The most active pre-season thus far sees many new faces at Foggia and many old faces depart. In particular, David Collins, Joao Paiva and Inacio Pia are out, after struggling in Serie B, Serie A is surely a step too high for them.
Tash's personal transfer record is smashed, with the 1.7 million pound signing of Andreas Isaksson in goal. Other 'big' signings include Maxi Lopez for a bargain 325k, Zdenek Grygera for a cool 1 million and a number of free transfers, headed by Caca, Mourad Meghni and the very promising Gianluca Russo from Treviso, a club known for their youngsters in CM01/02.
I enter the season with the unambitious aim of avoiding relegation. Realistically I expect a mid-table finish, but you never know if I'm hit by another period of terrible form. However, it quickly becomes apparent that this team will comfortably finish in the top half. The 4-1 cake-walk at home to Juventus is the highlight of the early season and it becomes a question of whether European qualification can be attained.
To Madeira leads the line very well this season, 18 goals not an overly hefty haul, but with 13 assists and an average of 7.77, he's done pretty well. Javier Mascherano, under the tutelage of my coaching staff has developed into a fine squad player and Nelson Akwari has taken the captain's armband with gusto. Isaksson however, does not entirely convince.
The best result of the season is the 3-2 victory away at AC Milan. 18 minutes left on the clock, 2-1 down and Tash throws caution to the wind. A striker (Llorente) who hasn't scored in 4 months is thrown into the action, replacing the centre-back Grygera. With 8 minutes left he sets up To Madeira and then on the 86th minute bags a heroic winner for a fine victory.
Eventually a highly respectable 6th place is achieved and with it, qualification for the UEFA Cup. Tash can go on holiday having avoided the poisoned chalice that is the Intertoto Cup. To Madeira rightfully gets player of the year for his efforts.
Somehow a highly dubious German side retains the World Cup on home turf, despite their FIFA ranking of 19. To win 2 successive World Cups and only just creep in to the top 20 seems ridiculous.
Still no return of Sant'Anastasia. To Europe!
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