FC Metalist Kharkiv - 21/22 End of season
Persha Liha
So look, no shocks here. We won the league and we had 6 games to go when we secured the league. It was possibly the easiest league victory ever in my history of FM which is going back 20 odd years. It was a victory and a much deserved promotion. We were clearly too strong for this league and in the end it became more about going invincible then winning the league.
The Invincible season was completed and in fact it was the perfect season as we won every single game on the way to our title. Winning the league by 16 points and conceding just 6 goals in the process whilst bagging over 3 goals a game at the same time. Concentration certainly wained at the end of the season and we were in a couple of tighter games where we nicked victories by just a goal but the main mission was accomplised.
Kubok Ukrainy
Now the Kubok run was a little unexpected. Yes the board wanted quarter finals but we were now in the semi-finals and we had to play Inhulets of the top tier. A side just outside of the relegation places and one on paper at least was very winnable. Home advantage also in our favour.
We put out a strong side and two goals in 3 minutes sealed us the game as the main man Peixoto scored before Frenchman Bahlouli scored his first of the season to seal another 2-0 win and send us to the cup final. There we had Shakhtar the current league leaders in the top flight. A daunting task not made easier by the fact three of our first teamers were here on loan from Shakhtar and therefore ineligible to play and with Mailton being suspended we were without 4 of our first choice 11.
We stuck to the same system that has served us well just bringing our lines down a bit to make sure we didn't allow Shakhtar to get behind us.The games stats looked like this at 90 minutes
As you can see we gave them a match. We out xG'd them, had more shots, hit the woodwork and really put up a fight. A solid game and that is why I can say with complete confidence we absolutely deserved the 2-0 win that followed. Yes that is right, we won the National cup from the 2nd tier beating arguably the best Ukrainian side in the final and we deserved it. It was the first time since the 2009/10 season that neither Shakhtar or Dinamo Kiev won the Cup. For 12 years they have dominated this trophy and we now became only the 6th Ukrainian side ever to take home the cup. It was two late goals as Peixoto (who else) scored an 89th minute penalty before young 18 year old Yarmolyuk raced through the middle and scored his first goal for the club to seal the victory in the 94th minute.
The perfect season was complete perfection. 36 matches in all competitions, 36 victories, 102 goals scored and just 6 conceded. We didn't concede a single goal in our 6 game cup run and we beat 5 top flight sides on our way to the trophy. It also means we will be in the Europa League Play-off's next season which I believe means i am guaranteed Group stage football in my first season in the top flight. Season 2 and I can already help build this nation
Look back and Look Forward
What a season and I can't remember having so many players average over a 7.00. We have a good if slightly lopsided squad which is certainly something to address in the summer but this team has not let me down. Matheus Peixoto delivered all season. 40 Goals and 9 assists in just 30 games. He was not only our top scorer but also our joint top provider all season. He has great strength and aerial ability but also could play others in. He is rightfully attracting interest from larger European clubs and we could have a battle on our hands. I certainly wouldn't want to sell but if we got bids in the region of £6m+ then I could be tempted to cash in.
Brayan Riascos and Mykhaylo Mudryk have to take some of the praise for helping Peixoto get to that tally. Riascos is technically poor but he is big, fast and strong (A budget Adama Traore) but he was so good at stretching the play and getting on the end of crosses. 15 goals and 7 assists is not a bad output for someone who is arguably one directional. Mudryk on the other side proved to be a great loan signing with craft and guile. 7 goals and 9 assists is solid work and securing his services for next season wouldn't be a bad shout.
Then we get to the defence. 6 goals conceded in 36 games. We never conceded more than once so thats 30 clean sheets. Brazilian Mailton is hands down our best defender in term of star ratings but he was also able to cause problems at the other end hence the 7 assists. Another player on loan that we will need to try and secure. The final player I want to call out is Nazariy Muravs'kyi who just aerially dominated at both ends. He too is on loan so will need to be secured for another season.
There were so many other players to mention such as Sudakov the winter window signing that bagged 8 goal contributions in just 7 games. Injuries prevented him really flying but he is another one who loan deal needs to be looked at. Either way our best 11 all averaged over a 7.00
So looking forward what do we do? Well the board want mid table next season and then top half the year after. Very reasonable request and based on what we did this year, I think we can challenge for top half straight away. We have a good squad and if i can bring back the 4 loan boys (Mailton, Sudakov, Mudryk, Muravs'kyi) then I think we have a really good 7 starters in the team. It means there are 4 positions we probably need new starters for with some young back ups coming in to help provide more depth.
A lot of our back-ups from last year have their contracts up and so I will set them to release to free up some more budget. Budget wise we have £7m to spend with another £21k per week available for wages on top of what we are currently spending. Certainly enough to get 4 good players in with a handful of younger cheaper players filling out the squad. We can at least start to look for foreign players with the FavBet Liha allowing 7 foreign players in the starting 11 so that will help widen the net.
Especially as we got the board to allow us to scout worldwide and give us one extra scout to find some gems. It now feels like the save is going to get going and I can't wait
Ukraine in the wider world
So in terms of Ukrainian clubs in Europe, Shakhtar were our only post Christmas representatives and they fell at the first round of the Europa League losing to Sporting Lisbon. It meant this season was the worst season for 6 years for Coefficients and in the end we actually dropped 1 coefficient place to 13th in the league. So although we leapfrogged Belgium, Switzerland and Croatia were able to go above us. The top flight though did go to 11th in the reputation stakes from 12th so technically some improvement there.
Meanwhile the National side did manage to qualify for the 2022 World Cup getting through the dreaded play-offs and they sit 23rd in the world rankings (up 2). Hopefully they can have a decent showing in Qatar but if they don't then I may just step in as National Team manager too
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