A Michael Ballack - Bayer Leverkusen Story

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October

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2nd October, 2013 | Wednesday
(Champions Cup, Group C)

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Park the bus! Arsenal created A LOT of chances, but they were all Half chances and long shots, I had more CCCs and also hit woodwork, it was a fair draw but could've gone either way.
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6th October, 2013 | Sunday

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Although they might have dominated the numbers, we again sneaked a goal on the counter, created more scoring chances. Grabbing these late 1-0 wins will prove to be very significant.
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19th October, 2013 | Saturday

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A horrible, horrible loss in front of home fans, against a rival. They had only ONE shot on target, yet scored two goals (One being O.G, heh). We definitely deserved a better result.
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23th October, 2013 | Wednesday
(Champions Cup, Group C)

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Now that makes two consecutive loses, we're doing very poorly in Champions League. Haven't yet scored a single goal against European opponents, not good, not good. I went into this match with conservative approach but they didn't threaten much going forward. I changed my tactics but Reina and their defenders ensured a victory for them.
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26th October, 2013 | Saturday

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A thoroughly deserved win, another goal conceded from a set-piece, this is infuriating. Satfylidis scored a free kick fluke goal from almost around half line.
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End of the month thoughts

Not so good month for me and the team, certainly not for fans who probably only enjoyed the last game. I should have pushed for a victory against Napoli, they scored an early goal and then just defended. My first defeat couldn't have been a worse one, at home, against a rival.
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Bundesliga Table

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We're still in touching distance of Bayern after 10 games, which is a good achievement.​
 
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November

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2nd November, 2013 | Saturday

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Probably first game of the season where my team dominated like a real title challenger. They pressed us heavily in first half and it ended 0-0, My players then exploited their fatigue in second half, they had no answer to direct running.
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5th November, 2013 | Tuesday
(Champions Cup, Group C)

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Our first European win of this campaign, and we managed to open our scoring account as well. Napoli again were disappointing, It's like they weren't willing to defend at all. A good solid home win.
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9th November, 2013 | Saturday

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Sam made sure he piled on Schalke's misery this season, he was their top target during summer, I rejected two of their bids. A solid 1-0 win, take the lead, defend it.
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23rd November, 2013 | Saturday

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I have a fairly small squad, had an important game on Wednesday and League is pretty tight ATM, had to rest my key players, an emphatic 3-0 win, good times.
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27th November, 2013 | Wednesday
(Champions Cup, Group C)

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I was feeling confident since I was able to hold Atletico in the away game, I went for the win at home, we needed this a lot. Two great goals from Sam. He has been firing all cylinders since he came back from injury, and got injured in this match again.
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30th November, 2013 | Saturday

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A great win in a difficult win to end a perfect month. I almost smacked the referee in this match, there were injuring my players yet the refs missed two clear bookings. Mainz also got a wrong Penalty but Leno again saved it. He hasn't let in a single penalty yet, 3 saved. Incredible.
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Thoughts at the end of the month

Incredible month, we only conceded one goal in a busy month against good sides, special mention to Omer Toprak & Philipp Wollscheid who have been my defensive pair in 90% of the games this season, other defenders have started complaining about less playing time. I'm still beaming with the 4-0 win against Frankfurt, some memorable goals in that game.
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Champions Cup Group C

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Things are looking better after two wins this month, Arsenal were complete disappointment in all the matches except the one against my team. They dominated a lot at my home, I'm afraid they'll most likely end my team's European campaign this year. The group of death is still tight, even Atletico can go out if I win and Napoli also manage a win with more than 1 goal.

*Forgot to take screenshot of Bundesliga Table at the end of November, I was at first position with Bayern at second, just one point behind me, equal amount of games played.​
 
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BREAKING NEWS

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We're hearing rumours of a rift between Michael Ballack and Leverkusen Vice Captain Lars Bender. We are unable to get the full details of what the dispute is about. We also understand that Lars Bender had asked for a transfer move in summer and Manchester United are keeping an eye on this situation. Michael Ballack's behaviour is well known, this probably won't end well.​
 
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10th December, 2013 | Tuesday

It's 10th December and we today have two very important matches in the group of death in Champions Cup. These two matches will decide the fate of 3 teams' Champions Cup campaign, with Arsenal already out. No one is safe, a Napoli win and a Leverkusen win could see Group leaders Atletico go out, it's incredible tight.

Arsenal were probably the team everyone else in group might be fearing the most at first, but they've been surprisingly disappointing, having lost all the matches against Atletico and Napoli, drawing the away game against Leverkusen. Today they will be on the mission to protect their dignity and get their first win in group stages.

Kick-Off Time : 19:45

Team News

Atletico vs Napoli

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Arsenal vs Leverkusen

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19:51 (6') - Atletico lead by a Toby Alderweireld goal! a good goal from a set-piece to give Atletico an early lead.


19:55 (10') - Atletico double their lead. Atletico came out firing all cylinders and secured their place in last 16, there is no chance Napoli are coming back from this. Even a Draw will see Atletico quality, even if Leverkusen win.

20:20 (35') - Diego Costa scores a beauty. Now the game is beyond doubt and Atletico cans can enjoy the game.

20:29 (44') - Gonzalo Higuain is down and is crying with pain, the injury looks serious. He is now being stretchered out of the field.

20:34 (45+4') - First half comes to an end in both games (4 & 3 minutes of added time), with the Arsenal and Leverkusen game going really boring, both teams are at 0-0 and nothing of enough significance has happened.


HT

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20:50 (45') - Second half starts

20:54 (49') - Napoli's first chance of the game and first shot on target, Courtois parries it away.

20:56 (51') - Leverkusen take the lead!!! KieBling intercepted Monreal's dodgy backpass and was through on goal with only Goalie to beat, he didn't disappoint.

20:59 (54') - Wenger subs in Giroud and Arteta for Ozil and Wilshere, changes to attacking 4-4-2 meanwhile Ballack subs in Oztunali for Captain Rolfes who's suffering from a knock. Rolfes hands over the Captain's armband to KeiBling.

21:09 (64') - A good chance goes begging for Arsenal as Oxlade-Chamberlain shoots straight at Leverkusen GK (Leno), who has no trouble catching the ball.

21:20 (75') - Both games are boring ATM with both Atletico and Leverkusen happy to defend.

21:30 (85') - There's a scramble in Leverkusen penalty box and Giroud receives a nice ball, heads it and it hits and post and Bendter is there to pounce on the rebound, GOAL!!! Arsenal have a late equalizerrr. Leverkusen supports who were shouting loudly here at Emirates until now have fell completely silent.

21:36 (90+1') - Emre Can gathers the ball after a heavy touch from Giroud, passes it to Donati who's out wide, Donati then lobs it to Castro who heads it towards a running KeiBling who ... SCORES!!!! Leverkusen fans are screaming at their loudest, WHAT A DRAMATIC ENDING. KeiBling has done it, the man with Captain's armband has done it.

This is unbelievable stuff from KeiBling. Leverkusen are celebrating like they've already won the Champions Cup.



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Post Match Review

with Andy Townsend

A cracking win for Atletico, Napoli have been going into matches with quite poor tactics, opting for way too many long shots, doing hard tackles. I was not impressed with Benitez's side, they were horrible, barely had a chance in whole game. Managed to test Atletico GK only once and created almost no great scoring chances. Atletico exploited it and went on all out attack in initial 20-30 minutes and it clearly worked for them.

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Leverkusen were undoubtedly the underdogs in this group of death, and the manager handled the situation very well. Playing for draws in difficult away games, Napoli scored 1 and then defended to win 1-0 against Leverkusen, their only loss, I'm impressed.

In this match, Ballack knew that Arsenal will try to attack and Wenger goes in with the philosophy of possession football, most managers would instruct their team to press hard and fight for possession, he instead chose to do the opposite, gave Arsenal the ball and saved his players' energy. Arsenal had a tough time breaking them, they had a lot of possession but looked pointless in possession. Ballack instructed his played to play on the break and they did it effectively, producing more scoring chances than Arsenal.

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December

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3rd December, 2013 | Tuesday

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Heung-Min came back from injury to score his first and then second goal for the club. A walkthrough against a good second division side, team got lethargic towards the ending and let in a goal. Still a good solid win.
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7th December, 2013 | Saturday

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Their GK was MOTM, just couldn't penetrate them. Their only shot on target went in, Rolfes equalized from a penalty. A poor poor match. They had 67% possession, though, lol.
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10th December, 2013 | Tuesday

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I never knew happiness of this level existed before this day, an emphatic win and we qualify to last 16 of Champions Cup. I wouldn't have minded even if the world ended tonight.
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14th December, 2013 | Saturday

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This match brought me back down to earth, awful performance and result. Had only one SOT.
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21st December, 2013 | Saturday

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THIS is the way to bounce back from a bad result. Werner, who has found limited opportunities this season in his natural position (ST) ran the show today. KeiBling hasn't gotten out of form, nor has he got injured for even a single game so Werner was playing on Left Wing. More headaches, dammit.
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Manager's thoughts at the end of the month

A great month, I don't care about the bad results, we had 2 great high scoring victories and a priceless win against Arsenal to push us to Last 16 Knockout round of Champion's Cup. I'm still glowing from my win. It was a great month. I've forgotten about whatever bad happened this month, although fans might not.


Champions Cup, Group C

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First Knockout round draw

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Bundesliga Table

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We go into Winter break top of the table. Dortmund have a game in hand and Bayern have a couple, they'llmost likely be above us come next year but this is still fantastic way to finish a great year, for me and the team.
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Ballack drops the bomb, Manchester United sign Lars Bender.

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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have announced departure of Leverkusen's star player and Vice Captain Lars Bender. The Fee being reported is 13.5M GBP with addons rising upto 16M GBP. Lars Bender was a fan favorite, fans are clearly disappointed to see a player of Lars Bender's quality leave, but they're also worried that club sold him quite cheaply because of internal dispute.

When the questions were asked to Ballack, he said "No player is bigger than club, he would come up to me and speak things like he's the boss around here. He'd take things for granted thinking he is untouchable at the club. The board has showing fantastic support in me, I appreciate that."

When we asked Lars Bender regarding Ballack's comments, he had following to say "The boss is trying to prove that I was the cause of trouble, we had a small dispute but he's trying to make me the villain in front of fans."

Clearly there's something we don't know, but one thing is for sure, it was more of a forced transfer than just a normal one. Ballack has said that he has recalled Dominik Kohr from his loan spell and will give him the chance in first team, along with Emre Can instead of spending the money.

The club has also confirmed that Stefan KeiBling will be the new Vice Captain of the team. KeiBling has been ever-present for Leverkusen side and has been in good form, scoring 14 goals in 20(2) appearances.
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Leverkusen announce signing of Brazilian striker Luan.​

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Bayer Leverkusen have announced the sining of Luan from Atletico Mineiro. We understand that he was signed for 1.6Millions Pounds. Luan Madson Gede?o de Paiva is not a well recognized talent and this signings has surprised many fans. Although Ballack believes he has addressed team's only weakness with this signing. Luan is equally capable of playing on either wings, and is a technical player.

There's a lot yet to be known about this transfer.

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Mid-Season review & Awards

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To go in top of the table into Winter Break is incredible. I know We'll most likely be third after Dortmund and Bayern play equal amount of games as we've played but it's still nice to be on top of the table.
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The table looks nothing like predicted at the beginning, The real surprise being Schalke performing poorly and now laying at 13th spot. Also Davide Santon coming to Bayern, who already have two World Class Fullbacks.
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I have the best defence in the league, well joint with Bayern. I play Counter-Attacking football yet my team has very good discipline. We've started firing some goals to lately, was nowhere near top 5 in goals scored chart initially.
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I terminated Eren Derdiyok's loan after I signed Timo Werner as I thought I could use that loan spot for reinforcement in some other department and he duly made me regret my decision, he's scoring for fun ATM, although Hoffenheim are still sitting at the bottom.
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Marcelo Bielsa is once again appointed by a team in the league I'm managing. Always happened, regardless of the league (Talking about top 5 European Leagues).
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Awards

Ballon d'Or

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Poor Ronaldo, couldn't win in it in the game.
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European Golden Boy

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Philippe Coutinho beat the likes of Neymar(!!) and Isco for this award, I'd say this is brilliant achievement for the lad. (I guess any Liverpool fans reading this story would be really happy)
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World Team of the Year

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I think the CF has surprised everyone. Mario Gomez? Seems like they only count goals because Suarez is undoubtedly performing best among top European strikers, although he played 5-6 less games because of the ban.
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January Transfer Window

OUT

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Lars Bender: He was causing too much trouble, could've sold him for more but I still got solid 13.5M for him, rising upto 16M. Fans have started trusting my decisions and were not too sad to see the VC leave.

Jens Hegeler (loan): He wasn't getting too much playing time because I have way too many quality midfielders, he was very professional about it and quietly went on loan for rest of the season at the age of 26.

IN

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Luan: I've covered the Brazilian striker who signed for 1.6 from Atletico Mineiro. He's short but technical, capable of playing on either wings.

Dominik Kohr: I've recalled him from loan and promoted to first team after Bender's departure.
 
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January and February

(I'm doing em together because of Winter Break in January).

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25th January, 2014 | Saturday

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Great way to come back from the winter break, it was a fairly even match but we were more clinical in front of goal.
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29th January, 2013 | Wednesday

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KeiBling (Would people prefer if I call him Kiessling?) ran the show tonight, he started the season slowly in the league now he's in golden boot race with a bang. Braunschweig are relegation candidates and rightly so, barely ventured forward.
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1st February, 2013 | Saturday

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(Screaming..)Donati, you're a right back, defend, hey what are you doing in opposition box ..and GOOOAAALLL! Gonati made a run from deep and scored a screamer from edge of the box, we won against reigning champions! This was a more equal game, I still can't quite believe it.
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8th February, 2014 | Saturday

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We face both of the German giants consecutively once again! There's something fishy about this, a horrible match. Whenever we started a counter, Subotic and Hummels would foul us and stop it, they still didn't get booked, Stafylidis got his second yellow in stoppage time.
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11th February, 2014 | Tuesday
(German Cup, Quarter Final)

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A very very close game, won by Papadopoulos's brainfarts. They could've easily won it on any other day.
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15th February, 2014 | Saturday

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I couldn't believe how we didn't win this game, We battered them left and right yet the late equalizer, UGH! And it was a fluke goal, out of nowhere.
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22nd February, 2014 | Saturday

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Son Heung-Min was being booed by HSV supporters, he replied them in style, 4 frigging goals in one match. He's had a quiet season after arriving for a hefty 8.5M fee from HSV but he today showed glimpses of what he can do.
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26th February, 2014 | Wednesday

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It was nice to see my old friend Drogba but he caused a lot of trouble, Props to Leno for three OUTRAGEOUS saves, unbelievable saves. Luan hasn't gotten much chances but he's been making contribution coming off the bench (3 assists), today was his CL debut and he scored a brace! We now have a solid lead that we'll take to Turkey and hopefully will progress.
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German Cup

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We'll be facing Gladbach in Semi Final, I'm glad we dodged FC Bayern.
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Dortmund are cruising in the league ATM, FC Bayern have had some bad luck with injuries and Manuel Neuer has been out for upwards of 3 months from first team action, having only played 10 games till February. A Goalkeeper can win many matches on his own. We're tied at 50 points but Dortmund have better GD and a game in hand, top three is pretty tight ATM. Schalke down at 10th, whoops.
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your doing well mate, was nice to see an aussie in Robbie Kruse bag a couple earlier in the season. Just subscribed so keep the updates coming :D
 
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walkinshaw87 said:
your doing well mate, was nice to see an aussie in Robbie Kruse bag a couple earlier in the season. Just subscribed so keep the updates coming :D
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Kruse is only player in my team who likes to pass instead of shooting. :D That's why doesn't score all that often.
 
Nice to see your giving him some games then mate... Just a shame his passing is only like 10 at the start of the season lol.
 
March

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*I changed the skin back, I like this simplistic one more. Apologies if you find this odd.


1st March, 2014 | Saturday

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HORRIBLE HORRIBLE REF. Oztunali scored a great goal to start things off, at 18th minute Spahic was sent off for a normal tackle that he made to stop a Hoffenheim counter-attack, it was barely a yellow card offence, straight red was horrible horrible decision. I appealed and the ban was lifted, but it still cost us the game. We just couldn't control the game with 10 men.
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8th March, 20134 | Saturday

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They were up by 2 goals in 25th minute, I was infuriated but within 12 minutes it was level, Super come back. Timo Werner then just ran riot against his former team, 2 goals and 1 assist, the kid made something happen everytime he touched the ball. A great 5 goal comeback, thoroughly delighted
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14th March, 2014 | Friday

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I [fun]ing hate playing Gladbach. We wanted to take revenge of last loss but they scored an early goal and just sat back, frustrating game for both the team and fans.
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18th March, 2014 | Tuesday

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I set up to defend out first leg lead but Werner had different plans, he's been in scoring form of late, from left wing. Kiessling finds himself in trouble, he has been out of form and hasn't perform well except that one game against Stuttgart.

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21st March, 2014 | Friday

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Werner is becoming a more complete player. He was playing as striker today and assisted both of the goals. Luan has been doing good work at right wing as well. I keep interchanging position of my players in match, at ties Sam was playing on right, Luan as striker and Werner on left. Mark them if you can.
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29th March, 2014 | Saturday

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OH MY GOD. We came back THRICE in this game after falling behind, ultimately to claim a win. What a fighting spirit, THIS is a Ballack team, this. I feel so proud of this performance.



Manager's thoughts and other stuff

We've been conceding quite a few of late, but we're outscoring opponents. It is good for fans but it has also cost us a couple of games, each of which was very important considering how tight it is at the top of the table.
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This was a rather high scoring matchday, 5 goals avg. per game.

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I usually don't mention injuries but he's the only player I have as a natural RB, he has been relatively injury free this season, now I will have to play Castro there who isn't great defensively. I don't feel too confident about it. 2 of Frankfurt's goals came from right side, they exploited Castro to the fullest.

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God I love this chairman. He hasn't disagreed/rejected my single request as of yet. I'll ask him for stadium expansion when we start filling our stadium more.



Champions Cup

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Again we dodged the big guns. Some delicious looking fixtures in R.Madrid vs Chelsea and Atletico vs Barcelona.



Bundesliga Table

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