My Career Stories w/Torino (Italian League)

[Zhariken]

I hope it's not a problem, but I've decided to focus my Torino career posts on a single thread. I've done this for a couple reasons:
1) To avoid cluttering the 'Career Mode' sticky thread with my own personal posts.
2) To better organize my own career thread posts.
3) In hopes of someday seeing 'Moved:" next to this thread title.

I'll begin cutting/pasting the old threads I can find.

Edit: Forgot about editing the old posts too, I forgot to do that as I went along, and simply don't feel like finding them again

 

[Hakeem]

thats ok. its a good idea. but try not to take it too offtopic or too flood the thread with pictures

 

[Slim_11234]

ye,

 

[Zhariken]

After a hard-fought, exciting 3-0 win vs. Ascoli I was finally able to upgrade my conditioning to level 1. Much to my pleasure, the entire starting 11 is above 70% going into match 14 of the season, and all the players who were being rested as reserves or subs are 90% or above! This will certainly be a huge help as I approach the 3rd leg of Coppa Nazionale, and face off against a Series A club (Lazio! *Gulp*). I'm very, VERY happy, and have no complaints about conditioning now.


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I'm just toward the end of November now, with 10,362 in the bank. I'm already keen to sell off a 52ovr 26 year-old when the window opens again, so there's another 3,400 or so. I may trade my left attacker Massimo Marazzina, a 64ovr 30 y/o. He plays opposite of Omolade, and I'd like to get more of a playmaker up there to feed the Nigerian for better scoring chances. Selling off Marazzina would fetch me in the range of 7,000...so I figure to have 20,000-22,500 or so to spend when the time comes. My highest valued player right now is worth 10,201, so it'll be a huge move for the team to bring in a 20,000+ player to the team.

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Well, I've reached January 1st. I went ahead and sold Marazzina, though I did so reluctantly. Amazingly, he scored a hat-trick in his final game with Torino, it's almost like he knew it was coming.

After making several transactions (Selling off Marazzina and a few reserves, and buying a couple ~500 budget players to stay above the 18 fielder minimum to make transactions), I decided on purchasing Taylor Twellman. After coming to an agreement with his club on a ~26,000 price tag, Taylor had the audacity to turn down the club!! He said something about my experience as a manager, his career, blah blah, like I was even listening to that guy...

Since going after Freddy Adu would likely bring the sale of my stadium itself...I looked around for an alternative to fill my open spot up at striker. My original goal was to find a passer/playmaker to accompany Omolade. However, since my scouting is pure rubbish (I can only see stamina and 1 or 2 other attributes), and I wasn't going to go to the main menu and cheat by looking there, I searched high and low for a quality player in my price range.

My final decision:


So much for a playmaker! At 47 creativity and 64 passing, he won't be threading any needles to get it to Omo', but he instantly becomes the top player on my squad, by far. At 3.5/5.0 stars (80ovr), he's the only player above 2.0 stars I have. When I (hopefully) enter Serie A next season, I expect him to play an integral role on the team. Well, I'm scheduled to face 14th ranked Modena this week...hope they're ready for Heskey!


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Match Wrapup (Or: Heskey, Match #1) -

As rain fell on the pitch in Modena, Serie B leaders Torino debuted their newest player to an awe-struck crowd. Just hours earlier, the announcement was made that Liverpool agreed on a transfer of striker Emile Heskey to the Torino squad for just over 26,000$. While Liverpool made no statement as to their decision, Heskey did his talking on the field of play. Clearly the focus of the attack, Heskey had the ball frequently early on. However, his speed and ability with the ball was somewhat hampered by the soggy pitch, and the 2-3 Modeno players that blanketed him at all times. It didn't take long for Heskey to make an impact though. In the 32nd minute, Heskey charged up the left side of the field and put a strong shot on goalie Giorgio Frezzolini. Frezzolini couldn't handle the wet ball, and it bounced right back out to fellow striker Akeem Omolade for the first goal of the match. As Heskey celebrated with his new teammates, he couldn't have expected what was to come next. Just two minutes later, in the 34th minute, Omolade now found himself free on the side, and sent a gentle cross through the box for a wide-open Emile Heskey header...making it 2-0! The scoring subsided until the 84th minute, off a corner by Heskey, the ball was punched out by the keeper, and soon kicked right back in by midfielder Filippo Maniero to make it 3-0. That was the final, 3-0, as Torino goes back home with another victory under their belt. This is just the beginning for an hopeful club, still atop Serie B by a large 6-point margin over Catanzaro after 20 games played.


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I'm still playing on semi-pro as well. The Serie B teams aren't too tough to play against, but the 3rd leg of Coppa Nazionale did me in this season. I had beat a Serie B team (the team escapes me, perhaps Ascoli, not sure) and Siena (I won 2-0 in game 1, and lost 2-1 in game 2 for an aggregate 3-2 victory) the first two matchups, but I ran into Lazio on the third! Keep in mind, this is before I even had Heskey, so it was hardly a fair fight. The first match took place on Lazio's home turf, and hearing the booming chants for them was a bit disconcerting to be honest! I think I may have gotten in 3 shots all game, and they poured on the attack. Incredibly, despite their 10+ shots, I was hanging onto a 0-0 draw until just past the 90th minute, in extra time..they knocked one in to take it 1-0 (this is about when I wanted to put my controller through the tv). It was very disappointing to say the least, but I was still proud of the team for holding out so long. I wasn't expecting a miracle as we return to Turin, but I nearly got one. Omolade scored in the first 20 minutes to make it 1-0, and tie it up 1-1 aggregate. After that, I actually had around 3 heart-breaking chances, off the crossbar or post, one just veering off past an open net. I knew it would come back to bite me eventually, and Lazio scored 2 goals close together in the second half of that match, ultimately going on to win it 3-2, and 4-2 aggregate. It's funny looking over the Serie A teams, trying to find some I think I could beat. It's not a promising endeavor. My main goal is to make it to Serie A and not get sent right back to Serie B the next season.

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I have finally concluded my first season with mighty Torino of Italy's Serie B division.

After 42 games, we finished with a league-best 28 wins, 8 draws, and 6 losses. 92 points overall bested #2 Perugia by 13. Torino's 100 Goals For led the league, but their 40 Goals Against also tied for 9th-worst. Just 17 clean sheets in 42 games spoke of the inexperience of the defense, and the uncertainty of the goalie position on the team.

The addition of striker Emile Heskey proved to be the biggest move of the year, but the sale of starting goalie Stefano Sorrentino, who had been superb much of the season, came as a shock. 23 year-old Andreas Isaksson was brought in and gave a mixed-performance in the last few games of the season.

Many options were given to the upstart manager after that first season: Watford, Milton Keynes, Derby County, and Crewe of Football league Champ all pursued him. Dundee and Dundee United of the Scottish Premier league showed interest. Several Brazilian clubs, the likes of Botafogo, Sao Paulo, and Vasco De Gama, as well as nearly all of the MLS tried to lure him to their side. The most tempting offer, perhaps, came from Parma of Italy's Serie A. However, in the end, Torino was the only choice that showed up in his heart, and a return to the club brought up from Serie B to Serie A was made.

This season, the board expects to finish in the top half of the table, a tall task for a short-handed squad facing some of the world's best compeition.

There are already rumors of unrest going around the locker room. "How are we supposed to compete with such a tight budget, and no upgrades to the staff!? We dominated the competition last season, and our reward is a pat on the back?", one team official was reportedly overheard spouting off.

One thing is for sure though, with AC Milan circled on the calendar is just one short month, Torino will soon find out what facing true competition is all about.


(Edit: I'm truly amazed I didn't get a single boost in budget or upgrade points (I only received the 'unlock points') for succeeding to reach the team goal, win Serie B, and advance to Serie A. I don't think I have any chance whatsoever of competing in Serie A, and I don't see how I'll ever be able to afford to buy a quality player when I receive little to nothing for losses/draws.)


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For Torino's first match of Serie A play, they headed into the familiar grounds of Lazio. Having lost to Lazio last season in the Coppa Nazionale, Torino hoped to exact some revenge in league play. Lazio came out strong early, and after a hard challenge by Federico Balzaretti in the box, Simone Inzaghi was awarded a penalty shot. As Andreas Isaksson stood opposite of Inzaghi, Torino fans everywhere knew this could set the tone for the club's year. A poor start, and things could go downhill quickly for this young club. As Inzaghi wound up and ripped one toward Isaksson's left, the promising young Swede showed why he was voted the top keeper in all of Sweden not so long ago! The penalty shot richocheted off of Isaksson's fingertips and out of bounds for a corner. The deafening chants of "Lazio! Lazio! Lazio!" were quieted in one fell swoop, and the Torino club seemed to gain a confidence never before seen. Their defense was as tight as it had ever been, allowing 0 shots in the first half, aside from the penalty try. Both clubs went into the half scoreless, and the new arrivals seemed to be proud of their resolve thus far. The second half started off strong for Torino, as they put on early pressure, leading to a free kick chance at the 49th minute. Emile Heskey placed a shot on goal, and after several deflections, an unlikely soul registered Torino's first goal of the season! Midfielder Filippo Maniero found the loose ball at his feet, and struck it home for a 1-0 lead. Emile Heskey was seen charging toward the goal all alone in the 58th minute, when he was dragged down by a Lazio defender. As the crowd groaned, Heskey lined up for another free kick, and this time he did the honors himself, lofting it into the corner over helpless goalkeeper Matteo Sereni to make it 2-0. Four minutes later, in the 62nd minute, Akeem Omolade added another, and that's how it finished, 3-0.

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As the Starting 11 jogged onto the field, the home supporters in Delle Alpi erupted in applause for their players. A hard-fought victory against Lazio a week ago set the stage for the home-opener against Udinese. Facing a 3-5-2 for the first time, Torino seemed awkward in their attack, and turned the ball over before they could get anything meaningful started up. Udinese utilized a strong counter-attack, which led to a quick goal by David Di Michele just 5 minutes in. Though subdued, the Torino crowd persevered, and held out hope, given last week's result. Di Michele was able to slip by the defense once again in the 26th minute, this time loding one in the top corner to make it 2-0 Udinese.

Many would have counted out Torino, last year's gems of Serie B, if not for a single man....

Emile Heskey.

It was expected that Torino would rely heavily this season on the magic Heskey showed against Serie B competition last season. Seemingly able to take over a game all by himself, Heskey was easily the most important acquisition in all of Serie B in 2004.

At the 36th minute, Heskey found his way past the midfield defense, and had little trouble with the backs on his way to striking home a goal to make it 2-1. As simple as that, the crowd began roaring for their boys in red once again. Cutting the lead in half and getting on the board before halftime was a huge accomplishment. However, things got even better as Andre Luciano Pinga was able to evade the midfield challenge of Udinese and get it to Heskey on the wing. As Heskey spun around the right back and drew the ire of goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis, fellow striker Akeem Omolade snuck in from behind, and was in perfect position to receive Heskey's pass and tap home the equalizer, making it 2-2. The Udinese players were on their heels, and Heskey delivered a knockout just moments later. Off the re-start, Emile stole the ball away and had a wide-open midfield as he ran toward the keeper's left. With CB Hernan Silvera rushing in to meet him, Heskey put all his force behind a shot that struck Silvera's leg, sent the keeper sprawling the wrong way, and rolled into the goal without a soul around to stop it.

Torino went into the half up 3-2, with all the momentum they could hope for, and the dream of a 2-0-0 start in Serie A just 45 minutes away.

Udinese came out determined to tie it back up, and their star of the game, David Di Michele began a charge of his own toward the goal. But he wouldn't be so lucky, as a strong sliding challenge from Luca Mezzano sent him collapsing to the ground, holding his ankle. Mezzano received a yellow card, and there's no question that he earned it. That essentially put an end to Udinese's attack, as they had few more dangerous chances during the game. The home crowd had plenty to cheer about in the second half though, as Emile Heskey embarassed the Udinese defenders on back-to-back occasions, scoring again in the 76th and 78th minutes, leaving the final score at 5-2 (4 goals for Heskey!) in favor of the home squad.

This dream start just may keep up for 2 more weeks, as Torino is scheduled to face two clubs who were recently promoted as well, Genoa (0-1-1) and Ascoli (0-0-2).

However, it is September 25th that will certainly fill Delle Alpi from wall to wall. Shevchenko, Kaka, Nesta, Pirlo, Dida, and all the rest of AC Milan (2-1-0) will pay a visit for a matchup you should be sure not to miss!

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That should put me up to date, may have missed a few..not sure...

 

[Zhariken]

Torino next hosts a struggling Genoa club. Having lost 2-0 and coming to a 1-1 draw in their first two matches of the season, Genoa is off to a slow start. Striker Roberto Stellone owns the lone goal for Genoa thus far, and all eyes are on 22 year old phenom Stephen Makinwa to net his first goal of the young season.

Torino is led by the irrepressible Emile Heskey, who leads the league with 5 goals in just 2 games after a world class performance against Udinese last week. Andreas Isaksson has already earned a clean sheet in the club's first game of the season, at Lazio.

In an effort to bring in GK Andreas Isaksson at the end of the 2004 season, much depth was lost in the defense, which has forced Torino to start 20 year old Samuel Emiliano at RB, and a tired Andrea Mantovani must start at LB, despite his fatigue. No doubt, the subs will come early in this one, but it remains to be seen whether or not they can hold up to the pressure on the pitch.

On to the game we go…..

Torino came out firing early on, and their pressure led to a fine scoring chance off a free kick just in front of the box. Heskey measured it up, let it go, and lit up the crowd with a goal in just the 10th minute of the match (see video here)! Torino kept a strong defensive mentality whenever Genoa was able to enter their end, and it remained 1-0 as halftime arrived. With the game appearing well in hand as far as possession goes, Torino was not content to sit on a 1-0 lead. On the first attack of the second half, Pinga came down the line, fed a cutting Emile Heskey, who in turn crossed it to Akeem Omolade for a fine header to make it 2-0 in just the 46th minute. Scoring remained quiet until the 61st minute when Heskey knocked in a header of his own, putting it away 3-0. Genoa actually came close to scoring on several occasions, putting 5 shots on goal, but nearly everything directed toward Andreas Isaksson either found its way into his hands, or off the post. Emile Heskey sent the fans home cheering with a 90th minute chip-shot over goalie Massimo Gazzoli to collect the hat-trick, and bring us to the final score, 4-0.

Torino improves to 3-0-0, while Genoa drops to 0-1-2.

 

[shrekiejai]

Sorry to interrupt, but just want to say:
"Good stuff!!"

Lookin forward to more..

 

[Zhariken]

Originally posted by shrekiejai
Sorry to interrupt, but just want to say:
"Good stuff!!"

Lookin forward to more..

No need to say sorry!

I would love for people to comment. Tell me to trade Maniero for a class young midfielder, tell me play for a tie against the top teams, tell me to change to a 2-3-3-1-1 (okay, I might've made that up) formation, whatever. Comments are encouraging, it keeps me motivated to keep on posting things like this

Thank you.

 

[Zhariken]

Here's my roster, as it stands right now:

Number	Name	Position	Value	Age	Skill	Att	Mid	Def
16	E. Heskey	ST	19796	27	80	80	68	66
1	A. Isaksson	GK	15296	23	77	77	84	70
17	F. Balzaretti	CB	10801	23	67	39	50	67
20	F. Maniero	CF	7204	32	65	65	50	49
5	L. Mezzano	CB	7204	28	64	60	50	64
10	A. Pinga	CAM	7199	24	65	73	65	39
3	P. Codrea	CAM	7198	24	62	66	62	52
40	A. Omolade	ST	7197	22	61	61	56	47
9	F. Quagliarella	CF	7196	22	63	63	57	45
4	A. Mantovani	LB	7196	21	62	40	57	62
13	F. Carbone	RB	5404	25	60	46	65	60
6	G. Mudingayi	CAM	5403	23	57	60	57	56
23	S. Maksimovic	CM	5396	18	58	60	58	48
24	S. Emiliano	LB	3604	20	52	46	48	52
22	F. Marchetti	GK	3603	22	53	69	35	64
14	R. Lopez	CF	449	23	45	45	44	42
25	J. Grant	CF	446	24	46	46	46	35
8	T. Youngs	RM	446	26	43	58	43	38
26	I. Djurdevic	LWM	445	28	47	47	47	44
15	A. Villalobos	LM	445	31	46	40	46	45

The last 5 on the list were used last season, rotate around the 'minimum fielders on a roster' rule, so I could sell off many of my lower-quality players.

 

[Ibranco]

Seeing as you have pretty decent depth at the cf position, why not sell your 32 year old maniero and pair heskey with omalade or F. Quagliarella, unless of course that is what u already do.

 

[Ibranco]

seeing as your on this thread often i have a quick question, is AC fiorentina in the game? This year they are in Serie A. Sorry for this being off topic.

 

[Rochester Rhino]

this is somm pretty intersesting stuff to read, i should do something like this once I start my season, but i don't think i'll post it but i'll think about it.

 

[Zhariken]

Originally posted by Ibranco
Seeing as you have pretty decent depth at the cf position, why not sell your 32 year old maniero and pair heskey with omalade or F. Quagliarella, unless of course that is what u already do.

I play a basic 4-4-2 (that's what the team was playing when I signed up):

------------- Heskey ----- Omolade ---------------
Pinga ----- Codrea ----- Maksimovic ----- Maniero
Mantovani ----- Mezzano ----- Balzaretti ----- Emiliano
---------- ---------- Isaksson ---------- ----------

Right now I have Maniero to the side, due to his 93stam. Last season, I would often make runs with my side midfielders (don't know the proper name), and they would get very tired after a match or two. He's rather slow though, just 34 pace.

I believe my biggest problem right now is a lack of defenders. As you can see, I'm starting Emiliano at RB right now (Carbone is my regular, when he's above 80% fitness), I really have no depth there at all.

I was considering maybe trading Carbone...he has just 44 stamina, and I can't see carrying a player just to have him player once every 2 or 3 games, no matter how well he tackles (76).

Mudingayi often subbed for my side (run-making) midfielders last season, and performed quite well (around a 7.0 form), Quagliarella also performed in the same role with similiar results. Both are subs for me right now.

 

[Zhariken]

Originally posted by Ibranco
seeing as your on this thread often i have a quick question, is AC fiorentina in the game? This year they are in Serie A. Sorry for this being off topic.

That's quite alright to me.

Actually, I was searching high and low for them a few days ago, since a player ratings request came...and the player is apparently with that team. Unfortunately, I see no sign of the club in Serie A or Serie B.

 

[Ibranco]

I think it has something to do with the way the came to the serie A. Last year htey were in serie C due to financial problems but i think they got financial aid of some sort and moved back to Serie A. I'm guessing this is why.

 

[Ibranco]

I would sell maniero, move F. Quagliarella to rw, and buy a defender for the right side. Soon Maniero will retire and you will get nothing for him. This way you can atleast cash in on him.

 

[Zhariken]

By the way, it's currently 2005-9-18, and the transfer window isn't open again until 2006-1-1, 18 games worth of time. So, there will be plenty of time to see how the team performs.

 

[Ibranco]

Lets hope you get no injuries before the window. BTW you gotta play Milan already im dieing with all the suspense. lol

 

[stemple]

i believe that fiorentina is called firenze, like sampdoria is called doria in the game. And zhariken i am really enjoying your posts, i hope you keep them up. You should go out and try to get some young talents like D'Agostino of Roma, or Zaccardo of Palermo, since you said about your defense. Just a thought.

 

[Zhariken]

Season 2, Game 4 (or: the game before AC Milan)

The task is simple for Torino tonight, they must defeat the weakest team in Serie A competition. Ascoli is currently at the bottom of the table with a 0-0-3 record (0GF, 4GA). Ascoli’s top performer (5.8form) is 18 year-old CB Alessandro Cristante, but he’ll certainly need help from fellow defenders Francesco Modesto and Luca Franchini to stop the Torino attack.

Torino plans to rest several key players in today’s game, but they will remain available off the bench in the event of emergency. Fabio Quagliarella will replace Emile Heskey up front, Gaby Mudingayi will fill-in for Andre Luciano Pinga, Ivan Djurdevic will give Andrea Montovani a rest, and 22 year-old Federico Marchetti will take over goalie duties from Andrea Isaksson for the week. Torino realizes it’s crucial to be on top of their game next week, and they’re willing to sacrifice some firepower against Ascoli to do it.


Torino entered Cino e Lillo del Duca Stadium with a conservative lineup, and they continued with a conservative style when the whistle blew. Few scoring chances were seen in the first half for either side, with the majority of play taking place in midfield. Fabio Quagliarella made several bids to score in the first half, and he finally made it happen in the 40th minute. Akeem Omolade connected with Quagliarella just as he was sprinting toward the net, and Fabio made it look simple from there. He tapped the ball past the charging keeper to make it 1-0 heading into the half (see the video). It soon became clear that this was ‘a game of two halves’, as Ascoli striker Roberto Colacone was able to benefit from an odd bounce of the ball in the 51st minute and tie it up 1-1(see video here). Torino was forced to shift more toward an attacking nature after Colacone’s goal, and they were able to reap the rewards in the 65th minute off the header by Filippo Maniero to make it 2-1 (see video herehttp://www.hhsl.org/tempfifa/TorinoCareer/Season2-Game4-Maniero65th-divx.avi). Ascoli would not be denied though, as Isah Eliakwu scored in the 75th minute to make it 2-2, and Colacone quickly put his team ahead 3-2 in the 78th minute after receiving a magnificent pass into the box (see video herehttp://www.hhsl.org/tempfifa/TorinoCareer/Season2-Game4-Colacone78th-divx.avi). Torino pulled out all the stops, bringing in Emile Heskey in the 83rd minute, but it was simply too little too late. Ascoli prevails 3-2 at home over the heavily favored Torino squad. Torino suffers its loss of the season, with a huge challenge right around the corner.

Torino falls to 3-0-1 (14GF, 5GA), Ascoli improves to 1-0-3(3GF, 6GA)

 

[Zhariken]

Season 2, Game 5 (AC MILAN!!)

We have finally reached the game all Torino fans instantly spotted when the schedule of fixtures was announced. Undoubtedly the supporters hoped for a quality match, but it’s unlikely they expected it to be a battle for the 2nd spot in Serie A. AC Milan (3-1-0) is currently tied with Siena (3-1-1) with one less game played. Torino (3-0-1) and Inter Milan (3-0-1) are tied up, right on their heels.

Torino returns after their embarrassing defeat at the ends of Ascoli, this time with a full squad. Heskey and Omolade command the attack, Paul Constantin Codrea moves to the left midfield position to handle the ball, Filippo Maniero can be spotted at the right. From right to left; Carbone, Balzaretti, Mezzano, and Mantovani, the finest defenders Torino has to offer. And finally, Andreas Isaksson has the tall task of stop some of the best shots in the world.

For AC Milan, Filippo Inzaghi has provided nearly all the scoring they have needed, netting 3 goals in 4 games. Andrea Pirlo has recorded 2, and both Andriy Shevchenko and Gennaro Ivan Gattuso have 1 to their name so far. However, the true star of AC Milan’s season hasn’t scored a single goal. Dida has provided an astonishing 4 clean sheets, 4 games into the season. AC Milan is the only team remaining in Serie A without a goal against them yet.

If Torino hopes to have any chance to earn points, should they try to force pressure on a flawless goalkeeper, or lay back and do their best to ward off a world-class attack?

We’ll find out….when the game takes place in Delle Alpi tomorrow.

(Time for bed! It's 5am, and I don't wanna ruin this game due to my own fatigue Keep those ideas coming! D'Agostino doesn't quite have the skillset I'm looking for (see: can't cross worth a darn), but I may be interested in Zaccardo...he's likely out of my price range though. But, by then, who knows! I would like a high stamina, high marking defender, hopefully one can be found out there for a decent cost. Goodnight!)