Good afternoon guys and welcome to the season end grades for Division 1. If you can remember back to before Season 3 got underway, I compiled a full preview that gave a prediction on how I thought each team would fare for the season. This included my final position prediction and this report will show how well or how bad the formula I used worked. The report is in order of how the teams finished.
1st BARCELONA 105pts Predicted Finish 3rd
What can be said about Barcelona’s season? An incredible 34 wins from 38 games may never be achieved again. Unbeaten away from home shows the strength of the team from goalkeeper to striker. The only question that I think can be asked is how would they fare without Lionel Messi? There is no way they are a one man team but without the great Messi I wonder if they could win the league as easily.
I predicted third but that was sure rammed back down my throat. However, only two places out sounds a bit better haha.
Grade: A
2nd BAYERN MUNICH 94pts Predicted Finish 1st
In any other set up, 94pts would almost certainly be good enough to take the title but it wasn’t to be for Bayern this season. Two league defeats by Barcelona was the difference between being Champions and finishing second as the twelve point swing would have given the title to the German club. The target for next season is obviously to win they games but they can’t let that aim distract them from the rest of the games
I predicted Bayern to be Champions but the inability to overcome Barca in the league put paid to that. Only one place out though which isn’t too bad.
Grade: B+
3rd REAL MADRID 70pts Predicted Finish 2nd
A poor first half of the season by Real Madrid’s standard dashed any hopes of challenging for this year’s title and it took a good second half to be able to finish third and qualify for the Champions Cup again next season. Real were still reasonably strong at home but struggled on their travels and that is where they will have to improve next season if they are going to try and overhaul their greatest rivals at the top.
I predicted a runners up finish for Real Madrid but I certainly didn’t expect them to be so poor away from home. Only one place out though so still a decent effort.
Grade: B-
4th JUVENTUS 67pts Predicted Finish 4th
An up and down season for Juventus seen them managing to grab that last Champions Cup place but they didn’t do it without a battle. Were under pressure from a variety of clubs throughout the season but were able to stave them off. Like Real Madrid, they had their problems away from home and are still a couple of players short of being able to challenge for the title.
I predicted fourth for Juventus and got this one correct. Just not strong enough to finish higher but good enough to compete in the Champions Cup. My first one that was spot on.
Grade: B
5th LIVERPOOL 61pts Predicted Finish 14th
Difficult to assess my own season but I am obviously delighted at how it worked out. The big difference was the defence away from home that conceded just 16 goals with only Barcelona conceding less. Some inconsistency at home prevented me claiming a Champions Cup place but overall it has been a great season that I have thoroughly enjoyed.
My prediction of 14th was way out but that shows how surprised I am at my own success. Following it up next season will be even harder. A difference of nine places was not a very good prediction.
Grade: B+
6th BORUSSIA DORTMUND 61pts Predicted Finish 10th
A successful first season back in the top flight for Borussia Dortmund and with a bit of luck could have had a Champions Cup place. Very strong away from home with 11 wins being the best outside the top two. Pulled off some impressive results and more than deserved their top six finish. Can they go from strength to strength next season? They have the players and the manager to do so.
My prediction of 10th was maybe too conservative as they certainly had the players to do better. The best of the promoted teams and should now become a regular feature in the top flight. Out by four places on this one. Disappointed.
Grade: B+
7th SSC NAPOLI 56pts Predicted Finish 17th
Napoli were one of the main surprises of the season. They recovered from a poor run just before the halfway point when they could easily have lost heart and dropped into a relegation fight. A decent home record and they must be content with how their first season in Division 1 turned out. A place in the Euro Shield is a deserved reward for the Italian club
I predicted Napoli to go straight back down but they performed superbly well and picked up vital wins against some good teams. I was a huge 10 places out with this one and hang my head in shame.
Grade: B
8th ARSENAL 54pts Predicted Finish 8th
Three seasons for the Top100 and three 8th place finishes for Arsenal. Some poor results at home were instrumental to Arsenal being unable to break into the top 6. A slow start also didn’t help and although they recovered with a decent run, they were just too inconsistent to threaten the teams above them. The potential to do much better is there but so far it has been just that – potential.
I got this one right but it was probably the one I would have put money on. Still, that’s my second correct prediction so far.
Grade: C-
9th SS LAZIO 53pts Predicted Finish 19th
Another surprise and arguably the biggest was the performance of Lazio this season. Expected to struggle throughout they more than held their own and made themselves a hard team to beat. Probably one of the weakest squads in the league but Fred Dodger got the best out of them and seems to have a team that work for each other. Great performance.
Got this one completely wrong. There was no sign that Lazio would do so well and I tip my hat to them. 10 places out with this one and I will have to give them more respect next season.
Grade: B+
10th FC PORTO 52pts Predicted Finish 6th
Overall a disappointing league campaign for Porto after last years excellent showing. It was a season of two halves with the first half seeing them struggle around the relegation area before finally finding last seasons form and climbing the table in the second half. Just 4 wins at home is a worrying statistic and something they will look to improve on.
My prediction of 6th would have been very close if Porto had done better at the start of the season. A hard team to predict. Four places out for this one which wasn’t that bad for a team as unpredictable as Porto.
Grade: C
11th PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 51pts Predicted Finish 9th
Paris Saint-Germain had a decent season after their promotion although I did expect them to be the best of the promoted sides going by the squad at their disposal. This is not saying that they underachieved as other promoted sides did better than expected. A satisfactory season for PSG and they may have qualified for the Euro Shield thanks to Porto’s Shield win.
Two places out with my prediction which wasn’t too bad. Looked as though it might be spot on until a tough second half of the season for PSG.
Grade: C+
12th VALENCIA CF 50pts Predicted Finish 12th
A steady season from Valencia who hovered around mid-table from start to finish. Whether David Senior is satisfied with that is a different thing altogether. Were never in trouble and all in all it was a season of stability. Despite finishing 12th, Valencia could sneak into the Euro Shield thanks to the domestic cup competition winners finishing above them.
My third correct prediction giving me 25% after 12 teams. Happy with this one as Valencia could easily have been higher up the league.
Grade: C
13th CHELSEA 48pts Predicted Finish 7th
A very disappointing season for Chelsea who were expected to be up challenging for a top six finish. Too many games lost at home and an inability to put a run together cost them dearly and there will have to be big changes in either playing staff or attitude from the current crop of players if they are to do better next season
I was six places out with my prediction and Chelsea have been a big let down for me. I expect a better showing next season
Grade: D
14th MANCHESTER CITY 40pts Predicted Finish 15th
For a long time it looked like Manchester City would be playing Division 2 football next season but out of the blue they turned things around and although they were still in danger with just a two or three games to go, they managed to complete a superb recovery. A better start next season should avoid the tension of a relegation battle
My prediction of 15th was just one place out and I am happy with that.
Grade: C-
15th FC SCHALKE 04 39pts Predicted Finish 16th
After a good first half of the season that seen them tucked safely in mid-table, a disastrous run seen them drop like a stone into the relegation places. They were looking favourites to go down as they struggled but they rediscovered their form just in time and 4 wins in their last six games sees them fight another day and retain their Division 1 status.
I was just the one place out for this one. I expected them to find it tough but they showed that on their day they are a match for most teams in the league. Consistency is the word for Schalke to remember
Grade: C-
16th ATLETICO MADRID 39pts Predicted Finish 11th
A poor season for Atletico could easily have ended in disaster. It seemed there was something not right behind the scenes and that spread on to the pitch where Atletico struggled home and away. Being streets behind local rivals Real has not gone down well with the fans and the ship really needs steadied before next season
I had an idea that Atletico might struggle this season but I still thought they were capable of a mid table finish. My prediction of 11th was five places out
Grade: D
17th MANCHESTER UNITED 35pts Predicted Finish 5th
I can’t find the words to explain the demise of Season 1 Champions Manchester United. A complete disaster of a season that sees them drop down to Division 2. This is the headline story of the season and the top league will be poorer without them. Joe Jordan will keep his job but surely the Division 2 title is a must.
My prediction of 5th should have been very close but instead it was my worst one of the whole preview. 12 places out is almost as shocking as United’s season.
Grade: E
18th FENERBAHCE SK 35pts Predicted Finish 18th
After looking as though they could be the surprise team of the season with the good start they had, Fenerbahce lost their way and gradually dropped down the table. It was a slide that, no matter what they tried to do, was impossible to stop. In the end it was relegation and they can have no complaints. Division 2 is not going to be easy either and it may be a while before Turkey have a representative in the top flight.
My prediction of 18th was spot on but I take no pleasure in predicting anyone to be relegated.
Grade: D-
19th BAYER LEVERKUSEN 22pts Predicted Finish 20th
A weak squad was always going to find it hard in a division packed with quality and so it proved to be. Four wins from 38 games should have meant a P45 for Noisy as boss but winning the Youth Cup has convinced the board that the future is bright and that Noisy is the man to continue in the manager role. Division 2 could be a blessing in disguise as this team try to regroup.
I predicted Leverkusen to finish bottom but I was one place out. Still a decent prediction.
Grade: D
20th ACF FIORENTINA 21pts Predicted Finish 13th
A season that never got off the ground finished in relegation to Division 2. Nothing went right for Fiorentina and 3 wins was unacceptable as far as everyone connected with the club was concerned and Mister Malcolm paid the ultimate price and was sacked as manager. As of today, they are still searching for someone to lead their assault on Division 2 but whoever gets the job will have to be one hell of a motivator to get this club on the move again.
I expected a tricky season but a safe mid table position for Fiorentina but in the end I was 7 places out.
Grade: E
My Prediction Totals
Correct: 4
1 to 2 places out: 7
3 to 5 places out: 3
Over 5 places out: 6
So that was how the season panned out as far as my predictions for the season went. Getting 4 out of 20 wasn’t that bad but I was happy that another 7 were just one or two places out.
I will be doing another preview for Season 4 and will be asking all Division 1 managers for their aims for the season and who they think will take the title very soon. The sooner I receive them back, the sooner I can get the preview published.
Well done to everyone for another great season and I am not sure of the exact figure but I doubt there is another gameworld that has had as many managers staying for the whole season.
Good luck to the six teams that are playing in the Play Off Finals tomorrow night and good luck to everyone for Season 4, which cant come quick enough.
Ciao
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