The Elephants of Sicily

[wynter]

There are seemingly a multitude of clubs within the Serie C that have been at the top of Italian Football for quite a while and then once relegated experienced a heavy decline. Calcio Catania are one such club, now plying their trade in the Italian Serie C/C. However, their relegation from the Serie B in 2014/15 was not fiscally inspired but rather the result of a series of match-fixing which was appropriately punished. 

Now after languishing in the league for the past few seasons it is my task to restore them to the Serie A and establish a new dominant force in Europe. 

Aims for this save

- Immediate Promotion to the Serie B

- Serie A within 3 seasons

- Win the Serie A

- Win the Europa and Champions Leagues

Pretty standard goals, so to add a little flavour to it I'll add a restriction

No players can be purchased that aren't Italian, or based in Italy

A nice little mixer to the challenge will be us starting the season with a -7 point deficit, following poor financial management. In order to win the title we have to be dominant. Whether this team is capable of that though, is another matter entirely.

Deficit removed in the early stages. Time to get to work.

[oriole01]

Have fun with this wynter. Although I can't say I'm too pleased with everybody following me into the lower reaches of Italy, I'm still going to have to wish you the best of luck regardless .

Forza Catania!

[ManUtd1]

Good luck, @wynter!

[BoxToBox]

Good luck man.

[Nobby_McDonald]

A few teams I've never come across before in this league.

[wynter]

Tactics

I'll be borrowing upon a favoured approach in my final season at Slavia and re-deploying The Symplegades

It'll actually be incredibly interesting for me to see how it stacks up in a much more competitive league after promising showings in Europe.

The high line ideally closes the gap between the two 'midfields' while the increased fluidity adds more movement around the pitch and aids in closing down the opposition. In theory at any rate! How it goes in the Serie B and the Serie A when we aren't the most dominant team in the early stages will be what I'll be looking at the most. If you want a more in depth view follow the link at the top.

In my last few seasons with the Bulgarian NT I adopted a 3-4-1-2 and had promising results, so I'll be deploying it at club level.

I need better forwards to really draw everything out of it though, the CF (S) tends to be the most important player in every iteration I've tried both playmaking and offensive wise, Yosgoal will be missed </3

Results are picking up as we get more accustomed to the tactics, the Vibonese game was frustrating as we dominated but lacked on the defensive end. A certainty given how much we're trying to push forward and attack our opponents. I need better defenders in order to prop the system up but lack the budget to really do anything about that just yet.

Closing the gap to the top, but a couple of poor results and we could be straight back into a relegation struggle. The next few weeks will be pivotal in order to continue our momentum.

[wynter]

It's coming together beautifully. Minor issues with squad balance and a load of players I simply don't want to give game-time aside. When we're on the pitch though... It's a joy to watch.

3 Points off the top, could be leading by 4 but at the rate we're going it simply feels like a matter of time.

Player of the Month with 5 games, 3 goals and 3 assists, not the greatest Raumdeuter one would ever see, barely even suitable for the role but he's making it work for him and so long as he produces I'm happy to keep him there.

[wynter]

We go into the Winter Break off the back of some good form. A minor crisis after the Paganese and Consenza games was averted after strong wins against Fidelis and Catanzaro. The Catanzaro game was also great because the match was a fan day and we got a minor boost to attendances after creating an enjoyable match for the neutrals.

Foggia are clinging to the top of the table, not for long though. If we hadn't blown a 3 goal advantage on Lecce and let them back into the match we'd already be on top.

We held pole position for one week, now we just need to snatch a good result off Foggia when we play them next and continue our current form.

Player of the Month

Matteo Gasperoni

6 Games, 3 Goals, 2 Assists

7.86 Rating for the Month

My favourite player of this save so far, we've been playing him at BWM and he puts nary a foot wrong. Plus scores absolute gems like this one.

If I could keep him at the club all the way to the Serie A I'd be ecstatic.

[wynter]

Now if I can just get back-to-back promotions...

[Keano16]

Back to catch up on this! Looks like you're beginning to really pick up some momentum.

[BoxToBox]

Dynamite getting that Gasperoni deal in place.

[wynter]

One player in for the window.

An interesting prospect, hadn't heard of him before but like what I see. Definitely think I can coax something out of him.

Onto slightly poorer news.

Not what we needed.

15 games left and I'm going to need to be perfect if I want to track them down.

[ManUtd1]

5 points isn't too much, man.  They'll slip up.

[wynter]

Very Happy with the Intake

Fabris and Ciadamidaro look good, hopefully I can convert Fabris into that Raumdeuter I've been craving with enough attention while Ciadamidaro will definitely be fashioned into a proper AF. He has the potential for a Complete Forward if he comes along well enough over the next few seasons and my 3-5-2 might be possible.

muahahaha, now if we can get promoted and not be in financial ruin 

[BoxToBox]

Oh yes! Great intake and a brilliant deal.

[wynter]

Form's been dropping slightly since the Foggia game. 5-1-3 isn't necessarily bad but we've missed valuable opportunities to get points on the board and build for the title.

Luckily Foggia has been just as inconsistent as us. The table has closed up though, 6 games left and we're in a 4 way shootout. Hopefully we can finish strong and close it out.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Italian football is getting mildly exciting.

[wynter]

We had a decent run in hampered by the absence of Gasperoni, Melegoni, Pierini and Giraudo as they were all called away for the U20 World Cup. Our squad stayed strong though and put together a decent run of form to keep us in with a shout.

CHAMPIONS

We went into the last day with a two point lead and held onto it as everyone else stumbled over the finish line behind us with bad/decent form as well.

I'm going to have to exploit the loan market again if I'm going to build a competitive team. Keeping Bordin, Gasperoni and Melegoni though means we have an incredibly strong midfield. We'll be looking to enhance attacking options out wide and strengthen our defence for the forthcoming season.

First Signing

We finally have a Raumdeuter, very excited to see how he does next year.

Ambitions

We have a squad capable of at least a top half finish in the Serie B, I'd like to turn that into us finishing in at least a playoff position. With such a young squad though, it'll all be about how they develop through the first half of the year. If the right combination of players improve rapidly we have a great chance at B2B promotions.

[BoxToBox]

That's a good set of results, considering you were missing the core of your best team.

[wynter]

Season 2017/18 - Serie B

Transfers

No hard cash exchanged for players due to financial worries, instead we've made do with the loan market and some free transfers to set up what is in my view an extremely capable squad.

Centre Backs

Mansuetto and Saugher will be our Centre-Back pairing for this season

 

I had to fight off a lot of competition for Saugher and he's also very expensive given our financial worries, but he's got potential to also play in the Serie A next year and will have a solid sell-on should the worst come and we need to sell players. Mansueto's entirely free and is easily the second best CB on the books so a cheap, temporary upgrade as we chase promotion.

Full Backs

I'm gambling on youth again, this time a lot more than I am with our Centre Backs as Nicoletti and Candela will be our primary options.

 

Nicoletti is the attacking wing back I've been craving, Candela on the other hand has me massively relying on his potential rather than his ability. I'm hoping first team football will trigger some rapid growth and we'll mold him into a First Team Footballer over the course of the season.

Midfielders

 

Joining Torromino is Lo Faso who'll play out right for the season or through the middle if the need arises. Calvano was a free option and added cover for Melegoni and Gasperoni who'll once again be our core pairing in midfield.

Our Strongest XI

 

Last part of the post is a complete love in on Gasperoni

LOOK AT HIM, BOW BEFORE HIM.

His first touch and tackling are a bit on the low side for a BWM but every other aspect of his game is developing at an insane rate. I'm looking at keeping him in the BWM role until the end of this year then transitioning him into a Roaming Playmaker when Melegoni leaves. I either need promotion or need to make some massive sales in January to make sure I can get him permanently because that 5mil Buyout is daylight robbery.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Well done winning the league Wynter.

[wynter]

7 hours ago, Nobby_McDonald said:

Well done winning the league Wynter.

Cheers man! 

[wynter]

A solid start to life in the Serie B. The result against Parma was stunning and hopefully that form carries on over the next few weeks as we adjust to the higher level of play. Defensively we're a bit leaky as always, but we are scoring at a high rate and we'll be relying on that trait much more than our defensive prowess.

Player of the Feature

Giuseppe Torromino

4 Games, 8 Goals

8.43 AR

Simply unstoppable when we feed him the ball, long may it continue.

Crashed out in a great cup tie vs Udinese. We took the lead in the 70th minute but they roared back moments later and a tense Extra-Time period was decided by a goal. We gave them an incredibly good game though and it bodes well for our future prospects.

[noikeee]

That looked an easy enough first season. Good start in Serie B, too.

[wynter]

We're showing solid form, Cesena are too strong at the moment and romping away with the league at this moment in time. Our loss to them was also aided by the absence of Bordin, Gasperoni and Pierini due to injuries so while we were hurting it was not unexpected. Otherwise we're playing good football and picking up results very much as I anticipated as we look slightly higher than a top half finish and look at a playoffs position.

2nd is still very much within our grasp though with the right batch of results, it's all about maintaining, and slightly increasing our pace.

Andrea Russoto

6 Games, 3 Goals, 2 Assists

7.43 for the last Five Games

A reliable rotation more than capable of filling in when Bordin is off the field and even when Bordin is fit, will definitely be looking to keep for one more year before we move him out to pastures new, regardless of Serie B or Serie A. He's a very reliable rotation.

[wynter]

Transfers

Three transfers in for the window adding some depth to the squad. Also featuring a bit of a gamble on my end as we splurged one million for Simone Acerbis.

Looking to move Gasperoni to RPM opens up our need for a BWM and given his lack of jumping I'm looking at shifting him into the role. I think he has a lot of potential, I would prefer to make him a slightly more balanced midfielder ie Off the Ball movement etc; so I will be trying to tutor him at some point over the next few seasons, provided the right player comes along. Overall though, a very promising prospect.

Valietti and Militari are interesting prospects, I have a 900k buyout on Valietti that I would like to activate at the end of the season. Militari is a backup to Melegoni and Gasperoni and he and Acerbis will add critical depth to the squad.

League

Our squad's shifted gears over the last few weeks and risen to another level. Player development is entirely at the core of that with some great work by almost everyone in the squad, special mentions to De Grazia, Lo Faso, Pierini and Nicoletti.

At the halfway point one team is on track to break the Serie B points record, while the other is one track to break the Serie B goalscoring record.

Cesena are not making my life simple. We have an upcoming match against them which could be one of the most important of the season if we want the title. I am happy settling for 2nd and instant promotion though, so all I'm really looking for right now is to maintain consistency.

[BoxToBox]

32 minutes ago, wynter said:

Looking to move Gasperoni to RPM opens up our need for a BWM and given his lack of jumping I'm looking at shifting him into the role. I think he has a lot of potential, I would prefer to make him a slightly more balanced midfielder ie Off the Ball movement etc; so I will be trying to tutor him at some point over the next few seasons, provided the right player comes along. Overall though, a very promising prospect.

Jesus! Don't you dare tutor him, it'll have no effect on his OTB and and Professional with 16 Determination is excellent as it is.

[wynter]

 

Noted

[Nobby_McDonald]

Going great guns.

[wynter]

“Fate is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and don't always like.” 

The plane arrives at midnight in the cover of darkness. A man steps off wearing his hopes and dreams on his sleeves as he hops into the car that will carry him to his destination.

The job has been circling through the media outlets for weeks. They’re an expected contender for Europe languishing near the relegation zone, begging for someone to be the spark of a revival beyond that of Lazarus himself.

He loves Catania, but he wants to be that man. No. He needs to be that man.

They arrive in silence. He’s escorted into the building, his features cloaked by the hooded jumper he wears in case the paparazzi had caught wind of his adventure. All the while he repeats what he’s going to say, the speech he’s memorised for days echoing throughout his mind. Guards look at him, their eyebrows raised at the man muttering rapidly over and over in a language they don’t entirely understand as the secretary takes over and directs him to the office, asking him to wait outside.

Minutes feel like hours, his hands shaking with nervous energy as the potential to realise a childhood dream awaits him in a room a mere metre away.

She opens the door, raven curls and piercing blue eyes that on any other night may have entranced him but now seem a mere afterthought in the face of what lays ahead.

“They’ll see you now.”

He takes a breath, and marches towards destiny.

The room is filled with three people, the president flanked by his directors who sit in silence for a few moments as he enters.  

“Hel-“ He starts but he’s immediately cut off by the President who holds up his hand.

“Mr. Price…” The president says. “How do you feel about defensive football?”

Back to Catania

[kidthekid]

I wouldn't agree to that philosophy as well. Even if I achieve a great defensive record, it's due to being camped in the opponents half as opposed to having a solid organized defensive plan.

[BoxToBox]

I'd agree to it and just play the way I wanted anyway, maybe 6-8 months down the line try and ask them to forget it.

[wynter]

Brilliant form, Empoli and Cesena are two great teams so while losing was irritating it was always something to anticipate going up against them. The win vs Carpi was a great game, with a late goal to seal the deal in front of a great homecrowd. Promising figures that will hopefully soar next year if we manage to get promoted. We are conceding a fair amount of goals, but we're scoring buckets as well so I've no complaints.

9 Games left to hold onto the title and 9 games left to make our mark on the record books as well.

17/27 Points and 21 goals over the rest of the season and we can stake a claim as one of the most dominant Serie B sides in History.

les go.

 

[noikeee]

I'm just trying to imagine a chairman specifically searching for someone who'll play boring negative football. 

Did well to turn that down, and not because of the philosophy you're 5 matches away from back-to-back promotions and Serie A football on merit, don't throw that away.

[wynter]

That'll do nicely...

[wynter]

52 minutes ago, noikeee said:

I'm just trying to imagine a chairman specifically searching for someone who'll play boring negative football. 

Did well to turn that down, and not because of the philosophy you're 5 matches away from back-to-back promotions and Serie A football on merit, don't throw that away.

I KNOW. THEY HAVE BELOTTI AND LJAJIC the *****

On 8/20/2017 at 10:20, kidthekid said:

I wouldn't agree to that philosophy as well. Even if I achieve a great defensive record, it's due to being camped in the opponents half as opposed to having a solid organized defensive plan.

Yeah, I don't know the first thing about defending in FM tbh 

On 8/20/2017 at 10:53, BoxToBox said:

I'd agree to it and just play the way I wanted anyway, maybe 6-8 months down the line try and ask them to forget it.

Wiser words have never been spoken, I probably would've turned them down tbf, they were back up to 9th by the time they rejected me so in peril they weren't.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Looks like you'll be playing Torino next year.

[wynter]

End of Season Update

Catania - 2017/18 Season

We finished the season off with a bang. There were some minor losses throughout but when we needed to rise to the occasion we did so with aplomb. 

So how'd we go?

We broke every record we targeted and established ourselves as arguably the most dominant side to ever enter the Serie B. 

Goalwise we conceded an absolute bucket load compared to everyone else, but no one was able to touch us offensively, Pierini leading the way with 25 goals from 37 games.

Goals for Next Season

Provided we can keep some of the loans we should be looking at staying up comfortably. I'm plotting a mid-table to top half finish and scouring around for some youth we can add to the squad for future sell on/first team endeavours.

[Nobby_McDonald]

Well done Wynter.

[noikeee]

On 15/09/2017 at 09:01, wynter said:

I'm plotting a mid-table to top half finish

Nah, you've been champions 2 years in a row, time to make it 3.

[wynter]

On 19/09/2017 at 07:35, Nobby_McDonald said:

Well done Wynter.

Cheers!

 

On 20/09/2017 at 20:17, noikeee said:

Nah, you've been champions 2 years in a row, time to make it 3.

One must always be humble when plotting domination 

[wynter]

Catania Season 2018/19

Pre-Season

We've been incredibly busy this window with the squad needing a massive overhaul in order to survive in the Serie A.

Match wise the team has been in great form. Getting the loans in early has given the squad plenty of time to gel and with a mix of difficult to moderately easy matches we've performed against every opponent. The 1-1 draw with Everton was highly impressive, a 50/50 match which could have gone either way and bodes well for our chances this season vs the higher level of competition.

Players

Our squad has a lot of depth, most being Leading Serie B/ Decent Serie A players I have been able to pick up some gems to help add to our level of quality and provided they play up to the standard I want we won't get near the relegation battle.

Federico Matiello

Definite upgrade on our wingback options. Unwanted at Juve and with a 1.7mil Buyout Clause ready to go at any time if he impresses me then I'll definitely be lumping up the required sum. Incredibly well rounded and incredibly versatile.

Matteo Gabbia

Physical Monster who once he gets his tackling up is going to be the destroyer in our midfield, negotiated a 14mil buy-out but the likelihood of me ever being able to activate it at this point stands at maybe 0.5%. Also capable of CB should the need be required.

Alessandro Murgia

Gabbia's Partner, taking over Gasperoni at our Roaming Playmaker slot after he wanted more money per week than our entire wage budget for the season.

2.5 mil Buyout which echoes a similar approach, I'm working the loan market with a view to full time acquisition.

Rough Prospects

Fabris and Candela are two prospects I'm looking at blooding this year. Fabris is the local talent attracting the interest of Paris Saint-Germain while Candela is a loan from Torino that I think has the potential to be a superstar in a couple of seasons.

Candela's an interesting test, I think he has just the right attributes in just the right spots, and with 2-3 seasons I can potentially turn him into a great player, provided he receives a lot of gametime. Fabris is just an incredible prospect, already beginning to mould him into a Raumdeuter as that's the LW role. The only negative aspect of his attributes is that horrendous passing stat which makes Winger/AP an unviable option.

Nothing's expected of us, this season's all about survival.

 

[Nobby_McDonald]

Good luck. You may well need it.

[Bilbaoboy]

I like that you Chose Catania i have been playing in italy for years mostly Serie A but whenever you brows the lower leagues 2 teams immediately stand out, Lecce with the big stadium and high season ticket holders and Catania, they stayed at back of my mind as a potential future team and i eventually got round to it, and i really got into both teams, they are interesting because there kits are initially ugly by italian standards but they grow on you and in way reflects  their status as the rugged underdogs against the slick rich northern powerhouses.

 

One thing i had to comment on though was your non italian signing policy, in real life they sign ALOT of south americans are are seen as a  south american city more so than italian, i am the opposite in that i try not to sign any northern Italians and scout all the southern squads for talent and there are a few really good gems, Luca Dilleto,Raul Torregrossa Viscovo, Tummenello, Del Sole, Puntierre, Alagna Volpe, Coppolaro probs more but cant remember top of head

The Southern teams are often overlooked but each of them are potential Sleeping giants and they seem to get bigger and more volatile crowds

 

Forza Elephanti