The Real Miracle of Castel di Sangro

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October Update

We have the best defence in the league but, an attack that could best be described as not very good at hitting the space between the bar and posts. However, a remarkable half of all shots on target have gone in, mainly as the only ones they can get on target are point blank shots. As a result of a good defence and poor attack it is a monh of close games.

Castel di Sangro 1-1 Francvilla NC
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We manage a draw with the leaders as Terriaca grabbed a debut goal. Terriaca had us ahead after 24 minutes Moronti slipped him in and he had his first shot saved tucking in the rebound. Those were our only shots on target and as stats demand one of them went in. Francvilla levelled in first half injury time which was enough for them to get a draw. A long range shot took a massive deflection off of Gesuele after Cantiani had dived to leave us level. We got a point that was probably fair as the defence held out in the second half.

Polisportiva Torrese 0-1 Castel di Sangro
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In a game that will never be described as thrilling featured 19 shots, of those two hit the target one from each team. We scored our they didn't so we left with two more points than we should have. Just when I thought it would be another clean sheet without a goal to get the win the defence deserved Almetti scored after 83 minutes to give us the win. A contender for worst back pass ever gave Almetti a simple finish from six yards out and he smashed it in past the helpless keeper. That means that he becomes the first player to score twice for us this season and we were in October

At this point as my defence looked impenetrable and strikers only scoring the simplest of chances I ignored my managers Italianess and sacrificed my DM to go 4-4-2 in the hope of creating more chances while the defence is good enough to nullify all attacks. I also changed the mentality from defensive to standard.

Castel di Sangro 2-1 Miglianico
View attachment 182725The plan appears to have worked as we had 18 shots and six on target we need a very late goal to win the game. Zuin put us behind after 17 minutes a cross was cut back to him and he fired in off the post from 20 yards out. Almetti had us level after 26 minutes with a goal of beauty, in no way. A goal kick was lumped forward Moronti headed it down to Sellitti and he hit a long ball forward that Almetti brought down and fired in the 18 year old ha by far been our best striker this year. He proved this by bagging a 92nd minute winner as we got a deserved extra two points Sellitti chipped a pass forwards over the defence and Almetti ran on to it just beating a CB and the GK to the ball and poked it in to get the winner.

Renato Curi Angolana 0-1 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 182721A big win as we move up the table Almetti scoring for the third game in a row. We looked like the Castel di Sangro of old though two shots on target while Renato had 21 shots none of which beat the defence. Almetti grabbed a goal within a minute of the restart Terriaca chasing down a long ball and crossing in for Almetti to cushion into the corner. A composed finish earns us three points we didn't deserve but, they count the same as those we do deserve.

Cupello 1-3 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 182707Alemetti bagged a brace as we hit 3 past Cupello to claim all of the points. Almetti got us ahead after 14 minutes Monteforte flicking on a long ball to play him in and his shot curved just enough to fly in at the far post. Cupello levelled on the half hour Moretti with a good shot from 18 yards out that Cantiani couldn't reach to push away. Almetti got us back ahead six minutes later Cantiani punted the ball up to Almetti and he brought it down and dropped it back to Abagnale who launched it forawrds again and Almetti chested it down and fired past the keeper to put us ahead. Sellitti ensured that we got the win with a goal after 51 minutes Terriaca passed to him and despite the ball being under his feet Selliti was able to fire it into the top corner.

Table
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We are in third and if Almetti can keep us his form then we have a good chance of getting promotion which I didn't plan for.

OtherView attachment 182704
We get a link with Pro Vercelli to get loanees that will hopefully light up the league and we get to keep the proceeds of a friendly.​
 
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November Update

A lucrative month for the club as we face Juve twice and get half the money for the away game and a full stadium for the home game.

Castel di Sangro 3-0 Acquaesapone
View attachment 182495We hammer Acquaesapone as we have turned a corner and seem to be firing in the goals. Almetti opened the scoring after 11 minutes Monteforte slipped him in and Almetti fired it high over the keeper. Monteforte scored in first half injury time Almetti crossed in and it bounced around until Monteforte fired it past the keeper and in. Monteforte grabbed a second after 75 minutes to ensure that we got the win Sellitti found Almetti wide open in the box his shot was tipped and Monteforte fired in the rebound. A good win and we are beginning to dominate games.

Castel di Sangro 2-0 Polisportiva Torrese
View attachment 182492We scored both of our shots on target as Monteforte scored twice on the brink of halftime. He scored after 43 minutes Sellitti played a long ball up to him and he took it down and fired past the keeper. He grabbed a second goal two minutes later Sellitti cleared a free kick and it ended up playing in Monteforte and he poked his effort past the keeper and in.

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We break the consecutive win record at the club as our form is really going well.

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Galli will also be studying for a Continental B license to help improve the coaching.

Juventus 6-0 Castel di Sangro
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We managed a shot on target as Stuaro grabbed an incredible hat trick with some great long range shots condemning us to a hammering. Happily we earned over 300k from our share of the ticket sales that is more than we had in the bank before we played. Eleuteri also grabbed a brace and De Carolis also scored to ensured that we were hammered. The money is massive for us.

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The money is massive for us and will keep us safe financially for a couple of years.

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Some of the money will be invested in improved youth facilities and we can hopefully get a better youth intake.

San Salvio 0-1 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 182486We got 8 shots on target and only one in. Tarriaca scored the only goal of the game after 26 minutes Almetti slipped him in and he fired in low past the keeper and in. We dominated them defensively and they never looked likely to score and we get another three points.

Val di Sangro 0-2 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 182485We won the battle of Di Sangro to claim another league win that will see us continue our league form. We scored two quickfire goals midway through the second half to keep the good feeling going at the club. Monteforte scored after 71 minutes Almetti chipped a cross in and Monteforte smashed it in from close range to put us ahead. Almetti scored two minutes later to put the game to bed Terriaca played him in and with a tight angle his first shot was saved but, he fired in the rebound to end a mini scoring drought.

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Castel di Sangro 0-2 Juventus
View attachment 182483Juve played a good line up as we held them to a score closer than some Serie A teams managed. Eleuteri opened the scoring after 17 minutes poking in the rebound after Kagawa hit the bar. A Pogba header hit the bar and rebounded off Kastrati and went in. A close game and we got a full 7,000 attendance.

Table
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We are second and we could be as close to one point behind the leaders and we are yet to lose in the league as we look incredible in the league this year​
 
Going great in the League mate!

How on earth did you manage to get 50% possession in Turin!?!? haha. Great financial gain for you though.
 
Nomadic said:
Going great in the League mate!

How on earth did you manage to get 50% possession in Turin!?!? haha. Great financial gain for you though.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'm guessing most of that was killing time for goal kicks and throw ins and the ball flying through the air we never seemed to have it
 
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December Update

We face a challenging final month of the year and we have four league games left this year as we look to continue a strong league campaign.

Castel di Sangro 4-2 Capistrello
View attachment 182420We win the closest thing that we have had to a shootout this season as we fire four goals in against Capistrello. Terriaca got us ahead after 3 minutes Almetti was in on goal but, his touch was poor and it hit off the heel of a defender and rolled into the path of Terriaca and he curled an effort in past the keeper. Atturo levelled the game after 19 minutes a loose ball fell to him in the box and he fired into an empty goal. Monteforte got us back ahead just before half time Almetti crossed to him and he fired in easily at the back post. Romano levelled the game after 70 minutes a great goal as he fired in a 30 yard drive that left Kastrati no chance. Almetti got us back ahead after 78 minutes Albergo crossed in Monteforte had a close range effort saved and Almetti slotted in the rebound. Albergo ensured that we got the win with a late goal to put us two goals ahead from 18 yards out he fired a low effort just out of the reach of the keeper.

Abruzzo Cup

Polisportiva Torrese 6-2 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 182413As there was nothing to play for in this game I just played U-20's and D'Orazio impressed me as he fired in two goals late on to make the game closer. We were second best as we were only playing youngsters. We end up finishing last in the group but, it means nothing to me.

Notaresco 1-2 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 182410We get a comeback win to grab three more points as we look like we could pull a Leicester. Pini put us behind after 11 minutes a nice low finish when he was in on goal. Sellitti got us level after half an hour Valentino cut back to Sellitti and from 8 yards out his effort when in off the post. Almetti grabbed the winner after 74 minutes to get us all three points Sellitti picked out Steri out wide and he crossed in for Almetti came to head in from close range.

Castel di Sangro 2-1 Pro Sulmona
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Despite being one of two semi-pro teams in the division, the other being Notascaro, Pro Sulmona lie in last place and we only just kept them there. Bove was sent off for a two footed lunge on Almetti to reduce them to ten men. Valentino got us ahead after 41 minutes Terriaca crossed in and Valentino arrived at the back post to tap in to the back of the net. Pro Sulmona levelled despite being down to ten men Bosco played in Colitto and his shots just beat Kastrati to go in. Almetti grabbed another late winner after 85 minutes Sellitti found Almetti just inside the corner of the box and he fired a great shot that ended just inside the far post.

Vastese 1-2 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 182402We get the win courtesy of two early goals and then holding on for the win. Almetti got us ahead after 11 minutes smashing in the rebound of a Terriaca free kick. Monteforte doubled the lead after 15 minutes, Terriaca whipped in an early cross that caught the defence by surprise and Monteforte swept and effort into the far post from 18 yards out. Vastese pulled a goal back just before half time, Piscopo with a good finish from 14 yards out after a broken down free kick.

TableView attachment 182401
We will enter 2017 top after Paterno drew with Pro Sulmona in their last game. Promotion will still be a challenge though as only first place is automatically promoted and just second goes into the playoffs.

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Still turning down lots of job offer in Italy it is a big disadvantage of all the other Eccelenza leagues and the 10 that we have above us​
 
We've Signed a Good Player

Easily the best player at the club right now I've signed a player who is quality and incredibly close followers of Serie A may have heard of. He has 112 games in the Serie A and 20 goals mainly for Lecce.

His name is... Axel Cedric Konan so no one has heard of him but, he has played in a lot and scored a decent number of goals in the Serie A so I think that he will be more than good enough to play in the Eccellenza.

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So we have a first Serie A player also, hopefully he will improve the professionalism of the squad that we need to be successful in a title run in

He is also my first player with a Wikipedia page to his name​
 
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January Update

Going into the month in first place we have to hold onto the position and face some challenging games including second place Paterno AV in what is a big game for the club and our season.

Martinscuro 1-1 Castel di Sangro
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Of 17 shots only three were on target fortunately we scored one of them but, the lack of accuracy is a problem that we have had in lots of games this season. Anella got us behind after 37 minutes he was played in on goal and his finish was just out of reach of the keeper. Konan levelled after an hour to grab a debut goal reacting first to fire in the rebound of a Valentino shot. Not an awful point but, I would have preferred two more.

Castel di Sangro 2-0 Paterno AV
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After five attempts this game finally produces a winner and it is a big three points as it gives us some breathing room at the top of the table. Terriaca got us ahead after 16 minutes Almetti played him in and with a neat touch he left the keeper for dead and slotted into an empty goal. Monteforte got us two goals ahead after 52 minutes with a counter attack from a Paterno free kick, in a massive group of players from both sides tried to get to a Terriaca cross and he rose highest to head in and the back post. A massive win that helps our promotion push to no end.

Castel di Sangro 0-0 Pineto
View attachment 182192Again our accuracy up front let us down as only 4 of 16 shots were on target. With an attack that looked in no way like scoring Pineto were easily kept out by our defence so it was one point each in a hard fought game that featured a large number of fouls from both sides.

Francavilla NC 2-0 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 182191We suffer a first league loss of the season to Francavilla and again were awful with aim up front as only 3 of 13 shots made the goalkeeper make a save. Bezziccheri put us behind after 70 minutes Gesuele was played in on goal and had his shot saved but, Bezziccheri fired in the rebound to put us behind. After 87 minute our loss was confirmed as Tedeschi scored Bezziccheri had a poor shot on target but, somehow the keeper couldn't hold onto it and Tedeschi scored a simple tap in to leave us with a loss.

TableView attachment 182190
We are still top as all of the teams have struggled to find form this year. A narrow lead is better than no lead though so hopefully we can hold onto it with 1/3 of the season left.​
 
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I find this funny because I have the sense of humour of a 12 year old, it's the best of the multiple job offers that I have recieved​
 
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February + March Update

As March only had two games I've put the two months together. We have a challenging game and then an easier run on that gives us a good chance of staying top.

Castel di Sangro 1-2 Polisportiva Torrese
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We get loss number two in a row and we have to quickly arrest this poor form if we want to continue our run for promotion. Croce had us behind after 20 minutes a ball was loose in the box after a free kick and Croce fired it in off the post. Monteforte had us level six minutes later tapping in a Terriaca cross at the back post from a tight angle. Salo grabbed Polisportiva a late winner after 83 minutes all the defence moved up but, one so he was onside to get onto a clearance and fire it in past Vescio.

Miglianico 1-1 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 181799A draw sees us finally get a point as we comeback to draw. Ungureanu had us behind after 3 minutes Vescio tipped a cross and Ungureanu fired in the rebound. Monteforte levelled for us 5 minutes after half time Almetti squared to him and he fired into an empty goal to put us level. A point that helps us get back on track.

Castel di Sangro 2-0 Renato Curi Angolana
View attachment 181798Monteforte bagged a brace as we get a win to reclaim our form hopefully. We took the lead a minute after the half hour from a counter attack on a free kick Almetti played in Monteforte and his shot was incredibly slow but, perfectly placed to be just out of reach of the keeper. Monteforte doubled his tally after 69 minutes a simple tap in at the back post of a wonderful cross from Terriaca. A good win and it hopefully kick starts our form after it hasn't been great.

Castel di Sangro 4-0 Cupello
View attachment 181796We hammer Cupello with Terriaca firing in two penalties to help us easily get past Cupello. Terriaca opened the scoring after 24 minutes firing his penalty into the corner as the keeper went the other way. Silvestri grabbed his first Castel di Sangro goal a minute before half time with a beauty. A cross was headed away and from 15 yards out Silvesti volleyed the ball into the bottom corner. Monteforte scored for a fourth game in a row after 72 minutes sweeping in a cross from 8 yards out. Terriaca grabbed another penalty again sending the keeper the wrong way from the spot to give Cupello a hammering.

Acquaesapone 2-3 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 181790We win with the odd goal in 5 to earn us another big three points as we earn another three points in the promotion hunt. Monteforte got us ahead with a goal in a 5th game in a row, Terriaca passed to Monteforte in the box and he fired into the opposite top corner to have us a goal up early. Soon after it was level pegging after 15 minutes Di Crescenzo firing in his first shot was blocked but, he fired in the rebound to level it. Valentino got us back in front just before half time, his shot from 16 yards out was right at the keeper and the keeper had a Mignolet moment as he palmed it into the goal when he should have easily held it. Nigro had us level again after 75 minutes he was left unmarked in the box to fire in from close range. Konan got the winner after 80 minutes Monteforte found him open in the box and he fired low and hard past the keeper from close range. A big win for us with the late winner hopefully boosting morale.

Pro Sulmona 1-2 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 181786A comeback win for us and we get 3 more points to help us towards promotion. Marchioli had us behind after 26 minutes it was a nice passing move that ended with Marcholi firing past Kastrati to put us behind. Konan scored after half an hour to level the game volleying in a Terriaca cross to give us a quick equaliser. Terriaca grabbed the winner just before the end of the first half in a rapid counter attack Konan slipped in Valentino and he chipped a pass over to Terriaca and he smashed a volley past the keeper and in to earn us three more points.

TableView attachment 181785
With only four games left our seven point cushion should be enough to hopefully see us promoted as champions and take the first step to returning to the Serie B​
 
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Title Run-in

We have an easy enough title run in but, will the pressure get to the players and cause them to play like 5 year olds.

Castel di Sangro 0-0 Val di Sangro
​
View attachment 1018997
A dull nil nil where each time had one good chance that was saved by the keeper. Kastrati pulled of a great save from a close range volley to ensure that we kept a clean sheet and it was the only shot on target we allowed and it was welll saved. Konan had a great chance late on with a close range volley was somehow pushed away by the keeper and the rebound was cleared ensuring that it ended nil nil.

With other teams results a win would see us claim the title and automatic promotion. Our opposition San Salvio who will be in the relegation playoff.

Castel di Sangro 2-3 San Salvio

Our defence couldn't conquer their nerves and we let a season high 3 goals in. Torres had us behind after 12 minutes tapping in a cross from close range. We were two goals down after 56 minutes Lauri hit a poor shot and seconds after making a great save Kastrati let an easy shot to save slip under him. Mingolet-esque. Axel Konan gave us hope with a 74th minute strike Valentino with a ball over the top and Konan watched it drop over his shoulder and smashed it in. San Salvio quickly got us two goals behind again Arigo was played in and finsihed well to have us two goals down after 78 minutes. De Vincentis quickly pulled it back to one with his first Castel di Sangro goal, volleying in a whipped free kick at the back post. A poor performance in a big game.

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But, we win the league anyway as other results go in our favour.

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Table
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An unassailable lead at the top of the table means that next year we will be in the Serie D
​
 
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Other Stuff

I forgot to mention the youth intake and some other stuff so will catch up on the small things at the club.

Youth Intake
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We get two good players from the youth intake who will hopefully get to play for the club and a couple of others who are possibly going to play a few times.

Emanuele Vitale
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Hopefully he grows to be good enough to start but, if not he will be a long term back up. With the right development though he should be able to be the starting keeper here.

Mario D'AntonioView attachment 181571
Marco D'Antonio being able to play three positions and almost 4 at 15 is a bonus and should mean that he is able to get some first team football if he develops well and his versatility will help that to no end.

Job Offers

They are still coming thick and fast the downside to all of the other leagues at this level and the one above us. But, some of them stood out to me.

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Crotone who were relegated to the Serie C last year and couldn't get back up this year wanted me and that was one I considered interviewing for but, turned down

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However, this was one that I couldn't turn down so will be interviewing for.

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Negotiations with the board for me to stay where a failure and then this came in

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The chance to move from the 5th division to the Serie A, I'd say getting the job offer is a miracle of Castel di Sangro but, what will the response be?

The 7 million for transfers and 63 million for wages is tempting along with the 215k yearly wage considering Galli is an amateur at Castel di Sangro but, the pull of Castel di Sangro is also strong​
 
I suggest stick with Castel di Sangro . If you manage to go further with them they were will be other job offers for sure !
 
kolas79 said:
I suggest stick with Castel di Sangro . If you manage to go further with them they were will be other job offers for sure !
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm staying just can't believe they offered me the job as all I have done is get a team promoted into the fourth division and he is a national player with the third highest license so no idea what drugs they were on when they offered the job
 
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End of Season

Two meaningless games left for us until we join the elite ranks of the Serie D. In our final game we hosted a massive, for this level, 1,600 fans.

Capistrello 0-3 Castel di Sangro
View attachment 181169In what was 1st vs 2nd we travel to Capistrello and smash three goals past them to ruin their chances of promotion and show we are the best team in the league. Valentino scored just before half time to put us ahead, meeting a Terriaca cross with a powerful close range volley. De Vincentis after 47 games with no goals got his second in two games firing in after a corner was headed down to him. Valentino than grabbed a 90th minute goal to make the scoreline more convincing, unmarked in the middle of the box to curl and effort past the keeper and inside the post. A good win for us and we showed our winning credentials.

Castel di Sangro 1-0 Notaresco
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In front of over 1,600 fans we ended the season with a win with Terriaca scoring the only goal of the game. Monteforte slipped in Terriaca and his first time finish left the keeper rooted to the spot as it flew into the corner. A good win to end the season with.

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Paterno AV took a hammering in a game they should have won to get into a promotion playoff.

Season Summary

Team StatsView attachment 181166
Sellitti managed 34 games at CM and was able to avoid picking up a booking all season long.

​Individual Stats
View attachment 181165
After Almetti went on a massive goalless run Monteforte claimed the team's top scorer while Valentino lead the team with 12 assists. Silvestri had the highest average rating as he dominated in the middle of the pitch. The table is also on the left and we had a 7 point lead over the second place Francavilla.

End of Season AwardsView attachment 181164
Terriaca just beat out Sellitti and Silvestri to player of the season. Almetti got goal of the season and Silvestri won signing of the season. Terriaca did the double also winning the young player of the season award. The team of the year is exactly how I would have picked it.

Season Review
View attachment 181160
We performed way above expected and we will hopefully do the same next year as we will likely be favourites to go back down.

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As a result of the promotion the club turned semi pro so we will be able to tie players down and hopefully steal some good amateur players for nothing.

View attachment 181158
I get a one year deal with a surprisingly high pay at 42.5k for the year. Hopefully I prove my worth to the club

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Work also begins on our new youth facilities and they should be ready just after the season starts​
 
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Introducing Giacomo Galli
View attachment 181036I'm a bit bored of just doing monthly updates so I've decided to introduce the manager as a character and will do some do some updates from his perspective. To help with this I should give a brief history to the life of Giacomo Galli.

As far as I can tell he was born on the 8th of July 1971 and came through Lazio's youth academy before spending a career bouncing around the Italian lower league. The most interesting point of his career for this is his time at Castel di Sangro. In the Serie C1 he was the team leadings goalscorer in their promotion season firing in 9 goals.

His Serie B campaign wasn't great. In the first half of the season stifled by the defensive mindset of the manager Galli had only fired in 2 goals. After Galli's best friend in Castel di Sangro, Fusco, wife was arrested for cocaine possession and involvement in a massive cocaine ring. Fusco confided in Giacomo Galli about many things that the chairman and local Mafia man Gravina might not want well known.

After Fusco was arrested later on Galli was going to get a shot to help him deal with the pain of a sprained ankle, possibly due to the orders of the chairman the needle used was unsterilised. This lead to blood poisoning that almost claimed Galli's life. After a great deal of time in hospital in Rome Galli recovered but, his season with Castel di Sangro and his career there was over.

After that he went on to play for Siena and then four teams I've never heard of in lower league Italian football. Now he has returned with unfinished business with Castel di Sangro and the Serie B.​
 
Giacomo's Story

I returned to Castel di Sangro, where I had the high and low point of my career as a player, three years ago with my wife and kids to open a cafe. After helping out at Castel di Sangro I was named the manager and we proceeded to only just avoid relegation. With the support of the town, over 10% of the population comes to most games, we shocked everyone myself included to win promotion this year.

I decided to reject all other jobs even the one from Fiorentina as I want to stay in Castel di Sangro especially now as I have some money from managing the team. The players will all greatly appreciate the money as many of them don't have big bank accounts so the up to 20 grand a year should help them out and enables us to practice more.The backroom staff who I have spent more time with than my family recently will also be rewarded for their time now.

We are already favourites to go down next year but, with the support of the town, and the un-Italian weather that it has I think we have enough about us to shock everyone again.

View attachment 181028Galli with the manager of the miracle Osvaldo Jaconi

I have big ambitions for this side I never got my season in Serie B and I want it. I also want to do it for the fans who were so let down by both the owners and the manager the last time that we were in Serie B with the racism, 5 month delay on the stadium and awful grass on it and worse of all the fake signing.

Everyone was told we had signed someone from the Premier League and I was told that I was off to Serie A but, the whole thing was a joke at the expense of the fans and players, this sort of thing will happen here no longer.​
 
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