I'm really getting stuck right into this BAL lark, and loving it all over again. I'm playing on Professional, 15 minute games ( The only way for me), Wide Camera, with the camera tracking the ball. I much prefer this set up as it just feels like a normal game this way. I could never get my head around the up/down view.
After a very tough start, a 6-0 defeat to Roma, Baptista and Totti running riot, then another pasting by Inter, it wasnt looking good for the Donkeys. It took until the 9th game before we got our first win. To be honest, the AI of my team was terrible, they played like drunken schoolboys, and I was beginning to think that Konami hadnt really improved this side of the game at all. Then after a fantastic 0-0 against AC Milan at the San Siro, we went on to beat Brescia, Fiorentina and Lazio off the bounce, and all of a sudden my team-mates were playing some delightful football. It actually felt like that result against AC Milan kickstarted our confidence. Also, after my first Training Match, and my 7.5, the gaffer has started me in every game.
I think alot of our early issues were down to the Chievo Manager chopping and changing the formation. Playing a 4-5-1 away from home, with myself in the AMF role just behind Pellissier. He then tried a 4-3-3 that didnt work, and finally opted for a 4-4-2 with two CMF's and two AMF's. This is the formation that worked against Milan, and he has stuck to it since. Nice touch.
I also like the way the gaffer keeps me on the pitch if I'm playing well. I've completed the full 90 on 4 occasions, and everytime I felt I deserved to stay on the pitch. This never happened in BAL 2009, especially at the beginning of your career. My gaffer also gave me a credible mention in his comments after a certain game. I'd won the ball in the middle of the park, sprayed it out to the left to Luciano, who whipped one in from the flank for Moscardelli to power home with his head. Technically, this obviously wasnt an assist from me, but after the match the gaffer commended me for my 'instrumental part in the goal'. I was very impressed by that.
Also, after scoring my 3rd goal overall and the 2nd in a 2-0 win over Lazio, with 72 minutes gone on the clock, my gaffer immediately switched from the 4-4-2 to 5-4-1, replacing a striker for another CB, and switched to Defensive Possession to hold out. Clever stuff really, especially as I was actually thinking just before he switched tactics that we need to 'shut up shop' here and see this out. And thats exactly what he did.
I must admit, what I'm really enjoying is watching how all the Chievo players play on their own. I know this team like the back of my hand, and it's quite strange to see alot of them actually play very similar to how they do when I'm in control of them. Nick Frey is legendary at the back, Luciano is strong as an ox, Marcolini is a ball-greedy bastard, and Moscardelli is a beast up top. My Manager, choosing his own formations and teams, has also introduced me to a couple of players I had yet to give a chance to. Good stuff, I love it.
Edit - And not only does my BAL bloke have my exact face, I also kitted him out with my current football boots, Puma King's. Nice.
