Creme de la Kremlin

[DerbyJack]

For years the largest nation in the world has sat patiently waiting.
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In 1960 the mighty Soviet Union marched to victory claiming the first ever European Championship trophy, as the Eastern bloc dominated the beautiful game. However as the USSR crumbled and separated into the countries we know today, their grip on World football too began to weaken.​

The Superpower sat dormant for forty five years until the mighty CSKA Moscow brought a trophy back to Russia, clawing the UEFA Cup away from the clutches of Western Europe, with their league rivals, Zenit St Petersburg repeating the feat just two years later before the competition later became branded the Europa League.​

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Despite this recent turn around, the biggest prizes in football continue to allude the ever patient Motherland but all that is soon to change...

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Taking charge of both the Russian International team and the formidable powerhouse of CSKA Moscow, I hope to lead both to World Cup and Champions League glory respectively.​

With the likes of Rubin Kazan, Dynamo Moscow and the current reigning champions, Zenit St Petersburg to compete against domestically, The footballing powerhouses in Western Europe dominating the European club competitions and a looming World Cup to host this is going to be no small task.
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The Glory of Mother Russia depends upon me!​

 

[DerbyJack]

First check in on the road to Russian World domination is a quick call to the International team.

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Having failed to qualify out of the easiest group in the 2012 EURO competition and picking up just two points in the 2014 World Cup, its fair to say the state of Russian football is in a bit of a slump.

With a wealth of experience and quality in the team, the recent teams exploits are actually quite similar to that of Englands. Plenty of hope, ability and chances but absolutely no passion, fight or success.

All that is soon to change.


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Having sacked all of former Head Coach, Leonid Slutsky's back-room staff and deciding to offer the available jobs to my current colleagues at CSKA Moscow, I'm already well on my way to transforming this team form top to bottom.

The squad is heavily balanced towards attack as it appears ever single hard nosed Russian defender somehow managed to pick up an injury at the start of my tenure as manager leaving a make shift back line to hold the fort. Fortunately there are a few names in the squad that turn my attention away from our ram shackle defence

Yes, his career at Arsenal fizzled to a dramatic halt but let us not forget that the tiny playmaker did have three respectable seasons with the Gunners before the former record signing was sent packing back to Russia

Vision creativity and the ability to pick a pass that others cant even dream of, he is potentially a game winner on his own but with lack of form, retirement fast approaching and little expected game time in the coming season it remains to be seen if the little midfielder can return to his previous heights.

_______

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With Arshavin seemingly becoming the past, this man is very much the future of the Russian side. Playing for the world famous Real Madrid, Cheryshev is rubbing shoulders with the likes of Ronaldo and Bale. The only small problem is he is yet to actual kick a ball to either of them having not made a single appearance for the first team.

With options limited in Spain but a potentially bright future ahead of him, hopes are high that we can pull the pacey winger away from the comfort of the Bernabeu and throw him into the deep end of Russian top flight football

_______


Two key players, both at a crossroads in there career. The Past and Future of Russian football are going to play a crucial part in the present as we charge head long into the middle of a EURO qualification campaign.​

I actually take over with the International team going strong in Group G.

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Having already lost once to Austria and drawing with Montenegro there is still room for improvement but with a five point gap over the disappointing Swedes and only four games remaining its going to be harder to mess this one up then qualify for the finals.

A good opportunity to test my abilities with the Russian first team non the less and with the remaining games coming up in September and October I don't have long to wait to get started.



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[Lippo255]

Good start to this mate, will be following!

 

[ninjaskill]

Had a great save with CSKA and Russia in FM14 great team with some quality players

 

[DerbyJack]

Before the worries of international football there's a small matter of domestic duty with the mighty CSKA Moscow.
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A disappointing campaign last season saw Zenit cruise to the title with a seven point gap, whilst CSKA only just secured a spot in the Champions League for the coming season by goal difference alone.

The current Premier League has never been tougher.​

Defending Champions, Zenit St Petersburg and the increasingly impressive Ruban Kazan head a list of favourites for the title, whilst the three other Moscow based teams all continue to keep the pressure high in the race for European football.

Despite a daunting setup in the league there's already a squad in place that could certainly see us make a strong challenge for the title.

Despite containing pretty much the entire sidelined Russian back line, the CSKA team-sheet differs from an aging international line-up, with some promising young players providing some depth to the squad and like the Russian first team there are a few players here that are top of the food chain.

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The current stopper for the international team, Akinfeev is one **** of a goalkeeper at Twenty Nine years of age he's at the prime of his career and has got a good few more years left in his tank.

A CSKA player since the beggining of his career it would be highly unlikely that Akinfeev would look to move elsewhere but regardless, we will do all we can to make sure my future captain will never want to leave the club that has become his home.

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Akinfeev might be the true soul of the club but flamboyant striker Seydou Doumbia is the man that most will be looking to in the coming season.

The only out right striker in our entire team has only just left the club having signed a permanent contract with Serie A giants Roma but returns to the club on a loan until the end of the year.

We are obviously going to need to find a suitable replacement as soon as possible but with a keen eye for goal, his relentless desire to find the net and the need to leave CSKA on a high, I hope we will see the best of Doumbia in his final outing for the club.

_______​

With a competitive season fast approaching and the Champions League providing us with another opportunity for European success, every member of this team is sure to play a role in the forth coming season.

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[DerbyJack]

Before Getting stuck into the matches its time to evaluate what we have at our disposal at CSKA.

With a team sheet full of midfield talent but only one striker I've opted to flood the formation with five midfielders in order to try and run the entire show from the middle of the park.

With an experienced back line and the finest goalkeeper in all of Eastern Europe the defence in place is certainly up to the task of life in Russia's top flight and with the likes of Pontus Wernbloom providing cover from the central defensive midfield role we should have a solid season ahead of us.

The only weak point in the formation comes in the shape of our lone striker. With Doumbia able to fill the role until the end of his loan period we need to find a suitable replacement who can grab us the goals for the forseeable future, with that in mind the transfer windows are going to be crucial.

However its not quite that simple.
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Despite being one of the biggest clubs in Russia, a regular in the Champions League stages and a boasting a formidable reputation, CSKA have an appalling budget.

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There is reasoning to this however. The club is by no means in dire straights and actually has quite a healthy 43million behind it currently but the reason for the lack of funds comes down to one quite big problem.



With the current stadium under much needed and lengthy redevelopment the club are currently playing here..

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Arena Khimki. CSKA are currently without a permanent home. Having played in Russia's national stadium last year they have sinced taken up residence in the vacated stadium followings Khimki's relegation from the top flight. There is however one small problem to us squatting in the 18,000 seater stadium...

Fierce rivals Dinamo Moscow also currently call this stadium home. With no other choice we've been forced into the same kind of arrangement as AC and Inter Milan but fortunately for us its only for the near future.

CSKAs new home is nearly ready...

Yes that's a giant Europa League trophy in the corner.​

Designed to celebrate being Russia's first club to win the tournament, the stadium incorporates a giant sky scraper in one corner and with an estimated 30,000 other seats its certain to be one impressive stadium.

Having suffered numerous set backs the stadium is finally due for completion by the end of the coming season and I for one cant wait to make it a fortress for the Army Men.

For now though its time to cope with low crowd numbers and get cosy with Dinamo.​

 

[Godfish93]

Quality start mate, looks like this should be a good read.

 

[Cbarber871]

best drugs test them lol....good luck tho

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks very much guys

Good point barber, this teams probably jacked up to the limit.

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Despite the lack of money, we still have some business to deal with in the window.

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With a fairly solid and small first team squad in place it was clear most of the departures wouldn't be coming from the main team, however that's not to say we didn't have our fair share of players saying their goodbyes to the beauty of Moscow.

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A total of three players left the squad by the end of the window, all of them from a reserve squad over flowing with wasted potential and players with no hope of breaking into the first team.

With two leaving on season long loans, the only transfer worth of note was that of Victor Vasin. The Twenty Six year old Centre-back was surplus to requirements stuck behind the likes of the Berezutskiy brothers and the formidable Ignashevich in the pecking order and a Four Hundred thousand pound bid proved to be the best for best parties as he departs for Krasnodar.

Having reviewed the squad, there is a lot of work to be done getting them up to the quality of Champions League winners but one thing to contend with is the new strict foreign player rules in Russia.

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Each team in the top-flight can only name six foreign players in the starting eleven. With CSKA currently only having ten Russians capable of playing at the top level of Russian football we desperately need to bring in some talent from our home nation.

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First signing of my tenure at CSKA is Russian winger, Marat Izmailov.

At Thirty Two, Izmailov isn't going to be lighting up the Champions League with any dazzling displays in the future but following a mixed decade of play in the Portuguese top flight for both Porto and Sporting he returns to Russia on a permanent basis.

One small problem however. For some reason which I have been unable to fathom, Izmailov is actually unavailable until January. Personal Issues apparently. Anyone know anymore?

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It was a disappointing window to say the least. Two million gets you nothing in Russia, we failed to find any players within reach of our budget and the only one that did has ruled himself out of playing until the start of 2016.

Not ideal.
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[Timmzeh]

Looking good, will definitely follow!

 

[jordalicious]

I think that new stadium looks sexy! Good start to this story mate, will follow

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks Timmzeh!

I agree Jord, would be worth a visit when its finally built

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Without further delay, its game time.


The kick off to the season is just under two months away and with an entire team and a new tactic to put into practice, the all important pre-season is thankfully here.


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Friendly
27th June 2015

Spoiler

So first game as manager and we pick up a comfortable victory. Not a bad start to life. Khimki are from the depths of Russian football and are the former owners of the stadium we now call home, hardly a fitting way to say thank you for hosting us for the coming season.

Friendly
1st July 2015​

Spoiler

Last season Torpedo Moscow joined us in the top flight of Russian football, one season later and they now sit in the lowly third tier. An appalling season in 2014/15 led to their relegation and when twinned with finances that made Greece look like a lottery winner they where subsequently banished down another division. A four goal thrashing hardly improves the mood for the beleaguered team.

Friendly
4th July 2015
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Spoiler

Another third tier team and another comfortable victory for The Army men. Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa is having a storming pre-season on the left flank, his rapid pace and eye for a goal are tearing apart these lower league teams, fingers crossed he can carry this form into the season.

Friendly​

6th July 2015

Spoiler

We step it up a gear to go up against second tiers Volga. The club are however in dire straits, having failed to play the majority of their players, the club are now under a transfer embargo until the new year. Another four goal demolition for CSKA goes to show we're not exactly forgiving when up against troubled teams.

Ignashevich Testimonial​

11th July 2015

Spoiler

Having demolished our way through the lower leagues of Russia we go up against Red Bull Salzburg in a testimonial for long server defender Sergey Ignashevich. Having spent nearly 13 years with CSKA the bruising centre back has earned his right to be celebrated and Ahmed Musa made sure he was with a well worked hat-trick against the Swiss giants.

Berezutskiy Testimonial
14th July 2015

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Spoiler

We cap off the pre-season with the biggest test possible. Bayern Munich boast one of the best teams imaginable and fielded a strong squad for the testimonial of another defender, Alexey Berezutskiy. Once again we did our long standing defender proud as on loan striker Doumbia grabbed a quick brace that rattled the former Champions League winners.

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A Cracking Pre-Season for CSKA. We got some easy victories under our belts early by seeing off some lower league sides within our own homeland and capped it off by beating the reigning champions of Switzerland and Germany respectively.

Not a bad way to get ourselves warmed up for the season ahead.​

 

[DerbyJack]

Warm-up games done and dusted, the true season is upon us.


With the Prem'er Liga and the Champions League qualifying rounds fast approaching, a small team and an incredibly tight league to compete in we are in for a tough time.


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Prem'er Liga
19th July 2015

Spoiler

The first game of the season is an incredibly tight affair as we ****** a one goal victory. A penalty in the first half gifted us with the lead but despite having two players sent off we couldn't find another route to the goal with the final whistle eventually putting an end to our frustrations. Slow beginnings.

Prem'er Liga
25th July 2015​

Spoiler

A team very much on the rise in Russia, Krasnodar finished just behind CSKA last season in a suprising third place and will be looking to repeat that feat this season to prove their worth, however an encouraging comeback from the Army men reminded the plucky club that we are still the big dogs in Russia.

Champions League Best Placed Qual.3 - First Leg
29th July 2015
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Spoiler

Our first Champions League game of my career with CSKA turns out to be a bit of a hair raising experience. Despite winning with a two goal cushion this game was far from comfortable. A nightmare game from Berezutskiy gifted Fenerbahce with a way back into the tie with a red card and an own goal ensuring him a spot on the bench for the for-seeable future. Thankfully our impressive forwards pulled out the stops to give us hope of making the group stages.

Prem'er Liga​

July 2015

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Spoiler

Top of the table already. Zenit are heavy favourites to win this league but have already slipped up in the early running allowing us to sneak into first place. A long way to go before we can think of this as a sign of things to come but non the less its never a bad way to introduce yourself to Russian football.

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An unbeaten start.

The results on paper are exactly what I was hoping for at the start of of my tenure but the performances have been somewhat lacklustre. Given that its the start of the season this is hardly surprising but I will be hoping for some more encouraging performances as the season goes on.​

 

[DerbyJack]

Having started the season in style we look to build onto our impressive start in August.


Having taken the lead in the first leg of the Champions League qualifier we look to finish off the job in Turkey whilst managing our small squad through a series of league games.


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Prem'er Liga
2nd August 2015

Spoiler

The honeymoon period is quickly over as we start my second month with our first loss. A series of injuries has left us with a limited squad and forced into playing an unfamiliar three man formation at the back, it certainly didn't help matters as we let Ufa take the spoils but a disappointing display cannot be blamed on formation alone.

Champions League Best Placed Qual.3 - Second Leg
5th August 2015
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Spoiler

Well that certainly wasn't the plan. Our three man defensive formation was again rolled out in the Champions League qualifier as we struggle to fill the gaps caused by a spree of injuries and it started so well as we snuck into the lead before the break but the second half saw the rejuvenation of two former United stars as Nani and Van Persie tore apart our makeshift defence to turn the tie around dump us out of the Champions League.

Prem'er Liga
9th August 2015

Spoiler

We make a return to winning ways with an encouraging display against Rubin Kazan. The usually reliable club have slumped to the bottom of the table and are struggling to pull themselves back together. A goal from midfielder Tosic combined with a fortunate own goal sent us both travelling in different directions in the league.

Prem'er Liga
15th August 2015

Spoiler

Despite being dumped out of the Champions League we continue to show signs that we at least have some fight in us for the league. Another own goal opened the scoring but it took a fine individual goal from Musa to seal the deal as the Nigerian starts as our lead striker following an injury to loanee star Doubmia.

Europa League Playoff - First Leg
20th August 2015

Spoiler

So we are thrown into the Europa League following our exit from the Champions League and despite the frantic pace of games we put on a superb display to rout the Finnish team in the first leg. Musa continues to shine as our lone striker whilst our midfielder ran the show to took the pressure off our still shaky defence.

Prem'er Liga
22nd August 2015

Spoiler

A draw takes the edge of our resurgent form as an impressive Terek side run the show in the Akhmat Arena, pushing the entire team to their limit but a Musa goal against the run of play gave us a point that could prove ever valuable in the later stages of the season.

Europa League Playoff - Second Leg
27th August 2015

Spoiler

The month just seems to be never ending as the games continue to come thick and fast but the returning Doumbia gave us a new edge picking up a brace on his first game since returning from a short spell on the sidelines but Musa was not to be outdone scoring yet another goal to round off the display.

Prem'er Liga
29th August 2015

Spoiler

We finally make it to the end of the month and round it off in some style as we run out four goal winners over Anji Makhachkala. The money has long since gone from Anji with Portuguese veteran Almeida being the only big name left at the squad. A convincing display from the Army Men added punishment to the team who dared to buy their way to the top.

Prem'er Liga​

August 2015

Spoiler

Despite dropping points twice this month we remain rooted to the top of the table. The expected champions, Zenit have got off to a sluggish start and we are keen to take advantage. Given the small size of the league even at this early stage of the season we are making strong headway towards reclaiming the title.

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What a month.

The games came thick and fast. We started it in appalling fashion losing our first game in the league and collapsing in the Champions League qualifiers to send me short of one of my season objectives already, however a never say die attitude within the team saw us bounce back to winning ways and we start to impose ourselves upon the Prem'er Liga and the Europa League as well.​

 

[DerbyJack]

With life at CSKA well under way its my first chance to see what the International Team has to offer.


The International break strikes and a couple of games in the EURO qualifiers awaits. With two spots up for grabs and Austria seemingly booking the top spot already, my job appears to be just to ensure that the might of Russia is guided the last few steps into the EURO finals in France.


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EURO Qualifiers - Group G
4th September 2015

Spoiler

Not exactly an encouraging start to my career at the head of the Russian football team but atleast we didn't lose. Using the same formation we currently have at CSKA we struggled to keep up a flowing game as Moldova broke up play and deservedly took the lead. A half-time team talk son gave the squad a wakeup call but it still took a fortunate penalty to save the point.

EURO Qualifiers - Group G
7th September 2015​

Spoiler

The lacklustre performances continue but we do at least come away with all three points as a first ever International goal for Real Madrid's Cheryshev proves to be just enough to squeeze past a determined Montenegro. Jovetic and company proved to be a real handful for us.

EURO Qualifiers - Group G
September 2015

Spoiler

Austria have confirmed their place in the finals and with just two games remaining we need just two points to do the same. Sweden are the only team that can over throw us and based on recent performances its going to take one **** of a turn around in Stockholm to pull it off.

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Well not exactly an explosive start to my time as Russia's head coach.

We might have gone unbeaten and have all but secured a place in the finals but I certainly still have some work to do in order to make us actually competitive against Europe's elite. The tactics need some real work, I've still not found how to get the best from the Motherlands finest.​

 

[Timmzeh]

Really enjoying this atm mate, the layout is really good!

 

[DerbyJack]

Cheers Timmzeh, I'm trying to keep it neat!

_______

International duty might be done and dusted but Life at CSKA is about to resume its rampant pace.


With us having qualified for the Group stage of the Europa League and now the Russian domestic cups to compete in we have little time to sit back and relax.


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Prem'er Liga
13th September 2015

Spoiler

Dinamo Moscow are struggling towards the bottom end of the table but a Moscow derby revitalised the squad as they rallied to claim a valuable point. Doumbia continues to show what we will miss come the end of the year with another goal but the dropped points non the less leave the CSKA faithful disappointed.

Europa League - Group L
17th September 2015
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Spoiler

The first of the three teams in our group put up one **** of a fight, with Sparta Praha narrowly missing out on a share of the points as the increasingly impressive Doumbia picked up a well taken brace to give us the victory. I'm keen to make the most of the Europa League whilst we're in it. A victory right off the bat shows our intent.

Prem'er Liga
20th September 2015

Spoiler

Once again the games are coming thick and fast but we continue to impress with an absolute demolition of mid table Kuban. Doumbia this time didn't manage to steal all the spoils with our midfield this time joining him on the score-sheet in a one way game at the Khimki arena.

Kubok Rossii - 5th Round
23rd September 2015

Spoiler

Russia's version of the FA Cup throws every team in Russian into the pot and we end up against the unfortunate Zenit Izhevsk. The third tier side put up an admirable fight but our tiring squad had enough in the tank to save us from embarrassment as we progress into the next round.

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Prem'er Liga
27th September 2015

Spoiler

No time to rest and despite running on empty legs we make a clean sweep in the league with the season's key players Musa and Doumbia combining to secure the victory. Mordovia are fighting against relegation but some weak defending doesn't bode well.

Europa League - Group L
30th September 2015

Spoiler

Next up in our group is Greek side Asteras Tripolis. With a reputation for punching way above their wait the club are not to be under estimated and nearly made us pay for switching off late in the game but a goal a piece from midfielders Tosic and Panchenko in the first half proved to be just about enough.

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Prem'er Liga​

September 2015

Spoiler

We are flying in the league and are building on our gap from the chasing group with Zenit finally rallying to mount a push back to the top. With a five point lead over our fellow Russian giants hopes are high that we might be able to keep them at bay but there's a long way to go yet.

Europa League - Group L
September 2015​

Spoiler

Two games and two victories in the group stage is a superb way to set about making our way back to reclaim CSKA's only European trophy but Austrian heavyweights Rapid Wien are certain to put up more of a fight in our next game. Victory in the Austrian Capital will all but assure us a spot in the next round already.

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Non stop.

Despite having an International break, the games just keep coming. With a minimal squad we are stretched to the limit in each game with players regularly dropping into their energy reserves just to finish the game but non the less the results have kept on coming. Its going to be hard earned but we are certainly look good for a trophy this season.​

 

[xlightx]

Awesome story, I always do a Russian save with my favorite team Spartak Moscow. Best of luck to you and PS my 2 cents is poach as much young Russian talent as possible and bring up the YF asap as it's the only way to dominate in Russia. But once you have Russia locked up Europe starts to get easier with good scouting and grabbing up wonderkids who will come for CL soccer. Buy low and sell high early to stabilize finances then you can start really competing with the top European clubs. Good luck!

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks light, good to hear that someone else has managed to pull off some success in Russia. I've been trying to ****** up a lot of promising young players but by the looks of things Russian youngsters are just as over prices as the ones in England. I think I need some success in Europe in order to bring the money in to sign them.

_______

Having failed to impress in my debut as Russia Manager we have a second chance to win favour in the motherland.

Just a month later we have the final two games of the group stage to complete. With qualification all but assured we just need to see out the games in order to assure our spot in the final


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EURO Qualifiers - Group G
9th October 2015

Spoiler

Well that didn't go to plan. I tried a new formation and changed the team instructions but discipline apparently went straight out the window. CSKA did managed to play a key part in the game though as centre back Berezutskiy opened the scoring but we also managed to throw the game away as midfielder Dzagoev was shown a second yellow as tempers boiled over with Zenit's Smolnikov soon following him down the tunnel. With just nine men Austria gladly took advantage to take the victory.

EURO Qualifiers - Group G
12th October 2015​

Spoiler

Having disappointed in Moscow we set off for the tiny nation of Liechtenstein looking to redeem ourselves and we just about pulled it off as Real Madrid's Cheryshev relaxed the entire team with a brace in the first half. Despite the three goal victory the Russian fans rightfully expected more but given the recent performances I was just happy to take a clean victory.

EURO Qualifiers - Group G
September 2015

Spoiler

Well job done. Worrying the club was actually doing better until I took over but we will ignore that small detail. Austria deservedly top the group, managing to go the entire campaign without losing an entire game, dropping just two points throughout the group stage, whilst we managed to hold Sweden at bay and qualify automatically for the finals

_______

We're off to France for EURO 2016.

Having not really put on any kind of display that would really send alarm bells ringing with any of our competitors in the finals we go into the competitions relatively under the radar but with a lot to prove.​

 

[xlightx]

It's definitely possible just take a while, I took Spartak to the top of the world after 5-6 seasons and started winning everything every year minus the odd Russian cup or so and consistency is key here. After a while though it's like everywhere else it becomes too easy 5 CL in a row will do that to ya haha... As for being overpriced it's definitely true especially since the rules make you have 4 Russian players on the field at all times, it's actually the main reason you don't see too many really good Russian players leave and play elsewhere in Europe as most clubs would be put off from paying over the odds on young potentially amazing Russian players when there are much cheaper options available. Like i said though awesome story and certainly following!