Football Italia: Season 6 – TAKEOVER BOUNTY

Season Six: More tears, but, this time, into a big pile of money…

I can’t believe that I’m through six seasons now with Messina as we finish our third in Serie B. Along the way, things ticked over quite nicely: Bellino finished working towards his trait and we added Niccolo Pisilli on a free transfer. His profile is what I am looking to do over the summer – bulk up the rotational players within the squad. He brings nearly 100 games of experience in Serie A with Roma, having played (mostly as a sub) in every league game a couple of seasons gone. On the pitch, things also took a positive turn:

Just one defeat in the final ten and some resounding wins where our new attacking shape caused endless problems for defences. Beautiful interplay meant that the games were easy to watch and we powered through in one long session, enjoying the ride. Moving Owusu back to a shadow striker for the last few matches of the season seems to have really boosted his confidence and this actually gives me a really good alternative – with now four players: Langoni, Vinci, Owusu and Santos who could play there, if I move Biagioni permanently to the striker role.

But then came the playoffs…

For context, in each of the last two seasons, we’ve made the playoffs and lost. Each of those times, our form was slightly indifferent in the run in. But this time was different. Full of confidence and a fit and ready squad. Until Matteo Esposito decided that a fractured skull would be the way he’d spend the summer. With no other fit keepers, I was left with 16-year old Palazollo, who, honestly, did a commendable job on debut. However, he should’ve saved Fernandez’ shot from the edge of the area that took the wind out of our sails and consigned us to another season at this level.

Our team statistics are strong but just need some more consistency in front of goal and a bit more luck defending and I’m sure things will be fine..

 

At the other end of the table, Palermo suffered successive relegations, whereas last year’s eighth placed side, Taranto, dropped into Serie C and Spezia continued their fall from Serie A.

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But then..an interesting development!

I’ve literally never managed a club with a tycoon takeover in all of my time playing FM. I thought that this, too, was going to pass as interest cooled but, in the end, the takeover was complete. The Hong Kong consortium brought with them outlandish demands, a new stadium (bringing our capacity down from 38k – with just 8k used – to 12k but, ultimately, a stadium that is no longer derelict), an affiliate club, €50m in the bank and agreed improvements to the infrastructure of the youth and training facilities.

But, here they are…

I’m really hoping that this does not derail my normal way of playing FM – spending prudently and keeping things tight. I know that, from the off, I’ll probably no longer need to worry about the wage bill and I can probably sign whoever I want, although, as of now, my budgets haven’t been announced. What I’d really like – and, honestly, what I’m already seeing – is a board who want to build this club up and help me grow the brand of Messina and, ultimately, Sicily.

For the first time though, I’m heading into the summer with some pressure to get things right!

Forza Biancoscudati!