My Awesome Football Manager 2008 Update: May 2008
The face of Georginho was unusually bright. After listening to the commentators in Olimpico, he shouted so hard. He couldn’t believe that his squad was assured to stay in Serie C2/B before the competition ended officially. And that evening was also a special one for coming-back striker Christian Longobardi as he made his first hat-trick in about ten months. He, together with his teammates, thanked all of their supporters after the match.
And yesterday it was official. San Marino Calcio finished the league in 6th with 51 points from 14 winning, 9 draws and 11 losts. It was just three points to take part in the play-off. Some people were maybe disappointed, but, well, it was a reasonably good achievement after a long hard-fought journey.
So, what went rightly and what wrongly? The controversial manager - he was banned once from the touchline - apparently managed his defense better after the second transfer window. Albeit the dire need of a goalkeeper, the coming of experienced defender Richard Vanigli added stronger defense with pacey young back Luca del Prete. The other new signings, talented young midfielder Daniele Pedrelli and forward Nicola Bisso, made the club looked fresher. But the most remarkable thing was Longobardi. After almost 11 hours with no goals, he found the net quite regularly to help the attacking options in the tenseful last months.
Although the team finished quite highly, the media-friendly manager is apparently ready to make another revolution. He only has to hope that some funds are left. First, San Marino are in desperate need of someone between the posts. Why would you pay €2,400 per week for 44-year-old Marco Ballotta? The club are cash-strapped and in his three performances before the three-month injury, he seemed just not capable again: blunder-esque. Then, what becomes big curiosity is if Vanigli and Pablo Paz will remain strong next season. After this, the young coach has to repair the midfield somehow. After some injuries, Giovanni Stroppa isn’t the man to make a difference again. Last, the team needs someone who can more often poach the goal of every opponent.
Thus, there is only one message to Georginho: a big task has been already waiting.
