[FM24] Journeyman Career

[AlfieLucas]

So unfortunately around Christmas time, my laptop, like me, got ill. So I had to reset it, losing all my saved games. So after messing around with a Tottenham save for a couple of seasons, I decided to start a longer save. I wanted to experience all the major leagues, with the intent on making a usually unfancied team the best in the country and europe. After looking through, I made the decision to go with the team that I received my first ever mystery shirt package. And that happened to be….. Die Schwarzroten or as most know them as Die Werkself. And I didn't want to just oust Xabi from a job, so I gave him to March 24’.

First I'm conquering Germany, then Europe with Leverkusen. Then I'll be moving on.

With just a solitary Uefa Europa League (88’) and DFB-Pokal (93’) the trophy cabinet at the BayArena is bare to say the least. In the next FIVE years, i’m hoping it’ll be nearer the double figures.

[AlfieLucas]

March 23/24

Right off the bat, we made the trip to Spain, Sevilla. As my first game was a tough one.. Took a while to hit our stride, but we managed to quell Sevilla’s attacks and hit them ourselves. In the end, taking a commanding 0-3 lead into the second leg in Germany. 

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Back in the Bundesliga, we welcomed VFL Wolfsburg. Who were in form and going well in seventh place. In a match we controlled from the start, it was another welcoming 3-0 victory, as we recorded our first win and points in the league. 

With passage to the Europa League Quarter-Finals, within TEN minutes of the second leg, we put it to bed as we raced into a 2-0 lead. Ending up with a 3-1 on the night, and 6-1 on aggregate.

An away game up next against Freiburg, which would turn out to be the first off three in the next couple of weeks. It was a tight game, which was heading for a draw. But Nadiem Amiri hit a volley from all of 30 yards to win it in the 93rd minute. With Amiri out of contract in the summer, he’s giving me food for thought, as he’s an able backup. 

Our final match of March was against the team directly beneath us, Hoffenheim, who were nine points behind us. And it produced one hell of a performance as we raced into a 3-0 lead within 21 minutes, before adding another three goals before Hoffenheim scored two consultation goals.

Taking over Bayer who were in fourth and looking nailed on for Champions League anyways, i've managed to leapfrog BVB into third, with Champions League football more or less secured. My aim now is to oust Leipzig from second and make it our own.

April is looking very good indeed. Dortmund and a Europa League Quarter Finals await, with the winners facing either Liverpool or Milan in the last four.

 

[AlfieLucas]

April 24'

 

With my first month in charge going so well, I was expecting to hit the buffers at some point. The squad depth at Bayer isn’t that great, but with just two competitions to play for, it was doable. And with the huge gap to fifth in the league, I could potentially put all my eggs into the Europa League basket. 

An away trip to Union Berlin, who sit 7th. Could’ve proven to be tricky, was anything but it. Although it took us an hour to break them down, once we did, I knew we’d go on to win. As goals from Grimaldo, Wirtz & Tella sealed a comprehensive 3-0 win.

 

First leg of our Europa League QF against Freiburg was up next. Beating them a couple of weeks ago gave us the confidence to do it again. But after five minutes, Eggestein gave Freiburg a surprising lead. And that’s how it stayed for the first half. Laying into them at half time, gave them the kick up the backside that was needed. As goals from Tapsoba, Hlozek & Boniface in a twelve minute spell pushed Leverkusen to the semi-finals. Freiburg did put the ball in the back of the net in the 94th minute, but thankfully was ruled out for offside. 

Werder Bremen, who are dangerously close to the relegation zone, were up next, as they visited the BayArena. And goals from Hofmann, Grimaldo & Boniface gave us yet another 3-0 win and a vital three points as we try to push for second place. That was our FOURTH 3-0 win in just EIGHT games. 

An uneventful return leg against Freiburg in the Europa League, as Tapsoba put us ahead in the 40th minute, but it took Freiburg till the 76th minute to produce a leveller and that’s how it stayed, as we ran out 4-2 winners on aggregate and now had to face A.C Milan in the semi-finals after they beat Liverpool comprehensively 5-1 over both legs. 

Third versus Fourth as we travelled to Dortmund, buoyed by our form, I knew we stood a chance of beating BVB who destroyed Bayern 5-1 in Munich during midweek to progress to the Champions League semi-finals. And very quickly we got into our rhythm and Boniface pounced to give us the lead inside 15 minutes. Two minutes later that lead was doubled as Boniface got his brace for the afternoon. Fullkrug pulled one back for BVB in the 24th minute, but Jonas Hofmann restored a two goal advantage just seven minutes before halftime. And it stayed that way till the 70th minute as Reyna pulled one back for Dortmund, but I switched us to all out defensive and we held on for all three points.

And the last game of the month was another struggling team, Stuttgart. Boniface gave us the lead four minutes into the game, as Nathan Tella followed that up five minutes later. Boniface had a goal ruled out in the 20th minute, but that didn’t stop us as Tella got his second of the game in the 23rd minute and Hofmann rounded off a superb victory in the 37th minute to give us a 4-0 win. 

With just three games left in the league, we’re seven points behind Bayern. So I think second is the best we can hope for. Third being the worst, as i don’t think Dortmund will catch us. I’ve already secured some deals for next season. Some youngsters and some experienced players, which i’ll fill you in on come the end of the season.

And just like IRL, they had a truly terrible month. Which is pleasing to see, but i still think it'll earn Harry his first trophy

Out of the DFB-Pokal, Champions League and three losses on the bounce was delightful to see. But they had a huge lead over everyone, so could afford to drop points. Hopefully they lose another three on the bounce and we sneak the Bundesliga title home

I'm confident in our home game against Milan, not to sure away from home. Liverpool struggled, even with Milan in sixth place in the league. So this is their only route back into the Champions League. But for us, it's a chance to add some much needed silverware. And i'll be disappointed if we don't win all our remaining league fixtures. As well as progressing to the final of the Europa League, my other main aim is to tie down Frimpong to a new contract and higher release clause. But his agent is being a pain in the backside.