The Master League adventures thread

[Kopite1990]

PES21 - Master League Season 1 - Colo Colo

What an end to the season this is shaping up to be. Universidad de Chile have been runaway leaders for most of the season, but their form has dipped at just the wrong time and we find ourselves in a title race with just 4 games to go:



We have quite a favourable run in but our squad depth is really catching up with us after going quite deep into the Copa Libertadores. Can we keep grinding out results and be ready to pounce if UdC continue to stutter?

Elsewhere, we navigated a really tricky semi-final tie against Racing. After a really cagey 0-0 result in the first leg, we produced a masterclass away performance to beat the Argentine side on their home patch.



As a result, we have a final against São Paulo to look forward to. What an achievement it would be to win the Copa Libertadores at the first time of asking.

I clipped this lovely goal from my last game against Palestino, a brilliant 1-2 on the edge of the box before a lovely chipped finish into the bottom left corner.

View attachment 19a72c1de7636-master_playlist.mp4

Can we hold our nerve and pick up a famous double?

 

[Kopite1990]

PES21 - Master League Season 1 - Colo Colo

It was always going to be a dramatic conclusion to season 1 as we had a potential league and Libertadores double to compete for.

We have performed above my expectations during our first season, with a weakened and very thin squad we have managed to battle competitively on all fronts throughout the season.

We managed to pick up 7 points from our final 3 league games. Not a bad return at all but fatigue definitely took its toll on a squad fresh out of two intense Copa Libertadores semi final games.

Unfortunately, the 2 points dropped proved crucial as Universidad de Chile pipped us to the title by a point. It’s a tough one to take with the margins being so fine but realistically Universidad deserved it in the end after topping the table for most of the season. Our early season inconsistency and slow start ultimately cost us but no doubt we have laid a marker to go one step further next season.



Our focus quickly turned to the Copa Libertadores final against São Paulo. We had beaten some really good teams along the way to the final but this was going to be right up there with one of our toughest tests.

It was a typical PES final - Really cagey with the AI not giving up much in terms of chances. We dominated possession though and most of the half chances created fell to us.

Then, mid way through the second half, Franco broke through from central midfield to latch on to an Ágata through ball and rifled the ball into the top right corner - 1-0 Colo Colo!

We limited them to a few half chances but ultimately we saw out the rest of the game fairly easily.

What a result in our first run at winning the Copa Libertadores and Colo Colo’s second title since first winning the competition in 1991.





On to season 2 - Hopefully we can bring in some new signings for the first time during the save and go all out for success again next season

 

[JImportante]

Brief History of PAOK Thessaloniki​

PAOK Thessaloniki, officially known as Panthessaloníkios Athlitikós Ómilos Konstantinopolitón, was founded in 1926 by Greek refugees from Constantinople after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The club’s black-and-white colors symbolize mourning for the lost homeland and hope for a new beginning.

From the start, PAOK became a symbol of the refugee community in Thessaloniki, quickly growing into one of the city’s most influential sports institutions. Throughout the decades, the club developed a strong fan culture known for its passion and loyalty.

PAOK earned its first major successes in the 1970s, winning the Greek Cup in 1972 and capturing the club’s first league title in 1976. In the following years, the team regularly challenged for domestic trophies and built a fierce rivalry with Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and local rivals Aris Thessaloniki.

A new era of stability and ambition began in the 2010s. Under solid management and strong squad building, PAOK won multiple Greek Cups and, most notably, achieved an undefeated league season in 2018–19, capturing their third Greek Championship in historic fashion.

Today, PAOK is considered one of the biggest clubs in Greece, known for its passionate supporters, competitive spirit, and constant presence in European competitions.

Epic Master League Career – PAOK Thessaloniki​

The season began in the most brutal way imaginable. Under the blazing Thessaloniki sun, PAOK fell to Panathinaikos in the opening match—an unsettling reminder that glory is never given, only taken. Critics whispered that the squad lacked conviction, that the new manager’s project would crumble before it even began.



They were wrong.

Rise Through the Shadows​

From that early setback, PAOK rose with relentless determination. Match after match, the team climbed the league table, carving through opponents with disciplined defense and counter-attacking fury. Toumba Stadium became a fortress of noise and intimidation.
But even heroes stumble. A string of hard-fought draws against Aris, AEK, and Volos halted the momentum. Headlines spoke of “the fatigue of giants,” yet inside the dressing room, belief never wavered. The players understood: a storm always gathers before it breaks.



At the heart of this rise were four pillars:

• Giannis Konstantelias — emerged as the team’s heartbeat, the young maestro orchestrating every attack. His passes cut defenses like thunderbolts, his vision twisted games to his will. By the end of the campaign, he stood as the league’s Assist Leader with 9 decisive passes and 14 goals, each one a brushstroke on PAOK’s masterpiece. Fans whispered that they were witnessing the birth of a club legend.

• Georgios Giakoumakis was the executioner of dreams. A striker of brute force and perfect timing, he dominated every penalty box he entered. With 17 goals, he became the undisputed Top Scorer in SuperLeague and with another 14 goals Georgios conquered a Europa League. He was relentless force feared across Greece and Europe alike.

• Mady Camara — the midfield general. Whether breaking up attacks or driving the team forward, his presence turned battles into victories.

• Jiri Pavlenka — the unbreachable wall. His saves, both spectacular and impossible, kept PAOK alive in moments when hope seemed lost.

Conquering Europe​

In the Europa League, PAOK announced themselves to the continent. Drawn into a group with Bayer Leverkusen, Hearts of Midlothian, and Krasnodar, many expected a fierce struggle for survival. Instead, PAOK dominated. They topped the group with authority—an achievement that sent a message far beyond Greece.



The knockout rounds became a saga of defiance:

• Aris fell first, undone by PAOK’s tactical ruthlessness (A 0-0 / H 2-0)
• Anderlecht were struck down by Giakoumakis’ finishing and Pavlenka’s brilliance (A 1-2 / H 2-0)
• Atalanta followed, swept aside by a heroic defensive performance and a Giakoumakis hattrick winner that shook Bergamo (A 2-3 / H 4-1)

• Then came Olympiacos Pireus, the eternal rival. In a two-leg battle dripping with tension, PAOK rose above emotion and sent their enemy home in disbelief (A 1-3 / H 3-3)
• And finally: FC Barcelona.
  Under the lights of the Stade de France, PAOK Thessaloniki—born from exile, carried by passion—defeated one of football’s giants. The trophy was lifted high, the black-and-white flag unfurled, and Europe bowed to the kings of Greece.

Dominance at Home​

Back in the league, PAOK’s march continued with unstoppable force. In the fiery cauldron of the OPAP Stadium, AEK Athens delivered the only true blow to Maldini’s masterpiece. With venomous precision and unrelenting pressure, AEK controlled the match and defeated PAOK 3–1 — the single moment in the season when Maldini’s men were not the masters, but the mastered. It became the defeat that sharpened their resolve, the storm before the triumphs that followed. Maldini later admitted that this was the match that reminded his squad that greatness is never a straight line — it is built through fire. The team not only reclaimed the top spot but finished ten points ahead of Panathinaikos, the very club that had humiliated them at the season’s start. The circle was complete; the past avenged.

​

The Final Battle in Greece​

But there was one more chapter.
In the final of the Greek Cup, destiny brought PAOK face-to-face with their fiercest local rival: Aris Thessaloniki. The match was a war of nerves, tackles, and willpower. After ninety exhausting minutes, the score remained locked (1-1)

In extra time, with the city’s heartbeat echoing across the stadium, PAOK struck. The two goals in ET sent the supporters into rapture, and as the final whistle blew, PAOK claimed the domestic double and their eternal bragging rights.

The Legendary Season of Paolo Maldini – A Managerial Masterpiece​

For Paolo Maldini, a man whose playing career was etched into footballing eternity, this season with PAOK Thessaloniki became the chapter that elevated him from legend to myth.

Arriving in Greece with the aura of Milanese nobility but the hunger of a newcomer, Maldini shaped PAOK with a master’s touch. His campaign began in adversity — a painful defeat to Panathinaikos — yet it was precisely from this setback that he forged a team of steel, spirit, and destiny. Under his command, young stars flourished, veterans found new life, and the squad transformed into a disciplined, relentless machine.

He guided Konstantelias to the top of the league in assists, unleashed Giakoumakis to dominate as top scorer, revitalized Camara into a midfield colossus, and molded Pavlenka into a guardian worthy of legend. Every tactical tweak, every halftime speech, every bold decision carried Maldini’s unmistakable signature: calm authority, unwavering faith, and unmatched football intelligence.

The Europa League triumph — capped by a historic victory over Barcelona in the Stade de France — became the crown jewel of his managerial rise. The domestic double, secured through dominance in the league and a heroic derby win against Aris, sealed his immortality in Thessaloniki.

By season’s end, it was clear:
Paolo Maldini had not merely coached PAOK.
He had transformed them. Elevated them. Immortalized them.

 

[slamsoze]

Brief History of PAOK Thessaloniki​

PAOK Thessaloniki, officially known as Panthessaloníkios Athlitikós Ómilos Konstantinopolitón, was founded in 1926 by Greek refugees from Constantinople after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The club’s black-and-white colors symbolize mourning for the lost homeland and hope for a new beginning.

From the start, PAOK became a symbol of the refugee community in Thessaloniki, quickly growing into one of the city’s most influential sports institutions. Throughout the decades, the club developed a strong fan culture known for its passion and loyalty.

PAOK earned its first major successes in the 1970s, winning the Greek Cup in 1972 and capturing the club’s first league title in 1976. In the following years, the team regularly challenged for domestic trophies and built a fierce rivalry with Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and local rivals Aris Thessaloniki.

A new era of stability and ambition began in the 2010s. Under solid management and strong squad building, PAOK won multiple Greek Cups and, most notably, achieved an undefeated league season in 2018–19, capturing their third Greek Championship in historic fashion.

Today, PAOK is considered one of the biggest clubs in Greece, known for its passionate supporters, competitive spirit, and constant presence in European competitions.

Epic Master League Career – PAOK Thessaloniki​

The season began in the most brutal way imaginable. Under the blazing Thessaloniki sun, PAOK fell to Panathinaikos in the opening match—an unsettling reminder that glory is never given, only taken. Critics whispered that the squad lacked conviction, that the new manager’s project would crumble before it even began.

View attachment 387933

They were wrong.

Rise Through the Shadows​

From that early setback, PAOK rose with relentless determination. Match after match, the team climbed the league table, carving through opponents with disciplined defense and counter-attacking fury. Toumba Stadium became a fortress of noise and intimidation.
But even heroes stumble. A string of hard-fought draws against Aris, AEK, and Volos halted the momentum. Headlines spoke of “the fatigue of giants,” yet inside the dressing room, belief never wavered. The players understood: a storm always gathers before it breaks.

View attachment 387934

At the heart of this rise were four pillars:

• Giannis Konstantelias — emerged as the team’s heartbeat, the young maestro orchestrating every attack. His passes cut defenses like thunderbolts, his vision twisted games to his will. By the end of the campaign, he stood as the league’s Assist Leader with 9 decisive passes and 14 goals, each one a brushstroke on PAOK’s masterpiece. Fans whispered that they were witnessing the birth of a club legend.

View attachment 387937

• Georgios Giakoumakis was the executioner of dreams. A striker of brute force and perfect timing, he dominated every penalty box he entered. With 17 goals, he became the undisputed Top Scorer in SuperLeague and with another 14 goals Georgios conquered a Europa League. He was relentless force feared across Greece and Europe alike.

View attachment 387938

• Mady Camara — the midfield general. Whether breaking up attacks or driving the team forward, his presence turned battles into victories.

View attachment 387939

• Jiri Pavlenka — the unbreachable wall. His saves, both spectacular and impossible, kept PAOK alive in moments when hope seemed lost.

View attachment 387936

Conquering Europe​

In the Europa League, PAOK announced themselves to the continent. Drawn into a group with Bayer Leverkusen, Hearts of Midlothian, and Krasnodar, many expected a fierce struggle for survival. Instead, PAOK dominated. They topped the group with authority—an achievement that sent a message far beyond Greece.

View attachment 387940

The knockout rounds became a saga of defiance:

• Aris fell first, undone by PAOK’s tactical ruthlessness (A 0-0 / H 2-0)
• Anderlecht were struck down by Giakoumakis’ finishing and Pavlenka’s brilliance (A 1-2 / H 2-0)
• Atalanta followed, swept aside by a heroic defensive performance and a Giakoumakis hattrick winner that shook Bergamo (A 2-3 / H 4-1)

View attachment 387946

• Then came Olympiacos Pireus, the eternal rival. In a two-leg battle dripping with tension, PAOK rose above emotion and sent their enemy home in disbelief (A 1-3 / H 3-3)
• And finally: FC Barcelona.
  Under the lights of the Stade de France, PAOK Thessaloniki—born from exile, carried by passion—defeated one of football’s giants. The trophy was lifted high, the black-and-white flag unfurled, and Europe bowed to the kings of Greece.

View attachment 387941

View attachment 387942

View attachment 387943

Dominance at Home​

Back in the league, PAOK’s march continued with unstoppable force. In the fiery cauldron of the OPAP Stadium, AEK Athens delivered the only true blow to Maldini’s masterpiece. With venomous precision and unrelenting pressure, AEK controlled the match and defeated PAOK 3–1 — the single moment in the season when Maldini’s men were not the masters, but the mastered. It became the defeat that sharpened their resolve, the storm before the triumphs that followed. Maldini later admitted that this was the match that reminded his squad that greatness is never a straight line — it is built through fire. The team not only reclaimed the top spot but finished ten points ahead of Panathinaikos, the very club that had humiliated them at the season’s start. The circle was complete; the past avenged.

View attachment 387947

View attachment 387950

View attachment 387951

​

The Final Battle in Greece​

But there was one more chapter.
In the final of the Greek Cup, destiny brought PAOK face-to-face with their fiercest local rival: Aris Thessaloniki. The match was a war of nerves, tackles, and willpower. After ninety exhausting minutes, the score remained locked (1-1)

In extra time, with the city’s heartbeat echoing across the stadium, PAOK struck. The two goals in ET sent the supporters into rapture, and as the final whistle blew, PAOK claimed the domestic double and their eternal bragging rights.

View attachment 387952

The Legendary Season of Paolo Maldini – A Managerial Masterpiece​

For Paolo Maldini, a man whose playing career was etched into footballing eternity, this season with PAOK Thessaloniki became the chapter that elevated him from legend to myth.

Arriving in Greece with the aura of Milanese nobility but the hunger of a newcomer, Maldini shaped PAOK with a master’s touch. His campaign began in adversity — a painful defeat to Panathinaikos — yet it was precisely from this setback that he forged a team of steel, spirit, and destiny. Under his command, young stars flourished, veterans found new life, and the squad transformed into a disciplined, relentless machine.

He guided Konstantelias to the top of the league in assists, unleashed Giakoumakis to dominate as top scorer, revitalized Camara into a midfield colossus, and molded Pavlenka into a guardian worthy of legend. Every tactical tweak, every halftime speech, every bold decision carried Maldini’s unmistakable signature: calm authority, unwavering faith, and unmatched football intelligence.

The Europa League triumph — capped by a historic victory over Barcelona in the Stade de France — became the crown jewel of his managerial rise. The domestic double, secured through dominance in the league and a heroic derby win against Aris, sealed his immortality in Thessaloniki.

By season’s end, it was clear:
Paolo Maldini had not merely coached PAOK.
He had transformed them. Elevated them. Immortalized them.
View attachment 387953

I would say the most notable moments of this season, was that you crossed roads with both Aris and Olympiakos in the knock out stage.

In the 20 years I am playing Master League, i can recall rare moments that i met domestic rivals in European Championships, but two of them never, iirc.

It makes the success even better 😁

 

[Kopite1990]

Brief History of PAOK Thessaloniki​

PAOK Thessaloniki, officially known as Panthessaloníkios Athlitikós Ómilos Konstantinopolitón, was founded in 1926 by Greek refugees from Constantinople after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. The club’s black-and-white colors symbolize mourning for the lost homeland and hope for a new beginning.

From the start, PAOK became a symbol of the refugee community in Thessaloniki, quickly growing into one of the city’s most influential sports institutions. Throughout the decades, the club developed a strong fan culture known for its passion and loyalty.

PAOK earned its first major successes in the 1970s, winning the Greek Cup in 1972 and capturing the club’s first league title in 1976. In the following years, the team regularly challenged for domestic trophies and built a fierce rivalry with Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and local rivals Aris Thessaloniki.

A new era of stability and ambition began in the 2010s. Under solid management and strong squad building, PAOK won multiple Greek Cups and, most notably, achieved an undefeated league season in 2018–19, capturing their third Greek Championship in historic fashion.

Today, PAOK is considered one of the biggest clubs in Greece, known for its passionate supporters, competitive spirit, and constant presence in European competitions.

Epic Master League Career – PAOK Thessaloniki​

The season began in the most brutal way imaginable. Under the blazing Thessaloniki sun, PAOK fell to Panathinaikos in the opening match—an unsettling reminder that glory is never given, only taken. Critics whispered that the squad lacked conviction, that the new manager’s project would crumble before it even began.

View attachment 387933

They were wrong.

Rise Through the Shadows​

From that early setback, PAOK rose with relentless determination. Match after match, the team climbed the league table, carving through opponents with disciplined defense and counter-attacking fury. Toumba Stadium became a fortress of noise and intimidation.
But even heroes stumble. A string of hard-fought draws against Aris, AEK, and Volos halted the momentum. Headlines spoke of “the fatigue of giants,” yet inside the dressing room, belief never wavered. The players understood: a storm always gathers before it breaks.

View attachment 387934

At the heart of this rise were four pillars:

• Giannis Konstantelias — emerged as the team’s heartbeat, the young maestro orchestrating every attack. His passes cut defenses like thunderbolts, his vision twisted games to his will. By the end of the campaign, he stood as the league’s Assist Leader with 9 decisive passes and 14 goals, each one a brushstroke on PAOK’s masterpiece. Fans whispered that they were witnessing the birth of a club legend.

View attachment 387937

• Georgios Giakoumakis was the executioner of dreams. A striker of brute force and perfect timing, he dominated every penalty box he entered. With 17 goals, he became the undisputed Top Scorer in SuperLeague and with another 14 goals Georgios conquered a Europa League. He was relentless force feared across Greece and Europe alike.

View attachment 387938

• Mady Camara — the midfield general. Whether breaking up attacks or driving the team forward, his presence turned battles into victories.

View attachment 387939

• Jiri Pavlenka — the unbreachable wall. His saves, both spectacular and impossible, kept PAOK alive in moments when hope seemed lost.

View attachment 387936

Conquering Europe​

In the Europa League, PAOK announced themselves to the continent. Drawn into a group with Bayer Leverkusen, Hearts of Midlothian, and Krasnodar, many expected a fierce struggle for survival. Instead, PAOK dominated. They topped the group with authority—an achievement that sent a message far beyond Greece.

View attachment 387940

The knockout rounds became a saga of defiance:

• Aris fell first, undone by PAOK’s tactical ruthlessness (A 0-0 / H 2-0)
• Anderlecht were struck down by Giakoumakis’ finishing and Pavlenka’s brilliance (A 1-2 / H 2-0)
• Atalanta followed, swept aside by a heroic defensive performance and a Giakoumakis hattrick winner that shook Bergamo (A 2-3 / H 4-1)

View attachment 387946

• Then came Olympiacos Pireus, the eternal rival. In a two-leg battle dripping with tension, PAOK rose above emotion and sent their enemy home in disbelief (A 1-3 / H 3-3)
• And finally: FC Barcelona.
  Under the lights of the Stade de France, PAOK Thessaloniki—born from exile, carried by passion—defeated one of football’s giants. The trophy was lifted high, the black-and-white flag unfurled, and Europe bowed to the kings of Greece.

View attachment 387941

View attachment 387942

View attachment 387943

Dominance at Home​

Back in the league, PAOK’s march continued with unstoppable force. In the fiery cauldron of the OPAP Stadium, AEK Athens delivered the only true blow to Maldini’s masterpiece. With venomous precision and unrelenting pressure, AEK controlled the match and defeated PAOK 3–1 — the single moment in the season when Maldini’s men were not the masters, but the mastered. It became the defeat that sharpened their resolve, the storm before the triumphs that followed. Maldini later admitted that this was the match that reminded his squad that greatness is never a straight line — it is built through fire. The team not only reclaimed the top spot but finished ten points ahead of Panathinaikos, the very club that had humiliated them at the season’s start. The circle was complete; the past avenged.

View attachment 387947

View attachment 387950

View attachment 387951

​

The Final Battle in Greece​

But there was one more chapter.
In the final of the Greek Cup, destiny brought PAOK face-to-face with their fiercest local rival: Aris Thessaloniki. The match was a war of nerves, tackles, and willpower. After ninety exhausting minutes, the score remained locked (1-1)

In extra time, with the city’s heartbeat echoing across the stadium, PAOK struck. The two goals in ET sent the supporters into rapture, and as the final whistle blew, PAOK claimed the domestic double and their eternal bragging rights.

View attachment 387952

The Legendary Season of Paolo Maldini – A Managerial Masterpiece​

For Paolo Maldini, a man whose playing career was etched into footballing eternity, this season with PAOK Thessaloniki became the chapter that elevated him from legend to myth.

Arriving in Greece with the aura of Milanese nobility but the hunger of a newcomer, Maldini shaped PAOK with a master’s touch. His campaign began in adversity — a painful defeat to Panathinaikos — yet it was precisely from this setback that he forged a team of steel, spirit, and destiny. Under his command, young stars flourished, veterans found new life, and the squad transformed into a disciplined, relentless machine.

He guided Konstantelias to the top of the league in assists, unleashed Giakoumakis to dominate as top scorer, revitalized Camara into a midfield colossus, and molded Pavlenka into a guardian worthy of legend. Every tactical tweak, every halftime speech, every bold decision carried Maldini’s unmistakable signature: calm authority, unwavering faith, and unmatched football intelligence.

The Europa League triumph — capped by a historic victory over Barcelona in the Stade de France — became the crown jewel of his managerial rise. The domestic double, secured through dominance in the league and a heroic derby win against Aris, sealed his immortality in Thessaloniki.

By season’s end, it was clear:
Paolo Maldini had not merely coached PAOK.
He had transformed them. Elevated them. Immortalized them.
View attachment 387953

Great season mate - Some achievement winning a European trophy with a club outside the traditional ‘bigger’ leagues 👍🏻

 

[JImportante]

Great season mate - Some achievement winning a European trophy with a club outside the traditional ‘bigger’ leagues 👍🏻

another one in a cabinet...




and young LEGEND MrBreeze!