adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 HNK Rijeka - 2023-24 - October Update Dinamo have apparently fallen away and Osijek don't look as dangerous as last season, meanwhile, we are continuing to pick up wins, even hard-fought ones like the game at Dugopolje, where they equalised twice before we finally broke through and won. First Champions League win, at home to Sporting. I think we can beat them to third place in the group. I also forgot to explain why we went straight into the group stage this year. I believe because we got to the Europa League quarters, the Croatian League's coefficient jumped up. It went from 11th up to 8th and thus as winners we went directly into the group stage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 HNK Rijeka - 2023-24 - November Update Massive result against Dinamo, we've gained control in the title race now, building a very good lead over them. We were minutes from beating Sporting in the Champions League before a late equaliser. We're also through to the cup quarters. We will face Valencia in the first knockout round of the Europa League. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 HNK Rijeka - 2023-24 - December/January Update Disappointing loss to Hajduk in the league but Dinamo's continued slip-ups mean we still have a commanding lead in the table. Final Champions League table. I usually leave the mid-season friendlies out but I thought it was pretty nice that we went to Nigeria, where the club has ties through an affiliation with Abuja Football College, which birthed the Rijeka career of Ramon Ogangan. Obviously, we won most of the friendlies easily but there was one very disappointing piece of news... He was maturing into a very good left midfielder for us and attracting interest from elsewhere. Hoping Matic can step in there when needed! In terms of transfers, just the one deal in so far: This is a kind-of parting gift to Rijeka, as I'll likely never manage him. Kraev left. He didn't fit into the system and was kicking up a fuss so I sold him to Basaksehir. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 HNK Rijeka - 2023-24 - February Update *Table is from mid-March, I forgot to capture it A great month ruined by the last two results. A silly loss to Sibenik, our first to them since the save began then a drubbing by Valencia. I tried to start attacking to get an away goal and kill the tie but Valencia played very well and took us apart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 HNK Rijeka - 2023-24 - Youth Intake Not the best, is it? They all have a long way to go Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 HNK Rijeka - 2023-24 - March Update Hrvatski Kup final against Osijek to look forward to. Solid month in the league. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Wow... we've done it by mid-April. Results went our way and we've retained the league. Onwards and upwards - cup final still to come! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Well done Another poor youth intakes What is the club facilities like? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 5 minutes ago, john1 said: Well done Another poor youth intakes What is the club facilities like? They're quite good I'm not overly fussed because of Ogangan coming through in my first season here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 2 minutes ago, adamdfry said: They're quite good I'm not overly fussed because of Ogangan coming through in my first season here Decent facilities but yet poor youth intakes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 HNK Rijeka - 2023-24 - April Update The time has come to move once the season is done. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Any interesting jobs lying about? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 HNK Rijeka - 2023-24 - May Update/Season Review A great season, capped with the double after our win against Osijek Kukovec was phenomenal, as was Drakulic. Those two have been great business, with the pair costing less than a million combined. Goalkeeper: Slimane Another great season for Slimane. I allowed my director of football to handle his new deal, hence he is now the best-paid player at the club Centre-Back: Ogangan The academy product has developed brilliantly across my 4 seasons here, establishing himself as an excellent defender and also an attacking threat at set-pieces due to his 194cm frame. Centre-Back: Garcia Converted right-back. Has all the attributes to be an elite centre-back in a three. Colombian Cesar Azplilicueta with a bit more height. Centre-Back: Baranek Mentals still lack but Baranek has adapted to his role as a centre-back brilliantly and will surely move on to bigger things soon. Right Winger: Benko His goalscoring halted this season but he proved to be a clear choice on the right-hand side. Been selected in successive Croatia senior squads. Central Midfielder: Selasi An excellent return for Selasi since he was signed at the beginning of my second season at Rijeka. Central Midfielder: Vignali Utilityman in midfield. Been consistent throughout his stay since joining on a free from Spezia. Left Winger: Gomez Converted from left-back, an injury-disrupted campaign albeit a successful one, as Gomez chipped in with 3 goals and 4 assists in the league. Striker: Tommei Chievo are getting quite a player. Formidable in the air and fit in well at AF and CF. Italian Olivier Giroud. Striker: Kukovec Reaching Iconic status at Rijeka, Kukovec could not stop scoring this season, showing much better consistency than in season's previous. An excellent return for a player bought for just £275k. Striker: Drakulic A DoF suggestion, and an inspired one at that as Drakulic enjoyed a productive debut campaign with us. Lead the league in assists and average rating, as well as giving a huge performance in the Cup final. Notable Squad Players Played less than usual but did enough this season to break into the senior Croatia set up for the first time. Alternated between the left-hand side and one of the wide forward roles. Another player attracting the recognition of the Croatian senior squad. So, with the season over, Chapter 1 of this journey, 'Capturing Croatia', finishes. In the next update I will review my time with Gorica and Rijeka and then we will return with a new chapter for 2024-25. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 Chapter 1 - Conquering Croatia - Review So we've finished the first seven seasons of the save and it also marks the end of my involvement in Croatia, at least for now. So, let's review my time there. A thoroughly enjoyable time, culminating in one Druga Liga, two Prva Ligas and two Hrvatski Kup titles as well as two Croatian Manager of the Year titles. Onto the next chapter! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 That Valencia defeat looked crushing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Enjoying this save. Really curious to see where you end up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - Pre-Season Update A huge, huge move. I go to the team which finished second in the Spanish League last season and my goal is to make Valencia a contender among Spain's big three. My first choice was to go to Sassuolo, who have developed nicely on this save, but they renewed manager Vincenzo Montella's contract so I looked at other options, with Valencia being the most attractive to me. One factor for joining is the beautiful new stadium we inherit and also the decent facilities and financial state of the club. Furthermore, Valencia are a team with a huge history and a great reputation for developing talent, which I aim to do here. This is another reason to join. What a player we have on our hands. Transfers Three prospects join. Zebic was someone I knew from Rijeka, and will take a few years of development before being ready for action in our first team. Santos and Martins are young prospects who will alternate between the U19s and first team, with Martins being trained to play on the left-hand side of midfield. Three first-teamers. Lopez will play as one of the wide forwards and has huge potential. Daka was available for a good fee for his age and ability and Lazzari is just what I need on the right-hand side, even if spending £18m on a 30 year-old may appear as poor business. How we will line-up this season. This system notched 93 goals last season as we won the Prva Liga. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Good move with Valencia Good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 7, 2018 Author Share Posted July 7, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - September Update A mixed bag to start the season. I've tried to trust the 3-4-3 but our central midfield area is weak and it may struggle this year. Really good starts for Lopez and Everton, however. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
b101 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 A really enjoyable read and liking the move to Valencia - good luck! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 14 hours ago, john1 said: Good move with Valencia Good luck! 7 minutes ago, b101 said: A really enjoyable read and liking the move to Valencia - good luck! Cheers guys! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - October Update Inconsistency. Teams like Deportivo, Espanyol and me is the Numancia game. Their win over us remains their only this season. The Las Palmas game was frustrating, as we dominated before a late rally culminated in a goal. A great performance in Europe against PSG. Trincao got injured and this season we've rarely had all of our best players fit at the same time which is part of the reason we're struggling. So far, a frustrating start for me at Valencia but I hope we can turn it around. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - November Update Improved in the league albeit including a truly spineless performance at the Camp Nou. I'm hating having to play extremely difficult midweek games against the best teams in Europe, however. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 8, 2018 Author Share Posted July 8, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - December Update A good month in the league spoiled by two heavy away defeats at teams we really should be beating. Deportivo have a cushion ahead of us now. I thought that the group was a write off when it was drawn but to come out of it with just 1 loss is a very credible effort. We face Bordeaux in the Europa League. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Could have been different scenario if you had beaten Besiktas, away from home But did briiliantly with 1 defeat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - January Update A very good month which lifts us into European contention. Through the cup semi-finals also. Transfers Everton and Toure are old and on large wages so they are shipped to China. As well as the cash injection they provided, the board supplied me with some extra money and I sold on a few clauses, so we had a decent amount to make modifications. An exciting young centre-back who becomes first choice at just 19. A versatile midfielder who has some good defensive attributes as well as defensive ones. Playmaker who could also do a good job in central midfield. Eases the workload on current AMC Iago. Future transfer - you can expect frequent raids on Portugal and Croatia from me for youngsters Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Also, this happened Hopefully, he becomes a star. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - February Update Two really disappointing draws in the league but otherwise, we look strong. Through in the Europa League after 17-year-old Jose Martins scored a clutch 90th-minute penalty in France then we delivered at home. As you can see from before I signed him, he has made huge strides as a defensive-minded winger. His attributes are this good as 17, he has so much potential down the line, even if his mentals lack a bit at the moment. I'm trying to get him to at least a fairly professional personality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 are you still playing the 3-4-3? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 3 minutes ago, kidthekid said: are you still playing the 3-4-3? I wanted to use it at first, but it isn't balanced enough and there were a few times teams countered it badly. I went with something more safe and less attacking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - March Update We've finally found a system that works and it has helped our consistency hugely. Best result and performance of the season so far to beat Barcelona. We also took Real Madrid all the way until Pogba scored from a rebound off his own penalty in the 77th minute. Napoli were defeated in the Europa League, we face Schalke in the quarter-final. Youth Intake Wow, a 5* potential striker... 5 finishing and 10 composure The other guy isn't great either. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 would be interesting to see how Cantos develops especially with regards to the attributes he's lacking in. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - April Update Decent cushion opened up between us and Deportivo. Europa League semi-final to come against Hertha Berlin after a spirited performance in Germany then a demolition job at home. Long-term, breaking into that top three is going to be so, so hard. They're a cut above the rest of the league. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - May Update A brilliant win over Atletico and an emphatic home win against Hertha before a rather flat performance in Germany. We met board expectations in finishing 4th so I'm happy with my first year here, but after coming through so many rounds I really want some silverware! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Leipzig, Germany - 28th May 2025 Road to the Final A tough, well-battled road up to this final. Huge results at home helped us but now we have to play in Leipzig's backyard. Let's see how this goes... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Lineups Trejos was injured against Atletico and therefore sits out and Joao Felix is ineligible, otherwise full strength. No reunion with Ogangan as I assume he played for Rijeka in the Champions League and is thus ineligible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 GOAL: 26 minutes in and top scorer Diego Lopez makes it 1-0, we've been dominant so far Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 GOAL: 48 minutes in and Arp equalises Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 GOAL: Just 2 minutes later Iago gives us the lead. 2nd assist for Daka! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 First sub for us, still 2-1. Coquelin provides defensive stability for the midfield. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 GOAL: 70th minute, Arp with his second of the game. A misplaced Daka pass gives Leipzig a chance on the counter and Arp finishes Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Second chance, young striker Costa has had a decent impact from the bench in the past. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 GOAL: 88 MINUTES IN AND IAGO MAKES IT 3-2. LET'S GO Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 GOAL: Next attack, counter from a Leipzig set-piece and eventually Lopez tucks in Lazzari's cross. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 FULL TIME: Valencia are Europa League winners! I'm delighted. We gain automatic qualification to the Champions League group stage (I'd have thought that's in FM by now) and it's my first major European honour. Caps a fairly good debut season at Valencia. Season review to come, then onwards with the next! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 9, 2018 Author Share Posted July 9, 2018 Valencia CF - 2024-25 - Season Review Great seasons for Trincao and Lopez, who was a revolution up front. First XI 15 clean sheets for Meret, which was 4th best in the league and only behind Kepa of Real Madrid, Oblak of Atletico and Ter Stegen of Barcelona. One of the elder statesmen of the squad, he has proved a key element on the left of our three. January arrival and looked like an inspired signing since. First goal against Barcelona. Club captain and was solid but is in decline. In decline but a vital component in our system. Hoping to find a younger version of him and hoping that could be Martins on the left long term. Another experienced member of the squad but did well this season. January signing who established himself as first choice. Reduced goalscoring as a result of him playing further back but he still contributed so much with assists and overall play. Lead the team in both assists and average rating. Played well since joining, will fetch a big fee when he goes Important in our Europa League campaign and a good creator. Phenomenal debut season and looking like a very inspired buy. New contract bumps his release clause to £60m. Other Key Players Europa League final hero, Iago didn't put up great numbers but performed well across multiple competitions this season and is a huge part of our future as a club. Young striker who came out of the academy. 10 goals in the cup and a few key goals in the league to help us greatly, Onwards and upwards. The grind towards title contention continues next year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 Well done on winning Europa League Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 9, 2018 Share Posted July 9, 2018 fantastic result Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamdfry Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 11 hours ago, john1 said: Well done on winning Europa League 11 hours ago, kidthekid said: fantastic result Cheers guys. Great to finally go all the way in the Europa League, as when I was at Rijeka I didn't think I had the squad depth to go all the way. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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