Global Domination - an Intercontinental adventure

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Pre-season 2015/16​

We had a fantastic end to last season, but I still saw a need for change within the club. This started with the backroom staff, where two coaches left and two came in. The two I brought in are two former players; Gabriel Heinze and Santiago Solari, who will both help to develop the talent within the squad.​

And then it was the playing staff. I was given £1.72m to spend to strengthen the squad, and 60% of any funds raised from player sales. There were a lot of very poor players on the fringes of the squad, and so the first thing I did was clear out the deadwood. And then I brought in a number of players who will hopefully help us mount a challenge for Copa Libertadores qualification.​


For my preferred 4-3-1-2 formation to work, it requires three quality players in the middle of the park. So I brought in Leonel Vasquez for £4.3m, who will come straight into the team and play a key role. Also challenging for a starting berth in midfield will be Leonardo Nardi, who I signed from Valencia for just £500k. I also brought in two more midfielders on loan deals. Goncalves looks a very talented player, as does Diego Galindez, and both will be here until the end of the season. The pair cost a combined £455k to bring in.​


Our other major signing of the summer was Gaston Massa. £4m is a lot for an 18-year-old, but he is now the best centre-back at the club and will be a key part of the team. He comes in to replace Claus Gold Betig, who I allowed to leave for £5m as he was unhappy and only had 12 months left on his contract. But we got a very good price for him, and brought in a cheaper and better replacement in Massa.​


After that I just snapped up a couple of promising young players on free transfers. Sebastian Perelman was recommended to me by my scout, and I don’t know how he found him because he has never played for a club before us. But he is a great prospect nonetheless, and I will look to groom him into a striker, as there is no place for a left winger in my team. Young goalkeeper Matias Gomez also arrives on a free after being released by Lanus. The signing of another goalkeeper, Mario Santilli, was agreed before I arrived; he is also a free transfer and will be my reserve ‘keeper. As a result, I managed to raise £700k by selling my previous backup ‘keeper.​


We also had five friendlies in preparation for the new season. These included two 5-0 wins against lower division Argentine teams. We also travelled to Italy to play Sampdoria, coming away with a very respectable 0-0 draw. In our penultimate friendly, we fought back from 2-0 down at half time to draw 2-2 with AZ Alkmaar in Holland. We finished with a 2-1 defeat to Ukrainian side Metalurg ZP, but overall it was good preparation.​
 
August 2015​

Huracan 3-1 Independiente
Lentini (14, pen 48)
Filippetto (28)
The perfect way to start the new season as we comfortably beat Independiente, the team who we played in my first game in charge. We took a two goal lead into the break before Lentini killed the game off from the spot, meaning when they pulled one back it was a mere consolation. I played a number of debutants, and the team seemed to gel immediately.​

Newell’s 0-1 Huracan
Bruno (69)
An important win that makes it two wins from two. The partnership of Lentini and Bruno once again produced the goods, but this time it was a Claudio Bruno header which won the game for us. We fully deserved the win, but having 25 shots and only scoring one goal proves how difficult they were to break down.​

Huracan 1-1 Velez
Bruno (5)
It was important we got the early goal in this one, as Velez went on to dominate possession. They eventually got a late equaliser from a wonder strike, and I would say a draw was the fair result. We defended reasonably well but couldn’t hang on.​

huracan_velez_sarsfield_01.jpg

Olimpio 0-2 Huracan
Vasquez (11)
Milano (65)
Another good performance, but the difference between the two teams was that we were clinical. We had two good chances and put them both away, whereas Olimpio created three clear cut chances but couldn’t get on the scoresheet. Leonel Vasquez opened his Huracan account with a great strike in the first half, before Milano made sure of the win.​

A superb first month of the season, as we record three wins and a draw from four games. The defence isn’t looking quite as solid as it was last season, but we still only conceded two goals. I have been rotating the midfield trio quite a lot, but as much to do with fitness as anything else. But hopefully now every player will be able to play two matches in quick succession.​


Algeria​

Friendly
Japan 1-1 Algeria
Ghezzal (57)​

African Nations Qualifying
Burundi 1-5 Algeria
Yahia (36)
Ghilas (43)
Feghouli (45, 53)
Ferradj (87)​

We started by earning a decent draw with Japan in a friendly, before playing our penultimate game in qualifying for the 2016 African Cup of Nations. We had a small scare as we went 1-0 down after 19 minutes, but we came back to record an emphatic win. And that makes it five wins from five, meaning we have qualified for the tournament in Senegal. Feghouli was unbelievable, and I can’t wait for the finals now as I am confident we can go on a good run.​

 
September 2015

Huracan 2-0 Argentinos
Bruno (10, 20)
It was a tight match, but Claudio Bruno’s quality in front of goal was the difference. We played some really good one touch football once we had a comfortable lead, and we proved we can keep the ball and make sure of the win.

Estudiantes (LP) 3-1 Huracan
Bruno (18)
Today we slumped to our first defeat of the season, and we probably deserved to lose, but we came so close to nicking a draw. After Bruno gave us the lead, Estudiantes equalised just after the hour mark. It looked like we would hang on, but after 91 minutes, we conceded again. We tried to pile on the pressure, but three minutes later we conceded a penalty, which they scored from to make it 3-1. But arguably the worst part of the match was the injury sustained by Bruno. We will certainly miss him over the next few weeks.

Boca 3-1 Huracan
Milano (34)
Just like what happened last season, we went on a long unbeaten run, but then when we finally lose, we lose two on the bounce. I opted for the asymmetric 4-5-1 which helped us to such a fantastic defensive record last season. So when Milano equalised, I thought we could hang on to the draw. But in the second half, attacking midfielder Diaz headed into his own net to give Boca the lead, before Pablo Mouche sealed the win for them in the 90th minute. That is now seven wins from seven for Boca Juniors.

Huracan+Vs+Boca+2.jpg


Huracan 1-0 Platense
Vasquez (pen 45)
We managed to bounce back from successive defeats by beating the newly promoted team. But it took a penalty to win it, and it should have been a lot more comfortable. We just seemed impatient, which is unlike this team, and kept hitting hopeless long shots.

It was disappointing to lose two matches this month, but we are still in a very good 3rd position. After only eight games, it already looks like Boca can’t be caught, but if the league table finished like this, I would be very happy. We have some very winnable games in October, so I am looking forward to it.

View attachment 95642​
 
Sorry about the lack of updates recently, I have been taking a break from FM. But now I am playing this save again and will continue to keep you updated.
 
October 2015

Huracan 4-2 Lanus
Milano (36)
Lentini (39)
Castro (54, 78)
A very good performance in the attacking third, but I was disappointed with the goals we conceded. I gave 18-year-old striker Castro only his second start for the senior side due to injuries to Bruno and Perelman, and he repaid my faith with two goals. We need to make the Tomas Adolfo Duco a fortress, and we got a good win today.

Racing Club 3-2 Huracan
Goncalves (pen 39)
Bruno (66)
I am both furious and exhausted after such a rollercoaster of a match. After 24 minutes, we hit the post, and Racing Club raced down the other end and took the lead after a deflected shot found the net. We were 2-0 down after 31 minutes, but managed to pull one back from the spot before half time. At the break I brought on the returning Claudio Bruno, and he marked his return with the equalising goal. I was very content with the draw, but in the 95th minute, we conceded the winner. It is even harder to take because the 4th official indicated 3 minutes!

Huracan 2-2 Central
Massa (10)
Lentini (28)
This time it was our turn to throw away a two goal lead, but we weren’t lucky enough to find a last minute winner. And for the third consecutive match, we have conceded two goals, something I am not happy about at all, especially after we had such a fantastic defensive record last season.

Godoy Cruz 0-2 Huracan
Diaz (pen 63)
Lentini (89)
I wouldn’t have accepted anything less than a win today, but I was delighted with the defensive performance and the clean sheet. I made three substitutions at half time, and switched to the old 4-5-1, and what do you know, it produced the goods. Definitely food for thought.

godoy_cruz_huracan.jpg


So it has been a rollercoaster month. We were very unlucky with the Racing Club and Central matches, but we didn’t defend well enough. And then in the last 45 minutes of the month, I switched back to the original formation, and we won 2-0 and looked good. Now I have decisions to make, as that setup requires one lone striker and two of our best midfielders would have to drop out of the team.

View attachment 97415​
 
Alrite mate, Just a thought on the Asian Champions League, why did you not Load the Australian A League surely that would of been a better option than the K-League.
 
You are probably right, but I didn't really fancy the Australian A League. But there are some big teams in the K-League anyway that should be capable of winning it.
 
Formia you are a LEGEND and good luck in Argenitina will defo be following :)
 
Algeria

African Nations Qualifying
Algeria 2-0 Sudan
Ghezzal (42)
Lacen (88)

View attachment 97762

A comfortable win over Sudan confirms our 100% record in qualifying for the 2016 African Cup of Nations. We have looked very good over the six games, and I am looking forward to testing ourselves against some better teams.

View attachment 97763

So we have been drawn with Kenya, South Africa and Tunisia. We played and beat South Africa in my third game in charge at the last Cup of Nations, and they will be our toughest test. I am especially looking forward to facing Aidan Marques.​
 
November 2015

Huracan 3-2 Gimnasia (LP)
Goncalves (35)
Lentini 60, 90)
Today we recorded a good win thanks to a 93rd minute winner. Lentini was on top form, scoring a brace, however Claudio Bruno is really not playing well, and I ended up taking him off. I was disappointed to concede another two goals, but we earned a valuable three points, as it is very tight at the top of the table.

Colon 1-1 Huracan
Bruno (51)
We definitely came the closest to winning the match, but their ‘keeper was on top form. We went 1-0 down on 49 minutes, but just two minutes later Bruno popped up with the equaliser.

colon_huracan_01.jpg


Arsenal de Sarandi 1-0 Huracan
Again, I don’t know what more we could have done. We weren’t brilliant, but we created two clear cut chances and should have found the net at least once. It looked like it was heading for a goalless draw, but we conceded the winner in the 87th minute. But the worst part of the match was the groin strain suffered by Ramon Lentini, which will keep him out for four weeks.

Huracan 0-0 San Lorenzo
We had 10 shots to their 1, but we only tested the goalkeeper once. So I suppose we didn’t do enough to win the match against our rivals. But after our recent results I am just glad we didn’t lose as the fans wouldn’t have been happy.

Banfield 0-0 Huracan
I was actually delighted with the way we performed today. It was one of the better 0-0 draws for the neutral, with both teams hitting the woodwork twice. It was pretty even on all of the stats; 50% possession each, 13 shots each, 5 corners each. However, Mauro Milano picked up an injury in the first half, and will be out for up to 8 weeks.

So, a mixed month. We only won one match, but the performance against Banfield was very promising. We only have two matches left in the opening stage, and then the transfer window opens and I will look to strengthen. But we will have to sell before we buy. I have been disappointed with the performances of Claudio Bruno, but then he has had to play the role of target man in Lentini’s absence.​
 
December 2015​

Huracan 0-0 River
Our third 0-0 draw in a row, but I will certainly take this one, as if we had lost River would have leap frogged us in the table. Although I fell robbed, as we could easily have won the match, and probably should have.

Ariel-Ortega---River-Plat-001.jpg

Tigre 2-2 Huracan
Machin (27)
Lentini (79)
Today marked the return of Lentini, as well as the return to form of Bruno, as we drew our fourth successive match. We went 2-1 down in the second half when a penalty was outrageously awarded against us, but we fought back to earn the draw.​

So it turned out that that late equaliser against Tigre secured 7th place in the opening stage. And that means we have qualified for the Copa Libertadores Preliminary Round.​


As you can see, Boca ran away with the Opening Stage title, and that was largely down to one player: Pablo Mouche. 22 goals in 17 league games. And that is what we lack, one top quality player. But hopefully qualifying for the Copa Libertadores will mean I get the chairman’s backing in the summer. We won’t be able to win the competition, but I hope we can have a good run.​


We kick of the closing stage against Independiente on 31st Januray, but before (and hoepfully after) that I am in Senegal for the African Cup of Nations.​
 
African Cup of Nations 2016​

africa-cup-of-nations-algeria-vs-malawi-live-stream.jpg
​

African Nations Group B
Algeria 2-2 Nigeria
Belhadj (21)
Lacen (44)
We kicked off our competition with a good point against a very talented, young South Africa side. We were only denied the victory by a late winner from Steven Peinaar.​

African Nations Group B
Algeria 1-0 Kenya
Feghouli (37)
An important win over the weakest team in the group, and it was our best player who got the winner. But it wasn’t as comfortable as it should have been. But South Africa drew with Tunisia, so a win in our last match would guarantee top spot.​

I had a surprise after the Kenya match, as well. Majid Bougherra, part of my 23 man squad, decided to retire. I didn’t realise he was planning on retiring half way through the tournament, and it leaves us short at the back. He was only one of two players who could play at right back.​

African Nations Group B
Tunisia 0-1 Algeria
Lacen (44)
I was in Ecuador the day before this match with Huracan playing in the Copa Libertadores, but I was back in Senegal to see Algeria claim top spot in Group B. Defensive midfielder, and new captain after Bougherra’s retirement, won the game with his second goal of the competition.​


We have been drawn to play Morocco in the Quarter Final, and I fancy our chances.​
 
pistolped7 said:
Nice, good luck against Morocco! They're a decent team aren't they?
Click to expand...

Thanks. And they have a couple of decent players, such as a 32-year-old Chamakh. But we should have the quality to beat them.
 
I take it you are referring to Bougherra?

If so, as I mentioned above, he decided to retire half way through the tournament :@

But anyway, their defense doesn't look too good.
 
I was, and sorry, must've missed that wee part.:$
No, I agree, the only Moroccan defender I've ever felt to be worth my while was Mickael Chretien, the right-back.
 
January 2016​

Before travelling to Senegal with the Algeria squad for the African Cup of Nations, I wrapped up our transfer dealings ready for the Closing Stage of the Argentine league. First, to raise funds, I sold two backup defenders for a combined £3.5m. It means we are a bit short of depth at the back, but hopefully we will have funds to strengthen in the summer.​

I only brought one player in, but I am very pleased with the signing of Wilfredo Kamahara. We have brought him in on loan until the end of the season for a fee of £775k. We also have the option to sign him full time for £3.6m. He will provide good backup to Bruno and Lentini.​


Copa Libertadores Preliminary Round 1st Leg
Olmedo 1-4 Huracan
Bruno (24, 27)
Lentini (36, 49)
We kicked off our Copa Libertadores campaign in emphatic fashion, all but sealing our place in the group stage. Bruno was the best I have ever seen him, scoring two goals, and Lentini also scored a brace.​

Independiente 1-3 Huracan
Bruno (4)
Massa (45)
Kamahara (73)
A fantastic performance in our first match of the closing stage. Bruno seems to have returned to form, and grabbed himself another goal. Kamahara also came off the bench to score his first goal for the club, after centre-back Massa made it 2-0 from a corner. I am very happy with the way we are starting to play.​

independientehuracan5478.jpg

Algeria​

African Cup of Nations Quarter Final
Morocco 0-2 Algeria
Lacen (8)
Ghezzal (41)
Morocco will feel hard done by, as they created a lot of chances in this match, but we defended brilliantly, and deserve our place in the semi-finals. Lacen scored his third goal of the tournament to give us the lead, before Ghezzal finished the game off. We will play either Cameroon or Gabon in the next round, but I doubt Gabon will be able to pull off a shock result.​
 
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