CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 11

Things are heating up in my Championship Manager 3 challenge with Napoli, where I have been attempting to transform the Partenopei from Serie B chumps to Serie A champs.

In the last chapter, Napoli enjoyed a strong start to the 2001/2002 season. That was thanks in no small part to Filippo Inzaghi, who has been in fine scoring form since his summer arrival from Juventus.

Now… can Napoli keep their scudetto challenge on track? And could another Italian superstar be on his way (back) to the San Paolo? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 11”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 10

Embed from Getty Images

Welcome back to Naples – and to the fourth season of my Championship Manager 3 series!

Despite a shaky end to the 2000/2001 season, Napoli secured a top-six finish, which means we have some European football to look forward to this time around! Can we now emulate the 1989 team of Maradona, Careca and Ferrara by bringing the UEFA Cup to the San Paolo?

Of course, there’s a long way to go until we can even dream of reaching another Final. In today’s chapter, we’ll look at my summer transfer business, and then we’ll get the new season underway. Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 10”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 9

This is Season 3, Part 3 of “Canzone Napoletana” – and it’s perhaps the biggest chapter of this Championship Manager 3 series so far.

Midway through the 2000/2001 season, it looked like Napoli were on track for an impressive Serie A and Coppa Italia double. But just two miserable months later, and the Partenopei are under severe pressure just to stay in the European places!

Several questions will be answered in this season finale. Will a change of tactic deliver a change in fortunes? Can a misfiring Gabriel Bordi rediscover his golden touch? And when will Sebastien Frey learn how to use his gloves properly? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 9”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 8

Here we go again. Time for the latest installment of my Championship Manager 3 nostalgia trip!

Last time out, we kicked off the 2000/2001 Serie A season at Napoli. Much has been expected of our new signings after a busy summer in the transfer window, but some of them haven’t quite delivered the goods yet.

We now pick things up in November, with the Partenopei facing a battle to stay in the European spots – and another battle to keep their Coppa Italia dreams alive. Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 8”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 7

Embed from Getty Images

I’m now into season 3 of my Championship Manager 3 series with Napoli. Where does the time fly?

After storming through Serie B in my first season, the Partenopei didn’t take long to establish themselves back in Serie A. Sadly, a woeful run-in meant that we missed out on Europe and could only finish in 10th place. Unless you’re one of the three people who’ve already read Part 6 (thanks, Twitter), I’d suggest you do that now.

Bringing continental football back to the San Paolo has to be our main goal for the 2000/2001 season. Can some quality summer reinforcements bring that dream closer to reality? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 7”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 6

I’m coming to the end of the second season of my Championship Manager 3 series. It hasn’t been the most thrilling campaign, but thanks to the second-greatest Argentine striker ever to play for Napoli, the Partenopei are all but certain to survive their first season back in Serie A.

Can it get even better, though? Please join me for the last few games of the 1999/2000 season, as Napoli bid to secure a place in European competition! Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 6”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 5

Welcome back to my Championship Manager 3 story, where I will be aiming to take Napoli back to the top of Italian football.

After securing promotion in 1998/1999, the previous chapter saw us kick off the 1999/2000 season in Serie A. Results haven’t been too bad, but our supporters are perhaps getting frustrated with our pragmatic tactics. And to be honest, so am I.

Will things get any better over the next few months? Read on… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 5”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 4

Embed from Getty Images

My Championship Manager 3 series with Napoli is now in full swing, as I’m about to kick off my second season at the San Paolo!

In the previous chapter, the Partenopei secured promotion from Serie B as champions. We will now kick off the 1999/2000 season back in Serie A, where this once-great club belongs.

Today’s installment will take us through the summer of 1999, as several new faces arrive in Naples before we begin our quest for top-flight consolidation. Will that be easier said than done? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 4”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 3

I’m glad that you’ve joined me for the latest installment of my new Championship Manager 3 series. I’m now well into my first season at Napoli, who are flying high in Serie B after averaging nearly two goals per game!

It is now March 1999. CM3 is about to hit store shelves, and the Partenopei look like they are about to celebrate promotion back to Serie A at the first time of asking. Can they finish the job… or will this season reach a nail-biting, perhaps even a heartbreaking conclusion? Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 3”

CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 2

This is the second chapter of my new Championship Manager 3 series. The year is 1998 – and while Cher is asking us if we believe in life after love, I’m making Napoli fans believe in life after relegation.

In last week’s opener, I took over a Partenopei side who had just slid down into Serie B after years of steady decline. Our season so far is off to a strong start, thanks in no small part to a young Argentinian striker who could become the next Diego Maradona… or at least the first Ezequiel Lavezzi.

We pick up this story in November, where Napoli are looking to consolidate their position in the promotion places. And after knocking out Parma in Round 2, we are aiming to complete another Serie A scalping in the Coppa Italia… Continue reading “CM3 Revisited: Canzone Napoletana – Part 2”