Season 25 could hardly have been a greater contrast to the previous two seasons of D2 mediocrity. When we lost all five pre-season games I had a feeling we might start with a win for once, and a 5-1 thrashing of Cruzeiro exceeded all expectations.
We were quickly brought back down to earth with a draw and a defeat in our next games.
Pre-Season Transfer Strategy
We had brought Lacroix back to the club in exchange for Tomas Araujo, an immediate +2 on our starting CB. That undoubtedly helped us to have such a successful season. Araujo eventually got his +2 while Lacroix mysteriously stayed at 88.
We also exchanged Noa Lang 88 for Alex Iwobi 89 and veteran Idrissa Gueye 88. Lang got his 89 by the season end while Iwobi stayed at 89. Iwobi was instrumental in our successful season with 11 goals and 17 assists from the left wing, however, and Gueye proved invaluable as Casemiro’s understudy. Casemiro scored 5 and created 8 goals from set-pieces and Gueye managed 6 and 3 in a third as many starts. Both had superb real life seasons as well, like Lacroix. Must be the Beddows anti-Marsden Mafia at SM HQ!
Mid-Season Reinforcements
During the season, we brought in more depth and youth including Jorge Carrascal, who since joined Flamengo in real life in a big money move. If he’s successful there, he could easily reach 89 rating.
Rafa Mujica joined from external as a like-for-like deputy for Ekitike, and he scored 6 crucial goals and 2 assists in 17 appearances (including just 4 starts). Absolutely vital contributions from an 86 rated player when added to Ekitike’s 16 goals and 10 assists.
For the youth team, Metinho returned for his third stint at the club. He’s now a starter for Basel in real life so expect a nice rise for him at the next review. We also brought young Hakon Volden back to the club for his second spell. I have high hopes for him, and his now a regular on Rosenborg’s bench in real life.
Division 1 Preparation
Later in the season, we started preparing for D1 by signing Roberto Firmino 89, Ferland Mendy 90, James Tarkowski 89, Yassine Bono 90 and Aleix Garcia 90.
We also brought in some younger depth players in Velasco, Krauss and Karlsson, while letting go Al-Dawsari and Forsberg, the able but aging servants.
We added a couple more exciting youth talents in Sato and Mabena.
Player Spotlight: Remy Cabella
A special mention for veteran playmaker Remy Cabella, who returned for his third spell at the club at the end of last season. This season, like Mujica, he was phenomenal when called upon to deputise for Traore and Iwobi, and later when Firmino couldn’t find his shooting boots and seemed to make the team lose when he played, Cabella became my starter, and guided us over the promotion line and to the D2 title. He scored 8 goals in 19 appearances (5 off the bench) with MotMs and a 7.26 average performance rating! He definitely earned himself a new contract.
Rating Changes
Hamari Traore, Azpilicueta, and Bourigeaud all dropped a rating during the season as expected. Greenwood +1, Ekitike +2, Macedo +2 rose to balance things out a bit. I thought the rises for Greenwood and Ekitike were miserly, but their true ratings will come in time.
For the youth team, Volden got a +8, Smit +5, Stojkovic +2, Volden +8, Bojang +4, Serrote +6, Jesus +3, Biden +1, Vitek +2, JSP +7, Dani +3.
Expecting more from all of them, plus Sarco and Rayane Messi. Jakob Brandtner is somewhat under the radar, but playing regularly for Liefering as he hopefully progresses up the Red Bull ladder.
Season Summary
All in all, I couldn’t be happier with this season. What a way to mark Top 100’s tenth anniversary and 25th Season!
Looking ahead, it’s going to be very tough again in D1. I hope to survive and at the very least do considerably better than my previous feeble attempt.
I’d like to add an 89+ RB, and a 89+ AM/winger, but it doesn’t look likely at the moment. So we’ll stick with what we have and know that we made a number of moves to improve the 1st team before the season ended, so there’s no panic.
And while our first team is aging, we have a wealth of younger talent developing through the ranks in the reserves, U21, and Academy.
Squad Evolution: S25 vs S26
Line-up comparisons for S25 and S26:
| Position | Season 25 Start | Season 26 Start |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Armani 88 | Bono 90 |
| RB | Traore 89 | Traore 88 |
| LB | Azpi 89 | Mendy 90 |
| CB | Lacroix 88 | Tarkowski 89 |
| CB | Otamendi 90 | Otamendi 90 |
| DM | Casemiro 90 | Casemiro 90 |
| CM | Bourigeaud 89 | Garcia 90 |
| AM | Traore 88 | Firmino 89 |
| RW | Greenwood 89 | Greenwood 90 |
| LW | Iwobi 89 | Iwobi 89 |
| ST | Ekitike 88 | Ekitike 90 |
Trophy Cabinet (plenty of room still)
The foundation is now set for our return to Division 1 football. From relegation candidates to champions – the Hamburg resurrection is complete.
Next up: Division 1 survival and beyond. The real test begins now.
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