Turning the Tide

October 2017

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Karlsruhe (Home)

After a team-meeting to try and raise spirits and performance levels, we started this match in the right manner. Striking the post after 13 minutes, the resulting rebound and buildup is finished with a sliding effort at the front post.

The game evens out, with both teams holding the ball fairly well. We go on to strike for our 2nd on 34 minutes with an accurate headed finish.

After 58 minutes, striker Lebedynski tucks away a precise through-ball for our 3rd goal. The result was down to a much-improved team performance, and one we could be very proud of after a horror time of it previously.

Final Score: Frankfurt 3-0 Karlsruhe (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Offenbach (Home)

Despite again starting the stronger, Offenbach score first on 16 minutes. Lebedynski soon restores parity, passing home his own deflected shot just 5 minutes later.

As the 2nd Half begins, we continue to pressure the visitors, a few shots whistling just over the bar. Lebedynski smashes home his 2nd goal at the 72 minute-mark after a delightful pass from centre-midfield.

Offenbach level the scores just 2 minutes later with poor marking costing us dearly. The crossbar is rattled later on, but the ball just will not cross the line for us. Lebedynski is denied his hat-trick by an offside flag, and newly-subbed striker Johnathan flashes his shot just wide on 90 minutes.

Final Score: Frankfurt 2-2 Offenbach (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Unterhaching v Frankfurt (Away)

We are making a good habit of starting well, this time wasting a chance on 6 minutes as Johnathan sprays his shot well wide with just the ‘Keeper to beat. Young striker Lebedynski continues his rich vein of form with the opening goal after 16 minutes. The same man pops up again soon after and fairly blasts a shot against the bar, as we continue to take the game to the hosts.

After Johnathan is taken off injured, his replacement up-front strikes our 2nd goal just before Half-Time; a precise finish after some one-touch interplay on the edge of the area.

Into the 2nd-Half, and Ehlert adds his second on 57 minutes after strike-partner Lebedynski streaks down the right channel and cuts it back for a simple finish. Ehlert turns provider himself, passing to a deep-lying midfielder in the box to fire home for our 4th, 75 minutes gone.

The clean-sheet is tarnished by a defensive mix-up right on Full-Time, but it can’t detract from a truly stunning performance away from home.

Final Score: Unterhaching 1-4 Frankfurt (screenshot and highlights below)

German Cup – 2nd Round – Union Berlin v Frankfurt (Away)

As has been our trend, we dominate this match from the off, creating many half-chances but without reward.

In the 2nd-Half striker Ehlert beats everyone, Goalkeeper included but snatches at his shot to blast wide. We eventually break through after 61 minutes, left-winger Uludag’s late run rewarded with a deft header. A sliding effort at the front post nets our second on 71 minutes.

We never looked in danger of losing this one, and march on to the 3rd Round, above and beyond initial Board expectations.

Final Score: Union Berlin 0-2 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Next month, Next blog

3x League matches in November and 3 chances to continue our new-found form. Away matches at Wehen and Erfurt, hosting Aalen in the other game.

Iraq are back in action, and we hope to record our first win of the Asian Cup Qualifiers as we travel to Hong Kong. Then we welcome Philippines to Baghdad a few days later for a Friendly.

Slip ‘n Slide

September 2017

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Augsburg (Home)

Just 9 minutes in and a straight red card to striker Lebedynski puts us immediately on the back foot. As expected, visiting Augsburg try to make the most of their numerical advantage, but spurn a few decent chances. The scores remain locked 0-0 at Half Time.

The game changes around 60 minutes, as Augsburg strike via a counter-attack, dinking a shot over our hapless Goalkeeper. We could never really assert ourselves in this match with a man down, but certainly didn’t disgrace ourselves.

Final Score: Frankfurt 0-1 Augsburg (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Ingolstadt v Frankfurt (Away)

The counter-attacking style I employed from the start was working well, but a curling Free Kick on 25 minutes gives Ingolstadt the lead.

Their 2nd goal comes on 36 minutes after lazy defending left 2 men unmarked mere yards from goal. We claw one goal back just before the break, Central Defender Zukanovic rising high to head home from a Free Kick of our own.

We came out firing in the 2nd Half, and our equaliser arrives on 53 minutes. An initial shot is saved well, but the deflection falls to our 2nd striker who passes into the gaping net. Really start to take the match to the Home side, hitting the post 5 minutes later, before taking the lead on 60 minutes. Brazilian striker Johnathon rifles a strike into the roof of the net to have us thinking about an unlikely 3 points.

It wasn’t to be though, as Ingolstadt pull the sides level on 80 minutes, a corner partially cleared only to be sent back in to a goalmouth scramble.

Final Score: Ingolstadt 3-3 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v St. Pauli (Home)

I tried to have the team control this match more than the last, taking advantage of the Home location. It backfired spectacularly, as we concede a penalty in under 10 minutes. 1-0 to St. Pauli. They were only denied a 2nd goal on 15 minutes by a stunning reflex save.

St. Pauli’s Goalkeeper makes an equally important save 25 minutes in to deny us an equaliser. The frame of the goal where crossbar meets post is all that stops the score from inflating, but a corner kick soon after does the deed.

Our defence look statuesque as St. Pauli pass it around to open us up and score their 3rd on 70 minutes.

Final Score: Frankfurt 0-3 St. Pauli (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Hertha Berlin (Home)

We hold the ball well early on without creating much in the way of chances. Hertha take the lead on 9 minutes with a slide-rule pass unlocking our defence.

It becomes 2-0 after 40 minutes as a cross from Hertha’s left wing finds a late run from their attacker. A powerful downward header just before Half Time cannons back off the post to deny us a reply.

A goal-line clearance on 52 minutes again denies us, and soon after Hertha all but ensure victory with their 3rd goal; a powerful effort from outside the 18 yard box.

Things go from disappointing to downright terrible as our Left Back receives his 2nd Yellow and his marching orders at the 72 minute-mark.

Final Score: Frankfurt 0-3 Hertha Berlin (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Aachen v Frankfurt (Away)

Once again, it’s not long before we concede, just 8 minutes on the clock and Aachen power home a header from the first corner of the match. Nothing much else takes place in the rest of the Half, and the score remains 1-0 as the teams take a break.

Aachen score their 2nd with minutes remaining, lazy marking handing them a comfortable 3 points.

The excitement doesn’t end there, as Centre-back Zukanovic becomes the second of my players in as many weeks to cop 2x Yellow cards in short order. Disgraceful.

Final Score: Aachen 2-0 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Next Month, Next Blog

I’m hoping a terrible month just gone is only a minor slip.

October has us playing 3x league matches; Home stands against Karlsruhe and Offenbach either side of an Away day at Offenbach.

The German Cup continues, with our 2nd Round match at Union Berlin.

7 outta 9 aint bad…

August 2017

German Cup, 1st Round – Frankfurt v Unterhaching (Home)

Unterhaching started well, creating a few chances but we began to come into the match, holding the ball better and carving out chances of our own. The scores remained 0-0 at Half Time.

Near-misses were costing us throughout the match, but some fine buildup play leads to our opening goal on 52 minutes; a 1-on-1 chance tucked away.

A defensive approach was taken for the last few minutes to see out the game, and ensure our progression to the next round of competition.

We have been drawn against 3rd Division side Union Berlin for the German Cup 2nd Round.

Final Score: Frankfurt 1-0 Unterhaching (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Sandhausen v Frankfurt (Away)

My Frankfurt side took the game to the Home team from the off, creating more than a few half-chances. Despite this fact, the sides finished the 1st Half as it had started, Nil-all.

A good low save was forced out of our Goalkeeper early in the 2nd Half to keep the scores tied. Sandhausen were later denied by only the crossbar at around 50 minutes.

We are also held out by the woodwork on 78 minutes from a corner. The tide was turning late-on and several clutch saves were made by Sandhausen’s ‘Keeper.

Final Score: Sandhausen 0-0 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Braunschweig (Home)

Another nice start to a match and after creating a few chances, we finally take the lead on 25 minutes.

An Own-Goal after 54 minutes brings the sides back on level terms. 1st Half goal-scorer and Central Midfielder Holzhauser sees a straight red card at the 70 minute mark to make the task that much more difficult.

We showed great spirit to continue our run of form, a surging run and cross from the left picking out a Frankfurt player in the box to head home. The match was actually finished with just 9 men, as an injury after all 3 subs had been made forced our hand.

Still, we held on rather more comfortably than I had imagined, and won again in front of our home faithful.

Final Score: Frankfurt 2-1 Braunschweig (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Cottbus v Frankfurt (Away)

We had a chance to score in under a minute, but failed to put it away. After that, the 1st Half was all Cottbus as they did a good job of keeping the ball.

A goal-line clearance denied us an opener after 54 minutes, but a Free Kick soon after proved the breakthrough. With the ball delivered to the back post, Centre-back Zukanovic heads home to record his 1st League goal for the club in 85 appearances.

75 minutes in, and a 2nd goal is ruled out after a dubious offside decision. With the match becoming stale, I threw a 5th defender on in place of a Striker to see the match out.

Final Score: Cottbus 0-1 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

(click to enlarge)

Next month, Next blog

Collecting 7 points from a possible 9 in the League, and progressing through to the 2nd Round of the German Cup made for a fairly successful month.

In September, we have no less than 5 League matches. Hosting Augsburg, St. Pauli and Hertha Berlin; and traveling to current League-leaders Ingolstadt and Aachen.

Under a New Sky

July 2017

German 2nd Div. – RB Leipzig v Frankfurt (Away)

Things were looking ominous in my first competitive game in charge as Leipzig created chance after chance. They eventually took the lead on 11 minutes.

We were 2-0 down in under 20 minutes as Leipzig kept pressing us deep into our own half. We hit back in 1st-Half Injury Time, a more direct approach leading to a 1-on-1 which was converted.

Ideas of a turn-around were quickly burst when Leipzig scored their 3rd to effectively put the result beyond doubt on 52 minutes.

Final Score: RB Leipzig 3-1 Frankfurt (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

German 2nd Div. – Frankfurt v Dusseldorf (Home)

The visiting Dusseldorf had a goal ruled-out on 11 minutes for obstructing our Goalkeeper. I didn’t see too much wrong with it to be fair, and we could count ourselves lucky. They kept creating chances in the 1st Half, and I was fairly content with the scores still locked at Nil as we went to the break.

After a more lively start from us in the 2nd Half, we were awarded a penalty 58 minutes in due to a Dusseldorf player pushing our striker in the back. Centre-mid Holzhauser dispatched the kick with ease, and we were 1-0 up.

Late on and with the score remaining the same, I substituted our 2nd striker for another defender in an effort to retain the slim advantage. It worked, and we saw out the match fairly comfortably. A good way to start in-front of 31,000 home fans.

Final Score: Frankfurt 1-0 Dusseldorf (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Next month, Next blog

The German Cup begins in August, with our 1st Round match hosting fellow 2nd Division side Unterhaching.

There are also 3x League matches scheduled; Away days at Sandhausen and Cottbus, and a Home match against Braunschweig.

Iraq and Roll

May/June 2017

World Cup Qualifier – China v Iraq (Away)

This game was an ordeal. Just 46 seconds pass before China take the lead in front of their native fans. A terrible defensive mixup just before Half-Time results in China extending their lead.

A corner and headed effort on 50 minutes saw the scoreline reach 3-0. Just 7 minutes later, China make it 4-0 and my Iraqi players are looking out of their depth.

The speed of attack from the Chinese saw us pay again after 70 minutes, now 5-0.
A simple tap-in nets a consolation goal for us, before our Left Back receives his 2nd Yellow Card and his marching orders.

The rampant Chinese restore their 5 goal deficit with their 6th goal on 88 minutes. A shocking effort away from home, and things will have to improve if we are to qualify for the World Cup.

Final Score: China 6-1 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

World Cup Qualifier – Iraq v Japan (Home)

We started well, creating a few early chances and striking the bar on 8 minutes. Despite this early dominance, Japan take the lead on 10 minutes with an angled shot across goal.

Iraq equalise at 26 minutes with a tidy header, and the teams enter the break locked at 1-a-piece.

A corner 51 minutes in provides our 2nd goal, via a back-post header. We then begin to hold out a barrage from the visiting Japan, defending as best we could while still creating chances of our own.

With 3 minutes of Added Time indicated, our Goalkeeper makes a few important saves to keep us in the lead, none more-so than a brave effort at the feet of an onrushing Japanese striker, just before the Final Whistle sounds.

Final Score: Iraq 2-1 Japan (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

World Cup Qualifier – Iraq v Jordan (Home)

With this the last game of the Qualifying campaign, we were equal on points with China, who were to play group-leaders Japan at the same time. So a win and a Chinese loss or draw would see us automatically qualify for the World Cup Finals.

Things get off to a great start, as we grab the lead in under 3 minutes. A deep cross picking out 18 year-old striker Govend Hassan who tucks away from close range for his 1st International Goal.

Jordan equalise 15 minutes later with a precise through-ball and finish. Just 2 minutes pass before we regain the lead, a 1-on-1 opportunity duly dispatched.

Porous defence allows Jordan to equalise with their 2nd goal on 20 minutes. Another fine cross after 37 minutes is buried by our striker to once again take the lead.

The Second Half was a back-and-forth affair, and with just a 1-goal lead late on, defensive instructions were sent out with vigour.

We managed to hold on, and with Japan accounting for China 3-0, my Iraqi side automatically qualify for World Cup 2018, to be held in Russia.

Final Score: Iraq 3-2 Jordan (highlights, screenshot and final League Table below)

Next month, Next blog

The search would continue for my next Domestic appointment before the start of the oncoming season.

After applying for more than a few vacancies, a 3-year contract at the helm of Eintracht Frankfurt was quickly signed. Having been relegated from the Bundesliga to the German Second Division, the board will expect to bounce straight back up. Hopefully I am up to the task.

Don’t Come Monday…

March

 

Serie A – Cittadella v Juventus (Home)

To my astonishment, we draw first blood 5 minutes in to this match, by way of an incisive counter-attack.
Juventus came back at us, but we held on til Half Time to regroup.

Our lone-striker Lucarelli goes so close to scoring his and Cittadella’s 2nd just after Half-Time; his shot skewing just wide of the far post.

Having made all 3 substitutions late in the match, an injury to our midfielder meant that we would be forced to finish this one with 10 men.

Defensive shouts could be heard ringing from my Technical Area, as Juventus kept plugging away looking to spoil our party at Home.

4 minutes of Added Time were signaled, and our ‘Keeper was busy as ever, making several saves at full stretch to retain our slim lead. The referee finally blows the Full-Time whistle past the 95 minute mark, and just as Juventus were crossing a low ball into our 6 yard box. A nervous, nail-biting win and against 1st place no less!

Final Score: Cittadella 1-0 Juventus (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Udinese v Cittadella (Away)

A corner on 2 minutes almost yields a goal, a header rebounding back off the crossbar.

We concede a penalty as is the norm, 7 minutes in and 1-0 down.

A pinpoint cross from the left and powerful header from Lucarelli equalises the teams on 22 minutes. A free header from a corner on 31 minutes allows Udinese to edge in front again.

A lucky rebound falls to Lucarelli who scores his 2nd to even the scores again on 62 minutes.

71 minute mark, and a Free Kick is laid of to midfielder Chuks Aneke who powers home at the top of the 18-yard box for Cittadella’s 3rd, and his very 1st for the club.

A deflected cross falls to Left Winger, Janzer to tuck it home on 75 minutes. Then on 79 minutes we win a penalty (for a change). Lucarelli steps up and buries it to record his hat-trick.

At just 20 years old, he has now become the club’s top League goal-scorer with 41. He also sets a new mark for assists in a season, with 11 so far.

Final Score: Udinese 2-5 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Ominous signs…

A new chairman has now been installed at Cittadella, and the message below comes to my inbox…

Serie A – Cittadella v Cagliari (Home)

This match got off to an uneventful start, with nothing of note taking place in the 1st Half, aside from my team’s 4x Yellow Cards…

A good 1-on-1 save keeps us in the game at around the 60 minute mark. 84 minutes in, and an unmarked header from a corner gives Cagliari the lead.

A new-found belief in my side was not to be denied, and our equaliser came on 94 minutes, again from a corner tucked away at the near-post.

Final Score: Cittadella 1-1 Cagliari (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

International Friendly – India v Iraq (Away)

This match was back and forth before my Iraq side eventually took the lead on 34 minutes; a corner and subsequent headed effort.

The only other talking point of the match was Iraq’s second goal, coming on 58 minutes after some good buildup play opens India’s defence.

Final Score: India 0-2 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Brescia v Cittadella (Away)

After a point-blank save on 16 minutes, we then give away a penalty which is converted to give Brescia the early lead. Their 2nd came just 15 minutes later, a shot bouncing off the crossbar and finding their nearby striker’s head for a simple finish.

Despite great efforts in the previous 3 League matches, we never threatened in this one.

Final Score: Brescia 2-0 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Sacked

Immediately after the match, our first loss in the last 4 League matches, my tenure as Manager of Cittadella had come to an end. (Message below)

Next month, Next blog

So, with no club position, I only have Iraq’s matches ahead of me for the time being.

Next matches for us are 3x World Cup Qualifiers. An away trip to China before hosting both Japan and Jordan at Baghdad.

Stem the Flow

February 2017

Serie A – Cittadella v Sampdoria (Home)

We started this match with a  defensive mindset, restricting Sampdoria to long-range efforts early on. Pretty uneventful 1st half, as the teams remained locked at nil-all.

The 2nd Half was more of the same, and a draw was on the horizon, before conceding a penalty in the 75th minute saw parity slip away.

The game was summed up by our inability to test the visitors, finishing without a single shot on target.

Final Score: Cittadella 0-1 Sampdoria (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

International Friendly – Northern Mariana v Iraq (Away)

I have to admit, I required Google Maps to locate the small islands of Northern Mariana; East of the Philippines as it were.

The match started as expected, with Iraq taking the lead in under a minute by way of an Own Goal.

More surprisingly, the score remained 1-0 for another 30-odd minutes, an attacking run by our Left Back who delivered an accurate cross for our Striker the catalyst.

The only other moment to note was a fluke goal scored from the right flank. An intended cross looped over a flailing Mariana ‘Keeper and nestled into the net.

Final Score: Northern Mariana 0-4 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Inter Milan v Cittadella (Away)

Our Goalkeeper was called into action early and often, his first save coming on 2 minutes with a full-stretch effort. Despite a continual barrage, we held the Home side out for the entire 1st half.

Once again, a Penalty would be our demise, 66 minutes on the clock as Inter broke the deadlock. Any hopes of a sneaky point were buried with Inter’s 2nd goal on 73 minutes.

Final Score Inter 2-0 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Cittadella v A.C. Milan (Home)

Desperate defence was the only thing that held Milan out in this match, but only for the first 35 minutes. A tame effort from the edge of the box allowed the Visitors to take the lead.

The 3rd penalty in as many games was conceded, and scored, this time on the stroke of Half-Time.

The 2nd Half was a non-event, neither team producing anything of note.

Final Score: Cittadella 0-2 A.C. Milan (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Torino v Cittadella (Away)

So, coming through some tough matches against the 2 sides of Milan with minimal damage was the hard part, right?

Wrong.

Torino were in no mood to muck around, and had us down by a goal in 5 minutes.

Our equaliser came a few minutes later, a lucky rebound falling to our Striker. This was to no avail, as Torino ran rampant on a frozen field, knocking a further 4 past us over the remaining minutes.

A really poor effort, and not even our seemingly monthly Morale-Boosting meetings can save us now.

Final Score: Torino 5-1 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Once again, the Table at the end of the month is a horror-story.

Next month, Next blog

With rumours surrounding my immediate future at Cittadella, as well as an impending Board Takeover, I’m not sure how many of March’s 3 scheduled League fixtures I will see. Current Serie A leaders Juventus pay us a visit, as does Cagliari; whilst Away days at Udinese and Brescia are also slated.

Another friendly for Iraq next month, traveling to India this time around.

My Kingdom for a Win

January 2017

Serie A – Cittadella v Bologna (Home)

Bologna came calling, and made it pretty difficult for us, as we struggled to keep a hold of the ball early on. Despite their domination, our defence restricted their chances to long-range.

Cittadella’s best chance came in 2nd Half Injury Time, creating some space in the box only to fire straight at a waiting Bologna Goalkeeper.

A lucky point to be fair, considering the stack of shots and possession afforded to Bologna.

Final Score: Cittadella 0-0 Bologna (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Asian Cup Qualifier – Tajikistan v Iraq (Away)

Iraq open the scoring after only 3 minutes, carving open a sluggish defence and smashing the ball away.

The home Nation refused to make things easy for us, attempting to hit us on the counter and keep us on our toes. To this end, Tajikistan find an equaliser at the 39 minute-mark.

The lead is taken by Tajikistan midway through the 2nd half, their striker belting the ball home from 3 yards. Iraq clawed the scores back level soon after, a spilled save falling kindly at our own striker’s feet.

A solid away-point was within reach until Tajikistan somehow find an Injury Time winner.

Final Score: Tajikistan 3-2 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Cittadella v Roma (Home)

Our old ways emerged in this match, Roma scoring first and early from a Free Kick on 4 minutes. The curling shot leaving our ‘Keeper looking like a statue.

Things went from bad to worse, with Roma’s 2nd goal coming via a point-blank header on 10 minutes.

We started to work our way further into the match in the 2nd Half, keeping the ball and creating more chances. It was to no avail though as the chances we did create we snatched at and really didn’t give our Home fans much hope.

Final Score: Cittadella 0-2 Roma (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Cittadella v Lazio (Home)

We started this match as we had the previous one, our GK picking the ball out of our net in under 2 minutes. Another close-range header giving us no chance.

On 13 minutes, an unmarked header of our own gave us an equaliser from a Free Kick. Embarrassingly, Centre-Half Ignacio Fideleff is currently Cittadella’s top scorer with this his 5th goal.

Lazio’s lead was to be restored under 10 minutes later, another poor defensive effort from a corner. Some more slack defending allowed Lazio to score their 3rd soon after, a near post tap-in.

Only a superb reaction save from Cittadella custodian Marwin Hitz stopped Lazio scoring again in the 64th minute. They were to get their 4th anyway, Hitz leaving his near post exposed for Lazio to exploit.

Final Score: Cittadella 1-4 Lazio (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Signings

With the January transfer window in full swing, and money in the bank from some recent co-ownership deals with fellow Italian clubs (one of which netted an initial €6 Million), I decided to look for some improvements at Left Back and Left Midfield. Below are screenshots of those signings. (Click to enlarge)

Dodo – Left Back – €1.7 Million signing from Mallorca

Yoshimar Yotun – Left Midfielder – €200k signing from Cagliari

Asian Cup Qualifier – Iraq v Bahrain (Home)

A disastrous Own-Goal from our Centre-Half at 7 minutes was an omen for things to come in this one.

Only our crossbar saved us from conceding again on 40 minutes from a Free kick. Bahrain weren’t to be denied though, scoring their 2nd just before Half-Time.

Another Own-Goal after the break all but confirmed a Home loss for Iraq, the first in my tenure.

Final Score: Iraq 0-3 Bahrain (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Asian Cup Qualifiers Table

After the first 2 group matches, this is how the table looks (click to enlarge)

Serie A – Genoa v Cittadella (Away)

After some initial back and forth, we conceded a penalty on 14 minutes. This was blasted over the bar, luckily for us.

Our luck was to run out less than 10 minutes later however, a through ball slicing us open and allowing Genoa to take the lead from a tidy finish.

Some quick passing through the centre of the park worked our way forward to score an equaliser on 34 minutes. Genoa made sure they went to the break with their lead intact, an accurate headed goal from a corner the difference.

Genoa’s 3rd cam on 60 minutes, a first-time effort from the edge of the box ensuring we would once again walk away with nothing to show for our efforts.

Final Score: Genoa 3-1 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Below is the Serie A League Table as it stands. Still just 1 win to our credit, and looking ever-more ominous for the fledgling club. (Click to enlarge)

Next month, Next blog

Cittadella have 4 matches in February, facing both sides of Milan a week apart being the highlight.

Iraq have just the 1 match, a Friendly visiting Northern Mariana, wherever the hell they are….

Keeping up (Dis)appearances

December 2016

Serie A – Palermo v Cittadella (Away)

Traveling to a 2nd-placed Palermo was sure to prove a task for my flailing side. Despite giving up a fair amount of possession, we restricted the Home-Side’s chances and went back to the Dressing Sheds as we started; 0-0.

It wasn’t long before Palermo eventually broke through, and on 51 minutes a point-blank headed goal separated the sides.

It wouldn’t be a Cittadella match without more goals though, and a penalty was conceded and dispatched at the 68 minute-mark to keep up the tradition.

Despite this loss, the slimmer margin of 2 was somewhat heartening, as were the handful of chances we managed to create.

This match was the first time I employed a 4-1-4-1 formation, exchanging the second striker for a Defensive Midfielder. I may just stick with this and see how we travel in matches to come.

Final Score: Palermo 2-0 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Cittadella v Fiorentina (Home)

Sporting my latest tinkering on the formation, we welcomed a Fiorentina side that hadn’t been bested in their last 9 League outings. This was evident within 5 minutes, as they opened the scoring.

With 30 minutes gone some poor defending gave Fiorentina a chance on the edge of the box, which was curled expertly past a flailing ‘Keeper.

Cittadella finally troubled the scorers themselves after 56 minutes as a deflected shot fell kindly for Left Winger, Janzer to pass into an empty net.

Any hopes of a fight back were quickly dispelled just 2 minutes later with the 2-goal margin restored with surgical precision.

Despite again scoring ourselves on 74 minutes via a headed Free-Kick, we never really looked like getting anything from this match. It should come as no surprise.

Final Score: Cittadella 2-3 Fiorentina (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Catania v Cittadella (Away)

This match started promisingly as we kept possession and created a number of half-chances early on. It all came to nothing though, as usual we concede first. To rub salt into the wound, this was Catania’s first shot on-goal, 16 minutes in.

Failure to clear a corner was our downfall 10 minutes before the break, and we would head to the tunnel down by 2, with a job on to salvage anything.

Another set-piece goal from us, and some form of hope ignited at 66 minutes. A freshly substituted Centre-Half nodding home.

This only served to fire Catania up, and they go on to score 3 more goals in quick time, devastating our players with their incisive attack.

Final Score: Catania – 5-1 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Below is the latest League Table. Not quite halfway through the season, and we have certainly made survival a tough ask. 10 points from safety already.

Next Month, Next Blog

Three of January’s 4 Serie A matches will be played in-front of a disheartened home crowd, with Bologna, Roma and Lazio scheduled to visit. The away trip will be to Genoa.

Iraq are back in action facing 2x Asian Cup Qualifiers. An away trip to Tajikistan before hosting Bahrain in Baghdad.

Drawn and Quartered

November 2016

Serie A – Atalanta v Cittadella (Away)

It was almost another disastrous start, with Atalanta having a 2nd minute strike ruled out for Offside. Besides that, it was a fairly even 1st Half, with both teams having chances blocked or turned away by their respective GK’s.

The 2nd Half began in the same manner, and the deadlock wasn’t broken until the 54th minute, a curling strike from just inside the box beating our ‘Keeper all ends up. As an aside, this goal went on to win Goal of the Month.

Despite losing the possession battle by a long way, I was fairly happy with our ability to restrict high-flying Atalanta to speculative chances.

Final Score: Atalanta 1-0 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

World Cup Qualifiers – Oman v Iraq (Away)

This match started very well, as Iraqi striker Amjad Radhi made the most of our 1st shot on 13 minutes, his 10th International goal. (Video below)

An own-goal resulting from a goalmouth scramble undid our good work, the scores back level on 34 minutes.

At the 87 minute mark, Iraqi heads drop as a deserved Away point goes begging care of a scrappy goal.

Final Score: Oman 2-1 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

It is becoming glaringly obvious that Iraq’s matches at our native Baghdad are our best chance at qualification. (World Cup Qualifiers Table below click to enlarge)

International Friendly – Bhutan v Iraq (Away)

Club form seems to be catching on the International scene, as we concede a penalty in just the 2nd minute and gift Bhutan the lead.

It didn’t take long for us to draw level, a nice headed goal from a Free Kick delivery on 10 minutes. The team seemed to lift again, and a 2nd Iraqi goal flew in at around the 24th minute.

From there, we were creating plenty of chances without finishing them. Then in 2nd Half injury-time, young winger Daghagheleh scores his 1st International goal to ensure an Iraqi victory in what is essentially a meaningless match.

Final Score: Bhutan 1-3 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Napoli v Cittadella (Away)

A calamitous own-goal on 7 minutes from former Napoli, and now Cittadella Centre-Half Ignacio Fideleff was a sure sign this was not to be our day. There was to be no doubt just 2 minutes later, as Napoli conspired to humiliate us with their 2nd goal in as many shots.

Not content with that, we yet again conceded just before Half-Time.

The 2nd Half started brighter, with more possession yielding a few fleeting chances of our own. At 70 minutes, Napoli turned the screw with their 4th goal.

A 1-on-1 effort provided some consolation for the traveling Cittadella fans on 88 minutes, but it was the be scratched out just 2 minutes later with another shocking own-goal.

Final Score: Napoli 5-1 Cittadella (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

International Friendly – Cambodia v Iraq (Away)

The story of this game was undoubtedly striker Amjad Radhi and his 4-goal haul.

I won’t even begin to give an account of this game, it was simply (and predictably) no contest.

Final Score: Cambodia 0-5 Iraq (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Cittadella v Lecce (Home)

This match was one of 2 at Home against teams in and around the Relegation Zone. A perfect chance to make some progress in the league.

We started well in front of our local fans, keeping the ball well without finding the final product. Our inability to find the net would come back to haunt us, as Lecce drew 1st blood with a long-range effort on 27 minutes.

We remained unable to breakdown Lecce, and lost our grip on the possession battle as the game wore on, continually wasting our chances to score.

Final Score: Cittadella 0-1 Lecce (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

Serie A – Cittadella v Juve Stabia (Home)

This was an absolutely epic match. Defensively, both sides were bottom of the table for a reason.

We again conceded the first goal, this time in under a minute. 7 minutes later, we equalised from a back-stick header as a result of a corner. It seems as though we are becoming something of a set-piece specialty.

12 minutes in, and parity slips away again thanks in large part to some truly awful defending. The teams were to reach the break on level terms once again, this time from a deep cross and headed finish on 39 minutes.

Another goal supplied from a set-piece at the 51 minute-mark, as we take the lead for the first time in this battle. Unmarked striker Bruno Fornaroli extends our lead with a diving header 15 minutes later.

Juve Stabia weren’t done though, as they sent hearts racing reducing the deficit to just 1 with 5 minutes remaining.

88 minutes, and frustratingly we snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat, allowing Juve Stabia to score the equaliser.

Without question one of the most frustrating matches I have been a part of in my career so far. Just devoid of an ability to start or finish with any kind of authority.

I would have uploaded Match Highlights, but I was close to throwing the laptop so thought I’d better get out of the house for a while.

Final Score: Cittadella 4-4 Juve Stabia (screenshot below; click to enlarge)

League Table

Below is the latest League Table at the end of November. It does not make for pretty reading…

Next month, Next blog

With no matches on the International scene for Iraq, I only have to focus on the perilous situation I find my Cittadella team in.

That being said, we only have 3 League matches before the Winter Break. Away trips to Palermo and Catania, as well as hosting Fiorentina.