[FM13] Giuseppe Bergomi - The King of Calcio

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International Break Results

Denmark 2-1 South Korea

Friendly

Starting XI (4-3-2-1)
Schmeichel; Wass, Sviatchenko, Bjelland, Juelsgard; Poulsen, Zimling, Kvist (c); Andersen, Eriksen; Bendtner

Substitutions
Troest, Kjaer, Albaek, Kadrii, Laudrup, Helenius
Wass, Sviatchenko, Poulsen, Kvist, Andersen, Bendtner

Match
Bendtner (38)
Bjelland (71)
Joo-Ho (90+1)

Man of the Match
Bjelland

Review
This match was a lot harder than it should have been, but in the end the score line flattered the South Koreans. In the first half they put up an immense struggle but after Bendtner scored it was more or less smooth sailing. Joo-Ho’s late goal made the game look a lot closer than it really was. Central midfield player Mads Albaek made his Denmark debut, and he was reasonably solid, so I’m pleased for him.

Denmark 3-2 Finland

European Championship Qualifier

Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
Schmeichel; Wass, Kjaer, Bjelland, Juelsgard; Kvist (c), Poulsen; Andersen, Eriksen, Fischer; Bendtner

Substitutions
Albaek, Zimling, Helenius
Poulsen, Kvist, Bendtner

Match
Eriksen (11)
Eremenko (32)
Fischer (45)
Hamalainen
Bjelland (67)

Man of the Match
Eriksen

Review
Another match that was far too stressful. Hosting Finland should have been an easy affair, but complacency caught up to us, and Finland, fighting for the second qualification spot, were anything but. Thankfully we had a focused Christian Eriksen who managed to dominate the game with a goal and an assist and save us from embarrassment. We finish qualifying with a 100% record.

European Championship Qualifying Group D Review

And it’s all over with us by far the kings of Group D. We won every single match and comfortably. Despite their loss, the Finns finish 2nd by 1 goal differential, and Israel settle for a playoff spot. Overall we can be very pleased with our performance in these matches as despite the “lesser” opposition each match at this level requires both talent and focus, but of which we displayed. We are all excited for the tournament this summer, but we also now must turn our attention to World Cup Qualifying.

October Results

Inter 2-0 Sion

UEFA Champions League

Starting XI (4-3-3)
ter Stegen; Peruzzi, Ranocchia (c), Luiz, Digne; Crisetig, Sissoko, Poli; Sterling, Boudebouz, Ademilson

Substitutions
Crisetig, Poli, Boudebouz
Gautier, Maher, Insigne

Match
Ademilson (44)
Luiz (62)


Man of the Match
Luiz

Review
This was a reasonable win in the group stage to follow up our 2-0 win over PSG. I put out a number of younger or reserve players such as Digne, Luiz, Crisetig, and Boudebouz, and they all impressed. Ademilson also continued his hot form after his 4 goal match. The selection dilemma grows, and as does our point total in the group stage. Sion never caused us a threat.

Inter 2-0 Palermo

Serie A

Starting XI (4-3-3)
ter Stegen; Peruzzi, Ranocchia, Luiz, Digne; Cambiasso (c), Poli, Maher; Coutinho, Insigne, Destro

Substitutions
Cambiasso, Poli, Coutinho
Sissoko, Romano, Sterling

Match
Munoz (OG) (26)
Maher (40)

Man of the Match
Ranocchia

Review
We struggled to create offense at times in this but there were also positives to draw. Another 3 points is one, but in my opinion the biggest was the return of Philippe Coutinho. It was his first start after injury in preseason and he managed to have a good game, assisting Maher’s goal. We already have a lot of depth and competition will only get better as more players become fit and get into form as Pippe has done.

Inter 2-1 Sporting (POR)

UEFA Champions League

Starting XI (4-3-3)
ter Stegen; Bellusci, Mbaye, Luiz, Pereira; Crisetig (c), Sissoko, Poli; Sterling, Insigne, Ademilson

Substitutions
Mbaye, Poli, Insigne
Ranocchia, Maher, Coutinho

Match
Ademilson (10)
Coutinho (70)
van Wolfswinkel


Man of the Match
Sissoko

Review
I played quite a few reserve players, expecting a win, and I got one. This game really was all about Moussa Sissoko dominating the midfield. He managed 2 assists and his physicality was too much for Sporting to handle. Ademilson and Coutinho also continued their good form with goals, which was encouraging.

Parma 0-2 Inter

Serie A

Starting XI (4-3-3)
ter Stegen; Peruzzi, Ranocchia, Bellusci, Pereiral; Cambiasso (c), Maher, Poli; Coutinho, Insigne, Destro

Substitutions
Cambiasso, Maher, Coutinho
Crisetig, Sissoko, Sterling

Match
Bellusci (57)
Destro (pen 86)
Galloppa (89)

Man of the Match
Bellusci

Review
Parma played valiantly but in the end we got our deserved win. We had a massive 65% possession and they failed to register a strike on target, and yet their defense held firm and we failed to create. A strong header from a corner kick and a late, cheap penalty sealed us the victory. I did learn that Coutinho struggles out on the right and really needs to play centrally or on the left to showcase his talent.

Inter 3-0 Napoli

Serie A

Starting XI (4-3-3)
ter Stegen; Peruzzi, Ranocchia (c), Pierguidi, Digne; Crisetig, Maher, Romano; Sterling, Insigne, Destro

Substitutions
Maher, Romano, Destro
Sissoko, Gautier, Ademilson

Match
Destro (33, 74)
Sterling (60)


Man of the Match
Sterling

Review
We absolutely dismantled a weak Napoli side who barely put of much of a fight. Mattia Destro continued his ever-prolific form with a brace, but it was Raheem Sterling that really impressed. He set up one of Destro’s goals and scored a screamer himself. Simone Pierguidi also has a lot to be proud of; the 17 year old, when tasked with marking Cavani at periods during the game, had the Uruguayan star in his pocket at all times.

Serie A

I am both surprised and ecstatic with our league start. We’ve won each of our first 9 matches, which is the pleasing part, and Juventus sit in 2nd a full 7 points back of us already. It looks like managerial transition from Antonio Conte to Domenico Di Carlo has not been so smooth. If we keep this form up, Serie A could be ours by Christmas!

UEFA Champions League

It has been a very good start to our Champions League campaign as we’ve won our first 3 games, putting us in the driver’s seat to win the group. This season, winning the Champions League is the top priority after failures in the past which we want to put behind us, and this sort of form early on in the season is an encouraging sign that we can do just that.

Player of the Month

Giuseppe Bellusci wins the Inter Player of the Month award for October. His fantastic performances week in week out have put him at the top of the Serie A Average Ratings table with an incredible 8.00 rating.

Monthly Review

It was yet another perfect month for us, and I’m ecstatic. I haven’t seen the team play this well and this consistently in my entire career, and I think credit has to go to the tactical switch to a 4-3-3 from the narrow 4-3-1-2. We’ve scored 33 goals and conceded a mere 2 in our 13 competitive games so far, which is an incredible record that we hope to continue. The defining theme of the month has to be competition within the team, though. There is so much depth that every week I am faced with difficult decisions between starting Sissoko or Maher, Ademilson or Destro, Coutinho or Insigne, etc., made even harder by the fact that all of those players are playing well. It is the best problem I could ask for, and I hope it recurres.