finishing, first touch technique and mental skills. Quite pacy and great heading ability paired with solid jumping reach. Mathys came through the AS Monaco academy before moving to Manchester City for $3.7M in 2021/2022. Since joining Manchester City, he played in their youth teams for the 2021/2022 - 2023/2024 seasons. He then went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship for the next two seasons, combining for 71 appearances, 22 goals, and 3 assists. He spent the 2026/2027 season in Manchester, making just 1 appearance before going on loan to Hertha Berlin(Bundesliga) in 2027/2028, where he made 8 appearances with no goals. The 2028/2029 season saw him toil at Manchester City, making just one appearance with no goals, drawing a close to his time in England. Outgoing: Eddie Segura - We say goodbye to our team captain and central defender who served us well. He still has much to give, he had just been passed up by others. We collected $1.5M from Rennes in the deal. Iago Sicilia - A talented striker that served us well, amassing 24 goals in 95 appearances but he was always creating discord in the locker room. Not worth the trouble that he created. A real shame. Edited May 8, 2020 by ranks39 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 Squad Here is how the squad looks just before entering pre-season. I have promoted a couple of youth prospects and if they perform well, they may stay with the first team. Promoted Players Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kandersson Posted May 8, 2020 Share Posted May 8, 2020 You might have better players now (Vencl looks like a generational talent), but Mukashev is still the star of this career . 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 Pre-Season Friendlies Since we've already gone over the squad, here are the friendly results. Not great but, competition was high. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 Group Stage Draw Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 August 2029 + 1 Matchday Three solid wins from three against teams that we really should beat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 8, 2020 Author Share Posted May 8, 2020 September 2029 A wonderful month and new man Mathys Durand has been the key in unlocking it. We grabbed a late, undeserved goal against Barca to go top-of-the-table. The loss to Arsenal was very humbling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 October/November 2029 So, this has been a tale of two competitions. We are undefeated over the last two months in league play but have lost 2 of 4 in Europa League, including a match to Brugge that we dominated. We actually played well against Arsenal and the 3-0 result really wasn't a fair representation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 Europa League We have not looked good at all and will need a fortuitous draw to go further. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 Europa League Gent have had a rich owner takeover and have seen their prestige rise as a result. I still love the draw, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 Youth Intake Preview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 It seems as though we're going to lose the young man that I've been grooming as one of my right wing backs of the future I've tried offering him a contract but due to his first team promotion and playing time, he is highly sought-after as his contract ends after this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 December 2029 + 1 January Matchday Not a bad month, aside from the Atleti match - we had a red card around the 10th minute that crushed us. The most interesting match for me was against Bilbao as Manu Mendez(our homegrown AM) and Kjetil Liland, a player that we've developed quite a bit, both scored(and Liland assisted Mendez) in the 2-1 victory! Halfway through our season, we are top-of-the table.....amazing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 We ended up sneaking in and re-signing Liland until 2034 - whew! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 (edited) We are also courting Alioune Coly as our #1 priority for a free transfer. We certainly aren't alone, though. We have signed a future player on a free as well, joining us on 1 July. Edited May 9, 2020 by ranks39 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 9, 2020 Author Share Posted May 9, 2020 We've signed Coly - it only cost our arms and legs..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 January 2030 A good month, overall - the loss to Barca was expected but losing to Valencia was surely disappointing. We've fallen to second after a losing three of our last five league matches. We've still 16 matches to play but I knew the moment would come when our star would fade just a bit. We still have much to play for as we're right in the race for the title and especially for Champion's League Qualification. Vencl has been our driving, creative force. We will see Michal Sadilek in the first knockout round of Europa League, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Copa del Rey Semifinal Draw And we're definitely in with a shout! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 February 2030 A nearly-perfect month, with our sole loss coming in the first leg(at home) of the Copa del Rey, in a match that we dominated. Real Madrid just won't lose, either. A pair of nice results there to advance in Europa League. I'm currently down to my fourth-choice right wing back due to injury. The fixture congestion with League, Copa del Rey, and Europa League is really wearing us thin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Copa del Rey My academy graduate, Mendez, came up with a big brace! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 (edited) International Call-Ups Interesting that Anthony Roux has declared for Senegal, he also has French citizenship and I thought that he had some youth caps. A winning goal on his debut! Also, Kjetil Liland is looking for his first senior cap with Norway! Edited May 10, 2020 by ranks39 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Youth Intake Not nearly as highly-touted as the preview.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 March 2030 + 1 Matchday Fixture congestion really caught up with us during league play in March, losing 3 of our 4 matches and drawing the other 1. We did come back with a win on April 3 to hopefully get us moving in the right direction. April will be equally full with league matches, Europa League and the Copa del Rey final. We've slid back a bit but still sit firmly in fourth, 9 points above Valencia in the final Champion's League qualification spot and we're just 1 point off of Barcelona and 2 points off of Atletico Madrid. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Both Liland and Manu Mendez are Vigo players Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranks39 Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Europa League Quarter Final Our lack of goal-scoring is really worrying and it sees us go out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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