Previously on Rio de la Plata, Bastardo’s Peñarol lost ground to Nacional.
Intro
Last time out on the blog it felt like we were embarking on a period of great regression. Not only did Nacional win an Opening Stage, we also lost on penalties in the Intermedio to the giants of Montevideo Wanderers. After three seasons of domestic success, Bastardo’s crown was up for grabs.
Today’s update is brief: a look back at the climax of the 2022 Closing Stage in the Primera División and a look ahead to the 2022 World Cup. Where Bastardo hopes to sign off his National Duty escapades with a World Cup win. Vamos…
Season 2022
Domestic
The reaction from the players in the Closing Stage was pleasing (was it the three bastards from Argentina that helped?). We equalled our best ever Closing Stage, from season one : 11 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. The highlight being a set piece special away in Nacional’s Estadio Gran Parque Central. A thumping own-goal header from an Agustín Álvarez freekick put us on our way, before a second half penalty converted by Facundo Milán helped arrange a Play-Off showdown with Montevideo’s most tragic of clubs.
The domestic showpiece (played for the first time in this save) was a horrible watch and no advert for Uruguayan football. It can be re-watched in the short-term over on Twitch, before it’s reported and taken down for crimes against Football Manager. We ultimately fought our way into the penalty shootout, which I was pleased for as somebody would now have to show the cojones needed to win! Up steps Matías de los Santos in sudden death to win the title with his last kick in a Peñarol shirt before leaving. He joins Palmeiras for around €4m…representing our biggest transfer sale in this save so far.
For as long as I remain Peñarol boss, there will be those hating on my successes. My reaction to this hate has always been consistent: kill them with trophies (which now stands at 9 trophies in 4 seasons). This latest domestic title is our 4th in a row in FM20 and means that Peñarol now have won six in a row: a Uruguayan record. Haters will be crying.
Our 2022 top performers (all comps) are below:
Goals: Facundo Milán (19 goals), Tobías Zárate (13 goals) & Agustín Canobbio (8 goals)
Assists: Agustín Canobbio (11 assists), Matías de los Santos (10 assists) & Giovanni González (9 assists)
Average Rating: Agustín Álvarez (7.65), Matías de los Santos (7.55) & Emmanuel Mas (7.36)
Continental
Continental woes continue however, as we were drawn with current Libertadores holders Boca Juniors in the First Knockout Round. The difference in class was easy to see as we exited with a 6-2 aggregate loss - Boca’s FM20 acquisitions have led to them owning some of the continent’s best players like Wuilker Fariñez, Leonardo Balerdi & Agustín Manzur. Boca went on to defend their title in the Final Vs Flamengo before losing out 1-0 to the Brazilians.
Los 23 jugadores de Bastardo
I’m really looking forward to the International element over the next 2 months in my save: we’re off to the World Cup as Copa América title holders. Immediately after that tournament win, I decided to phase out certain oldies and introduce a few youngsters, and the outcome is a 23 man squad full of youthful exuberance…but with a hint of tournament know-how experience.
For the 2022 World Cup squad, I have the seven players under the age of 25; who all have a chance being in the First XI for our opening game Vs Mali. The three Centre Backs of Ronald Araújo, Sebastián Cáceres & Bruno Méndez (all 23) have the fight to replace Diego Godín (who, now aged 36, ends on 160 International Caps) and partner Elite Centre Back José Giménez.
The two youngest players in the squad are Peñarol’s Ezequiel Busquets (22) and Anderlecht’s Juan Manuel Gutiérrez (20) - who has beaten Matías Arezo as the youthful Striker to complement Maxi Gómez (26) and the veterans of Edinson Cavani & Luis Suárez (both 35). It’s unlikely I will partner both oldies together upfront, but I simply couldn’t overlook giving these two one last tournament before they inevitably retire. 134 goals in 285 International caps between them…beautiful.
As followers of FMG may know, I kind of like to make a big deal out of my mediocrity at Football Manager. So, to celebrate my final few games of International football in Football Manager 2020, I will be streaming Full Match VirginFM over on Twitch: twitch.tv/fm_grasshopper.
It’s obviously pandemic dependent (and all the force majeure that comes with it), but I hope to stream my games for others to watch on the below dates and times:
Mali Vs Uruguay - Tuesday 24 March 2020 - 2000 UK time
Uruguay Vs Belgium - Wednesday 25 March 2020 - 2000 UK time
Poland Vs Uruguay - Friday 27 March 2020 - 2000 UK time
I can’t promise good football…a facecam/greenscreen…or even any decent chat whatsoever. But if you wanted to get a beer and watch virtual football, there’s no better time, seeing as the World has given up on real football anyway.
Expectations? I’m hoping to get out of the Group Stages and into the Knockouts. This means I need to start well Vs Mali, take what I can against Belgium and then face a crunch game with Poland. If we can do that, then there’s hope that our momentum takes us all the way to the grand finale. You’ve got to dream, right?
Paradise Lost
The full Caporegime stood in military formation on the tarmac of Montevideo's Carrasco International Airport. They were there anticipating the arrival of Don Bastardo who would board his private flight to Qatar, along with the Uruguayan National Team, at noon. At the foreground of the huge posse, the Venezuelan Free Folk stood motionless…loyal statues willing to fight for the Peñarol cause. These 50 partisan warriors were led by 20 year-old Hugo Ojeda - now the Head of Bastardo's security services. Despite his youthful looks, his broad frame towered over most of the Free Folk and his smart grey suit glistened in the Summer sun. He had grown into a man during his 5 years in Montevideo, with the full respect of his people and the melange of the Argentine & Uruguayans that had joined Bastardo's journey.
Hugo advanced towards the creeping jet black modified Renault Kwid, Bastardo's luxury city cruiser emblazoned in the black and yellow of Peñarol. The car grounded to a halt as Hugo opened the door to reveal Bastardo to the masses.
"Hola patrón, the aircraft is ready and players are on board" Hugo announced proudly, "We leave in 10 minutes after safety checks. Destination: Qatar".
Bastardo eased out of the car with the deftly stillness as he often did "Just I, Hugo" Bastardo replied, "You're to remain here, with your people".
Hugo rushed his response, not realising how juvenile it sounded: "But, I'm your head of security. I need to be there…given the threats made on you".
Bastardo took off his sunglasses to pay one final glance at Hugo with his own eyes "You're exactly where you need to be Hugo". Bastardo passed over an envelope, the seal visibly untouched, and placed it into the hands of Hugo Ojeda. A red lion amongst golden flames: Bastardo's seal.
"Execute Operation Isabella, do not hesitate and show no mercy" Bastardo said, before coolly walking towards the aircraft's steps for Destination Qatar…