[FM 18] Olympique de Marseille: "OM Champions Project"

[nico_france]

Welcome back to the thread of the only french team who won the Champions League, l’OM !

 

 

History and glory days...

Olympique de Marseille was founded by René Dufaure de Montmirail, a French sports official, in 1892 as an omnisport club. Known as Sporting Club, US Phocéenne and Football Club de Marseille in the first five years after their foundation, the club adopted the name Olympique de Marseille in 1899 in honour of the anniversary of Marseille's founding by Greeks from Phocaea some 25 centuries earlier, with the name Olympique, coming from ancient Olympic Games.

The first period of Olympique de Marseille's domination of the French League started in the early 1970s under Marcel Leclerc's presidency (1965–1972). His ambition allowed Marseille to return to the First division in 1965–66. They went on to win the Coupe de France in 1969 as well as the First division in 1971 with a record of 44 goals by Josip Skoblar, helped by Roger Magnusson. The arrival of Georges Carnus and Bernard Bosquier from Saint-Étienne helped them to win the Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France in 1972. Marseille played in the European Cup in 1971–72 and 1972–73, but were knocked-out by Ajax of Johan Cruyff and Juventus, respectively. However, success was not to last. Marcel Leclerc was forced to leave the club on 19 July 1972. The President was a stubborn man, and he threatened the whole league by threatening to withdraw his professional team from Ligue 1 because the federation refused to accept three foreign players in one team (Leclerc wanted to acquire the Hungarian star Zoltán Varga but he had already the maximum number of two foreigners in his team). But Marseille decided, instead of following Leclerc against the league, to fire him.[4] Then followed an era of crisis, with Marseille only winning a Coupe de France in 1976 and being relegated to the second division, where they played with a bunch of young local players: the Minots who allowed the team to return to First division in 1984. Éric Di Meco was one of them.

On 12 April 1986, Bernard Tapie became president, thanks to Marseille mayor Gaston Defferre, and promptly built the greatest team ever seen in France. His first signings were Karl-Heinz Forster and Alain Giresse, who were bought after the 1986 FIFA World Cup. Tapie signed a large number of highly regarded players over the next few years in his pursuit of the European Cup, such as Jean-Pierre Papin, Chris Waddle, Klaus Allofs, Enzo Francescoli, Abedi Pelé, Didier Deschamps, Basile Boli, Marcel Desailly, Rudi Völler and Eric Cantona as well as appointing high-profile coaches like Franz Beckenbauer, Gérard Gili and Raymond Goethals. Between 1989 and 1992, Olympique de Marseille won four league titles in a row and the French Cup. The highlight of the club's history is winning the new format Champions League in 1993. Basile Boli scored the only goal against Italy's Milan in the final held in Munich's Olympic Stadium. That triumph was the first time ever for a French club and it made Didier Deschamps and Fabien Barthez the youngest captain and goalkeeper, respectively, to capture the title.

This triumph, however, was followed by a decade of decline. In 1994, due to financial irregularities and a match fixing scandal involving then president Bernard Tapie, they suffered enforced relegation to the second division, where Marseille stayed two years before returning to the First division. Moreover, they lost their 1992–93 Division 1 title and the right to play in the UEFA Champions League 1993-94, the 1993 European Super Cup and the 1993 Intercontinental Cup.

Marseille returned to the top flight in 1996 with backing from Adidas's owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus. He chose Rolland Courbis as coach, signed Fabrizio Ravanelli, Laurent Blanc, and Andreas Köpke, and Marseille finished 11th for his return. For the 1998–99 season, the team celebrated their centenary and built a team of stars: Robert Pirès, Florian Maurice, and Christophe Dugarry, culminating in a second-place finish in the French championship, behind Bordeaux and an appearance in the UEFA Cup Final in 1999, losing to Parma. Courbis left the team in November 1999 after a poor start to the season.

The closest Marseille got to another trophy was when they reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2004, impressively beating Dnipro, Internazionale, Liverpool, and Newcastle United along the way. But they were beaten in the final by newly crowned Spanish champions Valencia and once again fans were forced to continue waiting for the next trophy to come along. In 2005, Marseille succeeded in winning the Intertoto Cup, beating the likes of Lazio and Deportivo de La Coruña in doing so, and earning another shot at the UEFA Cup.

The club struggled in the 2011–12 season, going to the bottom of the Ligue 1 table after six matches. Nevertheless, Marseille rebounded, winning 3–0 against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, as well as a 3–0 success over rivals PSG in November of that year. Marseille ended 2011 with a good sequence, also qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League for the second season running.

In February 2012, Marseille embarked on 13 games without victory, but rallied to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since winning the competition in 1993. Despite an indifferent club form, OM lost to eventual finalists Bayern Munich, and slumped to an overall tenth-place finish in Ligue 1. However, the club retained the Coupe de la Ligue for the third year running, beating Lyon 1–0 in the Final.

In the summer of 2012, Deschamps resigned, and later taking on the France job. Elie Baup took over, leading the club to a surprising second-place finish in the 2012–13 season despite selling multiple key players, including Loïc Rémy, César Azpilicueta and Stéphane Mbia. Marseille returned to the Champions League, spending close to €40 million on the likes of Dimitri Payet, Florian Thauvin and Giannelli Imbula. The club were top of the table at the end of August 2013, but OM proceeded to lose all six games in Europe, suffering the ignominy of becoming the first French team, and the biggest European team to date, to have picked up zero points in a Champions League group stage.

Baup was sacked on 7 December 2013, following the 1–0 defeat to Nantes at Stade Velodrome. He was replaced on an interim basis by Jose Anigo. In Anigo's brief tenure, OM went out of the two cups, and struggled, leading to continued protests and jeers by fans. The club finished sixth in the 2014 season, missing out on an important European competition place for the first time in ten years. Anigo left the club soon after, taking on an ambassadorial/scouting role in North Africa, his first post outside of the city for more than four decades.

 

Modern days...

We had a tough time with Margarita Louis Dreyfus last days at the club...

No money to spend, selling our top players every year, no trophies on our shelves

A new era has come with american new owner Frank Mccourt, who definitely wants to give Marseille a boost in order to be successful again which is the club D.N.A !!

 

 

Stadium

If you take in charge Marseille you will discover the wonderful Stade Velodrome, fully renovated in 2014, you now have a breath taking place of 67.000 fans which are going to help you to win !

It's obviously the biggest stadium available for a French Ligue 1 team so far, but you will have to be good enough to fill all the empty seats that the stadium used to have in the last years...and Marseille fans are really tough to convince so be smart !

Your facilities are also excellent, and will need few improvements

 

 

OM CHAMPIONS PROJECT

 

Marseille just got a new boss Mr Franck McCourt, american bilionnaire, which already came with his ideas and a project "OM CHAMPIONS PROJECT"

The aim for him is to be on the top 3 in the league, which means in France Champions League football,

In order to achieve these goals Marseille's boss pumped some significant money last winter bringing back home Payet, Evra and some young bolld like Sanson for more than 40M€, which was a huge improvment for the squad

The backroom staff had been improved as well with the likes of Zubizareta joining the club as D.O.F

 

 

 

New boss and new President all together

Rivals

As you are a playing a successful club, you'll obviously have plenty of rivals, in the south of France you'll have derbies against AS Monaco and OGCN, Olympique Lyonnais, but the main thing is Paris Saint Germain !! That's the game you MUST not lose !

Would you stop our 14 games streak without a single victory against PSG in any competitions ??

 

 

 

Kit

Why Marseille ?

Because you now have a boss who wants to give Marseille a great boost and will give you money for that !!

Because your last victory against PSG was in 2011 !!

Because you have to stop PSG dominance !!

Because your stadium is the most beautiful in Ligue 1

Because the challenge is huge in France as you have top teams around and you're a sleeping giant !!

Because you need and have to bring back another Champions League on our shelves !!

Link for last year thread

Spoiler

https://community.sigames.com/topic/386789-fm-17-olympique-de-marseille-the-american-dream/

 

ALLEZ L'OM

 

[nico_france]

Squad analysis

This year you will have one of the best Marseille's squad for years,

More balanced than last year

More quality at the back

Room to improve several positions and back up which are not Marseille standard, but we'll go in depth just below

Goalkeepers

 

 

Steve MANDANDA

Back from Crystal Palace hell after difficult discussions !!

The club record appearance in Ligue 1 is back between the sticks, obviously your first choice here, already 32y/o, you will have to scout a replacement for him shortly

 

Yohann PELE

After his pretty good season last year he earned the right to remain one more season at the club.

Solid #2 for the spot, runs out of contract in 2018, already 34 y/o

YOUTH: Unfortunately you don't have quality either in reserve and U19 to break into the first team

Recommandantions: Alban Lafont (Toulouse) is still a good shout, might find others options around

 

 

Defenders

 

Centre Backs

 

Adil RAMI

Brand new signing from Fc Seville, the french international is coming to Marseille to secure a really weak area

Experienced, good physical and defending attributes, even if a bit slow for my taste, by far your best option for the spot, 31 y/o

 

ROLANDO

Slow CB who only started to play under Garcia management last year, 31 y/o, out of contract in 2018

Nothing more than a back up according me, to offload

 

DORIA

Still there, not your first choice this year, has some room to improve but he's non EU player, left footed by the way

Depends how you want to build your squad, in my test save i loaned him out as i needed a non EU spot

Keep an eye on him, he can easily remain in the rotation of the squad if you're offloading the oldest options at the club

Aymen ABDENNOUR on loan from Valencia for 2 seasons, no buy out clause

New signing in the latest days of the transfer market, solid left footed CB, your starter with Rami, watch out the two lads are not really pacy

 

Rod FANNI

35 years old, can cover the right flank as well, not useful for Marseille standard, to offload

 

Boubacar  KAMARA in reserve team at the start of the game

Top prospect only 17 y/o !!

Can play either CB or DM

Play him, help him to develop, his progress are really impressive IG if you let him play

 

 

Fullbacks

 

Left side

Patrice EVRA

Arrived last winter from Juventus, the ex international left full back is no longer the player he used to be, has a huge influence in the locker room, so be smart managing him, out of contract 2018

Regarding what happened yesterday night IRL, he might not be in the team anymore for release

 

Henri BEDIMO

33 y/o, not your starter anymore, runs out of contract in 2019, to offload if you want to keep Evra

 

Jordan AMAVI on loan from Villa

Your new starter for years to come ! Help him to reach his potential !

You have an almost automatic buyout clause for 8M€ when Jordan plays 10 games for you (won't be deduced from your transfer budget when the clause kicks in)

Good crossing ability, not the best defender but can provide a lot with attack duties

 

Advice: If you want a good french back up, have a look to Trémoulinas who is free agent at the start of the game

 

Right side

Hiroki SAKAI

The japanese international had been a superb find, one of the less expected player last season and one of the most reliable

Your starter here, and you're only true option for the spot

Lacks of defensive skills could be an issue but he will do the job

EDIT: In the last update 18.03, he's now in the reserve transfer listed, hope this will be corrected for release

 

Bouna SARR

As Garcia did not have another right full back during the transfer market, he's now using Bouna here

Not convincing imo, this player is just not good enough for this club, to offload

 

Advice: If you want a good french back up, have a look to Sagna who is free agent at the start of the game

 

 

Midfielders

Defensive

LUIZ GUSTAVO

Great new signing from Wolfsburg, the international brazilian DM is the first name on your team sheet !

Great defensive attributes, very agressive so watch out for red cards

One more thing, has a HUGE salary 750K€/month, which is incredibly high for Ligue 1, might be to consider as the player is already 29

 

Franck ZAMBO ANGUISSA

Improved from last version, his preferred position on the pitch should be corrected before release, useful in the rotation for the first season

 

Grégory SERTIC

Arrived last winter from Bordeaux, the versatile DM can also be useful at the CB spot, less defensive minded than the two lads above, he could be another option to set up your midfield

 

Central

Morgan SANSON

Good hot prospect arrived from Montpellier last winter, could have the qualities to develop into a really good well rounded midfielder, important player on your team, must keep

 

Maxime LOPEZ

From Marseille academy, one of the most exciting prospect at the club, more offensive than SANSON, could become a key player, and already has impact on the first team, can play with ease a little bit higher on the pitch as your playmaker

 

Attacking midfielders

Left side

Dimitri PAYET

Arrived last winter from West Ham for 30M€, Dimitri is the best player of the team

Your key player and club captain IRL, won't be the case IG, great technical skills, top free-kick takers, will do extremly well as IF or either Playmaker if you want him to play a more central role

 

Lucas O'CAMPOS

Back from his loan in Italy, the argentinian lad will cover Dimitri on the left and provide depth almost everywhere upfront, downgraded from last version, the lad has started really well IRL and might deserve a little bit more especially on the mental side

A good back up solution almost everywhere upfront

Will get french passport in one year and won't be a non EU player anymore, to consider as Lucas is Home Grown

 

Right side

Florian THAUVIN

His move is now permanent from the Magpies, spent the best season ever last year, and he's now a full french international player, very good starter for the spot as an IF, would have deserved a slight boost imo

You can use O'Campos as back up

Strikers

Kostas MITROGLOU

Arrived on deadline day from Benfica, the greek will be your big man upfront, good target man which will bang them in, can offer a good variety to play with a 2 strikers formation

He's not the quickest striker but will do the job because of his good finishing and aerial abilities, your best striker in the team, even if a bit slow for my taste

 

Valère GERMAIN

Arrived from France Champions AS Monaco, Germain is a very well rounded striker and a nice complete forward, pairing with Mitroglou could be a (good) idea, can also do the job alone if you prefer a more pacey option upfront

 

Clinton N'JIE

Can play almost everywhere upfront, not a smart player, pace only, i dont know what to do with him, a back up at most, to offload next season in any case

 

 

Board expectations

 

So you have 25M€ available and few money for wages.

After the good investments made this summer, you'll have more than enough to boost your weak areas:

-Rightback

-Another DM

-Another Right Winger

I personnally start the game with transfer disabled for release

Will reccomend not to modificate these expectations, as they are quite high according me and you'll have to struggle to meet them imo

Bear in mind that to achieve the Ligue 1 objective, you need to be at least 3rd, considering that PSG and Monaco are galaxies away from you and Lyon has a better team than Marseille, your margin, is according me, quite tight, so if you want to stay in the Velodrome for a couple of times, don't be too greedy

These data will be modified for the release if changes occured

[nico_france]

TACTICS

This year you will have more variety in order to create a dominating team, your attacking strike force must be exploited !

 

           

 

The 2 strikers set up had been very efficient, the pairing Mitroglou/Germain is really good but you won't be able to play Lopez

The asymetric one with the pairing Gustavo/Sanson had been interesting as well

The classic 4-3-3 will provide you safety at the back, but i play that formation so much that i would like to create something else

At least you'll have options to play with, wich was absolutely not the case last year

Hope you'll enjoy your stay at the Velodrome

 

[nico_france]

reserved 3

[TheJanitor]

Great team guide, and I'm very happy for it. A French mate of mine really had me pumped about Marseille, told me their fans are absolutely fantastic.

Ligue 1 seems more difficult as well. PSG have one of the best squads in the world and Monaco and Lyon are excellent in their own right.

[tyro]

He's back!

Nice thread as usual and the first. Always had fun with OM.

[nico_france]

Hey @TheJanitor and @tyro !

Thanks for your kind words !

Ligue 1 is becoming more challenging year after year and this year's season is even more interesting as the expectations set by the board are quite high and the competition provided by others teams in Ligue 1 is definitely growing

I just tested the game in Beta to get used to new features, tactics and so on but what I can definitely see is that Monaco and most of all PSG are going to be really tough to dominate for years to come, and if AI managers are improved, Lyon could be a pain as well, their youth this year is absolutely stunning

[Jogo Bonito]

Good to see you back with OM and congratulations on creating the first club guide in FM18.

Competing with the big clubs () PSG and Monaco looks like being even more difficult this season, but best of luck. Maybe extra martial arts training with Evra will propel you to the title

By the way, please feel free to create the French football guide too, I can't be doing it this year but hope somebody will.

[nico_france]

Hi @Jogo Bonito

Good to see you around !!I

I'll be definitely missing your french thread which had been always very good, i wish i had time to do it your way

 

[stevio11]

Been looking for a good French team after playing 2016 as Montpellier, gonna give this a go

[nico_france]

You could not find a better team in France imo @stevio11

All joking aside, the challenge is really interesting as the board expectations are high and your rivals better than you, you'll definitely feel as a manager in Marseille

[Gungner]

I'll definately be having a go with Marseille this year, as they always provide a nice challenge  

Seems like Right Back is the first position to strenghten... 

[CapaJr]

Is OM still listed as one of the sugar daddy clubs this year? 

because in last year's game they were just like PSG financially. 

[nico_france]

Hi @CapaJr

Dont know if it's still the case, I did not go in depth in a save as I wil start over for the release my proper long save here

Money should not be an issue at all

The balance you have IG is satisfaying, once you got CL football you should be given, as last year, resources to strengthen the squad

I can't see Marseille being at PSG level budget wise indeed, at least for the first seasons 

[bestbrother]

You say that.... ive managed to coup in;

Jack Butland, Ryan Bertrand, Wilfred Ndidi, Sofiane Boufal, Moussa Dembele (Celtic), Harry Winks, Adem Llajic, Cedric, Oriol Romeu, Jordan Lukaku, Kasper Dolberg, Federico Chiesa....still on the march for more.

Made the Europa League group stage so far, but have drawn 2 from 3 in the League... Nantes and Angers.

[stevio11]

got the transfer budget but not the wage budget, only had 8,000 per week to spend on wages but 22 million for transfers,  not exactly good unless I start selling first

[Gungner]

Yeah, the first season is very tough. Plenty of money, but close to no room at all in the wage budget. 

[bestbrother]

PSG are just streets ahead atm. Im 2nd and the only team to beat them, but we are still 19pts adrift!

Into the Ligue Cup Final and will play Lille for that. Still in the Coupe de France, a trip to Toulouse in the Quarters there... whilst we are in the last 16 of the Europa League and draw arguably the hardest team left in Arsenal

Ive a fairly strong squad now;

GK - Butland

DF - Rami, De Vrij, Bertrand, Cedric, J. Lukaku, Ndidi

MF - Gustavo, Coquelin, Locatelli, Romeu, Winks, Antonio, Barkley, Sanson, Lopez, Felipe Anderson, Federico Chiesa, Gelson Martins, Boufal, Payet

AT - Dolberg, Gabbiadini, Llajic, Batshuayi, Moussa Dembele

[Pablo Sanchez]

What are u guys all doing with Evra haha?

[bestbrother]

2 minutes ago, Pablo Sanchez said:

What are u guys all doing with Evra haha?

Offered him out, Watford took him on, no fee, but his wage is off the books.

[nico_france]

Hi guys,

Will make a detailed post of my first season in charge shortly, definitely challenging !

Dat team you have there @bestbrother, out of curiosity how many seasons in ?

I sticked with Evra @Pablo Sanchez till the end of the first season (i start with transfer disabled), kind of collector season i assume

[bestbrother]

1 minute ago, nico_france said:

Hi guys,

Will make a detailed post of my first season in charge shortly, definitely challenging !

Dat team you have there @bestbrother, out of curiosity how many seasons in ?

I sticked with Evra @Pablo Sanchez till the end of the first season (i start with transfer disabled), kind of collector season i assume

Just started season 2 and the squad is vastly different to that now

[nico_france]

1 hour ago, bestbrother said:

Just started season 2 and the squad is vastly different to that now

I guess you're making the maximum installments possible for all your transfers ?

[bestbrother]

Just now, nico_france said:

I guess you're making the maximum installments possible for all your transfers ?

[nico_france]

SEASON 2017/2018

 

Let's get it started !!!

First, i'm playing with transfers disabled during the first window, in order to keep it real for a couple of months at least,

Playing this way, with the board expectations, you'll see that an injury of one of your key player could be a real issue,

Let's see how we figured out !

 

 

SET UP

This is the tactic i'm using in S2, was using the exactly same set up in S1( global instructions and players role were different in S1), but i now find a nice balance which really fits the team !

 

TRANSFERS

No transfers in the summer, ok fine

BUT when you see on November 1st a message poppin in your mailbox with 41.5M€ to spend, not a bad day

 

OUT

Wanted to free up some wages for uneeded players at the beggining of the season, the best i could do

Happy to lift all the really deadwood in the winter, both Rolando and Fanni did not play a single game with me

 

INS

As stated in introduction, transfers disabled, but 41,5 M€ given without asking in November so...let's spend !!

I think i've made some really nice changes here, all investments for the future with massive impact right away !

NKOUDOU, as you can imagine an emergency signing on loan due to PAYET longterm injury in August, useful but not incredible, french and former Marseille player, important for Europa League registration

GNAGNON, solid CB from Rennes, Ivory Coast full international (french passport and Home Grown), such a steal for that money, powerful, young and more pacey than my others options, had been really good during the season

DEMBELE, i first tried to sign back transfer listed Michy from Chelsea, but he would not even discuss terms with me, as a result i splashed the cash on the young french starlet, such an amazing pairing with GERMAIN, you'll see a screen below, a MUST SIGN, french by the way

STURARO Transfer listed from Juventus, needed someone reliable to rest LUIZ GUSTAVO, bargain for that money, great BWM

BARCO, Argentinian attacker starlet, can cover a lot of positions in the attacking midfielders area, retrainded as an IF on the left wing, he's now really start to shine, could not register him either in Europa League and Ligue 1 as i was full of Non Eu spot sadly

DALBERT, Brazilian left full back, former OGCNice player last season, suprisingly transfer listed by Inter, that was the only transfer i made with installments here, he's the one who picked BARCO Non Eu spot player in Ligue 1sadly

 

COMPETITIONS

Domestic Competitions

LIGUE 1

If you read just above, you know that i'm starting this career with transfers disabled during the first window, obviously PAYET picked up a 3 months hip Injury at the end of August...

As a result got a tough September, with several losses around, and've been crushed by Monaco 5-2, well.

In October i've been back to more regularity in the League, was still tweaking my tactic (i posted the one i'm using now in S2, which had been slightly modified role and instructions wise)*

Against PSG, it had been so-so, first i played them home where PASTORE equalized for them at 87th minute...

"Just" lose 1-0 away

Here is the final whistle of the campaign !!

Lille did brilliant , losing home and away against Lorient for their relegation playoff

Surprisingly whe have the best offensive records, i would have expected a serious PSG dominance here, my defence had been a real concern all season long...so i know what to do for next transfer window...

Objective done at least ! We'll be playing Champions League football next season, on the side note Jardim had been sacked from Monaco, replaced by a sacked, as well, Zidane

Financial wise, the board only gave me 7.5M€ for my transfers...

 

FRENCH CUPS

Coupe de la Ligue

My road has stopped against PSG, losing 2-1 Home in 1/4 final...They won the competition btw

 

Coupe de France

An incredibly tough final against the mighty Stade Lavallois, National team (3rd division)

FIRST TITLE

 

Don't know what to say about this victory in Cup, i faced almost every time lowe tier teams, except PSG once again...that i beat home 1-0 thanks to GERMAIN

 

EUROPEAN COMPETITIONS

Europa League

Completely trashed my group facing Utrecht, Atalanta and a weird icelandic football club name

But i could not even see a nice spring, after securing a nice 2-2 away from home against Real Sociedad, i drew 3-3 home, end of the campaign

We'll be better next year hopefully !

On a side note Monaco lost in Champions League final against Bayern 1-0 and Lyon lost 2-1 against Arsenal in Europa League final, french beautiful loosers

 

Team and players awards

 

Top Scorer

The two lads were nor that far, will be for one of them next year hopefully !

 

 

The funny thing, DEMBELE only joined us in January...

 

By the way for those who don't know GERMAIN very well, he's been really solid upfront, top scorer in Europa League btw)

 

Top assist man

Had a quite a good rush at the end of the season, but he's starting the new season brilliantly now !

 

Equipe des Etoiles (Team of the year)

 

Obviously few PSG players...

SANSON had been really reliable all season long, developping really well
 

Objectives for next season:

-Progress in Ligue 1

-Lift another domestic cup

-To get out of my Champions League Group

 

ALLEZ L'OM

 

 

[Jogo Bonito]

Lovely write up, and some good signings. Shame about Michy though...

[stevio11]

On ‎11‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 14:11, bestbrother said:

You say that.... ive managed to coup in;

Jack Butland, Ryan Bertrand, Wilfred Ndidi, Sofiane Boufal, Moussa Dembele (Celtic), Harry Winks, Adem Llajic, Cedric, Oriol Romeu, Jordan Lukaku, Kasper Dolberg, Federico Chiesa....still on the march for more.

Made the Europa League group stage so far, but have drawn 2 from 3 in the League... Nantes and Angers.

Did you have to sell players to get those and the wage budget is next to nothing when you start

[Gungner]

Just started my save with Marseille... Brought in Predrag Rajkovic for £6 million, as there's a lack of keepers. I really want to bring in a right back, but the wage is a problem atm. Tried to offload Evra, but no takers. I'm only in pre-season, and just about to play my first friendly. But I have a good feeling about this  

[gipsy]

Hi nico, who are you using as RB's? really struggling with that one... currently in the 1st season in December, 2nd in the league and qualified for the 1/8 UEFA cup, will post a summary at the end of the season. I also started the game with transfers disabled btw.

[Jogo Bonito]

@gipsy: What would be wrong with Sakai? He's decent IRL, is that not the case in your game?

[DKB]

1 hour ago, Gungner said:

Just started my save with Marseille... Brought in Predrag Rajkovic for £6 million, as there's a lack of keepers. I really want to bring in a right back, but the wage is a problem atm. Tried to offload Evra, but no takers. I'm only in pre-season, and just about to play my first friendly. But I have a good feeling about this  

You most likely won't be able to sell Evra in the first window as he was a summer signing, if you want him of your book, you might be lucky that someone will take him on loan (perhaps even pay his wages) 

[Gungner]

Yeah, I figured... But I thought I'd give it a try. I even offered him for £0, but still no takers. Luckily, his contract is up after the season, and it won't be renewed. 

[nico_france]

SEASON 2018/2019 (S2)

After a correct campaign last year, 3rd in Ligue 1 and already a trophy on my shelves, Coupe de France

Let's how we did it with Champions League Football

Do we manage to climb the ladder in Ligue 1 this year ?

 

SET UP

This is my starting XI for this season, will detailed everything in transfers sections below

The way we play is really entertaining, lots of movements, passing skills at its finest

A good direction in the way i wanted this tactic to be successful

 

TRANSFERS

So i met board expectations last season and lifted a trophy (Coupe de France) as well, and you guys are giving me 7.5M€ ?? (1M€ more for the wages budget)

My only explanation for that transfer kitty is may be he fact that they gave 41,5M€ last season, so they reduced it for the second one, as usual they gave me an extra budget, during autumn, more than 20M€, useful indeed

Lets' see if Zubizaretta can do miracles

OUT

Luckily you have some loanies out to free up some cash when they are back,

Rami was 32, big earner, Spurs were ready to move, please go ahead

Mitroglou netted me 15 goals during the season, dont like that type of player, important thing, half of the transfer fee is for Benfica his former club

As a result we did not make a so bad business here, but during the summer, the board did not give 100% of the transfer fees received, so i had to use my good scouting network smartly !

 

INS

With such a transfer kitty, relying myself on good opportunities and freebies was an absolute necessity, so i managed to spend every € smartly

RODRI, versatile defensive minded midfielder, the young spaniard was rated really high by my scouts, barely played for me, loaned out in January, will be sold, his value is not bad

CALLERI, well known complete striker, the argentinian with italian passport is a MUST SIGN, you'll see below, that guy is FREE at the end of the first season, true god

VALLEJO, i was desperately looking after a good CB, then comes that moment during my scouting meeting, Vallejo, transfer listed from Madrid, 6.25M€. Say no more. Signed right away. He's developping like a true beast. Impressive signing  and so young..i feel like he will remain in Marseille for a long time !

NISSEN You know that the squad has difficulties from the start with fullbacks, Sakai had been sold because he's not good enough for my project and he's not a EU player as well, so i was sniffing around him for a couple of time, then his club agreed to let him go for peanuts, great offensive right full back

BAKAYOKO, on the loan list with Chelsea, a french full international player of this quality was too good to refuse, barely played as GUSTAVO and STRUARO kept him out of the squad

TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD, just thanks Jurgen, waht a right back that i used as a back up mainly, AI management at its finest, that guy on the loan list please

ORTOLA, back up GK in Barcelona B, my ex GK PELE had retired, so i needed a random one, and this was him

LINCOLN, Brazilian starlet (18y/o) that joined us in January, loaned him out right away, one of the best Complete Forward around if he develops well, his release fee was only 7M€, dont know if he has fixed PA, but a true steal imo

RAJKOVIC, you know the man, MANDANDA is already 33y/o, impossible to sign Lafont from Toulouse, so Pedrag will be between the sticks !

SISTO, was brought in because i've been fed up with PAYET, impossible to offload him, just a got a loan from Sevilla, the danish is really capable on both flanks

JEDVAJ, Transfer listed, wanted to strengthen my CB area for cheap money, efficient and some room to improve !

 

COMPETITIONS

Domestic Competitions

LIGUE 1

 

 

And there it is !

Ligue 1 winner !!!

Brilliant season from the boys !!!

Outstanding way of play, top strike force !

By far the best attack in the league, netting 105 goals !

Beat PSG 3-1 at home without any discussion, Emery sacked, replaced by Jesus at the end of the season...

Only lost 1 game in the Velodrome, and what a loss ! Just before winter break, we had a sloppy Guingamp coming, our form was superb, obviously that was a  typical FM unexplainable 3-0 loss

We also faced our most important defeat against Lyon, Fekir 4-Marseille 1

Otherwise we did not struggle that much, my defence had been far more efficient this year, but needs depth for the upcoming season

 

FRENCH CUPS

Coupe de la Ligue

Marseille had a true tradition with Coupe de La Ligue, before PSG dominance, we did not face any big boys during our journey

The only one was Monaco in the final

Just no match them

Just a few days before the the Final, nice message in the mailbox, DEMBELE got a 2 months jury, which meant season over, so i had to rely on GERMAIN who was my back upfront....oh wait

And that's the DOUBLE !!!

 

On a side note, the week after this trophy, Sampaoli's Monaco had decided to visit us for a league game, you are welcomed my friends

I've been terrific all season long upront, my 2 strikers pairing had been pretty lethal !

 

Coupe de France

I was decided to keep our trophy which was tough to get last season, but with European football and a disputed league, turn over was a true option

As a result, when we drew Lille (relegated in Ligue 2 the first season) away from home for 1/4 final, i was quite happy

Loss 2-1 my back up team had been completely outplayed for no reasons

We'll do better next year hopefully !

 

EUROPEAN COMPETITIONS

Champions League

No qualifying round during summer with the new rules even finishing 3rd in the League which a first good surprise !

Then **** happened:

-Barcelona, Inter Milan, Marseille, Krasnodar

Not bad in the end

2 losses against Barca, fair enough, funnily they lost their only game against...Krasnodar

One draw at Meazza, a win in Marseille and 2 wins against the russians

This nice 2nd spot awarded me the right to play against Bayer, tittle holders, 2 losses, end of the campaign, 2 really disputed games btw !

Definitely something to improve next season !

 

Team and players awards

 

Top Scorer and Top player of the year

I'm receiving bids from Arsenal and Chelsea for both of them at the moment

86M€ for CALLERI and 77M€ for DEMBELE

 

Just keep biding my dear english friends

What a pairing upfront, GERMAIN had been a great back up all over the season as well

 

Top assist man

At least Neymar got a personnal trophy...

CALLERI got all the others personal trophies available in France, dat freebie

 

Rookie of the year

Told you, this boy is gold !

 

Equipe des Etoiles (Team of the year)

Well.

Enough said

 

Objectives for next season:

-Secure another Ligue 1

-Lift both domestic cups

-Improve my Champions League run

 

ALLEZ L'OM

[nico_france]

1 hour ago, gipsy said:

Hi nico, who are you using as RB's? really struggling with that one... currently in the 1st season in December, 2nd in the league and qualified for the 1/8 UEFA cup, will post a summary at the end of the season. I also started the game with transfers disabled btw.

Hey Gipsy, they are both FB with attacking duties, they both averaging above 7

[nico_france]

40 minutes ago, DKB said:

You most likely won't be able to sell Evra in the first window as he was a summer signing, if you want him of your book, you might be lucky that someone will take him on loan (perhaps even pay his wages) 

You can offload him, i succeeded in Beta, as he joined us last winter

Won't be an issue at all for the next patch indeed

[nico_france]

1 hour ago, Jogo Bonito said:

@gipsy: What would be wrong with Sakai? He's decent IRL, is that not the case in your game?

Unfortunately, bit underrated IG imo, and most of all non EU player, when you know that you can only use 4 players like that in France, they need to be pretty solid

[Gungner]

@nico_france Why did you get rid of Payet? Is he not that good?

[nico_france]

@Gungner I tried to ! But the best i could do was to get a small loan

Basically he's on big wages, 31 y/o , and wasn't that special with me, wanted to give game time to Barco most of all

 

[Gungner]

Seems fair enough... 

[Gungner]

Gotta ask though: How come you were able to sign Gnagnon in November? I thought the transfer window was over by then...

[john1]

Blazing through the season already @nico_france   Setting up great team already, monster win over Monaco

I am tempted to start with OM  

[nico_france]

6 hours ago, Gungner said:

Gotta ask though: How come you were able to sign Gnagnon in November? I thought the transfer window was over by then...

You have a french specific rule between summer and winter window

You can register 1 new player during this period if and only if your new face is playing in France currently, or was playing (if this player is a freebie) in a french side the previous season

Must admit I was surprised my self to see him signing right away when I confirm the transfer 

@john1Thx mate, you know what to do if you plan a career in France 

By the way PSG keeps on spending madly for so little results, during this season they signed Casemiro in the winter for 115M€

 

[bestbrother]

On 13/11/2017 at 19:53, stevio11 said:

Did you have to sell players to get those and the wage budget is next to nothing when you start

Yeah i shifted some, ive given up on Marseille... i have the best squad in the world in season 2 and its not fun.

[Gungner]

15 hours ago, nico_france said:

You have a french specific rule between summer and winter window

You can register 1 new player during this period if and only if your new face is playing in France currently, or was playing (if this player is a freebie) in a french side the previous season

Must admit I was surprised my self to see him signing right away when I confirm the transfer 

 

Yeah, I noticed that when reading the rules, haha.

I've beaten Videoton FC in the 3rd Qual Round, and will play Sturm Graz in the Play-Off Qual Round. I've signed Predrag Rajkovic and Lucas Romero for £6 and £5 million respectively... The League haven't started yet. 

[Gungner]

Payet and Mitroglou has to be the worst players I've managed on FM'18... I'd replace them with a bag of bricks, but I haven't got any bricks. 

[nico_france]

Mitroglou did ok for me, even if he was not a top scorer

What annoyed me most is Payet behaviour when i offered him out, on the pitch he was not that bad

[Gungner]

Payet never played above 6,4 in matches, on his AML position... Mitroglou was the same. I benched him for Germain, who scored immidiately and kept him on the bench. 

[nico_france]

Sounds good 10 goals scored in 30 mins for a CL 1/4 final ....

 

 

And 5 more Home 16 goals in two games then, seems fine...

 

At least we're reaching the semis

[Gungner]

I might start up with Marseille again... They are my favorite team in France, and I had a horrible time managing them the first time around. Think I'll give it a go. Every save I've played on FM'18, I've cruised through the friendlies, and then when it's time for the competive matches, the team (no matter which) crumbles... 

[DKB]

9 hours ago, nico_france said:

Sounds good 10 goals scored in 30 mins for a CL 1/4 final ....

 

 

And 5 more Home 16 goals in two games then, seems fine...

 

At least we're reaching the semis

you do play rather attacking, the route down the middle is wide open, the area that the two central defenders have to cover is huge