Manager Mode - Bayer Leverkusen

[Dan]

KUTGW mate..

Would it be possible to post the position you are in the match reports?

[Muzzy]

International Signing Boost For Bayer

Bayer Leverkusen report their first recruit of the transfer window, signing left back Frederik Stenman (right), an ex Leverkusen player, from FC Gronigen for around £700,000. Stenman played for Bayer from 2005 to 2007, making 15 appearances, and is apparently pleased he has been reunited with the club. We managed to catch Mr. Musgroves view on the signing.

Firstly, do you really think Stenman is bundesliga quality?

-"He has played on the international stage, therefore this player is world class. He could get into any side in this league, and I for one certainly welcome him"

What role will this player have in the side?

-"It is hard to say. hopefully in trainging he can force me to think long and hard over giving him a place in the first team, but he will defiantely get a few matches game time this season"

[Muzzy]

Paraguay Fever For Werkself

The second winter signing for Leverkusen comes in the form of Paraguay midfielder Edgar Barreto, from Reggina for around £800,000. The twenty three year old has made twenty six appearances for Paraguay, scoring two in the process. He is believed to be playing a part either in the side or on the substitute bench for the upcoming tie against Stuttgart. We managed to grab Mr. Musgroves opinion on Barreto:

Is Barreto a replacement for Bernd Schneider?

-"No. Edgar can play anywhere in midfielde, and if any of our first team is missing, or exhausted, he can slot in and play at a suprb standard. But he does not replace Bernd"

Do you think he will fit in well at the club?

-"He is a very resiliant player, and he will certainly develop well here. If he shows more of his character, he will easily fit in here"

[Muzzy]

Fucile Makes His Move

Uraguay international Jorge Fucile becomes the third recruit to the Bay Arena yesterday, after agreeing a contract worth around £12,000 a week. The twenty four year old has joined Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of around £1 million, from Portugese side FC Porto. We found out Mr Musgroves opinion on the player at his introduction to the club:

What do you believe that Fucile brings to the squad?

-"Despite his young age, he brings a wealth of experience to his position - two years at Porto playing regularly is no easy feat."

Will he play a big part in this season?

-"He'll play, but he'll have to convince me he is playing at his best regularly before he starts to play regular first team football."

[Chris_BAS]

Lol why do you end up writing all this writing i mean doesnt it get a bit boring when half the forum dont care?

[joelza1990]

Speak for yourself....

[Muzzy]

Originally Posted by FiFAisGREAT8

Lol why do you end up writing all this writing i mean doesnt it get a bit boring when half the forum dont care?

Hope you got something from that

[Muzzy]

Last Gasp Stuttgart

http://www.mediotiempo.com/images/noticias/47803.jpg

A last gasp header from Yildiray Basturk stole a point for Stuttgart, in a game in which the visitors dominated throughout. The Turkish midfielder rose to a Robert Hillbert cross in the nintey fifth minute to share the spoils, and this result drops Bayer Leverkusen into second, two points behind Werder Bremen.

Bayer came out fighting in the Gottlieb Daimler, going ahead in the twentieth minute. Kezman and Kiebling, playing on the right in the absence of Bernd Schneider, eventually knocking an ealry cross to the chest of Petric who thundered the ball past Schafer.

And Bayer had so many more chances to seal the tie. Gourcuff flashed his effort wide, Petric and Kezman hit the woodwork, Barnetta thumped the bar from thirty yards, and Schafer made in total eleven fine saves to deny Bayer the three points.

At the other end, there were also chancelalalalazelsperger and Hillbert were providing dangerous crosses into the box, that looked venemous whenever they were played. Basturk had his low drive saved, Cacau rolled his effort jsut wide and Pardo missed a sitter from just outside the six yard box. And then, five minutes into injury time, the equaliser. A long and hopeful ball into the box from Ewerthon somehow found Basturk, who rose above Nico Nicht to bash his header in to equalise, sending the home fans crazy.

[Muzzy]

Schalke Do The Double

Two goals in the first half hour from German international Kevin Kuranyi were enough to seal all three points for Schalke at the Bay Arena, completing a 100% league record against the Werkself this season.

The main flaw in bayer today was their total lack of aerial prescense, and this was highlighted in the twelth minute when Kuranyi rose above both NNicht and Thiago heleno to smash his header into the top corner.

Much unusual to the team, Bayer were shellshocked, and the second goal only eight minutes later showed this in abundance. Another cross, this time from Lovernkrands, again finding Kuranyi who could nod past Adler, who absolutely blew his top at his center backs.

There really isn't much to say about the game, bar a few near misses. Schalke could have made the gap even bigger when a free kick cannoned off the post, and Gerald Asamoah somehow volleyed over from just inside the box. At the other end, chances were few and far between, but when they came they came really close. Goucuff hit the post with a low drive, Petric tapped his one on one effort straight at the keeper and Kezman took the ball past Manuel Neuer but was at too tight an angle to finish.

Bayer did actually manage to pull one back, counter attacking from a Schalke corner. Petric moving the ball up the field, tapped one through for D'Alessandro and the Argentinian slotted his effort past Neuer to bring the game back for two one. They couldn't find the equlaiser though, and will be really unhappy with the result.

[Muzzy]

Arminia Come Mighty Close

A lucky day for Bayer Leverkusen, who narrowly avoided an embarrassing loss at home to league minnows Arminia Bielefeld, who outclassed Bayer for the majority of the game.

In the first half the contest was pretty even, with both teams having chances. Petric and Kezman both coming close, only to be denied by keeper Mathias Hain, who would prove to be really on form. Barnetta and Kiebling both missed their efforts, and D'Alessandro stung the palms of Hain with a thirty yard drive.

At the other end, Bielefeld showed an eye for goal that really had been lacking in recent fixtures. From all of twenty five yards Eigler hit the crossbar, and Thomas Marx forced a wonderful reaction save from Adler to keep the tie level.

The second half saw Bielefeld pile on even more pressure, that Bayer really struggled to deal with. The hosts only effort in the second half, in the ninteyeth minute, was a Petric header that gave Hain a scare, but flew just over.

In contrast, Arminia should have won the game at the other end. Wichniarek would have three efforts on target, all saved or tipped round the post by Adler, and in the eighty seventh minute the game should have been won at the far post. A long cross from Marx found Zuma inside the six yard box. The South African used his first touch to take the ball away from Adler, and fired his point blank effort against the post, for a goal kick.

Bayer have now scored only two in three games, and will really need to start scoring again if they wish to keep up with table toppers Werder Bremen.

[Muzzy]

You Signed Who?

We are not joking.

This morning Bayer Leverkusen revealed the 'official' replacement for Bernd Schneider, in the form of World Cup and Champions League winner Rivaldo for a reportd £4 million. The Brazilian has Olympic medals to his name, as well as twenty six pieces of silverware, seven of the individual honours. He is almost certain to slot straight into the first eleven for Bayers next game. We spoke to Mr. Musgrove upon Rivaldos move to the Bay Arena:

What are your thoughts on this huge transfer?

-"I feel privileged to be working with such a legend on the world footballing stage, and to have him here working with the club. He is a huge name; if you ask almost any football fan who Rivaldo is, they will be able to tell you. Having him at the club is so beneficial."

What effect will this have on other, perhaps lesser players?

-"Rivaldo is a very nice person, and one word I wouldn't use to describe him is intimidating. The lesser squad will certainly be able to learn from him, and this move will definately have a beneficial reaction with the squad."

[Muzzy]

Inspired Bayer Defeat The Wolf

Despite putting in an excellent performance, Simon Jentzsch was unable to prevent his beloved Wolfsburg being defeated again by Bayer Leverkusen, this time on the wrong end of a three nil drubbing at the VW Arena. Goals from D'Alessandro, Petric and an unfortunate Madlung sealed the win, and Bayer look to be pushing forward again.

The visitors went ahead in the thirtyeth minute, when wonderful vision from Rivaldo picked out the Croatians run, and it was easy to poke the ball past Jentzsch, rushing from goal. The German couldn't get down quick enoguh to block the shot, and Petric was able to celebrate his seventeenth of the season.

There was much passing and extravagance in the Werkself side today, perhaps thanks to the influence of Rivaldo, on the right wing. The Brazilian was greeted with a cheer every time he did something with the ball, certainly a sign that he will fit in well at the Bay Arena. At half time he was put in behind Petric and Kezman, with D'Alessandro on the right. It would prove to work well.

The second half started disasterously for Wolfsburg, going two down just three minutes in. Kezman bursting down the left and smacking a cross in ow, only for the ball to cannon past Jentzsch off the shins of dumbstruck defender Alexander Madlung. the German held his head in his hands as bayer celebrated, knowing he had just made the teams job that much harder.

The third goal started from an edge of the box free kick, oddly created by Jentzsch. The German rushed off his line to claim a ball from a through pass to Rivaldo, and used his body to shield the ball a little too aggresively. Scooping up the ball the moment it entered the area, he bumped Rivaldo over with his shoulder. The eagle eyed referee called him over, and gave Jentzsch the first yellow card for a keeper of the season.

Roberto Carlos stepped up to take the free kick, only for Rivaldo to knock one into the well. Desperate to get a shot on, he beat both Madlung and Josue before smacking one at an acute angle, that Jentzsch could push for a corner. Petric floated the ball in, and D'Alessandro rose to head the ball home.

A performance much more like those of the early season for Bayer, who will hope to use this win as a serious morale boost.

[Muzzy]

Unlucky This Time, Says Musgrove

In a post transfer window interview, Mr Musgrove revealed that only half the players he offered for were actaully signed. On the back of new recruits Rivaldo, Frederik Stenman, Jorge Facile and Edgar Barreto, all international and world class players, it has been revealed that offers were made for Getafe and Nigerian striker Ikechukwu Uche, Villareal and ex Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires, ex Fiorentina and Valencia midfielder Stefano Fiore, and Pacheca and Columbian keeper Miguel Calero, because in those four cases negotiaions 'broke down'.

"We were unable to match their demands for the players at this moment in time" says Musgrove, "Some we are willing to let go, others we will make more bids for come the summer"

[Muzzy]

It's Nico Time!

http://image2.sina.com.lalalay/g/2007-03-15/U1022P6T12D2802556F44DT20070315151947.jpg

Bayer come out of the first of two consectutive games with Energie Cottbus with a one nil victory, thanks to a top corner screamer just before half time from center back Nico Nicht, which was his first goal for the club. Despite being infinitely better than when these two teams last met, in Cottbus' six nil drubbing, they just couldn't find that viatl goal.

It was a very good first half, with both teams coming very close. Only eight minutes in D'Alessandro found himself in space just inside the D, and dug out a lalala (and some of the turf) that had Gerhard tremmel scrambling across goal. Luckily for the German, the ball clipped the post and went out for a goal kick.

There were fears that this could be another embarrassment for Cottbus, but those were quickly quelled when Cottbus showed some flair of their own. Link play between Rost and Skela found Kioyo in space twenty yards from goal, who smacked one that thundered the crossbar. Luck was with Bayer today.

The goal, then, and one of immense quality. A corner from Petric, cleared well up the field. But Roberto Carlos recieved, and looked up and as he brought the ball down, before flighting a lofted ball over the entire pitch to put Bayer two on two. Petric and Nicht, who had been caught well out of position from the clearance, were now on their own. Petric dragged out Kukielka, before slotting Nicht the ball. Ignoring the screams to drive at goal, he set himself and calmly placed the ball in the very top corner past Tremmel.

More chances would come and go for the remainder of the match for both sides, with Kioyo missing a free header at the far post, and a Rivaldo drive at the other end showed the very best of Tremmel, but Cottbus just couldn't find a reply.

[Muzzy]

A Touch Of Genius

One of the finishes of the season broke a certain Mr. Rivaldos duck for bayer Leverkusen, and sending the Werkself through to the semi finals of the Deutschland Pokal. Bayer sent home a competetive Energie Cottbus side, desperate not to lose after having been defeated every time the two have met this season.

Another solid start from both teams, with Energie seeming to improve every match. The ball was well competed for, and crunching tackles were here there and everywhere. Notably, Thiago Heleno made two awful tackles which really stood out from the top quality defending of the game. The first, sliding in from behind on Stiven Rivic, earning him a yellow. The second, just three minutes from time, scythed over Dimitar Rangelov, visibly rattling the Bulgarian. The referee decided to overlook it.

There was no breakthrough in the first half, but both teams came mighty close. At the Bayer end Adler made two wonderful saves to first deny Rivic, then Kioyo from sticking the ball in. At the other end, D'Alessandro struck teh woodwork and a low Rivaldo drive was somehow kept out by Tremmell. The first half was goaless, something that has not occurred between the two sides this season.

The second half saw more of the same, with shots coming in at either end. Adler had to leap like a salmon to again deny Rivic, and Tremmell was nearly caught off his line by a cheeky Petric chip, which the German could only watch pass over the crossbar. It wasn't until the seventy sixth minute that there was a breakthough, and it was one that no defending could have prevented.

Rivaldo, moving up with the two strikers in front of him, played a short pass to Kezman and kept on cahrging. Kezman found Petric, who played a lovely first time ball over the defence for Rivaldo to run onto. AS the ball bounced up, the Brazilian dispatched with a superb side footed volley into the top corner, and kept on running all the way to the away fans cheering his name.

Even after this, there could have been more. Kioyo only watched his effort sail inches over, and at the other end Rivaldo very nearly doubled his tally, striking the ball from twenty five yards and holding his head in his hands aas it cannoned off the postage stamp*. But neither side got the goal that would have changed the tie, and Bayer will be looking forward to the semi final draw.

*Postage Stamp - The joint between crossbar and post.

[DannyB]

Originally Posted by Muzzy171

You Signed Who?

We are not joking.

This morning Bayer Leverkusen revealed the 'official' replacement for Bernd Schneider, in the form of World Cup and Champions League winner Rivaldo for a reportd £4 million. The Brazilian has Olympic medals to his name, as well as twenty six pieces of silverware, seven of the individual honours. He is almost certain to slot straight into the first eleven for Bayers next game. We spoke to Mr. Musgrove upon Rivaldos move to the Bay Arena:

What are your thoughts on this huge transfer?

-"I feel privileged to be working with such a legend on the world footballing stage, and to have him here working with the club. He is a huge name; if you ask almost any football fan who Rivaldo is, they will be able to tell you. Having him at the club is so beneficial."

What effect will this have on other, perhaps lesser players?

-"Rivaldo is a very nice person, and one word I wouldn't use to describe him is intimidating. The lesser squad will certainly be able to learn from him, and this move will definately have a beneficial reaction with the squad."

rivaldo????? think about the age! and 4million that cheating ****

[Muzzy]

He's thrity four, that's a year younger than Schneider. And he's already scored more, as Bernd scored none for me . He's far quicker, has better ball control, better shot on him, better movement. And he's interchangable with D'Alessandro behind the front two, where Schneider would've been battered physically.

[d32123]

Great job with your manager mode.
Great read.

[Muzzy]

Table Top Bremen Hold Bayer To Stalemate

A blazing performance from German international keeper Tim Wiese managed to scrape a point for the table topping Werder Bremen, as they were dominated by a far more than average Bayer Leverkusen side. Wiese would make seven top class saves throughout the match, and Bremen fans will praise his performance in what was a vital first vs second encounter.

Leverkusen showed that they were commited to the cause just three minutes in, when Naldo was robbed inside his own penalty area by kezman. Faking the shot as Mertesacker dived in, the Serbian strike was somehow tipped wide by Wiese. Moments later, Rivaldo blasted a long range effort just over the bar.

The rest of the first half was by no means classic, and was marred by the injury of Brazilian starlet Diego, who was replaced by Carlos Alberto. Although he was able to limp off, Diego is believed to have sustained a twisted knee and is set for up to three weeks on the sidelines.

The second half really saw the game kick off, but not until the sixteyeth minute; irnoically when Rivaldo came off. The brazilian, fatigued after his countries mid week friendly, a 2-1 affair with Paraguay, was replaced by Uraguayan Fucile, who slotted in on the right of the midfield diamond. D'Alessandro played once again behind Petric and Kezman, completing the "Schrecklich Drei", the nickname given to the three by adoring Leverkusen fans, meaning "Terrible Three".

At this point, Werder really had no oppurtunity to even get the ball near the box. Roberto Carlos had a low effort saved, Kezman missed an absolute sitter of a volley with Wiese beaten. Petric hit the bar, Gourcuff showed the meaning of "flair" to Bremen when his thirty volley struck the diving Wiese and went for a corner, from which Roberto Carlos had a volley denied by the German again.

And then the ninteyeth minute, when bayer really should have won the game. A break from a poor Naldo throw found Kezman and Petric, two on one. Kezman went at Mertesacker with the ball, and tapped one through for Petric. The Croatian fired a low belter, only for Wiese to somehow get to it. D'Alessandro was there for the tap in and finished with style, but went crazy when the referee called it offside, saying that once the keeper had touched the ball it was a new play. The Argentinian snapped the corner flag, and was instantly booked before being led away by his teamates.

Wiese took the free kick, and the full time whistle blew, much to the disgust of one Arnegtinian on the team, and Bayer had just the one point to show for a hard day at work. The top two now look like this:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Bayer Leverkusen, P24, PTS 53
2. Werder Bremen, P25, PTS 53
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[LiGhTnInGBoLt06]

I love this thread, Keep it up! I think I need to start a manager mode! Lol

I'll be Man Utd but on the highest difficulty!......That will be quite a challenge for me :S

[Mariners!!!!!!]

EA really need to make a section for all these.

good read, keep it going

[Muzzy]

Hamburger Eaten Alive By Table Top Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen took full advantage of Werder Bremens defeat to climb three points above their title rivals in what has become a two horse race for the championship. A brace from Mladen Petric was enough to seal victory for the home side against a poor Hamburger SV tem which never really got out of the first gear.

There was only a handful of chances for Bayer, and just the one for Hamburger in the first half. Petric saw his volley denied by Frank Rost, and would later see another one fly just over. Kezman had his poor drive saved, D'Alessandro clipped the post with his effort and Gourcuffmight have found the net if he'd kept his shot down. At the other end, a Van Der Vaart free kick hit the side netting, but that would be it.

And just before half time, Petric got his first. Latching onto a Barnetta through ball, the Croatian was unable to shoot as both Kompany and Mathijsen were literally on his shoulders. The latter called Rost out, but as the German keeper reached them, Petric embarrassed Kompany by flicking the ball in front of the Belgian and nipping behind him, sending him into the keeper. Rost and Kompany went down, and Petric faked his effort to send down Mathijsen before placing into the empty net. A goal of sheer individual brilliance.

The second half showed less flair from Bayer, but then it wasn't really needed. In Hamburgers only attempt of the half, Zidan found himself one on one, but couldn't get the ball out of his feet before Adler pounced on him. Bayer had efforts from Petric, Kezman and Rivaldo denied, before the goal came in the seventy fifth minute to sink the visitors.

D'Alessandro pounced on a dozing Kompany, taking the ball from him and going at goal. Decieving Mathijsen the Argentinian cut the ball across himself and shaped to shoot, only to knock the ball into the path of Petric who directed his effort high into the net.

A sunkern Hamburger now drop to seventh, whilst Bayer open up a three point gap at the top.

[chiboygeorge]

That Title ^ Fits perfectly - lalalala!

[Mariners!!!!!!]

ur playing great, i wish i could say the same about my MM

[Muzzy]

Originally Posted by chiboygeorge

That Title ^ Fits perfectly - lalalala!

Dosen't it just

Mariners, keep sticking at it. Update soon.