San Marino Challenge - My last game of fm2012.

So while Im waiting on certain issues I find with 13 said I'm goin to give this a go. 5 weeks to christmas so I'm goin to try and get it completed for than, possibly get 10-12 seasons in which hopefully will do me ok. Also seein as I have a deadline to finish it I prob won't give up on this one. Success with the national team is probably more than 12 seasons off but I should at least make the club side into an outfit to be feared and hopefully with alot of Sammarinese players.

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History

[u][b][size=4]Club Management
[/size]
League History

San Marino[/b][/u]
[b]2011-12 - Serie C2A[/b] - Winner
[b]2012-13 - Serie C1B - [/b]2nd Place (promoted via playoffs)
[b]2013-14 - Serie B[/b] - 9th
[b]2014-15 - Serie B [/b]- 2nd (Automatic Promotion)
[b]2015-16 - Serie A[/b] - 12th
[b]2016-17 - Serie A[/b] - 6th
[b]2017-18 - Serie A [/b]- 3rd (Champions League Qualification)
[b]2018-19 - Serie A[/b] - 1st (Champions!!!!!)
[b]2019-20 - Serie A [/b]- 1st 
[b]2020-21 - Serie A[/b] - 1st (3 in a row and Invincibles)
[b]2021-22 - Serie A [/b]- 1st 
[b]2022-23 - Serie A[/b] - 1st (5 in a row)
[b]2023-24 - Serie A [/b]- 1st (Invincibles ptII)
[b]2024-25 - Serie A [/b]- 1st
[b]2025-26 - Serie A[/b] - 1st (Invincibles ptIII)
[b]2026-27 - Serie A[/b] - 1st
[b]2027-28 - Serie A[/b] - 1st (10 in a row!!!)
[b]2028-29[/b] [b]- Serie A -[/b] 1st
[b]2029-30 - Serie A -[/b] 1st
[b]2030-31 - Serie A [/b]- 1st (Invincibles ptIV)
[b]2031-32 [/b]- Resigned in October

[b][u]Cittadella
[/u]2032-33 [/b]- Serie B - ? (1st and clear at the top when I resigned)

[u][b]AC Milan
[/b][/u][b]2032-33 [/b]- Serie A - 5th (19th after 12 games when I took charge)

[u][b]Cup History

San Marino[/b][/u]
[b]2011-12[/b] - Serie C Cup - 1st Round
[b]2011-12[/b] - Serie C Super Cup - Runner Up
[b]2012-13[/b] - Serie C Cup - 1st Round
[b]2012-13[/b] - Italian Cup - 2nd Qualifying Round
[b]2013-14 - [/b]Italian Cup - 1st Round (Last 16)
[b]2014-15[/b] - Italian Cup - 3rd Qualifying Round
[b]2015-16 [/b]- Italian Cup - Runner Up
[b]2016-17 [/b]- Italian Cup - Quarter Final
[b]2017-18[/b] - Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2018-19 [/b]- Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2018-19[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2018-19[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Quarter Final
[b]2019-20[/b] - Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2019-20[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2019-20[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Semi Finals
[b]2020-21 [/b]- Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2020-21[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Semi Finals
[b]2020-21 [/b]- Italian Cup - Champions (4 in a row!!!)
[b]2021-22[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2021-22[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Semi Finals (3 times in a row)
[b]2021-22 [/b]- Italian Cup - Runner Up
[b]2022-23[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2022-23[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Semi Finals (ffs... 4 in a row)
[b]2022-23[/b] - Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2023-24[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2023-24[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Champions (Club challenge completed)
[b]2023-24[/b] - Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2024-25[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2024-25[/b] - European Super Cup - Runner Up
[b]2024-25[/b] - Club World Cup - Champions
[b]2024-25[/b] - Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2024-25[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Champions
[b]2025-26[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2025-26[/b] - European Super Cup - Champions
[b]2025-26[/b] - Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2025-26[/b] - Club World Cup - Champions
[b]2025-26 [/b]- UEFA Champions League - Semi Finalists
[b]2026-27[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2026-27[/b] - Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2026-27[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Champions
[b]2027-28[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2027-28[/b] - European Super Cup - Champions
[b]2027-28 [/b]- Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2027-28 [/b]- Club World Cup - Champions
[b]2027-28[/b] - UEFA Champions League - Last 16 (oops)
[b]2028-29 [/b]- Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2028-29 [/b]- Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2028-29 [/b]- UEFA Champions League - Champions
[b]2029-30[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2029-30 [/b]- European Super Cup - Champions
[b]2029-30 [/b]- Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2029-30 [/b]- Club World Cup - Champions
[b]2029-30 [/b]- UEFA Champions League - Champions
[b]2029-31[/b] - Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2029-31 [/b]- European Super Cup - Champions
[b]2029-31 [/b]- Italian Cup - Champions
[b]2029-31 [/b]- Club World Cup - Champions
[b]2029-31 [/b]- UEFA Champions League - Champions
[b]2031-32 [/b]- Italian Super Cup - Champions
[b]2031-32 [/b]- European Super Cup - Champions

[u][b]Cittadella
[/b][/u][b]2032-33 [/b]- Italian Cup - 4th Qualifying Round (I took them to this stage but resigned before it was played)

[u][b]AC Milan
[/b][/u][b]2032-33 [/b]- Italian Cup - Runner Up
[b]2032-33 [/b]- Europa League -2nd Knockout Round

[u][b][size=4]International Management
[/size]
International Ranking History
[/b][/u][b][u]
San Marino
[/u]2013-14 -[/b] 208th
[b]2014-15[/b] - 206th ([color=#00ff00]+2[/color])
[b]2015-16[/b] - 201st ([color=#00ff00]+5[/color])
[b]2016-17[/b] - 202nd ([color=#ff0000]-1[/color])
[b]2017-18[/b] - 207th ([color=#ff0000]-5[/color]) resigned in January rehired in May
[b]2018[/b] - 186th ([color=#00ff00]+21[/color]) from now on International updates will be for every year.
[b]2019[/b] - 158th ([color=#00ff00]+28[/color])
[b]2020 [/b]- 167th ([color=#ff0000]-9[/color])
[b]2021 [/b]- 135th ([color=#00ff00]+32[/color])
[b]2022 - [/b]125th ([color=#00ff00]+10[/color])
[b]2023 - [/b]147th ([color=#ff0000]-22[/color])
[b]2024 [/b]- 99th ([color=#00ff00]+48[/color])
[b]2025 - [/b]50th ([color=#00ff00]+49[/color])
[b]2026 - [/b]54th ([color=#ff0000]-4[/color])
[b]2027 [/b]- 15th ([color=#00ff00]+39[/color])
[b]2028[/b] - 2nd ([color=#00ff00]+13[/color])
[b]2029[/b] - 2nd [color=#000000]([/color][color=#ffff00]-[/color])

[b][u]Ivory Coast 
[/u]2032 [/b]- 20th

[u][b]International Competition History

San Marino
[/b][/u][b]2015-16 -[/b] Euro Championship Qualifiers Group A -[color=#ff0000] 6th[/color]
[b]2017-18[/b] - World Cup Qualifiers Group 6 - [color=#ff0000]6th[/color]
[b]2018-19[/b] - Euro Championship Qualifiers Group G - [color=#ff0000]6th[/color] (but we did score some points)
[b]2020-21[/b] - World Cup Qualifiers Group 1 - [color=#ff0000]6th[/color] (only 1 point this time)
[b]2022-23[/b] - Euro Championship Qualifiers Group C - [color=#ff0000]5th [/color](still bottom of the group)
[b]2024-25[/b] - World Cup Qualifiers Group 4 - [color=#ffff00]2nd[/color] - (Missed out on 2nd place playoffs)
[b]2026-27[/b] - Euro Championship Qualifiers Group F - [color=#00ff00]1st[/color] (We're going to the Euros)
[b]2028    [/b]- European Championships - [color=#00ff00][b]Champions
[/b][/color][b]2029    - [/b]Confederation Cup - [color=#ffff00]4th
[/color][b]2028-29[/b] - World Cup Qualifiers Group 5 - [color=#00ff00]1st
[/color][color=#000000][b]2030    -[/b] World Cup - [/color][color=#008000][u][b]Champions (Challenge Completed)

[/b][/u][/color][color=#000000][u][b]Spain U23's
[/b][/u][b]2032    - [/b]Olympic Games [b]- [/b][/color][color=#00ff00]Champions

[/color][b][u]Ivory Coast
[/u]2032-33 [/b]- World Cup Qualifying - 

[color=#00ff00][/color][color=#000000][b][u][size=4]Overall History
[/size]Overall [/u][/b][color=#222222][b][u]Trophy Cabinet
[/u]FIFA World Cup[/b] - 1
[b]European Football Championship -[/b] 1
[b]Olympic Games [/b]- 1
[b]Club World Cup [/b]- 5
[b]Champions League[/b] - 6
[b]European Super Cup[/b] - 5
[b]Serie A [/b]- 13
[b]Italian Cup[/b] - 13
[b]Italian Super Cup[/b] - 14
[b]Serie C2/A[/b] - 1

[u][b]Total Trophies Won [/b][/u]- 60

[/color][color=#222222][b][u]Manager Awards
[/u]2011-12[/b] - Serie C2A Manager of the Year
[b]2012-13 [/b]- Serie C1B Manager of the Year
[b]2014-15[/b] - Serie B Manager of the Year
[b]2018[/b] - Serie A Manager of the Year (Award runs from January to January)
[b]2019[/b] - Serie A Manager of the Year
[b]2020[/b] - Serie A Manager of the Year
[b]2021[/b] - Serie A Manager of the Year
[b]2022[/b] - Serie A Manager of the Year
[b]2023[/b] - Serie A Manager of the Year
[b]2024[/b] - Serie A Manager of the Year
[b]2027 - [/b]Serie A Manager of the Year
[b]2030 -[/b] Serie A Manager of the Year
[b]2031[/b] - Serie A Manager of the Year[/color]
[/color]

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Season 11-12

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian Serie C2/A

Media Prediction - 4th

Board Requirements - Promotion

Reputation - Local

Training Facilities - Adequate

Youth Facilities - Basic

Junior Coaching - Adequate

Youth Recruitment - Fairly Basic

Club Value - £325k

Stadium - 450

Season Ticket Holders - 150

Squad

Our squad is looking pretty strong for our current division according to my assistant (judging by his ratings I dunno whether he's trustworthy or not) with our weakest probably starting player having a 2.5* rating and most being 3.5*.

Standout players are more than likely my 3 starting strikers Michele Tarallo, Emmanuele Chiaretti, Allesandro D'Antonio, defender Vittorio Ferrero (who is co-owned by Juve so could be a future star) and central midfielder Simone Loiodice. Unfortunately each and everyone are Italian and don't fit in with my long term vision for the club.

National Team

Ranking - 207

Notes - All that can be said so far is they are beyond terrible, Cesena's Simonici looks their best player and he can't even get in Cesena's reserves to is out on loan.

good luck mate

Few bits I accidentally left out.

Manager Info

Reputation - Obscure

Wage - £1100

Season 2011-12

PreSeason

Preseason saw me bring in players, lots of players on free contracts in a bid to add some depth to our quite competent first team. While it would be costing a fortune and would put the clubs future at risk, i decided to take a gamble. I signed an almost entirely new team via player search and checking scout ratings. All Italians and I'm yet to find a decent Sammarinese player. In all 20 players were brought in taking our first team squad to a massive 33. After all were assesed, weighed and measure I will take measures to fix this in January (I hope..)

Results wise we were unbeaten in preseason against teams in our around our level.

Early Season

Serie C Cup Group G

Our season began with a tough group which featured Perugia, Melfi, Poggibonsi (what a cool name) and Fano. We breezed through the group with 10 points from the four games. Dropped points were away to Fano where we snatched a draw with a late equaliser after losing our two strikers to injury.

Results

(a) v Perugia - 2-0

(h) v Poggibonsi - 1-0

(a) v Fano - 1-1

(h) v Mefi - 2-0

Serie C2 B

September was a mixed bag as our season kicked into gear. I couldn't quite get my head around some of our performances a horrible loss to Renate and throwing away a lead at Cuneo.

Results

(h) v Poggibonsi - 2-1

(a) v Renate - 0-2

(h) v Lecco - 2-0

(a) v Cuneo - 2-2

(h) v Valenzana - 0-0

October began with another silly loss and and an expected cup defeat at Benevento my job was under pressure. Another draw saw me left with one game to save my job according to the media....

Lucky for me a change in how I do team talks and refusing to listen to the Ass man seemed to do the trick as we responded with our best performance of the season so far. Despite the 3-1 scoreline and us leaving it late we dominated with had 15 shots on target to our opponenets 0. With our tails up, a crushing 5-1 win over another awesomely named a team (Boro a Buggiano) was followed by another hammering this time Bellaria on the end of a 5-0 drubbing. Despite these results heading into the last game of October the media were not letting their pursuit of me go, insisting I'd be sacked if we failed to beat Giacomense and not only did we fail but we failed in spectaculor style. Despite taking an early lead we than scored an og, had a man sent off and when we went 2-1 down I made 3 subs which inevitabely led to our left back leaving the field on the hour meaning we had to finish the game with 9 men. To our credit we only conceded one more but would I be in charge for November? A strange one considering we currently sit 5th but only 2 points off the top 2 and level on points with 3rd, 4th and 6th.

Results

(a) v Savona - 0-2

(a) v Benevento - 0-2 - Serie C Cup 1st Round

(h) v Montichiari - 1-1

(a) v Pro Patria - 3-1

(h) v Boro a Buggiano - 5-1

(a) v Bellaria - 5-0

(h) v Giacomense 1-3

Mid Season

Well I survived into the first game of November anyway and we managed to scrape a draw to restore some confidence.

Next up was a huge tie with 3rd placed Sambonifacese, one that would likely shape the remainder of our season and my future.

We bossed the game but as things would happen fell behind right on half time...

We tore into our opponents in the second half and should of hit five our six. But in the end after hitting the post 4 times and having a stonewall penalty turned down an equaliser wouldnt come. A great performance but a terrible result and we slumped to 9th in the table.

Our worst perfomance of the season followed despite the flattering scoreline and we rounded off a poor November with 2 draws.

Results

(a) Rimini - 0-0

(h) Sambonifacese - 0-1

(a) Virtus Entella - 2-3

(h) Casale - 2-2

(a) Treviso - 0-0

A lucky win saw us finally get back on track in our opening December fixture, Tarallo popping up in the 93rd minute when in truth we should have being well beaten.

Another tough fixture followed against Mantova who were right in the automatic promotion mix and it was a game we saved some of our best for. Two early goals doing the damage and than we just kept the ball to ease home before a late third via the in form Tarallo.

We made it 3 from 3 and five without defeat in December thanks to a 95th minute Tarallo penalty to make the half way point in 5th spot at the winter break.

Results

(h) Santarcangelo - 2-1

(a) Mantova - 3-0

(h) Alessandria - 2-1

MidSeason

So after assesing the current squad alot of players were offered out and told they weren't required but unfortunately none were taken so we continued to urinate away money.

Our first game after the break was an away tie at table topping Poggibonsi. Despite being bossed by our hosts we managed to sneak in 1-1 at the break. We fell behind early in the second half and never looked like recovering as our hosts eased home.

This was quickly followed by a tough home tie with Renate who now led the league after winning their game in hand over Poggibonsi, it was also a game which could make or break or automatic promotion hopes. We trailed out visitors who were predicted to finish 18th by many pundits by 9 points so anything but a win and we were looking at playoffs at best.

An amazing first half saw doubles for Romaniello and Tarallo see us 4-0 up at the break. Our only Sammarinese player in the first team squad, striker Vitaioli made it 5 before our 4th striker to get on the score sheet was Montella. A fantastic 6-0 win and kept our promotion hopes alive.

Next up was Lecco, a team many tipped for automatic promotion but who had struggled in a mixed up division more than most and a brace of Tarallo penalties saw us pick up a tough 2-0 away win before we had to brace ourselves for another mammoth tie.

Like Renate, Cuneo would visit us as a team of whom little was expected yet had achieved so much. Cuneo sat second on 43 points. They sat an impressive 4 points clear of 3rd placed Renate and 7 clear of ourselves in 5th whilst trailed Poggibonsi by only 1. Our 3rd massive game in January.

Sciaclugia struck first blood for us in the 21st minute of an end to end tie and Centi gave us a 2-0 lead in an impressive performance. 2 quck injuries saw us use all 3 subs and when a third player went off injured on the hour we had to play out the last half hour with 10 men despite this we comfortably took the 3 points and moved up to 3rd in the table and to 4 points of automatic promotion.

Results

(a) Poggibonsi - 1-2

(h) Renate - 6-0

(a) Lecco - 2-0

(h) Cuneo - 2-0

League Table

                      Pl     Pts    GD
1 Poggibonsi          23     45     +15
2 Cuneo               23     43     +15
3 San Marino          23     39     +20
4 Renate              23     39     +8
5 Casale              23     37     +11
6 Boro a Buggiano     23     37     +9

Best of the rest was Alessandria and Mantova a further 4 points behind and so we moved into squeaky bum time in a decent if not great position.

the End of the Season

Our opening game of February was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch so I tagged along to watch a game that could have huge ramifications for us Cuneo vs Renate. The hosts edged it to pull 7 points clear of both ourselves and the side they just beat but we had a game in hand.

A home 0-0 with Savona saw us fall to fourth but close the gap to six points on automatic promotion and a thrilling 3-2 win in our postponed game at Valenzana halfed that gap whilst jumping back to 3rd. On a sour note we lost star centre half Cipriani and first team striker Romaniello for 2 and 3 months respectively.

Another thriller followed at Montichiari which finished 2-2 but in reality we were robbed. A fair goal not given and a red card that never was costing us victory. but we also had ourselves to blame for a last minute own goal to let the points slip.

We rounded off the month with another thriller, throwing away a 2-0 half time lead against bottom of the table Pro Patria before Tarallo (whose name I usually spell wrong) popped up in injury time.

Results

(h) v Savona - 0-0

(a) v Valenzana - 3-2

(a) v Montichiari - 2-2

(h) v Pro Patria - 3-2

So we headed into March unbeaten in 7 games and level in 3rd place, 1 point off second placed Renate and only 3 points off the league leader Poggibonsi. All to play for now....

Tarallo hit a hattrick in an away win over Borgo a Buggiano to begin the month and put us in an automatic promotion spot for the first time this season. A hard fought win and controverial win over struggling Bellaria saw us start to pull away as chasing Renate and Cuneo's games were postponed.

Another Tarallo double saw us ease to a win at Giacomense, a win that put us top of the table on goal difference and a 92nd minute header from the same centre forward edged us past Rimini 1-0 as we moved clear in a league plagued by cancellations.

Results

(a) v Borgo a Buggiano - 4-1

(h) v Bellaria - 2-1

(a) v Giacomense - 2-0

(h) v Rimini - 1-0

With the last 13 days of March free we were able to sit back and prepare for our final run of games while watching what went on behind us. We ended up heading into April on top of the table, 3 points ahead of Poggibonsi with a game more played but more importantly with a 6 point lead over 3rd placed Renate and 8 over 4th placed Cuneo.

An impressive away win over Sambonifacese saw us pull 8 points clear of 3rd and 10 clear of 4th and we looked odds on for promotion. We dished out a hammering to Virtus Entella to pull six points clear heading into 4 of our trickiest fixtures.

First up was an away trip to playoff chasing Casale and a point would guarantee us at least a playoff spot.

We edged out Casale thanks to a late og and that 2-1 victory put us 9 points ahead at the top and with the playoffs a cert things were looking quite good. Poggibonsi drew their game in hand at Treviso leaving us 8 points clear with 4 a piece to play and 11 points clear of Renate.

So the variations were many but one thing stood out, win and we are promoted, if Poggi drop points we are champions...

So we kicked off, an even game between us and Treviso had little in the way of action but than a roar went up from our crowd. Mantova had taken the lead at hom to Poggi. This was quickly followed by another huge roar. 2-0 Mantova. Right on the stroke of half time things got better. Sciaccaluga's pass was converted by Tarallo.

Poggi obviously got a roasting at half time cause 5 minutes after the restart it was 2-2. We controlled our game and eased to a 1-0 win so we were guaranteed promotion but there was a twist at Mantova, penalty to Poggi, which was missed as Mantova held on. Not only were we promoted but we were champions.

Full marks to 40 year old midfidler Sciaccaluga who bossed the game for us today.

The last three games meant little so I rotated a bit told the team enjoy their football. They played poorly which was a little disappointing but I couldn't be too harsh after the season they've just put in. Interestingly Poggibonsi fell apart and ended up finishing 4th 13 points behind us and were pipped on the last day by Cuneo who finished second.

So all that remained was the Serie C2 supercup where we would face the might of Perugia.

We travelled to Perugia and truth be told were absolutely hammered for 90 minutes. The 2-0 final score flattering us as in they deserved 4 or 5.

The second leg saw us perform much better but we concede a silly away goal and despite fighting back for a 2-1 lead when Perugia hit an equaliser on half time. Thats how it remained and despite giving our all we were simply outclassed.

Results

(a) v Sambonifacese - 2-0

(h) v Virtus Entella - 4-0

(a) v Casale - 2-1

(h) v Treviso - 1-0 (promoted as champions)

(a) v Santarcangelo - 0-0

(h) v Mantova - 2-3

(a) v Alessandria - 1-0

Super Cup

(a) v Perugia - 0-2

(h) v Perugia - 2-2

League Table

team            pl     pts     gd
San Marino      38     75      +37
-----------------------------------
Cuneo           38     65      +13
-----------------------------------
Renate          38     63      +15
Poggibonsi      38     62      +18

Season Round Up 2012

Serie C2A - Champions (Board Expects - Promotion)

Serie C Cup - 1st Round (Board Expects - 1st Round)

Serie C Super Cup - Loss

Top Goalscorer - Tarallo - 30

Top Assists - Sciaccaluga - 17 (not bad for a 40 year old)

Top Rating - Tarallo - 7.28

Appearances - Sciarrone - 45

MotM - Tarallo - 9

Sammarinese Player Watch -

Vitaioli - 6.75 rating, 3 goals, 1 assist, 2 starts 11 sub apps.

(no more he was the only one who featured)

League Info - Serie C2A

Champions - San Marino

Promoted - Cuneo, Poggibonsi

Relegated - Valenzan, Bellaria, Pro Patria, Giacomense

Serie C Cup

Champions - Reggiana

Runner Up - Alto Adige

Serie C2 Super Cup

Champions - Perugia

Runner Up - San Marino

Season 12-13 /Club Overiew

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian Serie C1/B

Media Prediction - 11th of 18

Board Requirements - Mid Table

Reputation - Regional (Up From Local)

Training Facilities - Adequate

Youth Facilities - Basic

Junior Coaching - Adequate

Youth Recruitment - Fairly Basic

Club Value - £190k (-£135k)

Stadium - 450

Season Ticket Holders - 367 (up217)

Manager Info

Reputation - Regional (up from obscure)

Wage - £2300 (Up £1200 - Why would a club whose losing £1.5m a year do this to my wages when I'd gladly have stayed for the same or preferably less?)

------------------------------------------------------------------

Preseason

We entered a higher Division with £10k less in a wage budget and no transfer kitty but through some wheeling and dealing I managed to bring in a few new faces on free transfers but had to let the entire youth team go to balance the books.

Sandwiched in the middle of our preseason friendlies was a win in the Italian Cup 1st qualifying round which was followed by a 45 minute footballing lesson in the 2nd round at Serie B side Torino. 3 down at half time we got better and Torino eased off as they eased to a 5-1 win.

With a nice start behind us (Torino lesson besides) I headed into the season worried about our cashflow but optimistic about our chances for the new season.

The Big Kick Off

We opened the campaign at 2nd favourites for the title Piacenza and despite taking the lead after 50 minutes I was delighted when we got the draw on 90. A fantastic away result and a super start to the new campaign. A home victory over Catanzaro soon followed and a fantastic comeback from 2 down at half time to draw at Barletta showed the divsion we would be no pushovers. We rounded off September with a stunning victory over title favourites Ascoli at the Olimpico thanks to a brace from Tarallo and sub Montella. We headed into October sitting 2nd in the table, trailing Barletta on goal difference alone.

Results

Italian Cup

1st QR - (a) v Latina - 2-1

2ndQR - (a) v Torino - 1-5

Serie C1/B

(a) v Piacenza - 1-1

(h) v Catanzaro - 2-1

(a) v Barletta - 2-2

(h) v Ascoli - 3-1

October began with our first away win which was marred by horrible injuries to Romaniello and new signing star midfielder Bouard. The first out for 6 months the second for 3. We crashed out of the Serie C cup at home to league leaders Barletta, losing Amantini to injury and our squad down 3 start players just couldn't find a goal. A 92nd minute Montella goal saw off Andria as we moved to the top of the table. Frosinone were next to the Olimpico and they were dispatched with considerable ease to put us 4 points clear after only 7 games. Triestina brought us back to earth as we slumped to our first defeat thanks to a poor first half before victory over Pergocrema insure we topped the league heading into November.

Results

Serie C1/b

(a) v Gubbio - 1-0

(h) v Andria - 1-0

(h) v Frosinone - 2-0

(a) v Triestina - 0-1

(h) v Pergocrema - 3-0

Serie C Cup

1st Rnd - (h) v Barletta - 0-1

League Table

Pos  - Team          - Pl   - Pt   - GD
 1  - San Marino     -  9  - 20   - +9
 2  - Barletta       -  9  - 18   - +7
 3  - Triestina      -  9  - 17   - +5
 4  - Perugia        -  9  - 14   - -1
 5  - Latina         -  9  - 14   - +5

Mid Season

The old enemy Poggibonsi was first in November and in truth we were lucky to escape with the point we got. A win over Siracusa was followed by a Tarallo hattrick to see off Fano and our last game of the month saw us face rock bottom Prato who had only taken 6 points for the season so far. A less than comfortable 1-0 win saw us finsih November with 10 ponts from 12 and take a 3 point lead into a busy December.

Results

(a) v Poggibonsi - 1-1

(h) v Siracusa - 2-0

(a) v Fano - 3-1

(h) v Prato - 1-0

December began with our worst performace of the season. Missing a few first teamers through injury we were 2 zip down to Carrarese when Tarallo got a stupid red card. Sub Buord pulled one back on his return from injury from the bench but we couldn't find an equaliser. We welcomed a couple of big players back from injury but two goalkeeping howlers and a 3.6 rated performance saw us 3 down at half time at home to Perugia. A terrible performance and the worst since I've taken over saw us crushed 4-0 and slip to 2nd in the table on goal difference.

It was a struggling team with poor morale who took the field against Cremonese and we played like a shadow of our former selves. Cremonese themselves were a poor outfit and a terrible game ended 1-1 but at least I could use the result to try and boost dropping morale as the bookies never gave us a chance. Desoite that fact another defeat in a winnable home game was us reach the half way stage and mid season break in 3rd place and in terrible form.

Results

(a) v Carrarese - 1-2

(h) v Perugia - 0-4

(a) v Cremonese - 1-1

(h) v Latina - 0-1

So onto January, when we couldn't afford to get involved in the transfer market and our goal was to move players on and try and turn around or poor form.

Midway through the month saw the visit of Piacenza, A tough start saw us 2 down early and despite a credible performance we slipped to our fourth defeat in 5 matches and 5 points off the top. We loaned in two strikers from Cesena for the rest of the season and they both started vs Catanzaro. One of them, Roope Riski nodded us ahead for half half time and despite a red card with 20 minutes to go we were back to winning ways.

In a huge week in the League the top four would all meet one and other. We would host 3rd placed Barletta, while top of the table Gubbio would play 4th placed Frosinone. We took the field to face Barletta after hearing that Gubbio's clash was postponed which meant a win would put us well clear of 3rd. Despite bossing the game our current struggles again showed and we went down 1-0 all but ending our hopes of winning the league and we slipped below todays opposition.

Results

(h) v Piacenza - 0-1

(a) v Catanzaro - 1-0

(h) v Barletta - 0-1

So with us only taking 4 of the last 21 points we were clinging on in the promotion battle but only by our fingertips. We needed a huge improvement in February but would it come?

An og left us trailing Ascoli but luckily we were rescued by an injury time D'Antonio goal to grab a draw in a game we easily deserved to win. Next up was league leaders Gubbio, and my did we put our poor form to bed. Despite the scoreline we absolutely thrashed them for 90 minutes and we should have won by much more than the 2-1 scoreline. Our final game of February was away at Andria and for some strange reason we capitulated again and took another hammering.

Through some miracle we managed to remain in second place at the end of February and heading to the business end of the season but the League saw incredibly tight and we were only two wins ahead of tenth place.

Results

(a) v Ascoli - 1-1

(h) v Gubbio - 2-1

(a) v Andria - 1-4

League Table

Pos - Team Name  - Pl - Pts
1  - Gubbio     - 22 - 45
2  - San Marino - 23 - 38
3  - Siracusa   - 23 - 37
4  - Barletta   - 23 - 36
5  - Poggibonsi - 23 - 35
6  - Carrarese  - 23 - 35
7  - Frosinone  - 23 - 34
8  - Cresmonese - 23 - 34
9  - Perugia    - 23 - 34

The Business End

March began with a an undeserved defeat in an end to end battle with Frozenyoghurt before we responded in style thrashing Triestina at the Olimpico. A tough draw at Pergocrema led us into two huge games with fellow playoff hopefulls Poggibonsi and Siracusa. We needed a minimum of three points to hold on to a playoff spot as all hopes of catching Gubbio were now gone. We upped our game again for Poggi and a comfortable home win was followed by a 1-1 draw at Siracusa despite playing 44 minutes with a man sent off.

Results

(a) v Frozinone - 2-3

(h) v Triestina - 4-1

(a) v Pergocrema - 1-1

(h) v Poggibonsi - 2-0

(a) v Siracusa - 1-1

So we were unbeaten in four and optimism had returned to the camp again. First up would be Fano and it would again be a tough battle with a playoff hopeful. It was a game where we finally looked to be back to our pre December best racing into a 3-0 lead by half time and playing some superb football. An impressive perfomance against Prato didn't yield the goals it merited and it took an 86th minute winner to get us over the line but it was 3 more points and we had extended our unbeaten run to six.

Another team threatening our playoff spot was Carrarese and when they fell and Gubbio lost it was all change in a topsy turvy division. Frozinone took over as league leaders and they led ourselves and Gubbio by only three points with all having seven games to play.

A huge battle with Perugia would end the month and this was the game I had on my mind as the home defeat to the same opposition had shattered our confidence earlier in the season.

But try as we might, Perugia seem to have our number and despite having a man advantage for 80 minutes we couldn't break them down and got sucker punched on the break.

Results

(h) v Fano - 3-0

(a) v Prato - 1-0

(h) v Carrarese - 2-0

(a) v Perugia - 0-1

First up in May was Cremonese who would as always provide a tough challenge, A win would put us in the playoffs and in all honestly that was all we could hope for. We trailled Frozinone by six points and a huge amount of goals so even if they lost both games we would not catch them.

A 1-1 draw saw us guarantee ourselves a playoff spot before a meaningless tie with Latina finished 2-2, confirming second place and a nice draw in the playoffs.

Results

(h) v Cremonese - 1-1

(a) v Latina - 2-2

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So into the playoffs we went where we would face Barletta while Perugia would meet Gubbio in the other.

The first leg against Barletta took place away from home and I would be hugely happy if we could take a draw back to our place. My team though had other ideas and tore into our opponents, storming to a 4-1 lead at half time. We finished the game with 9 men thanks to injury but we still stood strong and took a 3 goal lead home.

So we had to remain strong in the second leg and as long as we didn't ship four goals we would be in the final. All about remaining focused. And that we did, cruising to victory after two first half goals.

The final saw us one again face Perugia and they have being outclassing us since 2011.

First leg disaster struck and in within 40 seconds we trailed. But we battled well and got an equaliser from centre half Pagani before Riski gave us a half time lead. Again we controlled the second half and only the woodwork denied us a third (three times) before Jerkovic finally settled the tie in the 80th minute and we would take a 2 goal cushion to the Olimpico.

20 minutes into the home leg and Montella fired us in front to settle some early jitters. And despite a tight first half we hit the interval a goal to the good. A goal from sub Centi followed by a Riski penalty early in the second half killed all hopes of a Perugia fight back as we were now coasting home. Our visitors offered little thereafter and we eased into Serie B

Promotion Playoff Results

Semi 1st Leg - (a) v Barletta - 4-1

Semi 2nd Leg - (h) v Barletta - 2-1 (6-2)

Final 1st Leg - (a) v Perugia - 3-1

Final 2nd Leg - (h) v Perugia - 3-0 (6-1)

So we had achieved back to back promotions against all odds and would be plying our trade in Serie B next season. Survival alone would be a huge ask and we would need some major wheeling and dealing to be even competitive.

Season Round Up 2013

Serie C1B - 2nd and Promotion via Play Off (Board Expects - Mid Table)

Serie C Cup - 1st Round (Board Expects - Dont' Care)

Italian Cup - 2nd Qualify Round (Board Expects - 2nd Qualify Round)

Top Goalscorer - Riski & Tarallo - 14

Top Assists - Del Sole - 13

Top Rating - Riski - 7.61

Appearances - Cassara - 39

MotM - Riski - 5

So our player stats were dominated by loan signing Riski who saved our ailing season when he arrived on loan from Cesena.

Sammarinese Player Watch -

Vitaioli - 6.68 rating, 0 goals, 0 assist, 0 starts 6 sub apps.

(no more he was the only one who featured)

League Info - Serie C1B

Champions - Frozinone

Promoted - San Marino

Relegated - Andria, Catanzaro, Prato

Serie C Cup

Champions - Pisa

Runner Up - Gubbio

Italian Cup

Champions - Parma

Runner Up - Sassuolo

Season 13-14 /Club Overiew

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian SerieB

Media Prediction - 22nd or 22 (!!!)

Board Requirements - Avoid Relegation (I really could have done with battle bravely)

Reputation - Regional

Training Facilities - Adequate

Youth Facilities - Basic

Junior Coaching - Adequate

Youth Recruitment - Fairly Basic

Club Value - £650k (+£460k :-)

Stadium - 4500

Season Ticket Holders - 806 (up 439)

Manager Info

Reputation - National (up from Regional)

Wage - £2300

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Preseason Preperations.

So it was a preseason full of retirements as our dads army squad decided to hang up there boots. We lost 41 year old midfield legand Sciaccaluga, midfielder Centi, defenders Fogacci and Imbruglia along with club captain Pagani. We also had Avanzi turn down a contract and couldn't afford to re-sign starting players Tarallo, Montella, Bouard, Del Sole. Along with those players we would also be loosing Cipriani, Mancinelli and D'Antoni from our senior squad. Riski and Mezz Colli would be heading back to Cesena.

So being down 15 of last seasons Senior Squad rebuilding and staying up would be near on impossible. Added to this our poor financial situation and the fact I have no way to bring Sammarinese players through the enormity of this challenge is starting to hit home despite our on field success. Perhaps we have done too well in the league and the club cannot grow at pace with our results.

So we managed to bring in a few player and strenghten our falling apart squad with some freebies and we had a panel of 19 players heading into the new season. We are far and away the weakest squad in the Division and will be lucky to even come close to safety. Ryan McGivern was the most notable player to arrive.

Still we had a decent pre-season and headed into the season with decent morale.

We began the season with an Italian Cup 2nd Qualifying Round tie at home to Juve Stabia, free transfer signing Tiago Cavalcanti hitting the winner early in the first half to set up an almost impossible task against Lecce.

We traveled to the the Serie A side as 9-1 underdogs and we needed a miracle to qualify. A shock goal from Di Nicola saw us take the lead after 5 minutes and we held on till half time to make it a possibility. We were under siege second half for almost the entire half and than on 81 minutes the inevitable happened... Di Nicola again burst clear and calmly slotted us into a 2-0 lead over our hosts and into the 4th Qualifying Round where we would face another giant in Chievo.

Results

Italian Cup

2nd Qrd - (h) Juve Stabia - 1-0

3rd Qrd - (a) Lecce - 2-0

And so we entered September and would kick off our Serie B campaign against Albino Leffe and we played brilliantly and deserved more than the 1-1 draw we took home. Next up was a home tie with parent club Cesena.

Again we played brilliantly and took a 2 nil lead to half time. We were battered second half but defended like lions and despite giving up a goal we clung on for our first Serie B win.

We faced Grossetto without 4 players and could only name 6 subs dude to international fixtures which didn't aid our cause and without Di Nicola (Italy U-19's) McGivern (N.Ireland) Baldvinsson (Faroe Islands) and Vitaoilli (San Marino). With no midfielders on the bench it was a cert we would lose one to injury and we did after only 10 minutes. We battled hard but an unfair penalty cost us the points and after it put us 2-1 down we went gave up and went down 3-1.

Padova came to us with 7 points from their opening three games and bossed us from the off but despite not having a single effort on target we fought for another hard earned point and continued to punch above our weight.

Underperforming Livorno who had quality we could only dream of were next and again we showed the hearts of lions and a brace from Cavalcanti earned us a deserved 3 points.

We would round off September hosting title favourites Bari and again led by hat trick hero Cavalcanti we gave 150% for the shirt and beat the bookies favourites by 3 to 1.

We finished an impressive month with 11 points and in a lofty 4th position. A dream start and we had already achieved 1/4 of the points I felt would see us to safety.

Results

(a) v Albino Leffe - 1-1

(h) v Cesena - 2-1

(a) v Grossetto - 1-3

(h) v Padova - 0-0

(a) v Livorno - 2-0

(h) v Bari - 3-1

October began at struggling Varese and they took an early 2-0 lead, my over confident team not getting out of the starting blocks. But we pulled one back before half time, grabbed an equaliser just after and were unlucky not to take the 3 points.

High flying Vicenza were next at the Olimpico and again crippled by international call ups we struggled to break down our visitors without Di Nicola and slumped to a 1-0 defeat despite dominating the ball.

Next up was a tough one away at Pescara, again depeleted by the loss of 4 players to international call ups we would again struggle. We battled well and would of earned a point had it not being for two stupid red cards in the last 20 minutes. The winner coming in the 89th minutes.

So we had hit a mini slump and needed at least a point at home to Spezia if we were to kick on in the right direction again. We faced them with only enough players to fill the 15 of the 18 man squad and without 3 first teamers it would again be tough... We were two down before we knew what hit us and despite dominating from when we got into the game it was Spezia who scored the games third and final goal.

Our final game of the month was at Frozinone who had really struggled to adapt to Serie B and sat 21st. It was two teams low on confidence who met and it showed in a poor game. The only notable incident being an injury to star striker Cavalcanti.

Results

(a) v Varese - 2-2

(h) v Vicenza - 0-1

(a) v Pescara - 0-1

(h) v Spezia - 0-3

(a) v Frosinone - 0-0

So with an already weak squad and missing our only goal threat for 3 months it could be a long mid season coming up. We were hoping to put a poor October behind us when mid table Spal came to the Olimpico, in a tense battle it was a Jerkovic goal which earned us a scarcely deserved victory.

A trip to struggling Reggina followed and in my eyes it was a must not lose game, we led our hosts by 5 points and they occupied the last relegation spot and a loss may drag us into a dog fight at the bottom. We lost 3 more first teamers to injury during this one, striker Romaniello, defender Stadler and star U19 midfielder Di Nicola all limping off in the first half hour. As if things couldn't get worse at 1-1 and with a perfectly good goal rules out distaster struck with 2 minutes to go as a crazy og by Mc Givern saw us throw away a valuable point.

A home tie with a strong Bologna side was the last thing we needed and thankfully by the time it came around a half fit Di Nicola was back in the squad but with only 2 fit strikers we would have to play a midfielder up front. We struggled to cope with Di Vaio but despite all that and another good goal being ruled out we got to half time at 1-1. It was backs to the wall in the second half but unlike Reggina there was no silly mistakes and we earned a fantastic point.

A home tie with midtable Cittadella followed and it was a game in which we could only name a squad of 13. With McGivern, Di Nicola, Vili and Baldvinsson on international duty and plagued by injuries our front three would feature a 16 year old right winger and a reserve centre half up front with Jerkovic. Our only outfield sub was striker Villanova who was 60% fit. We went in at half time 1 down despite dominating. we again took the game to our oppostion second half and snatched a deserved equaliser after 70 but never quite found a winner.

At my monthly board meeting I managed to get a wage budget increase from 26k per week to 28k despite us currently spending 30, so that was a bit useless. Still it was enough to attract Maltese stiker Etienne Barbara to the club.

In other news I have being offered the managers job of the Sammarinese national team, although I feel its a bit early I have gladly accepted.

We were able to face Nocerina with a full 18 players for the first time in awhile. It showed too as we more than held our own against our stronger hosts and we were only denied a deserved win thanks to an 89th minute offside goal. Another horrendous decision that could have a huge impact on our season.

Our Italian Cup tie with the might Chievo was next, a huge clash and hopefully a money spinner. So with nothing to lose we would simply do our best against our top Division opposition.

We battled hard but were lacking in quality and despite our best efforts we trailed one nil at half time. I reminded the players to enjoy the game and not worry at half time and they came out second half and delighted me with their showing. We were rewarded for our effort on 80 minutes and big centre back Avendano popped up to force extra time.

Extra time saw us once again under the cosh but than one minute before the end of the first half we broke quickly from defence, Di Nicola who was out on his feet and carryin a knock beat two men and slid in Jerkovic who silenced the home crowd with a cool finish. We were absolutely out on our feet for the last 10 minutes but we once again showed the courage and heart of lions and despite riding our luck once or twice we hung on for another cup shock. The only negative being our hero Avendano had picked up the card that would see him suspended when we hosted Atalanta in the last 16.

Results

(h) v Spal - 1-0

(a) v Reggina - 1-2

(h) v Bologna - 1-1

(h) v Cittadella - 1-1

(a) v Nocerina - 2-2

Italian Cup 4th Qualifying Round

(a) v Chievo - 2-1 (AET)

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Mid Season

December began with a poor home performace, going down 3-1 to relegation threatened Crotone.

We expected little from the following tie away at high flying Catania and once again we did the opposite of what was expected, earning a draw after a battling performance.

Another tough one followed at home to Siena and I didn't have a clue what to expect but as it turned out we went 2 goals up, Siena had a man sent off and after looking like we were goin to throw it away Jerkovic hattrick gave us 3 more valuable points.

Second bottom Verona would be our 20th game of the season and we went a goal up before and og, red card and injury to McGivern in 5 crazy minutes saw us make the game hard for ourselves. With 3 subs used we lost Romiello to injury again to put us down to 9 men for the last half hour but despite all these setbacks we were to have the last laugh, when we scraped an 85th minute winner to bring us to the winter break.

Results

(h) v Crotone - 1-3

(a) v Catania - 1-1

(h) v Siena - 3-1

(a) v Verona - 2-1

Some good news for once in January, the board have brought in Parma Reserves MC Nic Galli after I pretty much begged them strengthening us and increased my wage budget to £33k.

Added to this Cagliari have made an offer of £500k for co-ownership of Italian U-19 midfielder Di Nicola and the offer includes a future buy out clause for another £1m which could potentially help turn the club around.

So with a new addition and a positive outlook we headed into the second half of the season. First up was relegation rivals Avellino at the Olimpico and once again we were sluggish in a game we should win and slumped to a one goal defeat.

Our biggest game of the season came next, facing another Serie A giant in Atalanta again away and again against all odds. Could we possibly cause another shock and make the cup quarter finals?

The answer.... No. Despite a brave showing and giving our all, we fell behind on the hour and when I changed to a more attacking tactic to try and force an equaliser we were caught out on the counter attack and knocked out of the cup though we did grab a late consolation.

The 434k we earned from the cup run added to the £500k from the Di Nicola deal put us out of the red and back in black for the first time since I took over and financially things were starting to look up. We used our extra balance to loan in 2 young strikers to try and fill the gaps in the squad.

And so we began the reverse fixtures as we had started with Albino Leffe and I was confident if we could match our 26 point haul from the first half of the season we would be comfortably safe.

It was a good performance as we bounced back from two defeats with loan strike Cuero getting the goal but a stupid Stadler red card cost us a late equaliser and the game finished 1-1.

An away trip to Cesena rounded off the month and we played brilliantly to shock our hosts and move 8 points clear of relegation.

Results

(h) v Avelino - 0-1

(a) v Atalanta - Italian Cup 1st Round - 1-2

(h) v Albino Leffe - 1-1

(a) v Cesena - 2-1

A home tie with Grosseto began February and was yet another game where we finished with ten men through injury which is getting annoying but we still got a hard earned point.

We were out on our feet for the Padova game with not many players having a 90 plus condition but we again gave our all but were outclassed in the second half as we reached the point of exhaustion.

My first big day as Sammarinese manager arrived and it was the draw for the European Championship Qualifiers. We were pulled in a tough looking Group A that looks as follows

Portugal
Greece
Switzerland
Wales
Faroe Islands
San Marino 

We were big underdogs for Livorno and despite being dominated but stole a point to keep our run of home draws going.

We went to Bari without a win in 3 and I didn't expect one in four and as always my team did their damdest to do the opposite. Cavalcanti's first goal in ages firing us ahead on 83 before as always with 3 subs made somebody gets broke up and Bari snatch an equaliser.

Our last game for two weeks saw us host struggling bottom 3 side Varese and we stormed to a 3-0 win to move 10 points clear of the drop zone.

Results

(h) v Grosseto - 0-0

(a) v Padova - 0-3

(h) v Livorno - 1-1

(a) v Bari - 1-1

(h) v Varese 3-0

We took a pounding in my first international game 5-1 at the hands of Kazakhstan which showed the enormity of the challenge I would face in the groups. We would need an absolute miracle to get anywhere.

International Friendly

(a) v Kazakhstan - 1-5

Our first league game of the month was at Vicenza and after an impressive first half saw us lead 2-0, we defended bravely after the break and only gave up one to edge to another fine win.

We hosted league leaders Pescara next and with a 12 point gap to the bottom three we could relax and just have a go. We trailed 2-0 at half time but were level after 49 minutes thanks to the hair dryer treatment. We amazingly went in front on the hour and struck a 4th on 75 minutes in the best half hour the team had produced under my leadership. Pescara hit back to set ur a nervy finish but we held on to win the 7 goal thriller.

A Cavalcanti brace saw off Spezia as our good form continued and despite a silly red card for Savinonen after 15 minutes we came from behind to draw with bottom placed Frozinone and round off a wonderful month for the club.

Results

(a) v Vicenza - 2-1

(h) v Pescara - 4-3

(a) v Spezia - 2-0

(h) v Frozinone - 2-2

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The first of Aprils 4 games saw us ravaged by suspensions away at Spal and a poor performance saw us slump to our first defeat in 8.

Reggina were up next and they had really struggled and failed to live up to expectations this season. Another stupid red card this time for Avendano put us on the back foot early on and we were lucky to hang on for a draw.

Expectations were low when we travelled to 2nd place Bologna and with them in a huge battle for promotion I didn't expect them to slip up against us but an inspired McGivern had other ideas. Defending brilliantly and popping up to poke home the winner late on and we now sat closer to the top 2 and promotion than the bottom 3.

Cittadella would be another tough ask and despite their struggles we were underdogs for the tie. But this time form edged dominated class as we stormed to a three goal lead at the interval. We continued to boss the opposition afterwards and grabbed a deserved fourth.

Results

(a) v Spal - 1-2

(h) v Reggina - 1-1

(a) v Bologna - 1-0

(a) v Cittadella - 4-0

We only needed a point from the tie with Nocerina to ensure survival and despite falling behind early we hit back for a 2-1 win and assured our safety.

Next up was an away tie at Crotone, who were well embroiled in the relegation battle. We took the game to them from the off and we deserved to win by far more than the 4-0 scoreline.

Promotion chasing Catania were next and they were in some faltering form so I had lots of confidence that we could cause an upset and we shattered there promotions hopes to fire ourselves to eigth. We also kept ourselves in with a slim chance of promotion sitting 7 points behind second with 9 to play for, but the playoffs were still within reach. Pescara though confirmed themselves champions with another dominating win.

Next up was another team fancied to crush us in Siena, they were struggling though and we took an early lead through Cavalcanti but after the interval our hosts tore us apart and we fell to only our second defeat in 14 games.

Verona were next and we hosted them knowing they were only one point above the drop zone. I tried to focus the team so we could maybe earn a top six finish. A Marchese freekick earned us a point and left us in seventh while our opposition slipped into the bottom three.

Today also meant we officially broke the discipline record with a game to spare, 76 yellow and 10 red cards making us the divisions bad boys.

Last up and the end of our hugely successful season was Avellino. Our team were already on holiday and we took a pasting much to my annoyance.

Results

(h) v Nocerina - 2-1

(a) v Crotone - 4-0

(h) v Catania - 1-0

(a) v Siena - 1-2

(h) v Verona - 1-1

(a) v Avellino - 0-4

My final game of the season was an international one and it was us face East Timor who sat one place above us and 207th in the FIFA Rankings. Three early second half goals saw us finally break our opponents and claim a good win possibly our first ever.

International Result

(h) v East Timor - 3-0

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Season Round Up 2012

Serie B - 9th (Board Expects - Avoid Relegation)

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Italian Cup - 1st Round (Board Expects - 2nd Qualifying Round)

Top Goalscorer - Cavalcanti - 16

Top Assists - Di Nicoloa, Marchese - 8

Top Rating - Avendano - 7.27

Appearances - Sciarrone - 42

MotM - Avendano - 8

Sammarinese Player Watch -

Vitaioli - 6.57 rating, 0 goals, 0 assist, 4 starts 5 sub apps.

(no more he was the only one who featured)

League Info - Serie B

Champions - Pescara

Promoted - Bologna, Padova

Relegated - Nocerina, Verona, Varese, Frosinone

Italian Cup

Champions - Fiorentina

Runner Up - Atalanta

International Info

Non Competitive - Pl-2 - W-1 - D-0 - L-1 - GF-4 - GA-5

Ranking - 208

Season 14-15 /Club Overiew

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian SerieB

Media Prediction - 18th of 22

Board Requirements - Avoid Relegation

Reputation - Regional

Training Facilities - Adequate

Youth Facilities - Basic

Junior Coaching - Adequate

Youth Recruitment - Fairly Basic

Club Value - £1.6m (+£950k :-)

Stadium - 4500

Season Ticket Holders - 900 (up 94)

Manager Info

Reputation - National

Wage - £4100 (up £1800)

Preseason 14-15

So with our most successful season ever behind us I sat about again rebuilding but this time without £1m in debt hanging over my head. I decided again to use it on players and leave the academy and youth alone until we have established ourselves as a Serie A side and I gave myself 3 seasons in which to hit Serie A and another 5 to become a mid level team there.

First there was the small matter of the trophy I was targeting in 4 years time, The World Cup.

World Cup 2014

There was no major shocks in the group stages except maybe Ireland and Jamaica knocking out an underperforming Uruguay side.

The first of the tournament favourites to bow out was the mighty Spain who were beaten by a strong Ivory Coast side in the last 16. Otherwise there was wins for Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, England, Holland and Portugal to set up possibly the strongest last eight of all time.

Brazil edged out France in a penalty shoot out in the first tie, before Italy demolished the Ivory Coast 5-2 to march into the semis. Portugal edged out Holland in the 3rd of the last 8 before the old enemies England and Argentina faced off and England showed their struggling opponents no mercy crushing them 3-0 to set up a showdown with Italy.

Brazil were the first team to earn a final spot, beating Portugal 1-0 before a Rossi brace saw Italy join them with a 2-1 win over England.

Again it was Rossi who would be the hero, toe poking Italy to a 1-0 win over Brazil in their own back yard and World Cup glory.

So back to the real football.

I opted against retaining the contract of Villanova and the club were rocked when defender Avendano opted to return to Argentina to see out his career.

In some good luck the bid for Di Nicola came up and Cagliari were in no position to make an offer so our bid of £0 won the auction and they had just given us £500k last season for nothing. I was delighted to hold on to our Italian u-19 star as I was sure he was a goner. Guess they must have judged him not good enough.

Most importantly our two biggest earners Jerkovic and Romaniera were moved on opening up £7.5k in wages and Sartori, Nobili, Romaniello, Amantini, Radotic and Migiani all joined them in exiting the club.

Once again I was tasked with staying in the Division but this time I had whopping £40k wage budget.

I managed to sign a coach or two for the upcoming season which was nice and we brought in a striker, midfielder and defender to bulk up the squad. 20 year old Romanian striker Bertea being the standout and his value jumping to £1.1 m the day after being signed.

Two Sammarinese youths were promoted as I had hope for them, keeper Frattini would be our only cover for Sciarrone and midfielder Sacco would be a last resort midfielder.

We headed into the season with a smaller squad but stronger first XI. I would try and bring in a new face or two if available but would be looking at bringing in younger players to build for a promotion push over the next few seasons.

We managed to bring in another Italian youngster Tonio Sansone, a winger who I hoped to adapt to a more central midfield role and Dennis Ostergaard arrived after being released by AC Milan and according to our scout and his agent would be a top Serie B player in the future.

Early Season 2014-15.

So we made a mix and match start to the season but most importantly we were well ahead of the drop zone and already looking good to retain our spot in Serie B. I was moderately happy with our start and felt with a bit of luck we might even have a run at the playoffs. I was slightly disappointed not to emulate last seasons cup run as we really needed the cash but thems the breaks.

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Things didn't start so well for the international side, we got thumped in every game and only scored twice.

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Mid Season 2015

A mix and match December was followed by a brilliant start to 2015 in spite of our chairman selling our top defender behind my back. We have fired ourselves right into contention for the playoffs and sit only six points off second place. I think its fair to say we won't be getting relegated this season too. Concerns though over new striker Manucho who I just can't seem to motivate and a few niggley injuries have me slightly worried.

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End of Season

All I can say is WOW. We were incredible for the final three months of the season. Cavalcanti led the charge and we earned promotion on the seasons final day. Amazing stuff... I'm both delighted and worried, I'm pretty sure our poor squad will need major renovating before the new season. Still time to enjoy the celebrations. Serie A baby...

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Season Round Up 2015

Serie B - 2nd and Promoted (Board Expects - Avoid Relegation)

Italian Cup - 3rd Qualifying Round (Board Expects - 2nd Qualifying Round)

Top Goalscorer - Cavalcanti - 28

Top Assists - Cavalcanti - 11

Top Rating - Cavalcanti - 7.4

Appearances - Di Nicola, Mc Givern - 41

MotM - Cavalcanti - 9

Sammarinese Player Watch -

Vitaioli - 6.7 rating, 0 starts 4 sub apps.

Frattini - 6.8 rating, 1 start

Sacco - 6.9 rating, 1 sub app

League Info - Serie B

Champions - Bari

Promoted - San Marino, Reggina

Relegated - Triestina, Spal, Avellino and Sassuolo (back to back relegations for Sass)

Italian Cup

Champions - Inter Milan

Runner Up - AC Milan

International Info

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                -PL - W - D - L - F - A
Competitive     - 6 - 0 - 0 - 6 - 2 - 32
Non Competitive - 4 - 0 - 0 - 4 - 1 - 11
Overall         -10 - 0 - 0 -10 - 3 - 43
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So that was a bit of a disaster our best result came away against the Faroes we actually deserved to win that one having more shots on target and holding them till the 70th minute. The 10-0 to Wales was my worst football manager result ever.

Ranking - 206 (up 2) I think this is cause I put up the ranking last time after the Timor win but before new rankings were published.

Well done in the league mate

Thanks Dark Demon. I was quite shocked but I all I seem to have to do with this side is tell my players relax and morale goes through the roof leading to great performances. International football is a tough nut to crack. We were so close to a point against the Faroes I could have cried when we had a player sent off.

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Season 14-15 /Club Overiew

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian Serie A

Media Prediction - 20th out of 20

Board Requirements - Avoid Relegation

Reputation - National (Up from Regional)

Training Facilities - Adequate

Youth Facilities - Basic

Junior Coaching - Average (Up from Adequate)

Youth Recruitment - Fairly Basic

Club Value - £7m (+£5.4m)

Stadium - 4500

Season Ticket Holders - 1403 (up 503)

Manager Info

Reputation - National

Wage - £4200 (up £100)

Pre-Season

It started with started with disaster, first I realised I forgot to renew the contracts of Di Nicola and Sansone because of their co-ownership deals and both left on free transfers and that was quickly followed by my chairman selling centre back Ostegaard to Lecce without my consent. Also leaving the club were Barbara, Sorbera, Marchese and Vitaiolli on frees.

After about three hours browsing players to steal and unattached oldies I managed to recruit seven new faces. Paolo Cannavaro being the undouted star along with full back Antonini. All in all I brought in three defenders, three midfielders and a striker. Friendlies went well with 3 wins a draw and 2 losses in preseason. One of the defeats being an impressive performance at Sunderland where were went down 3-2 in the 90th minute.

The end of preseason would see me back in the international fold and we took two more poundings. Greece and Switzerland handing them out.

So we finished our Euro Qualifying Group in October and if anything it showed the enormity of a challenge I will face in improving Sammarinese football. We lost every game and again topped my worst ever football manager result taking a 12-0 off Wales. With one nightmare out of the way, the WC qualifiers handed us an even tougher group featuring the defending champions. Anyone got any tips for the future of Sammarinese football.

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Couldn't resist just had to post this. Greatest result in the Clubs History imho...

First Half of Season 2015-16

So we started Serie A with a bang and haven't looked back since. Our opening fixture, the win at Inter and a 6-1 thrashing of Lazio being the highlight plus we lost an amazing nine goal thriller in Sampdoria. We had Bertea in great form but a 3 month injury saw him crippled but lucky for us Melliti and Cavalcanti shared the goal burden. The latter becoming the clubs all time leading scorer. We sit nine points clear of relegation and ten points off the title. We have a huge shot at making the UEFA. Also we travel to the San Siro where we've being twice without defeat to face AC in the Italian Cup.

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It just keeps getting better and better. Underestimate us at your peril.

January to March 2016

Brought back to Earth with a bang, with the re-rating onf teams and squads the winter break brings. Despite plummeting towards the relegation zone in Jan and Feb we continue to impress in the cup. A 5-0 thrashing of AC at the San Siro being the highlight and an incredible semi final second leg hosting Inter, we led 4-0 (5-1 on agg) at half time but Inter destroyed us second half and along with their three goals missed and peno and hit the post twice as we squeaked into the final.

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Internationally we grabbed a couple of wins against similar levell opposition to rise to a lofty 202nd in the world rankings.

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And last but not least is the fact our youth crop came through, but unlike usually I may just have found the future of Sammarinese football. Ladies and gentlemen the new Andy Selva, Roberto Renzi

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End of Season 2015-16

Well we did ok in the league after a poor start to the new year but 3 games of madness ruined our season. Conceding 16 goals in the 3 which included the Cup Final. Far and away the highest goals conceded in the league which is a worry for next season. Time to start rebuilding and hopefully push on.

Serie A - 12th (Board Expects - Avoid Relegation)

Italian Cup - Runner Up (Board Expects - 4th Qualifying Round)

Top Goalscorer - Giacomelli - 25

Top Assists - Konate - 25

Top Rating - Giacomelli - 7.61

Appearances - Konate - 43 (1)

MotM - Giacomelli - 7

Sammarinese Player Watch -

Sacco, Sammaritini, Rizzo and Bonomi all made one sub appearance.

League Info - Serie A

Champions - Juventus

Champs League - Fiorentina, Inter

UEFA Cup - Napoli, Sampdoria, Cagliari

Relegated - Genoa, Reggina, Bari

Italian Cup

Champions - Sampdoria

Runner Up - San Marino

Euro 2016

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Season 16-17 /Club Overiew

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian Serie A

Media Prediction - 18th out of 20

Board Requirements - Avoid Relegation

Reputation - National

Training Facilities - Adequate (currently being upgraded.)

Youth Facilities - Basic

Junior Coaching - Average

Youth Recruitment - Fairly Basic

Club Value - £13.75m (+£6.75m)

Stadium - 4500

Season Ticket Holders - 1436 (up 33)

Manager Info

Reputation - National

Wage - £4200 (up £100)

Pre-Season

Wheeling and dealing was the name of the game. We released a whole bunch of last seasons first team including club legend Cavalcanti (to the dissapointment of the fans.) We also lost young Italian midfielder Konate to Inter at the say so of the board again but with our rep boosted by our cup run I was able to bring in some fine players but none as good as the departed Konate. We had a squad that was slightly below the Serie A average but much better than last seasons.

Despite having a few quid in the bank the board refuse to do anything with youth or junior coaching. I did get the training facilites upgraded but won't know how much till its finished.

Also we're really being held back financially by our 4,500 seater stadium far and away the lowest in Serie A but we don't have the money to build one of our own.

August to November 2016

So much like last season we've taken off like a rocket. Led by the impressive new signing Cyriac Gohl Bi scoring over a goal a game we're flying. Last season the interval and reranking hit us pretty hard and we plummeted for 2 months so I'm hoping for much better this time. I finally managed to push the board on one or two things but they will not improve youth facilities. Frustrating!!!!

Cyriac

Improvements

So not a bad season so far. Mid Season Coming Up.

International Season 2016

So we had our best interntional season so far. Improving drastically we even held Italy for 45 minutes before eventually falling to a 5-0 defeat. Despite the fact results against big teams weren't getting better our results against teams of our own stature was much improved and we climbed to a might 195th in the Fifa World Rankings. Onwards and upwards.

Mid Season 16-17

Well we aren't now going to win Serie A, much like last season our first two months of the new year were terrible after an impressive December which coincided with the 7 week injury to Gohi Bi. Still we sat in a good league position and the Europa wasn't yet out of reach. Two brilliant wins clawing us back into contention at the end of Feb. We crashed out of the cup with a terrible performance against Inter's B team and all my focus was now on our last 17 league games.

I finally got my wish with youth facilities and after the sale of Rogerinho (who arrived for free) another training facilites upgrade. The club is really starting to take shape now. If only we could get the finances for a bigger stadium. Our growth is crippled by our 4.5k capactiy.

So good I had to just post about him

Not eligible to play yet but already the best Sammarinese player in the world 15 year old Federico Gasperoni. Haven't being this excited about a newgen in a long time. Our assistant manager called him possibly one of the the best players of his generation. Might not be a world beater but could be best Sammarinese footballer ever. Bonus that he's not dual nationality so Italy can't steal him.

Seasons End 2016-17

A fantastic season despite another January wobble and we were only denied the UEFA cup by Udinese thrashing Fiorentina in the Cup Final. Still it was major progress and the money we recieve from Serie A has made massive improvements to our club. Even the stadium is being upgraded to a massive 6750 capacity. Onwards and upwards. I was cautiously optimistic that next season we could go at least one place better and earn European football but I believe the top 3 and Champions League is a massive ask.

Serie A - 6th (Board Expects - Avoid Relegation)

Italian Cup - Quarter Finals(Board Expects - 4th Qualifying Round)

Top Goalscorer - Gohi Bi - 38

Top Assists - Xisco Nadal - 14

Top Rating - Gohi Bi - 7.58

Appearances - Ikeme - 42

MotM - Gohi Bi - 15

Sammarinese Player Watch -

Gasperoni was the only player to feature this season due to our european push.

League Info - Serie A

Champions - Palermo

Champs League - Fiorentina, Napoli

UEFA Cup - Inter, Juventus, Udinese

Relegated - Chievo, Siena, Cesena

Italian Cup

Champions - Udinese

Runner Up - Fiorentina

Season 17-18 Club Overiew

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian Serie A

Media Prediction - 17th out of 20

Board Requirements - Avoid Relegation

Reputation - National

Training Facilities - Average (up from Adequate and currently being upgraded again)

Youth Facilities - Basic (currently being upgraded)

Junior Coaching - Good (Up from average)

Youth Recruitment - Average (UP from fairly basic)

Club Value - £17.75m (+£4m)

Stadium - 4500

Season Ticket Holders - 2032 (Up 596)

Manager Info

Reputation - National

Wage - £4200

Pre-Season

Armed with an impressive £5m transfer budget and £275k for wages I was both surprised and optimistic heading into the new season. God, I love Serie A finances. Leaving the club were Cannavaro and Padienza (retirement), El-Abd (released), Antonini (Ascoli, free) so defence would be the area that needed vast improvement. Next to leave was striker Paolucci (£250k to Atalanta) who hadn't played much since his arrival on a free and we lost our co-ownership bids for young strikers Melliti and Bertea. We did manage however to hold on to young midfielder Gentili for £1.

We made our first ever cash signing than bringing in Henrique for £3.3m after matching his release clause and our second quickly followed Italian wonderkid Rotella from Sassuolo for £1.7m and another Brazilian in defender/midfielder Anderson for £800k. So we headed into the season with imho a more than adequate squad after a few free transfers to sure up our defence.

Great story mate

thx oche.

Early Season 2017-18

Again we took off like a hare, storming up the table. We crushed megarich Brescia to kick off our season in style and thumped Inter along the way. The only real blot was a hammering at Torino which came out of the blue but we were flying and looking good. I also exceeded my board expectations in the cup without playing a single game. The board asked me to make the 4th Qualifying Round but because of last seasons performance we don't enter until the first round proper. Also great to see AC Milan rock bottom as all their managers have bein arrogant c**ts to me.

The End of International Chapter 1

I took the easy way out and resigned after a 10-0 thumping off Poland. This coupled with the fact Gasperoni refused a call up as he wanted to play for Italy just sickened my buzz and I resigned from a job that I will return too at some stage. Interestingly after I quit they only lost 2-0 to Greece so I guess I just wasn't cut out for the job.

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Mid Season 2017-18

So we didn't have our usual midseason collapse and despite some slightly indifferent form we sat in a Champions League Spot come March. The only major disappointment was the Atalanta game at the end of February. We were 2-0 up after 80 minutes and lost 3-2 allowing Inter to close the gap to a solitary point. Form though has being good and we take a 4-0 lead into the 2nd leg of the Italian Cup Semi Final against Torino so its likely we'll be making our second final. Thanks to mega rich Brescia coming in to co-own two of our players (for no less than £12m) we could again upgrade facilities. Training and youth both improved again along with added money to junior coaching. Along with being a great season on the pitch its arguably being even better off it with the club taking huge strides forward. Though we still could do with a stadium move.

Season Round Up 2017-18

What a season, we fought brilliantly and almost blew our Champions League hopes. We led Juventus 2-0 with 15 minutes to play but they fought back to claim the Serie A title on our patch, exactly like Palermo last season. The loss saw us slip a point behind Inter, but as usual we were magnificent at the San Siro (where we always seem to perform) and snatched our 3rd spot back. We also stunned Fiorentina with my shock defensive 523 to win the Cup. What a fantastic final three games. How am I going to top this. In other news I am once again the manager of the National Team after the last guy stepped down. I love punishment.

Serie A - 3rd (Board Expects - Avoid Relegation)

Italian Cup - Champions (Board Expects - 4th Qualifying Round)

Top Goalscorer - Henrique - 45!!!

Top Assists - Xabi Castillo - 27

Top Rating - Henrique - 7.83

Appearances - Kamga, Henrique - 40 (1)

MotM - Henrique - 8

Sammarinese Player Watch -

Roberto Renzi (1 sub appearance) - 2.5 * Potential

Pierluigi Ferrari (1 sub appearance) - 4.5 * Potential

Federicio Gasperoni (1 start, 5 sub apps, 1 goal and 1 assist) - 5* Potential - Our wonderkid has declared for Italy as he's an arrogant little traitorous **** ****** **** s****ead but will still develop into a world class player so remains at the club. Will be removed from the list next season.

League Info - Serie A

Champions - Juventus

Champs League - Fiorentina, San Marino

UEFA Cup - Inter, Napoli, Palermo

Relegated - Padova, Lecce, AbinoLeffe

Italian Cup

Champions - San Marino

Runner Up - Fiorentina

Season 18-19 PreSeason

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian Serie A

Media Prediction - 12th out of 20

Board Requirements - Top Half Finish

Reputation - National

Training Facilities - Good (Up from Average)

Youth Facilities - Adequate (Up from Basic)

Junior Coaching - Excellent (Up from Good)

Youth Recruitment - Average (Up from Fairly Basic)

Club Value - £27m (+£9.25m)

Stadium - 6750 (+2250)

Season Ticket Holders - 2032 (up 33)

Manager Info

Reputation - National

Wage - £4200

I was given my expectations of Top Half Finish by the board and they armed me with £12.83m transfer budget and 325k for wages so I was as expected delighted. Never had a board without a tycoon from such a small club back me so well. I love San Marino.

So as always it began with contracts and players departing that were deemed surplus Xisco Nadal was unfortunate to be leaving the club after the his seasons and Ryan McGivern equaly as unfortunate after giving years of dedicated service to the club. Next up was overhauling our squad in a bid to step up to our new level. Gentili was sold to Lazio for £500k after we lost the co-owership bid, never living up to his potential and not quite being first team level I wasn't too upset. Vejinovic was next heading to Lazio for £450k a year after joining on a free. Elton and Benedetti left for £250k a piece and keeper Amelia moved to Inter for £100k, to warm their bench. Aaron Mullin left for again £500k to Ipswich with me already having a replacement in mind and than there was controversy when Gohi Bi left to Palermo for £500k. The fans weren't happy but the player demanded to go.

With plenty of money, I smashed the club transfer record twice durning pre-season, Lecce offered us worldclass centre back for £5.25m and I took the plunge and world class striker Dinho arrived from Nacional Du Maderia for £7m as we looked to strengthen for the Champions League. Also arriving was the much sought after Kizito from Man United (on a free) a player in his early twenties who had never set the world on fire as expected and defender Cajal (free) who had being released and looked superior to our young centrebacks. Left back Volta arrived again from the wilderness having being released by Sampdoria and would compete with Xabi Castillo and keeper Messina arrived as our new second choice.

We were given a baptism of fire in the Champions League but despite how tough it was being unseeded meant we would always face a mammoth task. In fact we got probably the nicest possilbe draw.

World Cup 2018

Football sure is a strange game but more on that later....

A tight Group A saw Russia and Serbia dump out strong American side and Morocco. Russia impressively winning all 3 games. Group B saw England win a group they were huge favourites in but Belarus shocked everyone to make the second round, a surprise draw against England seeing them edge in ahead of Cameroon with Japan the groups whipping boys.

Group C saw Spain advance with a 100% record, and they were joined by Belgium as expected in a group also containing Costa Rica and Venezuala. France eased through Group D with little trouble. Ecuador stunning Sweden to advance as Trinidad and Tobago were the whipping boys.

Brazil eased through Group E with 7 points and South Africa edged through in 2nd on 4. Both South Korea and Turkey finished on 3 and were left to blame a Brazil team already qualified for dropping points against the Africans. The biggest shock happened in Group F, both Argentina and Ivory Coast tumbling out of the group of death at the hands of Mexico and shock group winners Switzerland.

Poland pipped their old enemy Germany to top group G, but the Germans did qualify unbeaten ahead of Senegal and Syria, while Group H saw another giant bomb out. Holland stunned by Colombia in a group won by Portugal...

A picture is worth a thousand words so how do you like them apples.... Poland World Champions, maybe I shouldn't have being so hard on my Sammarinese side for all those whoopings.

Early Season 18-19

Serie A

So we got off to a stroming start winning the Super Cup against Juve and in the league handing out hammerings left right and centre. More impressively is despite losing 4 first team starters to long term injury we still sat top of the pile at Christmas break. Super stuff from pretty much last seasons starting XI (or at least those who remained).

UEFA Champions League

Again we were brilliant, we destroyed our shocked opposition in the prelim before easing through a tough group. We were already qualified when we travelled to Marseille and I played some of my youngsters who suffered a 6-2 drubbing but we good look back on a good campaign thus far. Man City awaited in the Last 16 but we were unbeaten against Chelsea in the group so I was confident we would at least put up a fight.

International Year 2018

I returned to the job after the Austria game so I can't take the blame for that but I quickly put the team into pole position to qualify for the Euro's. Not alot to say besides but we have climbed to a best position of 186th in the rankings. My young striker Roberto Renzi has taken over as the nations all time top scorer with 11 goals. The other star in the team is another of my youth products, midfielder Pierluigi Ferrari who is probably the best player in the nations history already despite only being 17. If only my other two talented youth Gasperoni and Piccinu would accept the call things would look much brighter.

January to April 2019 - Serie A

So unlike previously we didn't falter in January and had one of our best months and our good form continued right up until Aprils end where we sat top of the table with 3 games to go. 2 points ahead of the mighty Inter Milan. And guess who were coming to the Olimpico for a title decider?

We certainly had the harder run in... heres a look.

San Marino Run In

Inter Milan Run In

Squeaky bum time indeed....

Champions League Adventure

So we again were brilliant in the knock out stages. We hammered a shell shocked City team that featured Aguero, Hazard, Modric, Doumbia, Kompany and Lucas??? to advance to the last 8 where we would meet Manchesters other entrants.

And here is why defender Cajal will be leaving in the Summer....

Late Drama

So we faced an on form Inter side to try and put one hand on the title and it was every bit the cracker that people thought it would be. We nicked it in the 5th of 3 minutes injury time aka Fergie time and as good as sealed the championship there and than.

So with a five point lead and only six to play for we travelled to Juve under less pressure and it showed. We thrashed our hosts to land San Marino's first ever League Title and it only took 8 seasons. Phenomenal achievement.

Italian Cup

We finished a great season with an abject 45 minutes of football throwing away a 2 goal lead to almost hand Inter the cup. Luckily Selaci grabbed his hattrick to take the tie to penos and the rest is history.

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Season Round Up 2018-19

Serie A - 1st (Board Expects - Mid Table)

Italian Cup - Champions (Board Expects - 1st Round)

Champions League - Quarter Finals (Board Expects - Best Placed Playoff)

Top Goalscorer - Selaci - 52

Top Assists - Ramirez - 17

Top Rating - Selaci - 8.02

Appearances - Mario Oliver - 51

MotM - Selaci - 16

Sammarinese Youth Player Watch -

Roberto Renzi - 2 starts, 3 sub, 1 goal, 2 assists - 6.96

Sammaritani - 1 sub, 5.90

Pierluigi Ferrari - 4 starts, 21 sub, 1 goal, 3 assists - 6.77

Gasperoni - 9 starts, 10 sub, 3 goals, 6 assists - 6.96 (still elligable but currently with Italy u21s)

Piccinnu - 2 starts, 1 sub - 6.63 rating (still elligable but currently with Italy u19s)

League Info - Serie A

Champions - San Marino

Champs League - Inter, Napoli

UEFA Cup - Brescia, Fiorentina, Lazio

Relegated - Cesena, Genoa, Siena

Italian Cup

Champions - San Marino

Runner Up - Inter

Champions League

Champions - Lyon

Runner Up - FC Porto

Congratulations on a phenomenal season.

Top stuff! Just need to sort the national team out now.

thx lads. think the national team is goin to be a much much bigger challenge, 90% of the players in the national pool are my youth and reserve teams and their terrible. Only Ferrari has a yellow star for current ability all the rest are 2 or 3 grey stars with 1/2* potential. Long project ahead. I intend at some stage to go all Italian/Sammarinese with the club and finally only Sammarinese. Id say at the rate im getting youths it will be after 2030 before i get any kind of national team going.

Season 19-20 PreSeason

Club - San Marino

Division - Italian Serie A

Media Prediction - 6th out of 20

Board Requirements - Top Half Finish (which I changed to Champions League Qualification)

Reputation - National

Training Facilities - Top (Up from Good)

Youth Facilities - Average (Up from Adequate)

Junior Coaching - Exceptional (Up from Excellent)

Youth Recruitment - Average (Up from Fairly Basic)

Club Value - £63m (+£36m)

Stadium - 6750 (+2250)

Season Ticket Holders - 2910 (up 878)

Manager Info

Reputation - Continental (Up from National)

Wage - £30,500 (UP by £26,300)

Pre-Season

So now we had money and boy do I mean money. Serie A TV money and Champs League Money. Added to my higher expectations I was armed with £20m+ and a wage budget of half a million but first to the outgoings. Man City with the hammering we gave them in mind rocked the club to its core as preseason began by taking KIzito from us. Their £8.5m bid matching his release clause and the player opted to move abroad rather than sign a new contract.

We lost both left backs on frees after they refused to sign a new contract so some serious rebuilding would be again required. Next through the exit door was centre half Cajal, to be honest he's a decent player and I didn't want him to go but after transfer listing him following the Champions League exit to United, Inter got interested and though I unlisted him they matched his £3.3m release clause and he was off to the San Siro. I never quite forgave him anyway and we would give him a baptism of fire in the Super Cup. One from which he would never recover. More later....

It was a sad day for the club when one of our favoured players Stefano Giacomelli left the club. The player just wasn't going to feature as we had outgrown him and he joined newly promoted Vicenza on a free so at least would still be plying his trade in Serie A. In his 4 years at the Olimpico the player bagged 56 league goals in 71 appearances but only featured 3 times in Serie A last season (bagging 1 goal). A huge part of our clubs progression and a player I will truly miss.

Carraro left for Roma for £750k, he was only a bit part player from the day he arrived so I didn't feel too bad and rightback Rosi left after I opted against renewing his contract. Last out the door was midfielder Babovic who hadn't settled well and went back to Croatia on a free.

I set about spending my massive backing in style. First up was replacing our two departing left backs. Gabriel Silva was far superior to both and the Brazilian arrived on a free but our starting left back would be another Brazilian Lucio who arrived for £4.5m from Zaragosa. Next in was an attack minded central midfielder Roberto Matos was a simular player to Kizito only he couldn't play centre forward as well. He arrived from Boca Juniors for £4.1m. Next up we retained the services of Selaci. We had to pay 5.75m to outbid Udinese in the co-ownership auction as he value had rocketed to £11m since we made the agreement.

Our biggest money buy saw us break our own transfer record shelling out £7m on Norweigan striker Alexander Sannerud and last to arrive was Cayal's replacement. £4.4m was spent on Lukas from FK Austria Wien. We brought in another centre back Daniel Rugani arriving for £3.2m from Young Boys.

We also handed out a severe warning in the Italian Super Cup....

Take this Cajal you traitorous ****

The Champions League draw saw us again seeded 4th so we knew we would be getting a tough one regardless. As hard an all as it was, it could of being far, far worse and I was cautiously optimistic.

Well my girlfriend and kids officially think I'm mental now, but when Renzi popped up I celebrated as if this was real. Couldn't wait for the December International Round Up.

Season 19-20 First Half

We started brilliantly and sat second at the break, level on points with Fiorentina. The only blemish on our season so far was the hiding we got in Florence where we trailed 5-0 before finally going down 5-2. Still an exceptional start. Im having a bit of trouble holding on to players as alot of our best want to move to bigger clubs. With 20 goals already this season I was disappointed when Selaci handed in a transfer request, but I have a feeling a few could be following soon.

Champions League progress was smooth winning our first three games and topping a strong but not impossible group.

International Report coming soon....