SixPointer

His time will come my friend. Seimen was planned for a long time. The other two purely came from being on the transfer list. The pivots are so crucial with there only being two men in the middle. So I feel now I have two complete players. Rodriguez will feel hard done by, but there is no reason himself and Martinez can’t push them!

Really like the 442 you constructed. Gives nice balance and a lot of opportunity for overloads.

Crazy to think I still have 20 million in the budget. I sold a couple more promising youngsters that aren’t going to make the grade for my style. Franca is a tough one. Juve bailed out when I asked for 60 million. It was time my friend it was time.

Summer breeze makes me feel fine I think for the first time in the series I'm happy with my transfer business before pre season kicks off, A few big arrivals, a few wonderkids return after being loaned out after buying last season. On the whole unless someone leaves no more business required. Brandt, Livakovic, Aurnes, Mctominay all depuatred as planned. Brandt fetched 16 million which allowed us to raise 36 million. Frances spat the dummy out after not being played as a ball playing defender, as he played WCB mostly. I'm not in the business of keeping players around who don't want to be here so he was offered up for his 40 million release clause. Brighton offered 38 million up front and I bit their hand off. 38 million represents 28 million pound profit which is a huge mark up, especially for an unhappy player, did i want him for next season yes but it gives someone else a chance. The plan is to move young Jose Dias up into a first team slot, his potential is insane and it feels like a Benfica thing to do. Two new deals in the backline to join Dias. Club captain Morato signed a huge deal, and young player of the year Foneseca followed suit, keeping Man City off our case. Morato represents elite level defending in the back line and he should bring the two local lads on leaps and bounds. Diallo returns from a loan on Westerlo, he was purchased last year for 9.25 million euros. Another at 17 like Dias who looks capable of becoming world class, interestingly enough he can play as IWB, but i'll utilize him as a WCB as cover for Morato and Andric. Down the Middle, Erick Martinez a young mexican arrives for 10 million, at 18 again he has a potential to become elite if we nature him correctly, he's had two years first team football in Mexico now he looks to provide competition to Fonseca and Mendes for the Middle slot. The biggest bargain of the summer comes in the form of Lucas, 625k for another young centre back with the potential to be elite. He is the most Benfica esk signing of the window and he will battle it out with Dias for the starting slot on the right. I don't have a third man here, but I feel I have enough depth so unless someone stands out in the crowd I am happy. This should see us comfortable for some time unless players are sold against our will. Behind the new look defence is Dennis Seimen, our world class keeper and the first huge purchase and the first brick in the wall in the quest to win the UCL. He cost us a huge 56 million but the deal was agreed after selling Balogun last year, and i think for world class i can handle the cost. Not very Benfica but times are a changing and the AI had purchased a 32 year old Julian Brandt for 35 million before i arrived so this is at least a better age. RWB was another area where players were purchased last season. Walter Cáceres returns from his loan deal with River, we opted to loan him back after the 6 million signing. Again another player with the potential to be elite much like Gordan Degoricija, another 6.25 million purchase at RWB, wonderkids from the Baltics is Franz favourite. Cardoso will be loaned out and Ilenic and these pairs have a three way fight on their hands for the number 2 jersey. LWB is the only area where I feel I may still be in the market to find a wonderkid type to add competition to Paulo and Barco, I probably could get by but am aiming for three players, especially wing backs. Lavia is 25, still has plenty of pedigree and will become world class if Franz can get the best out of him like he has done to so many. He looks to have knocked Rodriguez out of the Segundo starting slot, he was unhappy at Southampton and we managed to beat Bayern to his signature. The big money was still flying around the midfield as Danilo joined Lavia, the new anchor again was unhappy at AC Milan and 60 million was enough to prise him away. This now gives us another already elite player, to join a potential world class player in the double pivot. Crucial part of the pitch and it was warranted to spend here. He was a better option than Vencedor in the end. Martinez and Rodriguez may feel hard done by but I don't feel Martinez will take us to a UCL and Rodriguez is still growing. Martim Ferreira was brought back to the club for less than what we sold him for to add cover alongside Carlos Medina and Jonathan Corozo who return from loan spells. This gives us plenty of cover and potential in the midfield, especially compared to last year with Sabitzer, Mctominay and Aurnes. Managing to hold onto superstar Matheus Franca is going to be the biggest task for the rest of the window, these offers are not close enough to the 60 million i value him at. Problem is he wont sign a new deal because of the interest in his services. Granelli will be more than ready to step in as the starting false 9, as could Mecka. Where as Giovane and Hidalgo are more suited to the outside roles, but I think it's safe to say the front three will chop and change depending on form. They all are capable and it's very much a fluid approach. Two new whizzkids enter the mix this year as well, Estêvão Palmeirim comes into the senior side, he was sent on loan last season but he's now ready to mix in, and give him his chance to establish himself. The second is Ronald Leites, a Uruguayan wonderkid, who we bought for 4.1 million and loaned him back last season. Summary There is no question the board have backed Franz, three times breaking the record fee, Seimen, Danilo and Lavia. This is the level needed if we are to keep closing the gap to the elite clubs, of course supplemented with the younger players brought in to mix with the academy produce now gives the squad a much more talented feel but with a more established first team. The next part is going to be designing a tactic for those tough away Uefa champions league ties. Juves two goals came from midfield runners so perhaps dropping another player into the middle will help but it's something I am going to work on. Last season we won the league undefeated so it's hard to top such a thing, but a league title is a must with the spend as is the FA Cup after missing out last year. In truth the money spent should warrant a treble should be expected but it depends how deep we can get into the UCL. This latest drive should now give me the base to be more selective in recuritment for this next five years as we can progress players into players leaving or find outstanding upgrades.

Think once your get the base of a good squad it’s easier to get in the habit of Cherry picking and adding one or two and starting the cycle of profit making. Until you get tht base it’s tough finding your feet.

As crazy as it sounds we are still feeder teams to the elite. I’ve broke the bank this year which you will see soon! But i think if I started at Benfica like you I would follow your more methodical approach and keep it the benfica way

Congratulations on the promotion! Back to the big time!! Budget looks reasonable for first season in top flight as well. Should see enough room for improvement to beat the drop.

Phenomenal on the domestic front and very unlucky against Liverpool. Crazy when a striker decides to wipe someone out for no reason, drives me nuts but suppose these things happen in real life from time to time. Summer transfer plans?

5 goals on the 500th game a goal for every hundred is a nice touch. Transfer business looks well thought out and calculated as always. Is there potential to become self sufficient on the academy in the future?

Thanks man. I’ve more or less done my summer business and the aim is to close the gap on Juve! Yeah the front three has been superb. I switch it up. Sometimes I tell them to stay wider and try get the wing backs more narrow other times I use them as the inside players. if I want them wider I use the stay wider and play there stronger foot to the the flank. I do the opposite if I want them coming inside.

Running the numbers A little bit of statistical breakdown, how the tactic played out and how individuals performed as well. Try my best to add a detail for the end of season one in Lisbon and some plans for season two, before motoring on again. The best eleven consisted of four of the new signings, Franca, Hidalgo,Rodriguez and Paulo all shone brightly in their first season. Paulo with a very impressive 12 assists, Rodriguez one behind him. Hidalgo led them by one (takes corners) but he also added 11 goals taking his direct involvement to 24. Franca scored 19 and assisted 11 taking him up to 30 in total in a sublime first season on the European continent. To be honest i dont think we made a bad signing, Mecka, Giovane and Granelli will all be scratching their heads to how they never pipped Balogun for a slot. Andric, Ilenic, Martinez perfomed when called upon, Barco perhaps the one sore point but these were planned as cover players. Joao Fonseca was an absolute rock at the heart of our defence, winning the most possession and the most headers in the league and making lots of progressive passes, taking his chance to become a regular by both hands and making it his own. Him and Morato found the net 17 times between them which of course came mostly from set plays, and yes corners we are number one. This graphic gives you a decent overview of how we use the ball, we don't favour possession it merely a by product of our dominance. Pass completion is lower than top 6 as we take risks with our passing which correlates with most chances created and the high final third passes. The high press is still heavily featured and has become synonymous with Franz Schmier and his style, although this year we don't top the number in terms of OPPDA. Possession won makes more sense as the teams above us struggle for the ball so have more chances of winning it. Crossing has been a huge part of the success, anyone who clicked on highlights would see our low crosses and cutbacks have worked since changing it up at the start of the season, also overloading on the flanks with the dual AF roles, wing backs and wide centre backs make it a lethal weapon. Future Plans Livakovic is on his way out the club, a reasonable season but at 33 the 10 million made from Inter was no brainer Mctominay is cashed in for 10 million for the exact same reason, age not on his side Aurnes showed why he has been around so long but there was no compromise on squad status so i let his deal run out Brandt had a great season, he surprised me in the front line but if can get a good fee at 33 he will join the fellow older statesmen In terms of incoming a top level goalkeeper is a must, someone who can lead us to UCL glory, Kosev has potential and he did okay but he isnt going to win us the UCL. In defence the back three is fairly settled, young Dias and Andric look very promising but we could do with one or two more promising players to beef us up. The wing backs is another area that needs work, Ilenic and young Cardoso done okay at RWB, but perhaps need some stern competition, Cardoso played well above his ability and again won't win us the Champions league, the other side Paulo had a bad injury but looks sublime, Barco was hot and cold so maybe an area to look at. I need three players in each position here to make sure we aren't caught short again. Pivots is another huge focus, Martinez done okay but again won't win us the champions league, Rodriguez was ranked number 2 on the next gen list so he can take us there if he fulfilled his potential. With departures i think we need 2/3 players here, a world class anchor being the priority. The forward line is absolutely fine as long as now one comes in for our prized assets, Brandt leaving will allow me to bring a player from the academy up and we won't lose much strength. Shopping list Top level keeper Top Level anchor Backup SV? Backup WB's? Promising CB's

I’m sure next season will provide a sterner test. Porto lost the manager to Juve half way through. Sporting looked good in spells but need more work. nice to see Vitoria break the mould as well. I’ve already secured my first potential world class player. I do still need to beef the squad up. Mainly midfield and wing backs. I think defence and attack is covered unless we have any big sales. We did ride our luck at times. Late equaliser against sporting was a huge moment in terms of the unbeaten record. He has looked a fantastic bit of business the only issue the big guns are already taking a shine to him.

Everybody’s on the run Here we go! A large update here which will take us into the end of the season. This speed writing is really speeding up play so its more or less going to be a standard process from now till the end of the challenge. The win against Porto set the standard for an unbeaten month. A late goal against Vitoria de Guimaraes took the gloss of a fine performance in a 2-1 win. However the shoe was on the other foot in Berlin, as Barco blasted home in the dying embers to bring the tie level 1-1 to take back to Lisbon, in a game we dominated. Winning 1-0 against Farense on the back of European night was just enough, missing so many chances but three points is the main aim. We advanced to the round of 16 with a 2-0 win knocking our Hertha Berlin, taking our chances this time around. Feirense were dismantled as we ran out 3-0 winners, Mecka back on the scoresheet after a lengthy spell on the sidelines was pleasing. A tough one to take against Ruud's Juventus in Lisbon having not long left porto he perhaps knew what to expect. Two poor goals down our right hand side. The issue being Ilenic being injured has left us short on the flank. Their second goal so late in the game after such a battling performance is a real kick in the teeth. The real positive Granelli bagged a brace against his fellow countryman, finishing off a superb cross from the young Miggy Cardoso with a glancing header, then picking up the scraps in the box. He looks like a number 9 more and more that is capable of playing the F9 perfectly. In time I am sure he maye see the return of the complete forward role. A very turbulent month of March Moreirense were dispatched with ease 2-0, Rodriguez getting his first goal for the club. Juventus knocked us out, 3-1 in the second leg. The curse remains and lessons learnt, the squad is short on quality and depth at this level but the building has begun with Livakovic again showing he is on the decline just one big lesson. Bounced back by destroying Arounca 4-0, to make it seven wins on the spin. Joao Fonseca headed home two set plays and was allowed the penalty to secure a very rare hat trick from centre back. 1-1 with Gil Vicente brought the winning streak to an end, in abysmal fashion as we missed two penalties and conceded late on. Boavista were brushed aside 3-0, as we found our shooting boots again, the second goal in particular showed nice link up play between the front three. A drab 0-0 against Braga ensured that we had lost our shooting boots very quickly, and I really don't think anyone will ever remember that match unless it was for being so poor. Granelli aka Granny with a brace again, getting on the end of a low cross, then a great cross from auxiliary wing back Morato in a 2-1 win over Casa Pia that should have been more comfortable. Unfortunately we lost Joao Paulo to a bad injury which now left us down to the bare bones at wing back. Late draw in the Lisbon derby, Sporting CP will be fuming losing a two goal lead to finish 2-2. Hidalgo saved the day, the switch to 3142 in the second half dug Franz men out a hole and saved their unbeaten record. A win in the Lisbon derby would have secured the title for Benfica. In the end results went their way in the other matchups, Franz and Benfica were crowned champions in his first season. It took a lethal strike from Rodriguez to separate the sides against Rio Ave in a 2-1 win, its now Franz job to keep his side focused right to the very end. Gio's Brace against Penafiel made it back to back 2-1 wins and set the team up nicely for the Taca da Liga final. Again we had to come from behind against Sporting CP, going behind on 5 minutes wasn't the start Franz had in mind. The boys rallied and were definitely the better side, Mecka got us back level getting in front of his man at the near post and latching onto Miggy's cut back after a good driving run from the young wingback. The game would go straight to penalties, harsh in my eyes especially in such a high intensity derby final even though we were the better side. The first nine penalties were dispatched perfectly but it was Chacon who would miss the tenth one and Benfica would celebrate a League and League cup double. 1-0 win against Estoril Praia keeps that unbeaten run going until the final month. Can Benfica finish the season unbeaten? The last time it was done was 1972/73 and the side is still legendary. The clubs record point totals within grasp as well. 2-2 against Famalicão and 4-1 against Portimonense SC sealed an incredible league season, thus matching the points total and the invincibles from 1972/73. Taking the title with an incredible 17 point margain, in his first season Franz really has pulled it out the bag. Kicking himself for the Taca de Portugal exit, which is a valuable lesson. The team still needs a lot of work before it's challenging on to the continent, i envisage a big summer but the transition has started and now it will be about remaining superior on the domestic front until the curse is broken.

The dream!

Hope to have the season wrapped up tomorrow! And written up Monday

Nice shape otherwise. Maybe play around with the role. Try F9 from the striker slot. Or TREQ, AP or even just standard AM.

I love the fact you’re looking to bring South Americans back home to the continent. Are people going to follow the world class manager on his journey home to win something big in the homeland…..?

Going along very nicely mate 👏🏻

Think you have to look back on a solid first year. Now it’s time to go bargain hunting!

Nice work. How do the pass maps look? Do you get the nice diamond shapes?

Well I think Porto are having an off seasons. Because before my arrival they were dominating the title. While Sporting finished 4th last time out. I fully expected when I resigned at Standard that Sporting CP would be the next destination due to there performance. Yeah 8 point lead and still in the UCL, league cup final to look forward to. Still kicking myself about FA Cup.

The new kid on block The bragging rights in O classico are firmly ours, 4-0 is a serious result! Giovane with a man of the match debut. Our passing shape was perfect, Granelli dropping into the midfield and dragging the defence with him to open space down the sides. This is exactly what happened for the opening goal, Graneli drops in and then slots Giovane down the side who cut back for his fellow Brazilian Franca to fire home. Graneli showed his prowess to lead the line as well, heading home inside the six yard box, the young italian stallion is fast becoming a sensation in lisbon. Morato knocked in another near post corner for good measure. Giovane switched to the left later on and he provided another assist from that side of the pitch, he looked very exciting. A league update, i realised i hadn't done one. Still unbeaten, but three draws ensure that we aren't completely out of sight. Eight points isn't a gap I would consider home and dry, especially with Sporting CP's current form. Porto have had a very shaky first half of the season and trail us by thirteen.

He is absolutely flying!! I couldn’t have imagined him starting like this. I actually planned him for next season until Balogun went.

He’s turned into a decent defender in my save, I almost signed him my last year at SV Ried!

Finishing level with Juve Stabia is solid achievement first season. The neighbours from just up the coast are regard as a bigger club