The World Clan FM2005 goes le Mediterranean [Established Clan]

Kozak · March 2, 2005

Can everyone install the 5.0.3 patch before Thursdays' session???

Tnx for your cooperation...

OMDave · March 3, 2005

Onward and upward. By Cosimo Galtieri, Notizie Delle Marche.

Ascoli prepared their first Serie A season in fourteen years with frenetic transfer activity during the summer, which has almost entirely reshaped the first eleven.

First XI:

GK: SebastiÃ¡n Saja (Arg/Spa)

DR: Andreas GÃ¶rlitz (Ger)

DC: Ovidiu Petre (Rom)

DC: Christian Terlizzi (Ita)

DL: Mirko Pieri (Ita)

MR: Mario Ignacio Regueiro (Uru/Ita)

MC: David Bystron (Cze)

MC: Roberto Bertolini (Ita)

ML: Marcel Ketelaer (Hol)

SC: Christian RiganÃ³ (Ita)

SC: Guiza (Spa)

Second XI:

GK: Bernardo Leyenda (Arg/Ita)

DR: Samuele Salvadori (Ita) - loan from Fiorentina

DC: Muamer Vugdalic (Slo)

DC: ReynÃr LeÃ³sson (Ice)

DL: Lars Kristian Eriksen (Nor)

MR: Rudolph Douala (Cam/Por)

MC: Carlos Martins (Por)

MC: Antonino Bernardini (Ita)

ML: JosÃ© (Spa)

SC: Christian Bucchi (Ita)

SC: Robert (Spa)

The team performed reasonably well during the pre-season friendlies, which were all played at Cino e Lillo del Duca. First up were Serie A rivals Bologna, beaten by a single goal from Pieri. The next visitors were Albinoleffe, fielding a very young side for the occasion. Two goals by Bucchi and a late strike by Tanko (on his second and final appearance in the striped black-and-white shirt) saw them off 3-0. The last friendly was against Serie B hopefuls Ternana and ended in a 2-0 win, an own goal from LÃ¤nsimies and a RiganÃ³ header putting the game beyond the visitors.

The Italian Cup sees Ascoli matched up against Cesena in the First Round, in what should be an interesting epilogue to last season's league confrontations. Both teams have undergone considerable changes in personnel, and will be looking to start off their season with a morale boost.

The objective this season is clear: maintain the club's position in Serie A, and above all avoid getting drawn into the relegation dog-fight. Manager Dello Spliff will be hoping that his more experienced first-team players can help the youngsters adapt to this new stage, and contribute to instilling in them the values of hard work and dedication to the team's cause. It remains to be seen whether the squad will stand up to this test of its character, but the mood is buoyant at the club and everyone awaits the season's official kick-off with huge excitement.

ericdjembadjemba · March 5, 2005

Field Ready To Walk Out On Lifeless Crotone!!!

At a press confernance on saturday crotone manager damo field came out punching at his interview with the local press. field made this statement - "good afternoon gentlemen. i have a brief and to the point statement to make, no questions will follow. over the past few seasons of football i have enjoyed the succsesfull side of football. i won the european super league division one with celtic before that competion disbanded and in my second season of management bout a few people into a genoa squad that got promoted. the first season shows my pedigree as manager. although i have a proven high scoring results track record its been goals going in the other end that has tarnished my third season in football. my players have been poor, thats a certain. very poor. there is currently neither the players or the general attitude around crotone football club to keep them up. players are not pulling there weight in the games and look like primadonnas in training, this all came to a head on wednesday night when we were soundly destroyed by rivals cesena. 5-2 is unacceptable. so my message to the fans, journalists and players is this. you have 6 games!!! no more. 6 games!!! if there isnt a drastic improvment after 3 many of the squad will find themselves on the transfer list. if after 6 games we have lost 50% or more. i will leave crotone football club and seek other employers. i understand crotone are many of the medias favorites to go down and we have proved them right but at this precise moment in time i would rather manage a serie c side with enthusiam than a serie b side with nothing. 6 games........."

damo field got up and stormed from the press room to a quiet level of shocked mumblings.

Jump Off · March 7, 2005

Hi guys, its damo on his bros profile, as koz explained above i have explorer issues, my bro sorted it but still had the issues when i logged into si. so im using his account from now on

After resigning last session from the bollox crotone ill be taking charge of a non top 3 serie c team. see you all tonight

March 7, 2005

Oh good another team in serie C!

I can't make tonight - got to work

See you Friday next?

March 7, 2005

Great clan going mates, keep up the great work

Kozak · March 12, 2005

Can all members please install patch 5.0.5 before next session. Cheers.

Kozak · March 13, 2005

Standings update 1-1-2006

Kuky · March 14, 2005

Hmmmm thas funny !!! I was just about to ask why Kozak didn't put up the updated table as he is 2nd ...

Kozak · March 14, 2005

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Kuky:

Hmmmm thas funny !!! I was just about to ask why Kozak didn't put up the updated table as he is 2nd ... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I always post on halfway the season in Christmas hollidays .

danis · March 14, 2005

can i join the game please?

What i have to do?

March 14, 2005

any chance of you giving the serie c and a teams a update koz? grrrrr

March 14, 2005

by the way this is damo

March 14, 2005

Damo Field Moves To Empoli

In a dramatic twist of fate damo field jumped ship at doomed crotone, and less than 24 hours later was appointed at rich empoli in serie c. this was a shock to many but not to the manager himself who saw empoli as the perfect place to show his skills, a team who attack and defend in numbers! and what a start he made, unbeaten in 11 and took the top of the table. after two recent losses verona have over taken them but only with a extra 1 point. the battle for promotion is on and empoli firmly beleive they will win it! they have made signings many see as higher division players, rignanese came from arezzo and a hot striker from mexico, as well as kringe in midfield things look good for empoli!!!

and damo field has asked the fans to judge him in results and not reputation, he has shown results are acheivable, but will anything less than promotion be enough, its simple, he must promote

he has targets also, he is after cesenas magnili and pestrin and also is after a handfull of roma players

the future is bright!!!

Kozak · March 15, 2005

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Sneaky Mo:

any chance of you giving the serie c and a teams a update koz? grrrrr </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have to make screenshots first which is hard with all poaching of big clubs for my best players as I dont have the save game.

OMDave · March 15, 2005

In your own time, Koz, but that Serie A table would sure look fine...

Ascoli burst onto the stage. By Cosimo Galtieri, Notizie Delle Marche.

The first four months of Serie A action this season have seen relegation-tipped Ascoli obtain some very surprising results, including away wins against giants Sampdoria [11th September 2005, first Serie A game of the season, 3-2] and Inter [5th October 2005, 2-0]. At home, Ascoli have dropped few points so far, the only defeat conceded to third-placed Palermo [30th October 2005, 0-1].

Manager Dello Spliff's flat four-four-two is a firm favourite with Ascoli fans, who enjoy the attacking verve and quick passing game their team often displays. The manager has professed his admiration for Czech master Zdenek Zeman, currently in charge at Lecce, whose unwavering belief in attacking football is, in Dello Spliff's own words, "A breath of fresh air for Italian football". Averaging around two goals a game, they also managed to keep ten clean sheets in nineteen Serie A matches, and a lot of the credit for the latter achievement must go to Argentinian goalkeeper SebastiÃ¡n Saja, who after a shaky start has put in some first-rate performances, notably in the league game against Inter at the San Siro.

In the Italian Cup, Ascoli only barely made it past Serie B hopefuls Cesena, going though on away goals [3-3 on aggregate], but in the Second Round they crashed out to giants Inter, unable to hang on to the 1-0 advantadge from the first leg, and eventually soundly beaten in the San Siro [0-3]. This was not too much of a disappointment for Dello Spliff, who admitted he felt his squad was too small to pursue both league and cup aspirations.

Halfway through the season, Ascoli continue to shock the pundits and currently lie in fourth place in Serie A. Twelve victories, four draws and only three defeats which give them a very handy forty points, still in touch with leaders Milan and all but ensured of consolidating their place in the Italian top flight, which was the avowed aim at the beginning of the campaign.

The Results.

11/9/05, vs. Sampdoria (away, Serie A): 3-2 (RiganÃ³ 7; GÃ¼iza 18, 87).

14/9/05, vs. Cesena (away, Italian Cup Round 1 Leg 1): 1-3 (Bucchi pen 6).

17/9/05, vs. Lazio (home, Serie A): 2-2 (Pieri 20, GÃ¼iza 55).

21/9/05, vs. Roma (away, Serie A): 1-3 (Bernardini 80).

25/9/05, vs. Brescia (home, Serie A): 2-0 (Bystron 57, JosÃ© 77).

28/9/05, vs. Cesena (home, Italian Cup Round 1 Leg 2): 2-0 (Robert 1, 19).

2/10/05, vs. Atalanta (home, Serie A): 4-0 (Regueiro 12; GÃ¼iza 19, 37; Petre 27).

5/10/05, vs. Inter (away, Serie A): 2-0 (RiganÃ³ 45, 79).

16/10/05, vs. Messina (away, Serie A): 1-1 (GÃ¼iza 43).

19/10/05, vs. Genoa (home, Serie A): 2-0 (Bucchi 22, 50).

23/10/05, vs. Siena (away, Serie A): 1-1 (RiganÃ³ 50).

30/10/05, vs. Palermo (home, Serie A): 0-1.

6/11/05, vs. Cagliari (away, Serie A): 1-0 (Bucchi 44).

9/11/05, vs. Inter (home, Italian Cup Round 2 Leg 1): 1-0 (GÃ¼iza 90+3).

20/11/05, vs. Catania (away, Serie A): 3-0 (C. Martins 12, GÃ¼iza 27, Bystron 36).

23/11/05, vs. Chievo (home, Serie A): 4-1 (Robert 4; Bernardini 10, 42; Bucchi 62).

27/11/05, vs. Bologna (home, Serie A): 3-0 (Regueiro 1, 44; Bucchi 27).

11/12/05, vs. Udinese (home, Serie A): 2-2 (Bertolini 23, GÃ¼iza 54).

14/12/05, vs. Juventus (away, Serie A): 0-4.

18/12/05, vs. Milan (home, Serie A): 1-0 (Bystron 34).

28/12/05, vs. Inter (away, Italian Cup Round 2 Leg 2): 0-3.

4/1/06, vs. Parma (away, Serie A): 2-0 (RiganÃ³ 28, GÃ¼iza 60).

8/1/06, vs. Lecce (home, Serie A): 1-0 (GÃ¼iza 45+1).

Kozak · March 16, 2005

CESENA Calcio ïƒ BENVENUTA KozakïƒŸ

Too much transfer rumours at seasonâ€™ surprise Cesena

A great first season half brought relegation favourites (at the bookmakers) into second spot of the Serie B at Christmas day. A huge effort for a small club, what Cesena still is. Cesena has one of the smallest transfer- and wage budgets in the whole league. However the club seems to struggle against the power of manager Kozakiani within the club. Like this season the manager is 12k above a wage budget of 30k a week. The manager tried to learn the board players (with better wages) can be sold later for big money to big teams. This will compensate the loss on wages.

On top of the Serie B are the big stars from Fiorentina. The team is already 12 points ahead of a tight group of other teams. Nr2 and Nr 11 are all within 6 points. Cesena thanks the Nr 2 position to a great November and December where the team was hardly unbeatable. The signings Taralidis, Petrucci, Gill Swerts and Jelle ten Rouwelaar are 100% starters this season. Beside them also Di Tora, Scurto and Sannino had their value already. This players are still young and need to replace future leaving players.

Transfer rumours

A problem occurred in winter transfer window at Cesena Calcio. Some important players got interested other clubs around the floor. Teams are poaching to take the talented, but young and inexperienced players away from the Eastern coast team.

Topscorer & Cesena bornâ€™ Marco Bernacci got interest from Serie A giants Inter Milan. Local newspapers wrote that Internazionale even started bidding on the player who scored already 12 goals till New Year.

His compatriot in attack Fausto Mangili looks even followed closer by other teams. Serie A team AC Parma already made a huge 2.7m (+/+ exchanged player) to Cesena for Mangili. Words from Kozakiani made Mangili pretty unhappy, as the manager told the press Mangili wasnâ€™t for sale. In a deeper interview with the manager he said â€œMangili cant leave us at this moment. The club has never been so near to the Serie A, and we will need all our players to have a chance to comin the playoffs and fight for promotionâ€. Meanwhile rumours become bigger and bigger Mangili will leave Cesena at the end of this season. The creative and strong striker is especially loved by rich Empoli manager Damo Field. Empoli still in Serie C this season looks above and already spend millions on transfers this season. Some paparazzi photos showed Mr Field and Mr Kozakiani in one room with the general directors of both clubs. Mangili would have been a subjectâ€¦â€¦and a move to Empoli could have been 100% ready.

At the end of the transfer window another player made the newspapers. His name: Pestrin. This defensive midfielder can get a strange season end. While Fieldsâ€™ Empoli seemed to have signed the Palermo 50% transfer rights on Pestrin, Serie B rivals Salernitana showed up to get the remaining 50% from Cesena. Kozakiani has made clear: NO players will be sold or signed now. We will look further after this season.

Meanwhile a potential new DMc will join the Cesena team next season. Michele Pazienza will join from Serie A team Udinese where he didnâ€™t play. This is a great signing in the bid to become a Serie B top team within 2 years.

Transfer rumours killed the Cesena team

After all this rumours games showed up again. On paper Cesena must make a gap early now with quite an easy first two games. Triestina away is a game you must win if you wanna promote. The game ended in a 1-1 though, however Cesena dominated this game. Wanted strikers Bernacci and Mangili were invisible and the rumours will be a reason for their bad play. Taralidis converted a penalty for Cesena.

Then a home game against midtable Catanzaro . The game ended in a goalless draw 0-0. Kozakiani was unhappy with his strikers again after another poor display. The poaching from other clubs and press had a bad effect on the young squad. Kozakiani, who couldnâ€™t hide his anger, said poaching clubs could have a problem as he could block possible transfers in near future. â€œThey must let this team rest and start showing interest after the season and not nowâ€. Empoli manager Field probably is one of the people the Cesenaâ€™ manager talks about when he is talking about â€œthose rich twatsâ€ .

Story to continueâ€¦â€¦

OMDave · March 21, 2005

Feeling the pace: Ascoli look forward to the Spring. By Cosimo Galtieri, Notizie Delle Marche.

Ascoli remained unbeaten throughout January, though the two games drawn at home (Inter, 1-1 on 15/1/06; Sampdoria, 0-0 on 25/1/06) did mean lost points. They fared better away, winning 2-1 against Genoa (22/1/06) and getting a decent draw in Rome against Lazio (1-1, on 29/1/06).

In February it was the reverse, though again it started with a home draw against Rome (1-1, on 5/2/06). A week later Siena were beaten 2-0 at Cino e Lillo del Duca, but from the two away games that followed Ascoli could scrape only a point. It came from the game at Brescia (1-1, on 19/2/06), after which they lost by a single goal to Atalanta on 26th February.

Few goals were being scored, but Dello Spliff kept faith in his basic 4-4-2 and in his first-choice strikers RiganÃ³ and GÃ¼iza, despite the latter's dwindling form. Over the January transfer window, young midfielder Marco Maestri was sold to Salenitana for 2M Euros, as he was being kept out of the team by young playmakers Gerardo Clemente and Roberto Bertolini. The sale allowed Dello Spliff to reinforce the squad, bringing in out-of-favour defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini (Fra, 21) from Arsenal for around 1.3M Euros, as well as Guatemalan forward Dwight Pezzarossi (Gua/Ita, 26) from Vicenza -where he was languishing in the Reserves- for 350.000 Euros.

March has gotten off to a good start for Ascoli, with a good 5-2 home win over Messina, and with 54 points from 28 games they are in a good position to compete for a place in next season's UEFA Cup. And in any case they have already achieved their main objective, which was of course to avoid been drawn into a relegation dogfight.

The Results.

15/1/06, vs. Inter (home, Serie A): 1-1 (Bystron 55).

22/1/06, vs. Genoa (away, Serie A): 2-1 (RiganÃ³ 26, 64).

25/1/06, vs. Sampdoria (home, Serie A): 0-0.

29/1/06, vs. Lazio (away, Serie A): 1-1 (Pezzarossi 90+2).

5/2/06, vs. Roma (home, Serie A): 1-1 (RiganÃ³ pen 50).

12/2/06, vs. Siena (home, Serie A): 2-0 (Regueiro 37, Bertolini 42).

19/2/06, vs. Brescia (away, Serie A): 1-1 (Regueiro 55).

26/2/06, vs. Atalanta (away, Serie A): 0-1.

5/3/06, vs. Messina (home, Serie A): 5-2 (RiganÃ³ 2, 36; Clemente 6; Petre 40; Pezzarossi 90).

Kozak · March 25, 2005

WorldClan continues after Easter with a great season end for most managers

Serie A:

David Manson at Ascoli can make a big bunch into the Champions League. He is currently 4th and can move up to 3rd spot above Inter when he wins his game in hand.

Serie B:

Behind Fiorentina its very tight in this league, this season. Myself (Cesena), Piacenza (Alexis Manson)and Bari (Simon Toroskainen) can all still promote. We have to fight against teams like Vicenza and Reggina.

Lower in the Serie B it will be Triestina (Pavle), Albinoleffe (Kuky) & Ternana (Mika NihtilÃ¤) who are fighting to stay away from the dangerous play-out spots. Treviso (Blaise Merela) already got relegated.

Serie C1a:

The top 3 is extremely tight in here. Just 1 team will promote directly + 1 from playoffs. Verona (James) took a big step for the first spot in last game at big spenders Empoli (Damo Field). Verona won 5-2 with a great Sigporsson. Empoli is 3rd now.

Lets see what happens in the last 2 sessions of this season.......Next week.....Same time ----->Tuesday

OMDave · March 26, 2005

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Kozak:

Serie A:

David Manson at Ascoli can make a big bunch into the Champions League. He is currently 4th and can move up to 3rd spot above Inter if he wins his game in hand. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the vote of confidence though

Happy Easter clan

Kuky · March 31, 2005

Dissapointing season end for Albinos.

Leffe team just got saved from playouts in last two games (two wins). Altough expetations were low this season manager Kuk expected at least to finish in half-top table. Anyway , some young talents god some experience and some players just got back from hard injurys. Good news is that spectators came back to the stadium (from 4000 averge to 12000 averge ,tnx 5.05 ) That complitly changed the clubs finacial stats. Now it grows instead of last seasons. Two experienced and "good feet" Argentinan players consolidates in the club too so we can expect Albinos fight for 4-8 place next season. Kuk said he will not buy and new mid or att player thru summer. The objetive is to buy a good experienced DC to lead the defence. Albinos defence was one of the shittiest in the league ,meanwhile the attack was one of the best. Former Milans hope Carmine Buonagura was one big surprise, an incerdible MC that can shoot screamers from 35y. He is currently top team goalscorer ,not bad for an MC.

Thats all from Albinoland. Stay tuned

PS.

L'Equipe wrote today that Albino is looking to buy experienced Cesenas international Bulagrian defender Predrag Pazin. Also looks like star Davide Possanzini will be leaving the club this summer as he wants to make new experiences.

OMDave · April 1, 2005

Ascoli in amongst the giants. By Cosimo Galtieri, Notizie Delle Marche.

Just over a year ago, Ascoli secured passage to the Ã©lite of Italian fotball, and prepared themselves for what they assumed would be a long and protracted battle for survival. But with the squad strengthened in key positions, and several of the players enhancing their reputation with the consistency and quality of their performances, the team has been competitive beyond hope and achieved Ascoli's best-ever league position in the post-war era, which until now had been the 5th place in Serie A achieved during the 1979/80 season.

With 73 points from 38 games, which included 21 victories, 10 draws and 7 defeats, Ascoli finish the 2005/06 season in 4th place behind champions Milan, Juventus in 2nd and Inter in 3rd. For the first time in their history, Ascoli will take part in the Champions' League and compete with the best clubs on the continent, entering the competition at the Third Qualifying Round stage. A superb opportunity for the current board and for manager Dello Spliff to take the club a step further, and this much sooner than anyone (including, presumably, themselves) had expected. No doubt there will be much activity at Cino e Lillo del Duca this summer, and amongst the names most frequently touted one finds Matteo Brighi, Cristian Zaccardo, Halil Altintop and Matthew Upson, all players whose contract expires shortly and whom the club has allegedly approached with contract offers. The first of the official announcements are expected to coincide with the opening of the transfer window on 1st July.

The Results.

12/3/06: vs. Palermo (away, Serie A): 1-2 (Bucchi 54).

19/3/06: vs. Cagliari (home, Serie A): 3-2 (RiganÃ³ 3, 49; Bystron 11).

26/3/06: vs. Chievo (away, Serie A): 4-1 (RiganÃ³ 10; Clemente 33; GÃ¼iza 42, 67).

2/4/06: vs. Catania (home, Serie A): 4-0 (Regueiro 1, 49; GÃ¼iza 10; Ketelaer 55).

9/4/06: vs. Bologna (away, Serie A): 4-0 (Bystron 29, Terlizzi 45, GÃ¼iza 57, Bertolini 81).

23/4/06: vs. Udinese (away, Serie A): 1-1 (RiganÃ³ 67).

30/4/06: vs. Parma (home, Serie A): 3-0 (RiganÃ³ pen 3, Ketelaer 27, GÃ¼iza 81).

7/5/06: vs. Lecce (away, Serie A): 3-2 (GÃ¼iza 36, RiganÃ³ 54, Bertolini 82).

10/5/06: vs. Juventus (home, Serie A): 0-2.

14/5/06: vs. Milan (away, Serie A): 0-3.

Finished 4th on 73 pts (21 wins, 10 draws, 7 losses; 71 goals for, 38 goals against).

Top goalscorers: GÃ¼iza (17), RiganÃ³ (16), Bucchi and Regueiro (7).

Best player: Ketelaer (7.86 average).

Kozak · April 2, 2005

With the regular season finished we can already offer you the final standings:

For 4 people the season isn't over yet. They are fully into promotion/relegation games. Bari (Simon Toroskainen) and Piacenza (Alexis Manson) are in the Serie B promotion playoff semi-finals. While Triestina (Pavle) has to play 2 play-out games in Serie B against Avellino to save their body.

In Serie C playoffs its Damo with Empoli who is almost back in Serie B after winning the 1st leg with 2-0 away at Acireale.

A full review will follow later.

Kuky · April 12, 2005

April 12, 2005

Is it possible for me to join the clan

Kozak · April 16, 2005

CESENA Calcio ïƒ BENVENUTA KozakïƒŸ

Cesena did it, and is SERIE A now!

However the struggling continued in last season games for small Cesena a surprise happened. Small budget and relegations favourites promoted to the Serie A. After a 2-0 loss at rivals Vicenza with 3 games left it became so tight with four teams fully with chances for the 2nd spot all within 1 point. Three finals left for all teams. Behind these teams it was Reggina five points behind.

The first home was against low placed Triestina. The team that came visit Cesena without their drunk manager Pavle Fairhurst. In a game where out-form Cesena hammered it couldnâ€™t score. With 25-4 in shots the game stayed tight to the end. The only goal came from Marco Bernacci with the head. Piacenza spoiled points and Cesena made a small gap to them. Vicenza and Cesena stayed very tight. But then the last to games ended in 2 draws for Cesena, but Vicenza just took 1 point from last two games! So it was Reggina what won all in the last games that came on 1 point from mighty Cesena, but it was Cesena Calcio that was promoted. A big effort for the low budget team, which will get a hard task to stay there. Manager Kozak was very happy and drunk on the party after the season. He was voted as the best Cesena manager ever, while clubtopscorer Marco Bernacci won the prize of best Cesena player of the season.

850k to build a Serie A valuable team

There is no money at Cesena to invest in the club. The wage budget rose to 80k a week. A wage that is lower than a player like Adriano earns on his own. A few players left Cesena. Including captain Biserni (to Perugia), Argentinian striker Denis (to Lierse) and Andrea Confalone (unknown yet).

In the mean time the technical staff of Cesena Calcio tried to buy in a few players. The first signing was a Swedish all-rounder that is especially signed for the left wingback positition. Christoffer Andersson came from LillestrÃ¶m for a 650k fee. So almost all money was gone on this player. The pressure is high on him. Manolo Pestrin and Lorenzo Rosetti , who were on co-ownership, were acquired on a 100% Cesenaâ€™ ownership now.

In the same time Cesena picked up a few unwanted free players:

<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Michele Pazienza comes from the Udinese B-team. This is a defensive midfielder.

<LI>German Alexander Meier played at HSV last season. He just played 2 games there. Manager Kozak believes in his capabilities.

<LI>Bulgarian international Hristo Yanev played in Russia last seasons at CSKA Moscow. This is an experienced winger that was hard needed because Salvetti becomes too old now.

<LI>Italian Lorenzi Amoruso is 35 years old and very experienced. The other defenders Compagnone & Guiseppe Scurto have no Serie A experience at all. Amoruso comes from 1st Division side Blackburn Rovers where he played lots of matches and promoted to the Premiership.

<LI>Andrea Petrelli comes on a loan deal from Parma. He is a young left midfielder who can also go deep.

<LI>Thiago Coelho is a Spanish-Brazilian defender that played in the Barcelona B-team last season. He was acquired because of the lack of defenders at Cesena. Manager Kozak hopes he can develop himself at Italy.

So 180k was left for one more buy. Cesena was behind Argentinian youth striker Juan Manuel Lucero for months already. The problem was that the team could only have 1 Non*EU player in the team. When Denis was sold, Kozak picked up this cheap youth international for around 100k. He comes from small Argentinian team Coquimbo Unido. He is half Argentinian and half Chilean. Is a pacy striker with good finishing stats in the past. After this buy Cesena also tried to acquire Vincenzo Montella but it couldnâ€™t pay him the wages that Serie B team Chievo could offer.

MrBookmaker.com put Cesena on 2000-1 to win the Serie A title. The team is with Piacenza the biggest favourite for a fast relegation from Serie A this season. Lets see how far we can comeâ€¦.

OMDave · April 19, 2005

2006/2007: OBJECTIVE EUROPE. By Cosimo Galtieri, Notizie Delle Marche.

Last season's fourth place in Serie A gives Ascoli a decent, if unexpected, chance to battle it out with the Ã©lite of European club football. And having beaten Bruges 4-0 on aggregate in the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions' League -winning both legs 2-0- Ascoli will feel that their strenghtened squad can cause a few upsets along the way.

It was another busy summer at Piceno, with no less than nine first team squad members leaving the club, and fourteen brought in. Many of the latter were free transfers, negotiated six months earlier with players whose contract was ending this summer.

The Ins and Outs of Ascoli's summer market.

In:

* Matthew Upson (Eng, 27, D C, Free from Birmingham City).

* Jonathan Fortune (Eng, 25, D C, Free from Charlton).

* Andre Muri (Nor, 22, D C, E 1.5M from Stabaek).

* Stefano Lucchini (Ita, 25, D RLC, Unemployed).

* Cristian Zaccardo (Ita, 24, D/DM R, Free from Palermo).

* Antonio LÃ³pez (Spa, 24, D/M L, Free from Atletico Madrid).

* Andrea Federici (Ita, 28, D/M L, Free from Pisa).

* Matteo Brighi (Ita, 25, DM RC, Free from Chievo).

* Jorge (Spa, 24, AM RC, E 5.5M compensation fee from Atletico Madrid).

* Romeo Castelen (Hol, 24, AM R, E 1.2M from Feyenoord).

* Michal Gottwald (Svk, 25, AM/F C, Free from Zilina).

* Halil Altintop (Tur/Ger, 23, F C, Free from Kaiserslautern).

* Daniel Fredheim Holm (Nor, 20, F C, E 1.5M from Valerenga).

* Xisco (Spa, 25, F LC, Free from Valencia).

Out:

* Antonino Bernardini (DM C, to Empoli for E 1.5M).

* Mirko Pieri (D L, to Brescia for E 2.5M).

* GÃ¼iza (F RC, to Roma for E 14.5M).

* Elvis Abbruscato (S C, to Bologna for E 2.9M).

* Christian Bucchi (S C, to Perugia for E 1.5M)

* Rudoplh Douala (AM R, to Chievo for E 375K).

* Ovidiu Petre (D/DM C, to Chievo for E 800K).

* Marcelo Regueiro (AM RL, to Siena for E 1.5M).

* JosÃ© (AM L, left the club at the end of his contract).

Thus Ascoli managed to add depth to the first team squad as well as make a handy profit, which should partly be used to augment the capacity at Cino e Lillo del Duca, which is currently slightly in excess of 28.000 seats. Ascoli have also invested in bringing in several promising youth players to the club, and a few of these names might even appear on the first team sheet this season. Defender Enrico Melli, along with young strikers Urbani and Barbiero, are highly rated by the Ascoli coaching staff and already feature to a minor extent in manager Delo Spliff's plans for the season:

"These are exciting times for the club" he stated, "and our main task is to consolidate the club's position within the top eight in Italy. We're very keen on bringing talented youngsters through the ranks, and I'm convinced that at least four or five of our current under-18 players will break into the first team within a couple of seasons. With our heavy playing schedule, some of them may even make their full professional dÃ©buts over the months to come.

Friendlies and Champions' League Qualifying results.

29.7.2006: vs. Fiorentina (Home, Friendly): 2-0 (Altintop 5, Pezzarossi 58).

9.8.2006: vs. Club Brugge (Home, Champions' League Third Qualifying Round): 2-0 (Clemente 14, Altintop 17).

23.8.2006: vs. Club Brugge (Away, Champions' League Third Qualifying Round): 2-0 (Fredheim Holm 29, Altintop 44).

29.8.2006: vs. Roma (Home, Friendly): 2-2 (Bertolini 66, Flamini 75).

4.9.2006: vs. Verona (Away, Friendly): 0-1.

Kozak · April 27, 2005

Next session is friday 7.45pm

Kuky · May 11, 2005

next session thursday may 12 ,7 45pm

AlexisManson · May 11, 2005

PIAGOL!!! February Edition

Grazie Mille Mansone!

We all know that the Serie A has always been, and still is, far superior to the French Ligue 1, where some players don't even put gel in their hair!

Needless to say that the Serie A is the best league in the world, despite what some English and Spanish people might say.

Alexis Mansone, though French, is a true great. What he has achieved at the club is unbelievable, because although the results haven't always gone his way, it is the first time in our recent, if not total, history that they have been able to witness top class football from their side, and of course, top class footballers.

Last season, Piacenza just about made it to the Serie A through the dreaded playoffs. This new season in the Serie A has so far been very difficult, with many new players who struggled to fit into the team in the early stages.

It certainly looked like we would not survive in the extremely competitive Serie A, despite some incredible signings on Bosman contracts for next summer.

Indeed, Alexis Manson has managed to attract the likes of Pazzini, Buffel, Mettomo, the younger of the two Kalou brothers, Faty, Doherty, Gudjohnsen (left back) and other quality players. In a way, it would be funny to see Piacenza destroy everything on their path in Serie B next year.

However our beloved team's recent form suggests that they possess more than enough quality to stay clear of the relegation zone. Beating Juve 2-0 is not a privilege that is affordable to everybody, and drawing 4-4 against Sampdoria away, when you are 4-2 down with only ten men, shows that this team has a lot of resilience, character, and belief.

If Piacenza players keep playing the way they are playing at the moment, not only will Piacenza easily stay in Serie A, but they might be next season's surprise package.

Manson is admirable for his ability to find solutions in the short term, without putting the club in a dangerous situation in the long term, which not many managers have been able to do in the past, especially not with such a limited budget.

At this rate, Piacenza will be one of the best clubs in Italy within the next 2 or 3 seasons, perhaps even sooner if luck is on their side. This is why we would all like to pay tribute to Alexis Mansone for having put permanent smiles on all of our fans' faces.

Everybody loves him. Kids love him because he makes them laugh when he gets excited on the bench, and women love him because he is simply so sexy, full of French charm (they love his accent when he speaks Italian), of course they like him for his money too. Men love him because they want to be him and realise how special and gifted he is, and because they have never seen anybody else who has been able to tranform the club to the same extent. Finally, old people love him because he makes them forget about the imminence of death when they are at the stadium supporting their team. Also, they are the ones who are most informed about Piacenza' history as a football club, and are really able to judge how lucky and privileged they are to still be alive to witness this historic phase at the club.

Kuky · May 11, 2005

didnt know we got a Mourinho in the clan ....

AlexisManson · May 12, 2005

We don't. This wasn't me writing, it was the Italian football magazine Piagol!!!

OMDave · May 12, 2005

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Everybody loves him. Kids love him because he makes them laugh when he gets excited on the bench, and women love him because he is simply so sexy, full of French charm (they love his accent when he speaks Italian), of course they like him for his money too. Men love him because they want to be him and realise how special and gifted he is, and because they have never seen anybody else who has been able to tranform the club to the same extent. Finally, old people love him because he makes them forget about the imminence of death when they are at the stadium supporting their team. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The sheer hubris of it. Positively revolting

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">At this rate, Piacenza will be one of the best clubs in Italy within the next 2 or 3 seasons, perhaps even sooner if luck is on their side. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Howler of the year

OMDave · May 16, 2005

Arrivederci signor Dello Spliff! Cosimo Galtieri, Notizie delle Marche.

Coming up to Easter there are still six teams in the running for the Serie A title, but Ascoli is not one of them. Having qualified for the Champions' League, and despite bolstering the squad considerably last summer, last season's surprise package in Serie A have found the going very tough. The gruelling schedule, and the number of injuries to key players along the way, translated into dropped points in several league encounters that should have been won. Where last season a result would often be obtained in the last fifteen minutes, this year it was the opposite; this was particularly true in the home games, too many of which were drawn against inferior opposition.

Still, Ascoli are on course to qualify for the UEFA Cup, and they made it to the Knockout Stage of the Champions' League, narrowly losing out to giants Milan (1-1, then 0-1 at the San Siro, where Dida made a string of fabulous saves to deny Ascoli a chance to take the game to extra-time). It seems, therefore, that the club is now firmly established in the top half of Serie A, with an excellent squad which includes some very interesting prospects for the future -all brought to the club by Dello Spliff in the course of the two-and-a-half years of his tenure. The structural improvements, as well as the scheduled increase in the stadium's capacity, also indicate Ascoli's determination to secure its medium- and long-term future amongst the Ã©lite of Italian football.

It is therefore with mixed feelings that most people present responded, when during a

OMDave · May 16, 2005

*so fecking annoying not to be able to edit your own posts anymore*

It is therefore with mixed feelings that most people present responded, when during a press conference which he set up yesterday evening, Davide Dello Spliff announced that he was leaving the club to take over the vacant Roma job. Del Neri's sacking a week ago had led to much speculation regarding the name of his successor, and Dello Spliff's name came up repeatedly.

Yesterday Dello Spliff confirmed that Roma had approached him and offered him the job earlier this week, and that after a twenty-four hour period of reflection he had decided to accept it. Thanking the staff, the players and the supporters for the "three fantastic years" he spent at the club, Dello Spliff went on to assure them that he would "never forget the kindness and respect [he] was shown, particularly in the first few months".

At Roma a new challenge awaits him; currently lying fifth, and still in the race for the title, the Giallorossi have just suffered a humiliating defeat in Moscow at the hands of CSKA (3-1, in the UEFA Cup Second Knockout Round), and there is an urgent need to slah a wage bill that has grown out of control -and which most pundits have singled out as the main reason for Del Neri's dismissal. It remains to be seen whether Dello Spliff will be able to handle the many overdeveloped egos in the Roma team, and whether he can lead the perennial underachievers to the success and the glory they so desperately crave.

We at the Notizie delle Marche wish him the best of luck, and until he returns to Cino e Lillo del Duca with his new side, we say arriverderci signor Dello Spliff, e buona fortuna...

AlexisManson · May 21, 2005

PIAGOL!!!

In a dramatic twist, Empoli manager Damo Field, a good friend of Alexis Manson, has been diagnosed with cancer, and will not be able to play the few remaining Serie B games of the season.

Indeed, the young talented English manager, who many people have compared to Alexis Manson for his tactical ability and belief in himself, has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, and should be back to managing his team within the next few weeks.

Damo Field has found his assistant manager's results in the past less than satisfactory and feels he cannot afford to take any risks at this stage of the season.

He has therefore asked Piacenza manager Manson to secure a playoff place for his team, a unique development in Italian football, and probably in world football.

The Italian Federation are still scratching their heads and debating whether they should allow this to happen, and though technically illegal, they are seriously considering letting Manson take temporary charge of Empoli due to exceptional circumstances.

Players at Empoli are buoyant about Manson's potential arrival at the club. Here is what Bariberi had to say : 'Manson is a true great. I mean, look at what he's done at Piacenza. I defy anyone to claim that he is no good, or even average. Hopefully his arrival will refresh the team and liberate some players, which would help us achieve our aims: securing a place in the playoffs, and then going on to win them.'

Piacenza fans are not too happy about Manson leaving the club, but acknowledge the manager's will to help a friend in need: 'Of course, ideally I'd like Manson to stay at the club all the time, and forever, but I sort of understand him.

Anyway, the season for Piacenza is pretty much finished, as we have nothing to play for, except avoiding relegation, which is mathematically still a possibility, but realistically highly unlikely. Furthermore, he should be able to just about manage both teams at the same time, as Piacenza and Empoli usually play on different days' said a Piacenza fan.

OMDave · May 22, 2005

Giallopazzi - The Roma Fanzine With Attitude.

And so a new guy is at the reins, with most fans still wondering why on earth Del Neri was sacked. Rumours of a threesome with Dellas and Choutos notwithstanding, Del Neri had led our beloved Giallorossi to contention for the Serie A title, something that hadn't happened in quite a while.

Here's what some of the players had to say shortly after the arrival of new manager Dello Spliff:

"Ma che cazzo vuoi, cretino?" Francesco Totti (Flamboyant Spitter)

"He told me I would never play as long as he is manager. I hate him. I really hate him. Besides, he doesn't join us in the shower after training, which is a crying shame if you ask me. Have any of you noticed my new shoes?" Traianos Dellas (Greek Bungler)

"Could you repeat the question, please?" Olivier Dacourt (Thug By Vocation)

"I tried to warn the other players, but none of these tÃ¶ssers ever listen to a single word I say." GÃ¼iza (Too Cool To Have A Proper Name)

"I cleaned his car. Twice. And he still won't pick me." Jaap Stam (Block Head)

"So far, the only thing he has said to me was 'get up off the ground, you lazy overpaid tw@t'. He seems like a nice enough guy." Andrea Caracciolo (A Bit Thick)

"I'm so bored." Christian Chivu (Jaded Fashion Victim)

With such high spirits in the Roma camp, it is hardly surprising that Dello Spliff's first game in charge was a merciless 5-1 drubbing of CSKA Moscow, sending Roma through to the Quarter-Final 6-4 on aggregate. In the league it was a different matter, with the Giallorossi held to draws at home in games they could have won. The crucial away game against Inter ended in a 2-0 defeat, scarcely a week after Newcastle had eliminated Roma from the UEFA Cup (2-1 on aggregate). Things were looking grim for the new boss, and the title was all but lost. The only positive note was that Juventus was now the only team that could realistically hope to deprive Roma of a Champions' League spot.

The victory in the Roman derby the following week (2-0) went a long way towards reassuring the fans and the board, and from then on the Giallorossi looked like a different team. In their last six games, Roma won five and drew one, despite the fact that four of these games were played away from home. Juventus were left well behind, and only goal difference kept this season's most improved team Udinese in front Roma.

Finishing in 4th place, with 82 points from 38 games (25 wins, 7 draws and 6 defeats; 67 goals scored and 30 goals conceded), Roma will be given the opportunity to qualify for the Champions' League. Once the grossly overburdened wage bill is sorted out, the Giallorossi will no doubt be looking to sign some quality players, with which to replace the many ageing stars whose contracts expire this summer.

So despite a slow start, it seems the team is responding well to the new manager, and with Milan winning the Champions' League despite being pipped to the Serie A title by Inter, the competition will be tougher than ever next season...

Kozak · May 22, 2005

CESENA Calcio ïƒ BENVENUTA KozakïƒŸ

Cesena worse scenario season ends in RELEGATION

Stories are written for fun.

Fat men play soccer for fun.

But after all on the professional part it isnâ€™t about the beer after the game. Itâ€™s about the points after each game. Thatâ€™s what went wrong at Dino Manuzzi this season.

38 games gave a total of 27 points what wasnâ€™t enough for more than an even 18th position with Genua. The start of the season was very promising with a big win over rivals Fiorentina with 4 goals of new striker Juan Manuel Lucero . After that Cesena came on 6th spot after 9 games played in league. Striker Lucero never scored since then. This was totally unexpected, but with a hard program to come. In the game against low placed Piacenza at home everything went wrong with the goalkeeper. Even nightmare Mido scared Cesena in that even game. Piacenza won 0-3 in a game that was totally even on chances. Shortly after that big team Roma, Juventus and Milan brought Cesena in big morale and form problems. Till Christmas the team never found their form back.

After New Year things looked to improve at the start with wins over fellow relegation rivals Atalanta and Siena. Cesena was still a few points above the scary relegation spots. Manager Kozak told his team would have a really hard fight to prevent relegation. Some fellow managers in Italians leagues like Alexis Mansoni, Damo Fieldi and Davide Mansoni showed they donâ€™t have a lot of insight in footie, by saying Cesena would survive.

During these days the Cesenaâ€™ manager became unhappier and unhappier since then. Cesena wouldnâ€™t win a game anymore. The team got goals against from crosses for fun, and Kozak was really thinking about quitting the job. With a season budget (wages+transfers+all) below 8m Pound, his team had no potential at this level. Only relegation could follow, and it didâ€¦â€¦

Cesena building on a new team for a new season in Serie B

Meanwhile Cesena was looking to make a team that can compete next season in Serie B. Biggest players of the previous season will leave on a free transfer. There was no money to extend their contracts. Fausto Mangili will leave to Brescia, who also signed Albinoleffe star Possazini on a free transfer.

Star striker and fansâ€™ favourite Marco Bernacci goes to England and signed for Bolton Wanderes. A big move for this Italian talent who is well known for his lazyness.

Also (former) Bulgarian international Pazin leaves Dino Manuzzi on a free. He moves to Serie C team Acireale , well known for their good seasons there. Other big name Manolo Pestrin will leave, but his new team is not known yet.

A whole attack leaving wonâ€™t make it easy for next season. Kozak is hoping for a season in the top 5 in Serie B. This wonâ€™t be easy with lots of players sold and a small selection. â€œI hope to give a few names early next weekâ€. Further news is that Kozak might be off for building in his new house at Monte Carlo, lots of times next season. Cesena hopes to promote Gianfranco Zola assistant so he can lead the team during the periods Kozak isnâ€™t there.

Letâ€™s face realism, letâ€™s come the new seasonâ€¦..

(PS. Dellas we love you; come to Cesena!!!)

AlexisManson · May 22, 2005

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OMDave: