Ausharmuj Marusi
Manager: Ey Farrháteré
Nickname: la SindicaHome Stadium: Multisportivé Joan Roaré (17,000)
Home City: Bolanos, Ferdullaele
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Giolehe Inflax - (LB) Valdo Kímé, (CB) Horacéi Xúrkaroá, (CB) Gianlei Bula, (RB) Soirelí der Reneska - (CM) Liberté Salogadó [C], (CM) Madusmé Ukén, (LW) Danoé Anders, (OM) Anviungar Fuadé, (RW) Alexon Rrhefé - (ST) Maguiliní Spoheí
Bench: (GK) Erazem Askanter, (GK) Garrehemí Crenago - (LB) Herrhemengaúl der Ezse, (CB) Somuemundé Andaní, (CB) Gurmund Carrhéteré, (RB) Kaé Fargá - (CM) Ordonó Tribulanté, (CM) Onder Lanké, (LW) Nerianeknoé der Reneska, (OM) Féipé Cronologó, (RW) Garrego Loalé - (ST) Bertami Boté
Background: The only left-wing team in Ferdullaele, the wealthy capital state that had control over Farfadillis until only a few years ago. Why are they the only left-wing team? Because the team is still heavily associated to the syndicate that founded it, so the have by far the biggest working class fanbase outside Ruland. Left-wing as they may be, though, they're very much Ferdullaelan nationalists like almost all other teams in the capital. They're hated outside Ferdullaele for this, and hated inside Ferdullaele for their other political views. They relish this.
State League Performance: They coasted their way to FFL qualification. It was very obvious they didn't care enough to challenge for the title, because they're definitely at least the second best team in Ferdullaele, and perhaps even the best one. We'll see how they fare when they shift gears for the league.
Strengths: They have a very talented midfield that can adapt to their not-as-good other areas. Their midfield can play possession and counterattack very naturally, and they're all at the peak of their physical conditions. Their two center midfielders, in particular, are completely tireless.
Weaknesses: Maguiliní Spoheí is not clinical, and the wingers aren't good enough to pick up the slack. As a result, they'll have much more trouble scoring than they should with their midfield. Beyond that, Giolehe Inflax is untested at this level, and there's no worse position for that than goalkeeper. It could come back to bite them.
Best Players: You need to look no further than Liberté Salogadó. World Cup winner with a total of five minutes played (but a World Cup winner at the end of the day), it says a lot about how loyal
la Sindica's players are that he hasn't moved to another team despite having the quality to play for the big teams, or indeed some Nepharim or Euran team. He's tireless, his passing is very good, and he can put in a good defensive shift when it's needed. He's only slightly lacking in dribbling skills, but he's otherwise the complete package.
Young Prospects: Soirelí der Reneska and Valdo Kímé may be young, but they're proven at this level despite barely cracking twenty years of age. They've got pace in spades, and the technique to make them dangerous on the attack, like any good Farf wingback should be. They'll be key when Ausharmuj Marusi play wide.
Prediction: They're a very solid team, but it's hard to see how they could do better than the best Faroleran and Rulandese teams, as well as René Skaé and Gorfalle Town. We'll go with 11th place.
Avenida Principal
Manager: Fons Argáez
Nickname: los CaballerosHome Stadium: La Gran Avenida (60,000)
Home City: Victoria Lago, Puerto Farolero
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Rafael Perales - (LB) Abram Aguayo, (CB) Ramón Gonzales [C], (CB) Orlando Soria, (RB) Sebastián Montalvo - (CM) Lucián Saldivar, (CM) Óliver Tijerina, (OM) Adrián Raya, (LW) Andrés Valdez, (RW) Alonzo de Anda - (ST) Joel Cotto
Bench: (GK) Emiliano Aguirre, (GK) Alejandro Montes - (LB) Lucas Valdés, (CB) Ricardo Pedroza, (CB) José Henríquez, (RB) Rodrigo Terrazas - (CM) Abraham Mondragón, (CM) Adrián Fajardo, (OM) Jorge Varela, (LW) José Orta, (RW) Iván Cervantes - (ST) Emiliano Barreto
Background: Avenida Principal is, you guessed it, one of the Avenidas. They are following in Avenida Victoria's footsteps: they've been in a clear downturn for about ten seasons now. Bizarrely, they're generally agreed to be the richest team in the country. In the past, they used to have the most foreigners in the league. Nowadays, well... they've had to change plans, and it hasn't helped them one bit. The good news is they've started funding their academy a lot more, and a few talented youngsters have appeared in their ranks. Politically, as the most affluent team in the nation, and having some of the most affluent fans outside Ferdullaele, you can guess what their allegiances are...
State League Performance: Pathetic. Completely pathetic. They rotated a lot, yes, and sometimes they looked like they weren't even trying. But we're not sure they weren't really trying. They finished below Tifón de la Costa! That's not gonna happen in the FFL itself, but it's still a terrible sign.
Strengths: They've got a very young team, and it shows both in how much they run and in how fast they do it. Alonzo de Anda, Óliver Tijerina and Abram Aguayo, in particular, are among the fastest players in the league. Teams with slow defenses will struggle tremendously against this team.
Weaknesses: Their pace makes them naturally tend towards a vertiginous playstyle. Teams that can soak up this pressure and counterattack effectively will generally beat them. Teams that can hang onto the ball indefinitely, tolerate their pressing, and slowly expose their defensive fragility? Those will destroy them.
Best Players: The aforementioned Óliver Tijerina is an extremely pacey center midfielder with an endless supply of bangers. He's also a very good playmaker. Alonzo de Anda is, we think, the second fastest player in the league. He isn't specially good at dribbling, or indeed crossing, but he makes up for it by always, always beating his man if given half an inch.
Young Prospects: The whole team is very young, but Adrián Raya particularly so. He's an offensive midfielder that likes to pretend he's a striker, and does it very convincingly. He's only eighteen, so there's no question many top teams will come calling if he bangs in more than fifteen goals this season.
Prediction: We can't just ignore that terrible state league performance. They'll finish around 10th place.
Gorfalle Town
Manager: Sisaí Vilá
Nickname: los CanarísHome Stadium: Parque Erfaon Lisdiren (10,000)
Home City: Gorfalle, Ferdullaele
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Damusmundy Sasca - (LB) Liberté Conosjeró, (CB) Berrhemengar Eregro [C], (CB) Bertami Asalia, (RB) Fonás Filosufé - (CM) Reimoundé Maludé, (CM) Gianluigi Sabí, (LW) Felragi Deltuarrhe, (OM) Madusmé Strela, (RW) Ezalta Arambauzá - (ST) Nacio Solesé
Bench: (GK) Ifarmé Barbá'Rrhé, (GK) Chusí Conosjeró - (LB) Neguimbelefra Indujanó, (CB) Dangué Aquilé, (CB) Cubí der Riviska, (RB) Arfibiá Rulandeo - (CM) Hu Okno Dandesolé, (CM) Kaé Gangerda, (LW) Vili Dubalá, (OM) Garrego der Nos, (RW) Garrehemí Altamirano - (ST) Giolihonsada Kímé
Background: A small club from the town of Gorfalle (no points for guessing that), Gorfalle Town have a history of overachievement. They're most famous for producing one of tge most capped Farf players, Erfaon Lisdiren, and for giving Ichi Tuzzio his first job as manager. Their management is one of the best in the nation. They've gotten by on a heavy emphasis on youth development and good football, as well as getting value for money on their transfers. All of those things are easier said than done, and not particularly innovative ideas, but the important thing is that this club does them very well. They're among the most politically apathetic clubs in the nation, largely because management thinks any kind of political allegiance might backfire in the long run.
State League Performance: They won it on goal difference while barely even trying. They're clearly the best team in Ferdullaele, but doubts remain over whether they're better than some of the good Faroleran and Rulandese teams.
Strengths: Of the teams in the league, they are probably the most adept at playing wide. Their fullbacks are not specially pacey, but they've got impeccable positioning and can read the game very well. Their wingers are extremely fast and will terorize every defense in the league. Their center midfield are adept at compensating for their teammates playing very wide. Any team with slow fullbacks will get wrecked against them.
Weaknesses: Damusmundy Sasca - Groaré Sasca's cousin - is a solid goalkeeper... if you ignore his tendency for shocking mistakes. He make a couple every season, and many of them lead to goals. His consistent inclusion in the starting eleven is a point of contention among fans, with many accusing Groaré Sasca of promising to return to Gorfalle Town eventually if his cousin continues to start. It's likely not true, though.
Best Players: Felragi Deltuarrhe and Ezalta Arambauzá, without a doubt. The left winger is a nightmare to defend against for compact teams, since he is just impossible to stop once he is given half a meter of space. He is not that good a dribbler, but it hardly matters when he is given space. He's also a fantastic crosser of the ball. Arambauzá, meanwhile, is a much more flexible winger, and overall the better player. While not as good as Deltuarrhe at running down the flank, his ambidexterity makes him very dangerous at cutting in, since he can choose between the two options at any time.
Young Prospects: Ezalta Arambauzá is also only twenty years old, so he's the young player to watch. Mâ Âlâmëómë, Dí Maozöxê and La Nueva Avenida are said to be interested in him.
Prediction: They're a good team, but there's also lots of good teams. We think they'll finish 9th.
Rülândéá Kôstä
Manager: Fêrm Égéré
Nickname: tâ KôstäHome Stadium: Âréné Délékôstä (10,000)
Home City: Ruland, Ruland
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Horâcio Mâ Mórsna - (LB) Pâb Bílísô, (CB) Jôk Kêsê, (RB) Ülì Bláór [C] - (CM) Sâlömão Xeró, (CM) Gëngüdó Îmiév, (TK) Émérí Dü Ârusânìrá, (LW) Güs Rêndô, (RW) Çè Sêwansé - (ST) Naclé Wôr, (ST) Röémün Çídh
Bench: (GK) Jâv Tulipão, (GK) Jê Êrgön - (LB) Éskïr Lûoo, (CB) Tè Leâl, (RB) Vínseslâdís Nêxvêrsôlöká - (CM) Mâánü Düsnans, (CM) Kârl Víçâr, (CM) Çìríkô Tlísnadâ, (LW) Fonás Nêndêlögâö, (RW) Nâáçó Nêxvêré - (ST) Kâákî Bênano, (ST) Drö Dírrôùjýâ
Background: Rülândéá Kôstä are massive in Ruland's coast. When we say massive, we mean truly massive. Most everyone in the city's coast suport the team named after the city's coast which, to be fair, is probably not shocking. Their supporters have very strong ties to the revolutionary movements of the last two decades, and are violent even by Rulandese standards. Their stadium, partially destroyed by bombings, will probably pack twice its capacity every game. Surpisingly, tâ Kôstä has a very friendly relationship with all other Rulandese clubs, seeing them more as family than rivals. Teams from outside Ruland, though? That's a very different story.
State League Performance: They did relavtively well. It's no secret that they're the third best Rulandese team; the state league reflected that. They famously go rather easy on their fellow Rulandese, so it will be interesting to see how passionate they'll be playing teams from outside the state.
Strengths: An extremely fluid tactical set-up, as well as players with great physical attributes. They run a lot, they run fast, and they don't get tired. They can and will completely switch tactics mid-game and change the pace of the game completely at a moment's notice. They don't have too much in terms of individual quality, at least not compared to the heavyweights of the league, but this is one of those wholes that is better than a sum of parts.
Weaknesses: They sometimes hesitate to go for the kill. They'll be a goal ahead and start playing a patient (Farf definition) game of possession only to concede inexplicably, when they would've easily thrashed their opponents had they stuck to kamikaze attack. Beyond that, their strikers are young and inexperienced, which could cost them a lot in big games.
Best Players: Émérí Dü Ârusânìrá is who makes the team tick. The young-ish midfielder is usually employed as a
takilante, a "new" position Ichi Tuzzio claims to have invented, which Égéré seems to have been impressed by after Faragó rue Cazade's performance for the Farfadillis National Team at the World Cup. Essentially, Émérí will be playing as a slightly advanced center midfielder who will press like a madman, foul a lot to stop counterattacks, and attempt to arrive at the box as if he were a shadow striker. It's physically very demanding, but he's up for the task. He's also got good dribbling and finishing, which helps make him one of the most versatile and dangerous players in the team. Beyond him, Sâlömão Xeró and Gëngüdó Îmiév are very good at taking control of the midfield, and will be expected to do so in every game.
Young Prospects: Çè Sêwansé is a pacey winger with a lot of flair. He's still very raw - his finishing, in particular, could use a lot of training - but the potential is clearly there. Without better options in the bench, he's been thrust into the starting eleven. We'll se how he fares. Up front, meanwhile, there's Röémün Çídh, the younger brother of Edmün Çídh, one of Farfadillis' brightest prospects. Unfortunately for him, he's essentially a poor man's Edmün. Fortunately for him, that's pretty good by the league's standards.
Prediction: They've got the talent, but their mentality has to change. They could be challenging for IFCF spots, and should begin to show it. Because of this, we'll have to predict 8th, though it's hard to see them finishing any lower than that.
Avenida Victoria
Manager: Eurico Corrillo
Nickname: VictorianosHome Stadium: La Gran Avenida (60,000)
Home City: Victoria Lago, Puerto Farolero
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Lucián Medrano - (LB) Nicolás Delatorre, (CB) Fabián Rubalcava [C], (CB) Enrique Resurrección, (RB) Rubén Hinojosa - (LM) Héctor Parra, (CM) Lancelot Mojica, (CM) Ramón Fonseca, (RM) Enrique Lauricella - (ST) Matías Soria, (ST) Alexis Guerra
Bench: (GK) Omar Serrano, (GK) Carlos Verdugo - (LB) Abram Rascón, (CB) Miguel Espinosa, (CB) Fernando Manzanares, (RB) Elías Rodríquez - (LM) Édgar Urías, (CM) Abraham Escobar, (CM) Alex Benavídez, (RM) Joel Madera - (ST) Antonio Collado, (ST) Daniel Gastélum
Background: The first big Avenida team. Of the big ones, the smallest. Most Avenida Victoria fans are still proud of how their team helped destroy the Ferdullaele monopoly of the league back in season 3, after decades of total hegemony from the capital city's club. Success was short-lived for Avenida Victoria, though: they only won the FFL in seasons 3 and 4. Their fans are hopelessly optimistic, though, and one can see why: they continuously produce some very talented footballers. They have a very intense rivalry with La Nueva Avenida - the only rivalry in Farfadillis comparable to
lâ Rülândéá Kâlâsïk.
El Clásico, as the fans call it, is always a very heated affair, and red cards tend to fly.
State League Performance: They finished fourth, but it was very tight at the top. They're definitely not far off Flamagua's level, at the very least. They never looked good enough to take on Avenida Leal and La Nueva Avenida, though.
El Clásico was specially disastrous: they got thrashed 6-0.
Strengths: Like so many other teams, it's the midfield. But this one, in particular, is particularly good. Ramón Fonseca is an experienced veteran, and one of the best playmakers in the league, Lancelot Mojica is a World Cup-winner, and Héctor Parra and Enrique Lauricella are among the most dangerous wingers in the league. However, it should be pointed out that their defense has some very good players in Enrique Resurreción and Rubén Hinojosa.
Weaknesses: While half of the defense is good, half of it isn't: Fabián Rubalcava, while once very good, is way too old to not consider him a liability, and Nicolás Delatorre is way too young, so the same applies. Also, Matías Soria and Alexis Guerra have a very shaky relationship, and that translates to bad performances on the pitch for a few weeks at a time.
Best Players: The star of this team is clearly Lancelot Mojica. The lad is a complete midfielder in every sense of the word. He'd be a starter for the Farfadillis NT if it hadn't switched from playing one complete midfielder to two complementary ones. He'd be able to walk into any team in this league. Rubén Hinojosa is the second best player nowadays: the veteran has also been capped, though at a time when Farfadillis was lacking right backs. Still, in this league, being capped for
la Vherderoja means being a cut above the rest.
Young Prospects: Héctor Parra is an astonishingly fast winger with good dribbling and crossing. In other words, he could very easily be world class one day. It's a shame that he's injury prone and very one-footed, as well as very suspect disciplinary-speaking. He's only nineteen, so he could turn into a world beater anyway, but those are never good signs.
Prediction: 7th place seems fair enough for a team like this. They're very solid, but not quite as good as some other team in the league. They could sneak into IFCF spots, though.
Flamagua
Manager: Cayo Punta
Nickname: las LlamasHome Stadium: La Fogata Mojada (25,000)
Home City: Gran Farol, Puerto Farolero
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Julio Miranda - (LB) Hugo Sisneros, (CB) Alex Enríquez, (RB) Jaime Tejada - (DM) Ernesto Arguello, (LM) Ramón Gómez, (CM) Josué Montemayor, (RM) Gabriel Tovar, (OM) Noé Salazar [C], (OM) Jesús Armendáriz - (ST) Armando Heredia
Bench: (GK) Jorge Arellano, (GK) Pablo Roque - (LB) Rafael Madrigal, (CB) Ernesto Gamboa, (RB) Gustavo Ruelas - (DM) Víctor Adorno, (LM) Leonardo Uribe, (CM) Alejandro Tovar, (RM) Adrián Barreto, (OM) Hugo Lerma, (OM) Jesús Colón - (ST) Fernando Campos
Background: Flamagua is the least successful of the "big" Faroleran clubs. All the (good) Avenidas have won the FFL more than once, yet Flamagua only have two bronze medals to their names. This hasn't stopped them from having massive (and violent) support, however. They are, after all, the only relevant club from a big working-class city. Their supporters are refreshingly uninterested in politics, though they don't shy away from xenophobic chants, knowing full well it riles up the Rulandese. In short, Flamagua are a football club that concerns itself with football only, and so do their fans. Unfortunately for them, they have never been
that good at football, but that doesn't mean the fans can't dream.
State League Performance: Very good signs here. They came in third, but were only three points off third, and were clearly playing at a level similar to that of Avenida Leal and La Nueva Avenida, the two teams that finished above them.
Strengths: The offensive midfield features two quick-thinking dribblers that are sure to prove nightmare-ish for their opponents. They're both fast and good at playmaking, too. Easily the scariest part of this team. It's safe to say Heredia won't have trouble finding chances to bury.
Weaknesses: Actually burying those will be the problem, though: Heredia is a notoriously bad finisher. He is good at finding space. He is quite fast. He can dribble. But he is just so frustratingly wasteful. Give him some finishing and he'd be a very good striker, and Flamagua would likely be a lock-on for Globe Cup spots.
Best Players: Noé Salazar and Jesús Armendáriz, of course. We've already described them a good bit, so let's point out the little differences in their playing styles: Noé is faster and has a bigger tendency try and dribble his way into the box, as well as dritf wide, while Armendáriz has more of a tendency towards focusing on playmaking.
Young Prospects: Alex Enríquez is a tall, fast and bulky centerback who knows how to pass the ball. He's also shown signs of being adept at dribbling. He's not exceptionally talented, but there's certainly a potential top team player to look out for here.
Prediction: As always, they are lacking
something. This time, the something is much more concrete: a good finisher. We expect them to barely miss out on IFCF spots, which means they'll finish 6th.
Avenida Leal
Manager: Constantino Martínez
Nickname: los LealesHome Stadium: Lealtad y Fuerza (30,000)
Home City: Victoria Lago, Puerto Farolero
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Noé Perea [C] - (LB) Lorenzo Apodaca, (CB) Trinidad Arochi, (RB) Leonardo Orellana - (DM) Simón Franco, (CM) Julián Rodríquez, (CM) Adán Ávila, (LW) Abel Terrazas, (OM) Folgore Alaminos, (RW) José Córdova - (ST) Elías Arredondo
Bench: (GK) Joel Irizarry, (GK) Óscar Castro - (LB) Esteban Ojeda, (CB) Armando Villaseñor, (RB) David Luján - (DM) Tobías Santacruz, (CM) Julio Jaimes, (CM) Jesús Espino, (LW) Julio Cornejo, (OM) Matías Marín, (RW) Lorenzo Cruz - (ST) Salvador Bahena
Background: Though Avenida Leal arrived comparatively late to the whole successful Avenida thing, they're nowadays undeniably the second best one historically, and some might argue the best one at the moment. They're a club of working class roots, much like La Nueva Avenida. In this case, they're heavily tied to the wood industry. This rather bizarrely puts them at odds with the rest of the Avenidas which, while more right-leaning, are much more environmental, going so far as to have their shared stadium in the forest. Silly chants about deforestation ensue. While the relationship between the Avenidas is bizarre, Avenida Leal can boast the title of "not very hated outside home state", thanks to their many charitative efforts during times of crisis.
State League Performance: They won the Faroleran state league, which means they're candidates to win the FFL. We think they weren't quite as impressive as La Nueva Avenidas, but they were very close.
Strengths: Their defense is very well organized compared to the rest of the league. Constantino Martínez has been managing the club for about two decades; he's had the time to build the defense from the ground up, and it shows. Interestingly, one could argue Constantino is stuck in his old ways: while the rest of the league seems to be moving towards a four-man defense, Constantino swears by the traditional Farf system. There is more than meets the eye, however: Constantino's defensive midfielders tend to do a much more extensive defensive jobs than others in the league. He's effectively playing with a four-man defense and having half an extra man in midfield, some would argue.
Weaknesses: This is a very solid team, so it's a bit harsh calling it a weakness, but here it goes: their attack could be more effective. They're still decidedly above-average in this area, but there's little problems everywhere: Arredondo is a bit too slow and will struggle against fast defenses, Córdova is too selfish, Terrazas is too inconsistent, Alaminos is too good for the league and will get fouled way too often. Furthermore, they all seem to be having trouble understanding each other when faced with a solid defense. They're all individually good enough to start for any team not challenging for IFCF spots, though.
Best Players: Noé Perea is arguably the best goalkeeper in the league, and also arguably a World Cup winner. Little else needs to be said about him. In defense, Trinidad Arochi may be only twenty-two, and relatively inexperienced, but he's just incredible. Fast, tall, strong, technical and very tactically-aware. Rumours of a call-up for the AOCAF Cup abound. Folgore Alaminos is another talented youngster, having already signed for Jungle Strike. He'll try to show his worth in this loan-back deal. He's a very complete offensive midfielder; he seems to lack nothing of importance for his role.
Young Prospects: The very same Folgore Alaminos is, of course, their biggest prospect. It might be worth mentioning he's the son of Santos Alaminos, who started for Farfadillis for many years as a rightback. He's got world class football abilities in his veins. It is rather curious, though, that what makes him a good footballer is completely disconnected from what made his father a good one. Except speed, of course.
Prediction: A great team, no doubt. But lacking that something up front, Alaminos aside, to make them better than the other four teams that one could even argue to be better. This means, if you've understood the confusing phrasing, that we predict Avenida Leal to finish 5th.
Dí Maozöxê
Manager: Blâás Âgínsôgnó
Nickname: lôs RébélésHome Stadium: Rülândéá Çölíséá (35,000)
Home City: Ruland, Ruland
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Íüé Tgô [C] - (LB) Xíxì Jóf, (CB) Drì Lsôs, (CB) Yülàáê Hösiré, (RB) Jïnbawín Ohfânâ - (DM) Váásîlóénün Tulipão, (CM) Güimarr Grérê, (TK) Çè Löjámangó, (LW) Sâkras Dü Sêr, (RW) Çês Rêó - (ST) Kâyetá Serö
Bench: (GK) Jâáko Kâíxìró, (GK) Émérí Dü Sêr - (LB) Lís Rüg, (CB) Spïr Tör, (CB) Ôrelí Târâjâs, (RB) Jôsüé Lâ Léspér - (DM) Xíriêrín Wísnèvüs, (CM) Râúl Êçar, (TK) Lèón Dr Sêlvüâr, (LW) Sâlömão Ôsgân, (RW) Türó Kögánk - (ST) Lôpë Wâmarüh
Background: The second biggest club in Ruland in terms of success, and the one with the biggest fanbase, though Mâ Âlâmëómë would never admit it. Dí Maozöxê is a club founded by uranium miners, which means thay have massive following in all of Ruland, specially in the capital. Their fans are some of the most passionate and violent in the country. Though they lean heavily left, as does most of the state nowadays, they lean more towards chaos than anything else. Their rivals are Mâ Âlâmëómë, and their clashes always end up with people injured. They also have a huge enmity with, well, the rest of the league, much like their rivals. Being Rulandese and successful will tend to do that.
State League Performance: Trailing their rivals will always stink, but they still showed signs of being able to mount a title challenge. Their defense, in particular, showed unexpected solidity.
Strengths: Their defense is the best in the league. Their goalkeeper is Íüé Tgô, who managed to deny one of the best teams of all time a record sixth World Cup title. In defense, Drì Lsôs is another World Cup winner. The rest of the backline is a blend of youthful vigor and veteran experience. This defense is not just good at defending, though: Lsôs and Ohfânâ are very dangerous when going forward, and could probably make a living playing as wingers. Lsôs bombing forward is one of the secret weapons of this team, and most teams are not good at dealing with it.
Weaknesses: This team hasn't many weaknesses, but if there's one, it's their lack of squad depth. If they manage to keep their first string healthy throughout the season, they've got very good chances of winning the title. Otherwise, they could drop as low as 8th or 9th with a bit of bad luck in that regard.
Best Players: Íüé Tgô and Drì Lsôs are without a doubt the two best players. The experience they bring to this team is difficult to match, as well as the quality. Váásîlóénün Tulipão is an underrated deep-lying playmaker that makes this team tick without many people noticing, and Çè Löjámangó is a
takilante that's already displaying great proficiency in the role despite his age.
Young Prospects: Çè Löjámangó is, therefore, their best young prospect. The 18-year-old is fast, precise with his passing, tireless, passionate and very good at exploiting defensive gaps. He's got it all to become world class; time will tell if he does.
Prediction: This is an impressive team, and will likely challenge for the title, but the truth is that, on paper, there are three better teams in this league. We think 4th place is the most likely scenario.
La Nueva Avenida
Manager: Grant Pickton
Nickname: los NovanosHome Stadium: La Gran Avenida (60,000)
Home City: Victoria Lago, Puerto Farolero
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Tobías Granados - (LB) Fabián Saiz, (CB) Gerardo Ulises, (RB) Gabriel Delgado - (DM) César Montemayor, (CM) Julio Palomino, (CM) Daniel Murillo, (LW) Emiliano Gallegas, (OM) Enrique Delrío, (RW) Nahuel Loscampos [C] - (ST) Rubén Cuervo
Bench: (GK) Orlando Bétancourt, (GK) Benjamín Gaona - (LB) David Guajardo, (CB) Emanuel Altamirano, (RB) Fabián Malave - (DM) Alfredo Luján, (CM) César Blanco, (CM) Rafael Bueno, (LW) Furia de Jesús, (OM) Arturo Briseño, (RW) Simón Delvalle - (ST) Martín Pickton-Suárez
Background: The most successful of the Avenida clubs, and the second most successful in the nation, La Nueva Avenida are a club focused on success. While their supporters have a bit of a xenophobic right-wing (ecological) streak at times, the truth is people of every type support them in their home state, purely because of how successful they've historically been. After a dark period of not winning anything, they finally managed to win the league again two seasons ago, and they're building on that to retake the crown that Mâ Âlâmëómë stole from them. Expect their matches with Avenida Victoria to be very heated because of their historical rivalry. Nowadays, their games against Mâ Âlâmëómë are surprisingly heated, too, probably due to both teams being by far the most successful.
State League Performance: They didn't do as well as they might've wished, but they were a bit better than Avenida Leal, even if the table didn't reflect it.
Strengths: They're the most experienced team in the league, boasting veterans like Granados, Delrío and Loscampos. Don't expect this team to give up if it falls behind. They've also got a fearsome front four, which will cause problems to any team in the league.
Weaknesses: It's not really a weakness, and more of a not-strength, but their two center midfielders wouldn't stand out in a mid-table team. They aren't as fast as their fans wish they'd be, and are fairly inconsistent. It will prove problematic against teams with great midfields like Mâ Âlâmëómë, Avenida Victoria and René Skaé.
Best Players: Rubén Cuervo has been a reliable goalscorer for years, and he doesn't look like he'll be stopping for a few more years. Fast and lethal, and that's more than enough. Enrique Delrío has been capped for Farfadillis, and even scored in World Cup 83. He's a very good playmaker, but can switch towards a more striker-ish role if the situation calls for it. On the left wing, Emiliano Gallegas is a youthful winger with a lot of pace and enthusiasm, the latter generally translating to a lot of crosses, some of which Cuervo heads in. Nahuel Loscampos has been terrorizing leftbacks in this league for years and years; he's not gonna stop this season.
Young Prospects: Emiliano Gallegas looks like a future NTer. He's only 19, but is already among the best wingers in the league. He's a very complete traditional winger, with a bit of Farf flair to boot. La Nueva Avenida will want to hang onto him for as long as they can, but he's likely to leave soon anyway.
Prediction: This is a great squad, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them win it. Nonetheless, René Skaé and Mâ Âlâmëómë just about edge them, so we predict them to finish 3rd.
René Skaé
Manager: Louis-Étienne Hevesi
Nickname: les EzrenelsHome Stadium: Grand René Skaé (25,000)
Home City: René Skaé, Szoirsia
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Berény Phelede - (LB) Camille Auguste, (CB) Denis Szibóth, (CB) Béla Yannick, (RB) Botond Zsabados - (LM) Lajos Éwanjé-Épée, (CM) András Zsabados, (RM) Amable Crarmoud, (TK) Faragó rue Cazade [C] - (ST) Elemér Miross-Lezocz, (ST) Yves Kiss
Bench: Background: René Skaé finally demonstrated last season that Szoirsians are here to stay. Ever since René Skaé got promoted to the FFL, Szoirsian football has slowly and very steadily risen through the ranks. First they produced NT caliber players like Zsolgar Zsase, Kósa Bajnok and, most famously, Lázár Eleonóra. Then, René Skaé started climbing the ranks. Last season, they unexpectedly won it all. And what's more, their stars all stayed, and the squad is looking better than ever. They feature three World Cup winners, two if you care about playing time, one if you really care about playing time. Off-the-pitch, René Skaé is quite the sensation in Szoirsia, with most anyone supporting the club. They're the second most left-leaning state, so their fans naturally lean that way as well. Their fans are remarkably mild, perhaps owing to the temperatures of their state, which is 90% a huge fucking desert.
State League Performance: One word: scary. Torrhe del Viento finished first last season because René Skaé didn't care about the league, and this season is proof of that. Just look at those numbers. Ridiculous.
Strengths: Their attack is scary. Scary like no other attack is scary. Faragó rue Cazade as
takilante, where he played in Farfadillis' World Cup win, being one of the team's best players. He'll tear defenses apart. Up front, Miross-Lezocz wasn't fielded in the World Cup final for nothing. Sure, he was underwhelming, but there's a reason Ichi Tuzzio trusted him. A pure goalscorer. His off-the-ball movement stands out in particular. Yves Kiss is a more traditional "fast run, strong shot" kind of striker, but the kid's very good at scoring goals. We don't expect any team to contain these three.
Weaknesses: Lajos Éwanjé-Épée has a lot of potential, but he's still very green, while Amable Crarmoud is probably the team's weak link with his subpar positioning and speed. What's more, Hevesi seems fixated on playing with a wide formation, which just doesn't make sense since these two don't provide András Zsabados any cover.
Best Players: It'd be unfair to even metion anyone in this section along with Faragó rue Cazade. The man is a passionate fan, which is the only reason he hasn't left for a club in the Premiership or the Euraleague. Devilishly fast, decent at marking, tireless, great at pressing, good passing, great dribbling, astonishing scoring rate... simply put, the best player in the league.
Young Prospects: András Zsabados is a very complete center midfielder for his age, he could maybe aspire to become an NT substitute one day. Lajos Éwanjé-Épée is supposedly actually a center midfielder, but he shows great potential for his age even as left midfielder. Up front, Yves Kiss is way too good at scoring for his age. In the bench, Archard Ezaa Robé is being taught how to replace rue Cazade effectively. It's a tall order, but the fact the manager even thinks he might pull it off says enough about the kid.
Prediction: On paper, probably the best team. However, they are new to the whole "being a top team" thing, and we expect the excitement of having won the league title last season to have taken some of the hunger away from them. 2nd place sounds like a fair prediction.
Mâ Âlâmëómë
Manager: Drì Kâíxìró
Nickname: lôs VhêrdêsHome Stadium: Rülândéá Çölíséá (35,000)
Home City: Ruland, Ruland
Predicted Starting XI: (GK) Lídôr Wôsó - (LB) Drö Yorópëlrío, (CB) Süns Söh [C], (RB) Kândé Lütéré - (DM) Ôlégà Atsé, (CM) Râúl Nógíngo, (CM) Zsolgar Zsase, (LW) Mâáx Wínsâár, (OM) Dîmás Ósîn, (RW) Rêgül Dörngâo - (ST) Edmün Çídh
Bench: (GK) Drö Âloré - (GK) Bâjâ Töxól, (LB) Gëngêçío Quîrijá, (CB) Gëngüdó Pìgulôçô, (RB) Rímân Dòrrò - (DM) Rüí Xühî, (CM) Ígnîgo Çí Xôrí, (CM) Éskïr Òmâgrûtá, (LW) Çüs Aluansöó, (OM) Çè Êréçênsér, (RW) Éskïr Tütélvögás - (ST) Horâsio Wôndôji
Background: The most successful club in Farfadillis, and it's even close. Almost twice as many league titles as their next competitor (La Nueva Avenida), and the team that has historically had the best squads. Long gone are the days of Mêndêlöíndçêl, Einarsson, Kâí, Etezadi, Aurora, Wínrôuge, Rainsford, Gosforth, Campbell, Zubiri, Shrike, Tzâín, Röènôùjýâ, Na'Kale, Söh, Wçêíl, Killanen, Soria Luna... you get the point. They've had some insane squads over the years. With foreigners now gone, they've turned towards their trustworthy academy for talent, and it hasn't let them down. They've still got one of the most fearsome squads in the league. Their fans? Only a little less violent than Dí Maozöxê's, generally adherent to a pagan religion that venerates Mâ Âlâmëómë - roughly translated as Mother Earth. They don't like the whole uranium mining thing. And yes, of course they have revolutionary sympathies, like everyone else in the state.
State League Performance: They beat Dí Maozöxê to the title, and that's all they'll care about. However, even if they managed a healthy five point difference over them, they didn't look much better than them.
Strengths: You won't beat them unless you play wide. They've got some of the best players in the league in every central position, three of them capped for Farfadillis. Their front four may not have many caps - only Çídh's, and he's nineteen - but they're still a battering ram. Furthermore, every player is very technical, which means they're very good at keeping the ball away from their opponents.
Weaknesses: Their fullbacks are not quite top team material, and it could come back to bite them against teams with very good wingers, of which there's quite a few. Wôsó is also not as good as some past goalkeepers the team has had, though definitely good enough for a team challenging for IFCF spots.
Best Players: Zsolgar Zsase is one of the best midfielders in the league at controlling the game. He's also quite the aerial threat. Overall, a very complete midfielder who makes up for his lack of speed by being very good at
everything else. Up front, it's hard not to imagine Çídh banging in over 30 goals this season. The wunderkid has talent in spades, and is now officially a World Cup winner.
Young Prospects: Besides Edmün Çídh, literally half the bench could pluaisbly turn out to be world class. Gëngêçío Quîrijá reminds people of Drê Röènôùjýâ, Gëngüdó Pìgulôçô of Ivaktör Bârr, Ígnîgo Çí Xôrí of nobody but he's still very good, Éskïr Òmâgrûtá of Sürgân t'Öéséné, Çè Êréçênsér of Ichi Tuzzio (and Faragó rue Cazade for the young'uns), and Horâsio Wôndôji of Täjó Çíânföné. In all likelihood, not even half of them will turn out good. But if a few of them fulfill their potential, both Farfadillis and Mâ Âlâmëómë will have a bright future ahead.
Prediction: This is maybe not the best team. Maybe it is. But there's
something that makes Mâ Âlâmëómë win anyway, and we're counting on that to predict them to finish in 1st place.