Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Season 11 - Wait, What?!?

Yeah, this was probably the weirdest season I can remember for some time...

To start with, I'm in the World Club Championship. Weird qualifying criteria they must have. I guess a couple of UEFA Cups got me in. And what a stupid trophy it is. Although, if memory serves, quite the money spinner, so I take it pretty seriously. And I win it easily. Footballing heavyweights (sarcasm, just in case my tone is too dry for some) Sundowns and Kaiser Chiefs (both from South Africa) and Japan's Reysol are put to the sword. Diego Maradona's Independiente and Atalanta are the only reasonably challenging games, the latter dispatched in the final 2-0.

Then, perhaps more bizarrely, I lose a Super Cup! Outrageous. Roma beat me 3-2 completely against the run of play.

League form and CL form are both good, the only blip is defeat to Lazio. The weird stakes are raised again by QPR being in my group...

Up until the Christmas break, I'm great, wins everywhere in all competitions. Including the least weird match up of the season, everyone's favorite tie - the Italian Cup Quarter Final vs Roma.

Everingham is out, sold back to Brazil. He cannot get in the team. Late January to early March in the league is ugly. Perhaps cockiness on my part. Napoli, Milan, Juventus and Verona all beat me, and I'm starting to sweat. After progress is secured to the knock out stages of the CL things improve though, and my form before Christmas gave me a bit of a cushion. The CL Quarter Final victory over Man Utd 3-3 on away goals is crucial. Somehow, of the 4 teams remaining, I am by far the best. FC Copenhagen are swept aside to secure a final berth.

The Serie A title is secured with 2 games to go, with a completely unglorius 2-1 home win against Modena, Sergio Amaya sealing it. Despite being 2-1 down, I play the reserves in the 2nd leg of the Italian Cup Final against Lazio, and against all odds, they secure a fantastic 2-0 away win to take the trophy.

Then the big one, the CL Final for an unbelievable treble after last season's complete shambles. FC Porto are destroyed, almost single handedly by Bruno who bags 2 in a comfortable 3-0 win. He sweeps the board stat-wise, earning his 4th Fans Player award to boot. Onyewu continues to astound at centre back, making Inter look silly.

So, do I stay or go? A great season no doubt, but I'm sick of Foggia. It's time to go, but where?

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