CUP OF HARMONY 81
Ahead of the qualifiers for World Cup 89, Tlanx-Nulzk was forced to bet on an injection of new talent being able to replace the likes of the aging Pietro Giraudo, Camillo Notari, and Bianca Fiore(!). It was not a bet that the manager was able to win, and despite some signs of life late in qualifiers, the Swans slumped to a disappointing third-place finish in their qualifying group. However, with even more of the old core disappointing in qualifying, Tlanx has been forced to go all-in, and the 23 that will travel to Sylestone and/or Zwangzug are a vastly changed group than the 23 that started qualifying. The Cup of Harmony may be a blessing in disguise for a relatively young team that is yet to win a knockout match anywhere - but further disappointment here could be devastating towards Tlanx's hopes of a tactical revolution. Some basic information about Savigliane can be found in my first WCQ RP or my BoF/WCQ RP line. Essentially, the nation has been teleported to the NS world from an IRL equivalent and is still working through the fallout of that event.
NICKNAME: The Swans / The Red and Blues
MANAGER: TLANX-NULZK Hal - 65 (Qusmo)
After taking a sabbatical to reexamine their priorities in the wake of Qusmo's collapse, Tlanx-Nulzk has returned — & they like to attack as much as ever. They posted some of the highest-scoring seasons in the history of Pug Qusmyra. Under their stewardship, Qastyr – coming from a nation that had never before advanced beyond the first preliminary round of the Champions' Cup – not only got to the Champions' Cup 72 group stage, but rode the highest-scoring attack in the group stage out of all thirty-two teams in the tournament to win a group featuring Spartangrad, Brinemouth, & Tanrisal, en route to a shock quarterfinals run. As a result, they came from nowhere to be named a surprise selection for KarlingSport Galacticos Manager of the Season. Admittedly, their back line hasn't always been a strong suit, but they are remarkably efficient at getting their midfielders & forwards in sync for ruthless attacks. They were noted at their last post, as Saltstead's national team manager, for a sense of humour, memorably playing along with The Beet's request that they be set on fire. Perhaps that belies their competitive spirit, but make no mistake: they're friendly, jovial, & fun to be around off the pitch; on it, they're nothing short of ruthless. (description written by Qusmo)
ASST. MANAGER: VANZA-JERAT Gep - 39 (Qusmo)
Marco Giuliani, who clashed with Tlanx-Nulzk several times during qualifiers, is off to Esportiva to turn around Tumbra's Couno Rangers. In his place is the relatively unknown Vanza-Jerat, the former goalkeeping coach who has agreed to serve as an interim assistant manager until Tlanx-Nulzk can find their successor. Tlanx-Nulzk and Vanza-Jerat have extensive past experience together - the latter started their career at Tlanx-Nulzk's famous Qastyr sides - and the hope is that the former national team goalkeeper will be able to serve as a calming influence on the pitch.
STYLE MOD: +3.5
FORMATION: 4-3-3
STADIUM: Stadio del Piero, Acqui Bollente or Stade National, Villeneuve
Captain - Chiara Blanco
Vice-Captains - Adrian Toscani, Amara Vatrican
Penalty Takers (in order of preference) - Adrian Toscani, Thea Squarciafichi, Bonagiunta Rossi, Gabriel Buvalelli, Chiara Blanco
Free Kick Taker - Adrian Toscani
Corner-Kick Taker - Bonagiunta Rossi (L), Zoë Barthelemy (R)
RP PERMISSIONS:
Preferred Goalscorers: None preferred, feel free to consult the below guide for help
Godmod scoring events: TG/DM before doing so
RP injuries to my players: Yes (I determine severity)
Godmod injuries to my players: TG/DM before doing so
Hand out yellow cards to my players: Yes
Hand out red cards to my players: Yes, TG/DM if more than one
Godmod other events: TG/DM before doing so
Other: If you plan to RP the match extensively, please mention by players by name (as opposed to “the Savigliano striker…” or similar). Also, please consult me before using images meant to represent my players.
Kits: Made with love by uni·q · for the game that’s more than a game.
(OOC: thanks to Qusmo for making these!)
The aim while in possession will be to rapidly shift the ball forward before using quick interchanges and dynamic movement in the attacking third of the pitch. To aid this, the forwards (and occasionally the two midfielders, especially Toscani, who will have more of a free role) will wide and into the half-spaces to stretch the opposition defense before playing back through the center or switching play to the now-exposed opposite flank.
Defensively, Savigliane will play a relatively high line, aiming to compress the opposition's build-up toward the sidelines and pressing immediately after losing the ball. The Swans will rely on the pace and tactical instincts of their back four to cover what is a pretty attack-minded "front six", especially since Lamontagne and especially Vitale will both be pushing forward if necessary to maintain dynamism in possession.
Tlanx-Nulzk’s system has taken significant adjustment to work with the Swans, and the free-flowing nature of the attack means that the team may struggle to keep their opponents out of goal this cycle. However, they’ll more than make up for it with dynamic, fast-paced, free-flowing attacking play that could make them one of neutral fans’ more favored teams at the Cup of Harmony.
#20 - Raphael ROVIRA - FW
#25 - Sofia PLAISANCE - FW
While Savigliane does not traditionally retire numbers, the loss of
Note: below, bolded players represent starters and italicized players represent backups.
#01 - Nicodemo D’AMBROSIO - 29 - Unioneers (EUR)
#12 - Nicolas DuCASSE - 29 - Kingston FC (QUE)
#23 - Narcisa ROUSSEAU - 22 - Nazionale Acqui Bollente
D’Ambrosio has been one of the breakout stars of post-Event Savigliane, going from backup to Golden Glove winner to Mayville-turned-Unioneers starter and NT star. He’s still inexperienced, but an incredibly athletic shot-stopper with inconsistent but strong distribution. DuCasse is a much stronger and more consistent distributor, although his highs aren’t quite as high as D’Ambrosio, and he’s a relatively weak shot-stopper at this level. Finally, making her national team debut, Rousseau came out of nowhere to anchor Nazionale's title-winning defense, and is a dominant presence in the box with strong athleticism but a bit of an ego.
#04 - LB - Serena LAMONTAGNE - 26 - Chatswood (NPH)
#02 - CB - Adélaïde GARCIA - 29 - KT Moreazerua (AUD)
#03 - CB - Chiara BLANCO - 26 - Aries Chariots (NPH)
#11 - RB/RM - Giovanna VITALE - 30 - Dynamo Sjoedrhavn (SVJ)
#24 - LB - Roman PALOMER - 22 - Urbizania Wanderers (ASG)
#14 - CB/CDM - Gianmarco DUTTO - 26 - FK Metropola Borograd (STL)
#15 - CB - Alexandre ONIO - 22 - 1896 Ebor (MYT)
#34 - LB/RB - Margherita ROMANO - 29 - Emerald Coast (SRS)
Lamontagne, who helped Chatswood to Zenith survival last season, is known for her deceptive athleticism, coolness under pressure, tactical intelligence, and versatility. After a few cycles waiting behind Bertrand Marchetti, she's finally getting her chance to start for the Swans. Blanco, replacing the aging fan favorite Efisio Moreau is quick, aerially adept, and hard-working, one of Lega 2's best-kept secrets until her move abroad, and a positive surprise at every step in her career. Meanwhile, Garcia is the quickest of the backline, and the one in the highest demand last transfer window before a big-money move to Mozi - while still occasionally prone to mistakes while on the ball, her athleticism and man-marking capabilities make her a valuable, versatile asset to the national team. Finally, Vitale is more explosive than the rest of the fullbacks, and her crossing and shooting ability make her more of a direct threat when attacking. A converted winger, she’s not particularly good tracking back, although her athleticism gets her some of the way there. She's capable of playing in a number of different positions on the right flank, and will be more at home in this newly attack-minded formation.
Palomer made an instant impact in Astrograth, enough for Tlanx to take notice, as a tricky, energetic, attack-minded fullback whose greatest strength is his incisive overlapping runs. He's a bit one-dimensional, especially at this level, but young enough to round out his game. Gianmarco Dutto is a strong but slow-footed center-back whose biggest strength is his ability to distribute from the back - it’s early, for sure, but he’s already being tipped as a potential successor to ball-playing center-back Pietro Giraudo. Onio was one of the best defenders in the Mytanar Top League last season, catching the eye of contenders 1896 Ebor with his passing abilities and calmness and off the ball. The versatile Romano is a fiery leader known for her persistence, defensive workrate, and poise with the ball, although she’s much less of an attacking threat than Marchetti on the left or Vitale on the right.
#28 - CM - Óceane CHASTAIN - 24 - La Nueva Avenida (FFD)
#05 - CDM - Gabriel BUVALELLI - 23 - AS Marcadia (AUD)
#10 - CM/AM - Adrian TOSCANI - 27 - Cazadores Cathair (AUD)
#17 - CM - Nathaniel AUVERGNE - 26 - Hofvinger (GRÆ)
#06 - CM - Amara VATRICAN - 33 - AC Acqui Bollente
#29 - CM/AM - Alessandro BELLA - 25 - Clayquot City (KSK)
Chastain is unpolished, often lacks focus, and is prone to fouling, but genuinely one of Savigliane's best when she's on, with the kind of passing vision, defensive positioning, and athleticism that make us reach for the Bianca Fiore comparisons. La Nueva Avenida was a challenge slightly beyond her in her debut season, but she seriously bounced back en route to a dominant campaign that fell just short of the title. Buvalelli unexpectedly broke into Alessandro Juliana’s first team in Audioslavia’s National League and rose to stardom for both club and country, and although temperamental, his deep-lying playmaking makes him Pietro Giraudo’s heir apparent at the senior level. Toscani is a technically gifted young midfielder who, despite not being particularly athletic, has already impressed in his short time at Porto Vecchio, earning himself a transfer to Caza in the process. He’s capable of playing as a center-midfielder, an attacking-midfielder, or, thanks to his surprisingly good crossing ability, on the wing.
Auvergne, who’s excelled at Hofvinger this season, is a talented player whose creativity and physicality make him an incredible prospect despite his lack of speed. A former MVP of the Græntfjaller league, his career has stalled a bit since, and he's hoping to take the next step this tournament. Recently demoted starter Vatrican is a dynamic, box-to-box midfielder, with her excellent dribbling enabling her to make driving runs toward the box, and her accurate - if not particularly creative - passing helping the team advance up the pitch. She's taken her demotion and ensuing loss of the armband reasonably well, but it still is a bit of a sore point. Bella, the young player of the year in Savigliane, is known for his creativity and flair with the ball, and surprisingly high workrate (somewhat compensating for his lack of athleticism) without it.
#21 - LW/ST/RW - Bonagiunta ROSSI - 21 - Tor (CMT)
#18 - ST - Thea SQUARCIAFICHI - 26 - 1830 Cathair (AUD)
#22 - LW/RW - Zoë BARTHELEMY - 29 - Aleuisia Capital (ZRH)
#27 - LW/ST - Anne-Marie ROUX - 25 - FC Novonaya (KSK)
#07 - LW/SS - Isabella COSTE - 30 - Dury FC (PFA)
#30 - RW/CAM - Calliope MONTEVECCHI - 30 - Eivora Athletic (TKT)
Rossi came out of nowhere with ACAB two seasons ago to score an incredible twenty goals - one for each year of his life - in 29 SavigLega appearances. Then, he earned himself a big move to Alnio, and despite getting relegated, scored twenty again. His best asset is his absolutely lethal pace and skill, although he’s a bit skinny and a legendarily bad teammate who forced his way out of ACAB. Squarciafichi is a predatory finisher and absolutely lethal in the penalty box. Although a solid dribbler, her best runs are off the ball, and her passing is definitely a work in progress. Barthelemy, whose resurgence after a recent transfer helped her new club to the CL Round of 16, is more of a natural winger, although she’s ambidextrous and versatile enough to play on either wing. Her greatest assets are her energy, pace, and dribbling, but she’s a little lacking in end product.
Roux is an incredible dribbler with sometimes inaccurate but sometimes incredible passing ability and a left foot that produces magical free-kicks and long-range shots. Her star has been eclipsed slightly by Rossi's emergence, but she's still expected to be one of Savigliane's Next Big Things. Coste is the archetypal support striker, and has shifted to that role off the bench from her spot on the left wing - end product and strength are the only things she lacks, while her speed and dribbling ability make her a constant threat to set up her teammates. Montevecchi is a surprisingly good playmaker for a winger, and has flirted with an attacking-midfield role. Nevertheless, her biggest asset is her pace and ability to cut inside into dangerous positions, while her weakness is her inability to contribute on the defensive end.