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A Girl in Every Port
- Thread starter Juventino
- Start date
Athletic Club: Campeones!
Could've won 100 points, but I won La Liga with 5 games to go and I rested some of my stars. Ridiculous season. In January I managed to sign GK Ruffier and Inter-flop CB Aritz Elustondo. My Segunda defense was actually doing well, but depth is always nice.
In the CL Juve knocked me out in the first knockout round. I won the first game 4-1, but they beat me 6-0 at Juventus Stadium. That may have been one of my worst games ever. Very disappointing.
Could've won 100 points, but I won La Liga with 5 games to go and I rested some of my stars. Ridiculous season. In January I managed to sign GK Ruffier and Inter-flop CB Aritz Elustondo. My Segunda defense was actually doing well, but depth is always nice.
In the CL Juve knocked me out in the first knockout round. I won the first game 4-1, but they beat me 6-0 at Juventus Stadium. That may have been one of my worst games ever. Very disappointing.
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
Zlatan;3974018 said:
Not really. He's had a lot of injuries for me and always good for a free kick and some clutch goals at the end of games, but hasn't really developed.
de Ligt is a solid defender; one of the best in the Eredivisie, but just wasn't good enough for me trying to challenge in the CL.
Juventino;3974071 said:
He is, but been out on loan for me just about every season and hasn't developed. I gave him his debut in my first season out of necessity and because I thought he would really be one for the future, but hasn't done anything.
AMAZING job with Athletic! I never did manage to win the league when I played as them, and I think after making the CL QFs one year, the next season I finished 7th and was sacked after 6-7 years at the club.
The best feeling is when Sociedad sells someone good, because that means you'll have a chance to buy them in a year. I know that's how I eventually landed Griezmann, but this was awhile ago and he wasn't the superstar he is now.
Yes, I remember your Athletic game! I was afraid I couldn't compete for a title at first, but Barca and Real Madrid proved to be very beatable, while still providing a continuous challenge. Spain might be my favorite league to manage in for that reason. I also had a 15 season game with Granada a few versions ago and the competition never bored me.
I'd really love Oyerzabal from Sociedad, he'd be a great replacement for the aging Raul Garcia, but indeed no chance to sign any players from them directly. Sociedad's Aritz Elustondo went to Inter, flopped, and I was then able to sign him. He's a decent addition. There was another player (I think right midfielder Hervias) released by Sociedad and he still didn't want to sign for me. I love the hate.
Griezmann was signed by Man City for 100M and might be in the top 3 players in the world right now. Unless I do something special in the CL he won't be interested for at least a few more seasons I think. Dream signing.
Mikel San Jose disappointed at Juve and I managed to sign him back. One of the few times I'm resigning a player, I was even reluctant for that reason at first. I was a bit sour about the way he left, one hour before the transfer deadline. Plus I won La Liga without him. But my defense desperately needed improvement if I want to play a meaningful role in the CL.
There's a lot of bitching of players wanting to leave, especially De Marcos, Williams, Muniain. But those fuckers ain't leavin' if clubs don't want to cough up their release clause.
I'd really love Oyerzabal from Sociedad, he'd be a great replacement for the aging Raul Garcia, but indeed no chance to sign any players from them directly. Sociedad's Aritz Elustondo went to Inter, flopped, and I was then able to sign him. He's a decent addition. There was another player (I think right midfielder Hervias) released by Sociedad and he still didn't want to sign for me. I love the hate.
Griezmann was signed by Man City for 100M and might be in the top 3 players in the world right now. Unless I do something special in the CL he won't be interested for at least a few more seasons I think. Dream signing.
Mikel San Jose disappointed at Juve and I managed to sign him back. One of the few times I'm resigning a player, I was even reluctant for that reason at first. I was a bit sour about the way he left, one hour before the transfer deadline. Plus I won La Liga without him. But my defense desperately needed improvement if I want to play a meaningful role in the CL.
There's a lot of bitching of players wanting to leave, especially De Marcos, Williams, Muniain. But those fuckers ain't leavin' if clubs don't want to cough up their release clause.
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
Haha, just like the real Athletic. Release clause only.
Haha, they have my sympathy.
It's October and I'm in first place again, even though some veterans begin to show their age. Iturraspe is leaving, he didn't want to extend his contract, mainly because he lost his place to Mikel Merino from the start. I signed Javi Martinez in a 22M deal, he'll arrive in January. Javi's 30 years old and has barely played for Bayern in the past seasons, but I figured a return to Bilbao might rejuvenate him. After Ander Herrera another addition from the great 11-12 season, I love that Athletic team.
It's October and I'm in first place again, even though some veterans begin to show their age. Iturraspe is leaving, he didn't want to extend his contract, mainly because he lost his place to Mikel Merino from the start. I signed Javi Martinez in a 22M deal, he'll arrive in January. Javi's 30 years old and has barely played for Bayern in the past seasons, but I figured a return to Bilbao might rejuvenate him. After Ander Herrera another addition from the great 11-12 season, I love that Athletic team.
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
I left Ajax for PSG because I couldn't sign any of my youngsters to contracts that were acceptable to me. My two brightest prospects would only sign contracts with 30m release clauses, and for the DC at least, that would have meant he was out the door in about 5 minutes after putting pen to paper.
I was actually rumored for the Real Madrid job, but I was waiting around for them to offer me an interview and it never came. Even though in the press they admitted I was the favorite, but I guess their pride dictated I apply. So the PSG manager got the job and I went to PSG. Madrid would have much more fun for 3 reasons: better competition in the league, it's such a great historic club, and they had let the squad age and I would have got to undertake an interesting rebuilding job... PSG is stupid good with still young talent. I have both Dybala and Martial, for example. Oh well, it's Emery at Madrid, so he could fail. They were 3rd last year, and he isn't really improving the squad.
I was actually rumored for the Real Madrid job, but I was waiting around for them to offer me an interview and it never came. Even though in the press they admitted I was the favorite, but I guess their pride dictated I apply. So the PSG manager got the job and I went to PSG. Madrid would have much more fun for 3 reasons: better competition in the league, it's such a great historic club, and they had let the squad age and I would have got to undertake an interesting rebuilding job... PSG is stupid good with still young talent. I have both Dybala and Martial, for example. Oh well, it's Emery at Madrid, so he could fail. They were 3rd last year, and he isn't really improving the squad.
I really hate it when the value of the minimum fee release clause is limited by the agent. It just makes it impossible to negotiate a reasonable deal. Asier Villalibre is one of Bilbao's brightest talents and he'll only sign a new deal with a 14M transfer clause. Little bitch and his rat agent.
I was rumored for the Man City job. They have a forward line of Griezmann-Aguero, a partnership that would even work with my strikerless formation. Incredibly sexy team. However, I have found that I'm not good with switching teams during saves. I get too attached to my teams and all my most memorable games have been with one team. I want the CL with Athletic!
I was rumored for the Man City job. They have a forward line of Griezmann-Aguero, a partnership that would even work with my strikerless formation. Incredibly sexy team. However, I have found that I'm not good with switching teams during saves. I get too attached to my teams and all my most memorable games have been with one team. I want the CL with Athletic!
ShiftyPowers
Make America Great Again
Yeah, it was a very hard decision and I'll probably regret it. I only did it because I had enough money to bring my favorite players with me. At Ajax I just wasn't getting the same kinds of players that I was at the start of the game for some reason and I didn't want to be left with all my young stars getting sold for cheap and not being able to find suitable replacements.
Sadly, this young Belgian MC picked Barcelona over me at PSG because I guess the default settings have the DoF negotiating young player contracts, so he picked them before I realized I wasn't going to get him. Tried to change the offer at the last minute, but it was locked in.
Sadly, this young Belgian MC picked Barcelona over me at PSG because I guess the default settings have the DoF negotiating young player contracts, so he picked them before I realized I wasn't going to get him. Tried to change the offer at the last minute, but it was locked in.
During my third season I dropped a 10 point lead and Barca ended up winning the title. I ended up trophy-less, again losing in the first KO round of the CL. I felt I squeezed the team out like an orange, especially after a bad start to the fourth season. Most of my starting XI is 30+ years old and it just felt bad... until an awesome resurgence led by the old core. One more title run. It's now March and I'm sharing first place with Barca and for the first time I'm in the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League. Feels great.
Also, this:
Can't wait for season 5.
It's a huge financial risk, but he's the Basque dream signing. By the time he arrives he'll be 29 years old, so I have few more peak years of Antoine the Swan hopefully. This team is so old though. I kinda like it, it feels more realistic than signing 20 year old superstars in the making all the time.
Re-signing Laporte was another option, but I still have San Jose (30), Javi Martinez (32), Etxeita (31) and Elustondo (25) to rely on in defense for at least a few more years. Griezmann was the far more glamorous option.
I also have a wonderkid shadow striker coming through the ranks, Piña. I'll post a screenshot of him next time. He already scored 10 goals in La Liga, deciding important games with incredible assists as well. He's also my top scorer in the CL. Great young player.
Also, this:
Can't wait for season 5.
It's a huge financial risk, but he's the Basque dream signing. By the time he arrives he'll be 29 years old, so I have few more peak years of Antoine the Swan hopefully. This team is so old though. I kinda like it, it feels more realistic than signing 20 year old superstars in the making all the time.Re-signing Laporte was another option, but I still have San Jose (30), Javi Martinez (32), Etxeita (31) and Elustondo (25) to rely on in defense for at least a few more years. Griezmann was the far more glamorous option.
I also have a wonderkid shadow striker coming through the ranks, Piña. I'll post a screenshot of him next time. He already scored 10 goals in La Liga, deciding important games with incredible assists as well. He's also my top scorer in the CL. Great young player.
Fast forward a couple of frustrating seasons in 2nd place without any trophies.
Some quick highlights:
- In 2020 Man City activated Inaki Williams' 67M release clause. I was heartbroken.
- With the Williams money I signed Aymeric Laporte back from Chelsea. At Chelsea he developed into the best CB in the world, winning the CL and Euro 2020. His love for Athletic turned out to be unconditional.
- Sociedad darling Oyarzabal went to Juve in 2020 and flopped. In 2021 I was able to bring him back to Basqueland for 25M. He turned into an absolute star.
- Same goes for Inigo Martinez. He's currently rotating with Laporte/Javi Martinez.
- Kepa returned from a four year Premier League stint with Everton and Swansea to replace Ruffier.
- I haven't been able to do anything in the CL. In six years I only reached the QF twice.
And then, I finally won my second La Liga title in 2021-2022. Griezmann won the Ballon d'Or in 2021, an amazing feat for an Athletic player. In two seasons with Athletic he scored 56 goals and provided 36 assists. It's all about Griezmann. He's 31 now, but I hope he can maintain this level for at least two or three more years. His natural fitness is at 15, so he should be fine.
The old-timers are performing really well for me. Ander Herrera just had the best season of his entire career, scoring 22 goals in La Liga. He's 32. Maestro. Javi Martinez is getting slow, he needs to be replaced soon, but luckily I have some decent regens. Monreal retired.
I was lucky to get these amazing Basque regens, potential world stars. The future of Athletic:
Iago Garcia already finished as my top goalscorer last season in a title winning year. He's also an amazing passer and provided 20+ assists. Insane for a 19 year old. Griezmann's successor.
This is my current line-up for 2022-2023:
My only real problem is at LB. There are no decent Basque LB's left. Azpilicueta is old and slow and wants to be top earner.
Otherwise just beautiful play.
Some quick highlights:
- In 2020 Man City activated Inaki Williams' 67M release clause. I was heartbroken.
- With the Williams money I signed Aymeric Laporte back from Chelsea. At Chelsea he developed into the best CB in the world, winning the CL and Euro 2020. His love for Athletic turned out to be unconditional.
- Sociedad darling Oyarzabal went to Juve in 2020 and flopped. In 2021 I was able to bring him back to Basqueland for 25M. He turned into an absolute star.
- Same goes for Inigo Martinez. He's currently rotating with Laporte/Javi Martinez.
- Kepa returned from a four year Premier League stint with Everton and Swansea to replace Ruffier.
- I haven't been able to do anything in the CL. In six years I only reached the QF twice.
And then, I finally won my second La Liga title in 2021-2022. Griezmann won the Ballon d'Or in 2021, an amazing feat for an Athletic player. In two seasons with Athletic he scored 56 goals and provided 36 assists. It's all about Griezmann. He's 31 now, but I hope he can maintain this level for at least two or three more years. His natural fitness is at 15, so he should be fine.
The old-timers are performing really well for me. Ander Herrera just had the best season of his entire career, scoring 22 goals in La Liga. He's 32. Maestro. Javi Martinez is getting slow, he needs to be replaced soon, but luckily I have some decent regens. Monreal retired.
I was lucky to get these amazing Basque regens, potential world stars. The future of Athletic:
Iago Garcia already finished as my top goalscorer last season in a title winning year. He's also an amazing passer and provided 20+ assists. Insane for a 19 year old. Griezmann's successor.
This is my current line-up for 2022-2023:
My only real problem is at LB. There are no decent Basque LB's left. Azpilicueta is old and slow and wants to be top earner.
Otherwise just beautiful play.