Re: The PES6 Master League Thread
Hi guys,
nice to be reading of the best threads on the forum again.
Just thought I'd update you lot on my ML experiences.
I finished my earlier season with Aachen on PES5 and went back to Seria A for my first ML of PES6 (gotta love Serie A)
I decided to take the attractive offer of the position at Torino. Notable players in my first season were Oguro, Barone, Rosina Franchescini, Comotto and of course Fiore.
I added Zigic, Gavranic, Eigler, Lee Ho (outstanding DM, strength, technique, would get his head to every Ariel ball, and a strong shot) and Cuevas to the squad, and this really propelled Torino up into contention for Europe. Much like Liverpool in England, I failed to beat the Milan giants when it really mattered, but finished in 3rd, the fans were jubilent. We won the D1 Cup, beating Inter to make up for heavy defeats in the league. We also qualified for the champions league after storming through the qualification stage, beating Liverpool, Man United and Werder Bremen to the top spot.
The Oguro/Zigic partnership worked a treat, with the pace of Cuevas coming off the bench, goals were plentiful. Barone and Lee Ho anchored a deep central midfield which protected the back four, allowing my wingers (Lazetic and Fiore) and the occasional foray from Comotto and Balestri to punished teams via the flanks.
My second season at the helm, saw new faces, but this failed to equate to any trophies. Another 3rd place finish, and a heart braking CL Final defeat was our claim to fame.
The CL final against Chelsea was one of the truly special PES moments. Held in the Stade de France (kitserver hehe) on a warm night. The atmosphere was fantastic. The Chelsea fans came in large numbers from across the channel, but the Torino faithful made it an atmosphere to remember. With my computer volume up high, and Tommersons Chant pack installed...it was quite special. Torino started with the same high tempo that was a hallmark of our play in the league. The old warhorse Fiore, placed a glancing header in the bottom corner from a whipped Jimmy Bullard cross. Torino had several opportunities soon after the double the advantage. Lazetic and Zigic, both missed guilt-edged chances. The arrival of Patrick Kluivert at half-time, replacing the quiet Didier Drogba sparked a Chelsea come back. Shevchenko curl in a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, and soon after a Robben knock down teed up Kluviert's smashed half volley. Torino couldn't muster another goal, with John Terry's immense performance playing some part. 10 minutes before the final whistle, Frank lampard collected the ball on the half way line, and chipped a delightful through ball into the path of Kluivert, who beat the offside track, brushed off the desperate attempts of Franchescini and slotted past the on-rushing Abbiati to seal the win, and a first CL title under Jose Mourinho.
The new faces that season included; Hilbert, Bullard and Srna.
Discarded players: Taibi, Abbruscato, Melara, Bakayoko,Balestri, Stellone, Brevi, Music, Ardito, Ofvi, Ferranse
I'm just half way through my third season at the helm, the optimism is drying up, despite CL qualifcation, Milan and Inter still dominate the league, with Fiorentina, Roma and Palermo constantly on Torino's back,
But I plan to move back to England (Vicarage Road) again to try and save my local club from relegation back to the Championship. I plan on taking over there once the transfer window is complete in RL (hopefully Young doesn't move, but he we want him at Liverpool!), and also once I have my hands on an updated option file.
I have brought in more players to Torino with the windfalls in club revenue from the CL run, and these players should continue to cement the rise of Torino to a top three club in Italy (until Juve return). Simao was snapped up on a bosman, citing the attractive blend of football played at Torino as his reasoning. Sissoko arrived in Turin from Liverpool, with Abburscato moving in the opposite direction. Mark Kennedy and Akgun have been brought in to add depth to the Torino strikeforce. The veteran german defender, Christian Worns has also arrived to lead the defensive line that was leaking considerably in my second season. And last but not least, Akale is injecting pace back into the Torino flanks, and thus far he has been linking up well with the strikeforce.
After a late show in the CL qualifying stage. Torino once again, will take part in Europe's premier footballing competition. Notable wins away at St James Park and the Renzo Barbera (5-1) put Torino through by winning the group.
Its been a fun ML. The transfers in PES6 have improved, but as mentioned consistently in this thread, not enough for my liking. Plenty of offers came through for my in-form player, and there were even bites for transfer listed reserves. I've found some legendary players on the way. Oguro has scored close to 50 goals and created 20 assists over the three seasons. Probably down to his creative skills, he can play in AMF, SS and CF. His positioning is exemplary and his response in the box always gives him an advantage over defenders, his good agility and dribbling skills allows him to skip past players, and has perfected the art of rounding or feinting the keeper before slotting or chipping home. Lee Ho is one of the greatest DM's I've ever come across on the game. Only bettered by Patrick Viera in Seria A. And Zigic is quite simply, the best target man I've ever had the pleasure of playing with. He's up there with Koller, Carew on my all time PES list
All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I'm still however really looking for a massive challenge, and I'm hoping that a stint at Watford will be exactly that, a club with a small squad, and minimal financial resources.