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Here's an evaluation of the teams as of now. With loans not coming in yet, all this can change. But wage-wise, it seems like a walkover by Lazio

1. The Hyped Up Title Contenders
Lazio - 95.01k
Key Players: van der Kinderen, Paponi, Savenas, Ayvaz

Comments: Very strong team overall, almost no weak links to exploit. Weakest player is 86k. Definitely strongest title-contender

2, 3. The Liverpool and Chelsea of 2B
Ferencvarosi - 88.04k
Key Players: Cernik, Fedorenko, Ratajczak, Sahar

Olimpija – 89.21k
Key Players: Szabics, Ewerthon, Srna, Allaj

Comments: 2 competitive teams, similar in wage build. Olimpija would require another loan or 2 to sufficiently compete but they certainly would not be lacking in that section. Ferencvarosi has brought over an immensely powerful team from last season and that extra year certainly doesn’t seem to have taken its toll.

4, 5. The Traditional Powerhouses
Ajax Amsterdam – 86.25k
Key Players: Quintanaa, de Vries

Glasgow Rangers – 83.79k
Key Players: Mihajlovic, Jagnjic

Comments: Two traditional division 2 powerhouses, they certainly would take every chance to promote. Definitely would be in the running with a few reinforcements or just games in their favour.

6, 7, 8. The Black Horses
Monaco – 82.73k
Key Player: Kusainov

Valencia – 82.14k
Key Players: Pilsner, Sylverans

Malmo – 80.99k
Key Players: Smicer, Peric, Stevanovic, Rojas

Comments: Newly down from Division 1, a couple of loans would make Malmo into a very strong team. With 4 top stars, they are indeed the black horses of this season for 2B as we can’t really tell what would come out of a clash with them. Newly promoted Valencia will also be able to pack a punch with their team still containing most players that served them so well in Division 2 last time. Monaco, consistently touted as relegation contenders, have to rely on what little loans they can derive this season and try to battle their way in with their comparatively weaker squad this season.

9, 10. The Tough Battlers
Etoile du Sahel – 78.75k
Key Player: Lecca

Torpedo Kutaisi – 78.31k
Key Players: Manna, Battaglia, Matsumura

Comments: A survivor from last season and a newly promoted team, these 2 teams will be battling hard to make their mark in Division 2. Both teams have experience and it will definitely serve them well. Goalkeepers seem to be the core of their team and would definitely make or break their season

11, 12. The Relegation Candidates
Krylya Sovetov – 69.77k
Key Player: Torghelle

Tolima – 67.83k
Key Players: Madsen, Chaabna, Medou-Otye

Comments: Huge changes would have to be made for these teams to survive. No teams with an average wage below 70k have ever been able to make it in Division 2 and I doubt these 2 would be able to. Either reinforcements have to be brought in, or we might have a repeat of Dnirpo and Sao Paulo of last season. On a side note, Krylya has commented that they would be going youths.

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AS Monaco

I'll be doing when I have the time

League Round 1

Monaco AS 4-1 Malmo FF

Absolute shocker, as the Monaco manager would have it. He never thought that such a comprehensive win would be possible, even with a red card to Laurent Caby when he lashed out at the referee in the very first minute! However, the individual quality of Rados and Kusainov kept them in the game with Kusainov, scoring his usual first goal and Rados scoring a quickfire double in 10 minutes. Although Munoz gave Malmo a brief revival, it wasn't sufficient when Helsing ended off the game in the 80th minute with a brilliant strike from outside the box. Einar, manager of Malmo, promptly commented that he shouldn’t have played as aggressively. Looks like its back to the drawing board for Malmo who face Ajax next!

Valencia CDF 0-4 Olimpija

Total walkover by Olimpija as suspensions brought over from last season made Kurt’s decision to play youths. Olimpija were 2-0 up by halftime following goals from Srna and Savicevic. By full time, Srna had added to his tally while The Killer truly lived up to his name by finishing the game off. Superior possession and sheer class were reasons by Olimpija were able to win so comprehensively. An all star performance by Srna will definitely convince the Olimpija gaffer never to sell him as he shows his brilliance even at the age of 30. Certainly a boost for Olimpija who would be gunning for promotion.

Ajax Amsterdam AFC 2-0 Ferencvarosi TC

A closely competed match in which Ajax wrapped things up by the 36th minute. Even a red card to veteran Rebko couldn’t deter the Dutch giants from a victory over last season’s runner up. Goals from Rudge and Sundin were sufficient and Ferencvarosi looked too different from the team of yester-season. A great improvement would have to be seen in order for them to continue fighting for the title. Both Valencia and Ferencvarosi would be looking to heal their battered egos in the following match, making it a very interesting battle.

Lazio 2-0 FC Torpedo Kutaisi

No shockers were produced as title contenders Lazio were lead to a 2-0 victory by captain Ogun Ayvaz. However, it must be a consolation for the Torpedo gaffer as they were not beaten as much as predictions were made out to be. Lazio were made to rue missed chances as their strikers were unable to fire. An improvement by Torpedo could even see them stay up as Bayaram produced a good performance that would definitely have caught the eyes of the other teams from 2B.

Krylya Sovetov 5-1 Tolima

The shocker match of the day! Tolima, with their manager telling them that they must produce their BEST performance of the season, overcame all odds by thrashing Tolima 5-1. Sir Alex was absolutely displeased with Martin’s call to play youths, one which did not come true. A hattrick from Will Johnson, skipper of Sovetov, cleanly destroyed Tolima as he combined with Cabrini to great devastation. Certainly a tactical victory by the Sovetov manager which propelled them to first place in their first ever game in division 2!

Etoile du Sahel 3-2 Glasgow Rangers FC

Another shocker as dark horses Etoile pulled off what they managed to do last season, beat the top teams and stay up. 2 goals from Silhavy ensured that Jacquinot’s late goal was not enough for the Scottish giants to earn a point. The Etoile manager was extremely happy with his team, one which the odds were stacked against. On the other hand, Martin kept his team locked in the dressing room for reasons unknown, making them swear to play better against arch rivals Monaco over the weekend, one which a loss would definitely not be tolerated. A match of the season contender!

Next match to watch out for:

Monaco AS – Glasgow Rangers FC

A team which the Glasgow manager has always touted to go down, this game would show the true colours of both teams. Martin would definitely not tolerate a loss while Lim has to contend with the suspension of star Caby, only hoping for a draw with Glasgow. However, what awaits would be the competitiveness of the players on the pitch.

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AS Monaco