Jump to content

Moneyballing My Way To A Champions League Title in Every European Nation Part X: The FM23 Experiment


shaunvamos
 Share

Recommended Posts

nice work on Europe again. was a minimum im sure..

Ricardinho getting player of season tells its own story, hopefully there is a bit more consistency for you next season. but good progress all the same

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Replies 1.9k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

2029 Preseason

 

3b7398454bd7d15f6170ade8252057a6.png
 

 

It's been another busy preseason, highlighted by the huge sale of Seydou Kouame to Leverkusen for 27.5m. The board went over my head to sell him, but I would've accepted that bid anyway given he was no longer going to be a starter. More on that now...

 

 

Centre Back

 

a40d0a499c80b41862a89088f3a5e553.png
 

 

After a season in Switzerland Paulo is back for a lesser fee than when we picked him up the first time. We got plenty of it back with the sell-on clause. He still looks top notch and is our first choice CB by a distance.

 

 

 

Wing Backs

 

df4a0cb8825d369ebe8c24cf1b8b4a30.png
 

 

43b5d6f7dafc7b995dcc579e5b878e2d.png
 

 

The trend of inventing WBs continues, with Matenko pushing Kouame out of LWB.

 

 

 

Striker

 

c02b787e7b70001f7838e6893d4e03af.png
 

 

Dabo is a excellent player already at 17, and the only way we could get him was on loan as he wanted to continue developing at Koln. I'm shocked they let him join, as he's got all the qualities to feature for us in the first team.

 

 

 

746190b280271c6e7adb7a1802a2f372.png
 

 

This is a preseason that has gotten me very excited. A lot of the matches on the Swiss tour were against lesser opponents, but the APOEL game is very promising.

 

 

 

06aedc41a2ccc4c16c92fc6b53b847ee.png
 

 

Finally being recognised, and predicted up in 13th.

Link to post
Share on other sites

On 22/02/2022 at 21:31, vara said:

nice work on Europe again. was a minimum im sure..

Ricardinho getting player of season tells its own story, hopefully there is a bit more consistency for you next season. but good progress all the same

Thank! Funnily enough, Ricardinho has been pushed out of the first team thanks to the new signings, so it will be interesting to see how he reacts to that.

Link to post
Share on other sites

August 2029

 

f93dfe3b5628d5e55ec232069e23db7d.png
 

 

9aa529cc2973a78c95a8b9037e3af008.png
 

 

A decent start, as a 96th minute own goal costs us points. But we followed up with a 5-1 drubbing of Koln, where Dabo scores a hatty.

 

 

 

cc7b4c16a86ea55943c0245778f0e616.png

 

 

This is a very favourable group, I can definitely see us getting 2nd here.

 

 

 

Transfers (Out)

 

397b9685bf9f66e1f57f43655c47da21.png
 

 

Yet another backup player taken by Bayer for a profit.

Edited by shaunvamos
Link to post
Share on other sites

October 2029

 

a96f564c75f1d4baf525ffd571c51686.png
 

 

8310c5b8599bdf8b320e5c398a6e8865.png
 

 

691b6caeaa341b2fd9c25d218617ddbc.png
 

 

A good month in the league, flattening Freiburg, and we also beat Monaco in the Europa League. Frustratingly, we gave Union their first points in the league. We were resting our players after a disappointing loss to Slavia, but we really should be winning that. We're through to the last 16 of the cup too as our reserve side came back from 3-0 down to defeat 2nd division Schalke. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

December 2029

 

177886194455fad3f148d6a50f5ccdf7.png
 

 

ef6f4eac22437eccda17b27609aca1fb.png
 

 

A lot of draws, including our first ever point against Bayern Munich, and we're set for a tight second half of the season.

 

 

 

bf3377d551a27706fb1ead2282e51367.png
 

 

The reserves dealt handily with Qarabag in the final game with qualification already secured. We won't know who we're playing in the last 16 until a little later.

 

 

 

28b61269a2a74da9d944b888bf6993e9.png
 

 

An excellent intake, but I'm still not convinced.

Link to post
Share on other sites

2030 Youth Intake

 

a2a1963dc040a0d50d55434054660d19.png
 

 

Jens Dismer 9A  -  Tomasz Dobrowolski 9B*  -  Edmond Dauti 9C*

 

 

 

This is an excellent intake, as Dismer comes in as a highly rated WB despite never having played there. Finally get a Model Citizen in an intake, and he also looks real good. Nice new nationalities too.

 

 

 

36d0840bf190a79c1c8711f67998d8d1.png
 

 

 

 

d2243409de9ea06a774292cb9ef26cad.jpg
 

 

 

 

ec24e8f73f882b8e2aca104e2a707c61.png
 

Link to post
Share on other sites

March 2030

 

95b551ccba0faf1371cacbc2eae2f693.png
 

 

7febeea3980ad617f080f1ec5d72181e.png
 

 

Another great month, but the highlight was the win at Leverkusen. Everyone was too tired to play so I had to field a team of essentially youngsters and therefore braced for a flogging. Imagine my surprise when we won, and two youth prospects scored the goals!

 

 

 

afcb1124f49e0d98a603bf4a9373cc0c.png
 

 

Our reward for getting past Sturm Graz is a date with reigning La Liga champs Barcelona, who dropped down to the Europa League after finishing behind Ajax in their CL group. I have absolutely no expectations, but who knows at this point.

Link to post
Share on other sites

April 2030

 

e2457b52e9db9ebd5cb7951db9989f63.png
 

 

ba6e6f2f3cc8f388ccc5a2ad62967176.png
 

 

We didn't lose to Bayern this season, and we're playing Champions League football next season!

 

 

 

81cb06150b0dfb0c183120da82c4b6d0.png
 

 

We got past Barcelona with two great performances, and we play Conference League champs Southampton.

Link to post
Share on other sites

62b31e5e69155981e1fe9b913002b8f7.png
 

 

2501446397fa637bbccec05aefae27ca.png
 

 

 

4b2a72a9397e3514f126ae03ca27b561.png
 

 

Out at the semi final stage of the Europa League, but we gave Southampton a real scare. In more positive news we secured 2nd place at the new head of the chasing pack to catch Bayern.

 

 

 

Best XI

 

5c4f4d4221d8496e512c7e1f12d8f065.png
 

 

Paulo Teixeira  -  Józef Mateńko  -  Romain Matthys

 

 

 

6748772ccfa11b04abd9c3bc9828bfb3.png
 

 

 

 

image.png.f2602cf4828675af994d638717a7de61.png

 

 

 

 

Record Breakers

 

927372b2d0f021d253a6bc66ca2e25d1.png
 

 

 

 

Award Winners

 

c7d840f9dd5ae9eb0c44e2675b14a43b.png
 

 

d1af7dd7f6c0fb7db995a089e89945c4.png
 

 

 

 

Progress

 

494921697e543385b170780fef2abf44.png
 

Link to post
Share on other sites

2030 Preseason

 

5811f3bf4bd9782e33f7eb009d4a87bb.png
 

 

As expected there were some more players brought in as we look to consolidate our position in the league and look ahead to our first season of Champions League football. As a result of first XI reshuffling Acosta (CM) and Jorgensen (GK) will not be shown here, but they will definitely feature throughout the season. As for the outs, Thogersen leaves for Premier League newcomers Hull, Ceci and Sundermann drop down to the 2. Bundesliga, and our oldest remaining academy product departs for non-league Germany.

 

 

 

 

Wing Backs

 

98f3744bb5948c6c7f06e4f84b92b654.png
 

 

525db06bf0cb9a7e89176b992562a0f8.png
 

 

A new set of wingbacks this season, and they'll both be learning on the job. Both are probably underrated, but they're going to have great seasons, especially Pietra.

 

 

 

Strikers

 

d111df3a96b249928f51deeeaad34833.png
 

 

f831600bffc6c33a4d5089abee689ea7.png
 

 

Our new look strike pairing has a familiar face, as we meet Sidy Dabo's relegation release clause to bring him in permanently. He's joined by former Ajax product Thier on loan from Dortmund. These guys have got the potential to score a LOT of goals.

 

 

 

104697337d059cb1141ebd69e0a7c6df.png
 

 

Plenty of big scores, with a slight dip in form against Bilbao. But they're just friendlies and everyone got some minutes in.

 

 

 

7fede676b572c8ec075237efb3ede8a7.png
 

 

Predicted 7th, a big jump as we're now expected to have European football.

Link to post
Share on other sites

August 2030

 

c585a89cbd91f77a93ca88a8849621b3.png
 

 

2da7d7ac2a58bf2ea70d75a712d71868.png
 

 

A worrying start to the league, as we blow leads against Freiburg and Mainz.

 

 

 

Transfers (Out)

 

c58f15554e0dafb63e3ffac45c09e2bb.png
 

 

Two more guys not in my plans leave. Dervishi could make something of himself though, and we have a sellon clause for him just in case.

 

 

 

42dbf44fdf56a85f38afb59cb64a3afc.png
 

 

We definitely have one of the easiest groups in terms of how even it can be.

Link to post
Share on other sites

September 2030

 

f31876b510177f2caf666277125c9a0f.png
 

 

ce85ba81020fcd88f6f64bd4c643803a.png
 

 

02d070e6625b5ae4011d1dbff3993021.png
 

 

It's been a weird month, getting our first and only win in the Bundesliga against Bayern Munich in a flogging. Followed that up with a debut Champions League win over Lyon, before losing our remaining Bundesliga games. What is going on?

 

 

 

Transfers (Out)

 

80d2c87abe3b0fe6ef8e54dc7f791512.png
 

 

David Fischer leaves Champions League football for a Norwich team that hasn't finished above 14th this save.

Link to post
Share on other sites

December 2030

 

5b5aba76d00fd3106834d7eb737f1047.png
 

 

6e650b85afc503308d5083d9ee7ac5ab.png
 

 

146feb2c5b82201dd0329941c07a6271.png
 

 

We end the first half of the season in a strong position, as Bayern's position of dominance is threatened. We also failed against Lyon with a team of reserves, going into the knockout draw as the lower seeded team.

 

 

 

5085adddfa531d15e6352924cf7c36cb.png
 

 

It's a very favourable draw, as we come up against 2030 Europa League and 2029 Conference League champions Southampton. They narrowly defeated us in the Europa semis last season and are having a horrible domestic run, sitting 16th in the Premier League. It's the perfect time to play them.

 

 

 

6e749531478993723a93a0fea72d6b55.png
 

 

Another excellent one.

 

 

 

 

1962a83f4aec5552fd0a4d8d2f075221.png
 

 

We also have an 18 year old Golden Boy :D

Link to post
Share on other sites

February 2031

 

5558acc7dc9a09c961e34f0ccf881c01.png
 

 

8515b3de384b2cf1e574e3645efde633.png
 

 

A busy month, and we're fighting with 4 other teams for 2nd place at this stage. Gladbach are catchable, but we need to be perfect. We also head to England with the knowledge that our Champions League adventure is likely coming to an abrupt halt.

Link to post
Share on other sites

March 2031

 

5fbe0b12325e3cd66ca5e90397bc1379.png
 

 

0b5f5edcc7e9802b29f8de0221b04811.png
 

 

Gladbach have pulled slightly away and the chase isn't getting any easier, with anyone from 2nd to 5th in contention. The loss to Hoffenheim hurts, but it was a necessary loss, resting our entire first team for a crack at Southampton, a move that paid off as we defeat them on penalties.

 

 

 

141e67cc76a6e5982b8bcb7d031ae491.png
 

 

This was just the draw I wanted, as Lazio are historically the weakest of the remaining teams. They did win the Serie A in 2027 but have finished 5th, 4th and 4th in the last 3 editions. They reached the same stage of the Champions League last year, falling to eventual champions Inter.

 

 

 

01b02745ed072a8879ff9af041fbc83f.png
 

 

We have the world best wonderkid! At still only 18, Union Berlin really did not know what they had when we found him and took him.

Link to post
Share on other sites

April 2031

 

c1707dac45d8507e513d2abcefd956d8.png
 

 

9a2e846701dff4dc5b2781cf70682a85.png
 

 

The race for the title hasn't gotten any less tighter, but Bayern are beginning to put the pressure on in a remarkable comeback from 6th place in the first half of the season. We also have one foot out of the Champions League, but to make the last 4 in our debut is an incredible achievement, and an unexpected one at that.

Edited by shaunvamos
Link to post
Share on other sites

Part V: France

 

b0b7418e3aecb45eede1153f644171c3.png
 

 

 

 

9e8469cf657503a0f2dc587c680e2867.png
 

 

 

 

 

 

c7519d021706c686b9fc198144edbeef.png
 

 

 

It's off to the south of France to port city Sète, a club that last won the French top division almost a century ago. So they're a club with history, and I look forward to returning them to the success of the early 1930s before the dark times.

 

 

 

b6d0d8829d3207396bc02faa9ba9222d.png
 

 

It's an okay starting XI, slightly better than what we had at Havelse. With only 25 players in the squad the depth may not be great, but let's just hope for no injuries.

 

 

 

2f5599d2ca393d389e30d881c43281c0.png
 

 

France has plenty of bordering countries with players of quality, so progress might be quick. The downside is that they'll probably demand a ridiculous amount of money coming from these big countries. Bit of a double-edged sword.

Link to post
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, zethani said:

Now that you have done this with four different teams, which one do you think was the strongest? And the poorest?

I've just had a look at the season reviews and came across the best XIs for our best seasons, as well as collating an all time Best XI:

 

 

 

5beb6cbb2d4eb302c4135d0e5e2ff98d.png
 

 

 

Every team has managed to get at least one player in the side. There are some asterisks with this as there were different roles and formations included over the saves but I think it'll stay pretty consistent from here on out. Funnily enough, our Curzon Ashton side appeared the strongest by some distance, but the most fun I had I think was definitely in Germany. You get big money early and you ride the wave to success that way.

Link to post
Share on other sites

16 hours ago, corinthiano said:

Congrats on completing Germany - bet you thought that it wasnt your day when Real Madrid scored the second, amazing you managed to get a winner with 10 men in extra time!

Good luck in France!

Thanks! I was ready to just walk out once they hit back twice in the last 10. It seems to happen all the time, but of all times this was the worst.

Link to post
Share on other sites

2021 Preseason

 

f449c9ba5ea83f13fe156d190790ffba.png
 

 

It's good to see some green here, because some of our players have no idea how to play their assigned position. No transfers, as our wage budget is at capacity so we'll look to the January transfer window to try and get some off contract players.

 

 

 

0ace8040af489a8607a3226bda7de0f5.png
 

 

I don't know what's changed, but we aren't predicted last. I think we need to finish 14th to avoid relegation, so that's the aim.

Link to post
Share on other sites

October 2021

 

070c1c0c593c3495ffee5b075c33bb82.png
 

 

407026eb821ddb7bbc381d7afab442b1.png
 

 

We're now the only undefeated team in the league, and we sit top, but it's still quite close. The reserves have done a pretty good job in the cup games too, dealing with non-league teams comfortably enough.

Link to post
Share on other sites

November 2021

 

55900ddad3dd80abc307c5d1b5e1406d.png
 

 

0ea51e4633d901b299ee5bbf35facc4f.png
 

 

We've finally lost in the league, twice in fact, and we've lost a bunch of ground as a result. The reserves continue to power through the cup which is a lone positive this month though.

Link to post
Share on other sites

April 2022

 

726f37eb25e7aec8c224b1bbea7bee87.png
 

 

c0d6082ce4060e9460419740ba24c804.png
 

 

An unbeaten month, and we have secured a playoff spot. A win against 12th placed Sedan could secure promotion, but we need to win that because we have top team Chateauroux in the final game. 

Link to post
Share on other sites

b3739b7ab52fa15a33c982222570f549.png
 

 

0f90e585b09952c938dd93726a9763a9.png
 

 

a27db7f87f343e79968bbd07048b44d7.png
 

 

Promotion! I did not expect this, especially with a squad I couldn't make any additions to. But we stormed through all season, and we're into Ligue 2. Professional status is on the way as well, on top of a huge increase in the wage budget.

 

 

 

Best XI

 

91970b3d2502551046e97ae131d9bf91.png
 

 

Christian Koffi  -  Elyes Hakkar  -  Yamcouba Seydi

 

 

 

a7446665ff0d3c35fa67b0aa4eca2973.png
 

 

 

 

 

image.thumb.png.85ad36f807a7b4476a6a3f127c8360b1.png

 

 

 

 

Record Breakers

 

06a3721d8ff42648f3dbf467abb4e75c.png
0c6f82809044a5e56e013e18409af116.png
 

 

 

Award Winners

 

7711cb68e6f162dcafbb091232c0cb78.png
 

 

 

 

Progress

 

6125e7d49b93b17856da841a016a1ee7.png
 

Link to post
Share on other sites

2022 Preseason

 

bb65f125cb648b6791562cb2328684ff.png
d0986872ad24764061a4ebbb5dda76bb.png
 

 

Understandably, it was a busy preseason as we released a whole lot of players to make way for the new ones. We still have a surplus of wage expenditure but it will be used for contract expiry transfers in January. 

 

 

 

Goalkeeper

 

23b8d1b0520ca7a2e68b948380ca7f78.png
 

 

Pascal joins us from now non-league side Kriens in Switzerland, and he's a huge improvement on our previous keeper.

 

 

 

Centre Backs

 

9c280b05a8384a32264079049f979166.png
 

 

c9d55a95df9f1f24b2dbd933145d715e.png
 

 

Two Italians bolster our back line, both of whom have no idea how to play their position. But they'll learn.

 

 

 

Wing Backs

 

a836ff3b23b3500ddbf0eb577e984572.png
 

 

8ab3b2edf106852bd75fdb6dd581100e.png
 

 

In a rare situation where we sign two wing backs who know how to play there already. They're quality too, with Borges having stints at Bayern and Milan and Bueno currently playing for Wolves.

 

 

 

Defensive Midfielder

 

4c8c3bcc4dda0eadabda034fb3ac97b2.png
 

 

Sadiki is a huge pickup, a current Belgian U18 international and formerly of Anderlecht.

 

 

 

Central Midfielders

 

f3339a47dd42f71e2fb4771e375ec588.png
 

 

9e610100d8abc83646dfd6de00362606.png
 

 

Mendez is a great pickup from an amateur club in the Canary Islands, and his name told me to Loan Dupont so I did. The "promising" tag is encouraging as well.

 

 

 

Strikers

 

92164fbca9f28a15cd1b7c47c04f457b.png
 

 

00b9cdf5250554e8c1b88ac1853781ba.png
 

 

Two guys who have no idea how to play striker are expected to be our top scorers this season, but I trust in their attributes.

 

 

 

Transfers (Out)

 

c2941de3a22dd94827423ad8fa8d6fd2.png
 

 

One of our main contributors last season heads to Tunisia.

 

 

 

b0c7053732976b24765a14fc0cb0c43d.png
 

 

I won't read too much into this, as we were still recruiting for the majority of the preseason and have not played a match with our ideal lineup.

 

 

 

73a06c6bbefd49a4ddcb6725cba9470d.png
 

 

This, however, is a problem. Finishing outside the bottom four is again the aim.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • shaunvamos changed the title to Moneyballing My Way To A Champions League Title in Every European Nation - An Experiment in Squad Building Part V: France

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...