[FM 17] If You’re Not First, You’re Last Redux – Redemption For The “Nearly Men” Of Europe

[ManUtd1]

Those cheeky *******.

Application submitted at 9:00 a.m.

That very night, I get the word.  Naw, you aren't the right guy for the job, mate.

Well, there's nothing to do now but with it all with Slovakia, I guess.  If Sweden or Mexico come open, I may dive in, but I'd love the Slovaks now.  

[ManUtd1]

Edited January 7, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Very pleased with the CL Group Stage draw for 2026/27.

(Club Brugge rounded out G)

[Chantu9Y]

Soooo basically they turned down a World Cup/CL winner because they enjoy the smell of mediocrity in the morning. Way to go Czech Republic.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

The only group you needed to avoid there was D. I love how Czech Republic turned down the man who won the World Cup only about a month ago .

[BoxToBox]

"We like your winning pedigree, but we're not sure we can handle all the banter and Swedish Ultras that seem to pop up everywhere....."

[ManUtd1]

7 hours ago, Chantu9Y said:

Soooo basically they turned down a World Cup/CL winner because they enjoy the smell of mediocrity in the morning. Way to go Czech Republic.

 

3 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

The only group you needed to avoid there was D. I love how Czech Republic turned down the man who won the World Cup only about a month ago .

 

3 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

"We like your winning pedigree, but we're not sure we can handle all the banter and Swedish Ultras that seem to pop up everywhere....."

They hired this guy, who's been managing Slovan Liberec for the past 11 years.

Beyond the Ultras and banter, I understand the cost of importing grapefruit in the Czech Republic is quite high.

In the long run, it give some grist to the narrative mill 

Re the Champions League groups, being a 1st seed for winning Serie A was massive.  Swap me out with Madrid (the first seed there, for having won it all the year before), and I'd have taken Group D without hesitation.

Edited January 7, 2017 by ManUtd1

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

22 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

 

 

They hired this guy, who's been managing Slovan Liberec for the past 11 years.

Beyond the Ultras and banter, I understand the cost of importing grapefruit in the Czech Republic is quite high.

In the long run, it give some grist to the narrative mill 

Re the Champions League groups, being a 1st seed for winning Serie A was massive.  Swap me out with Madrid (the first seed there, for having won it all the year before), and I'd have taken Group D without hesitation.

That's a good point, I had forgotten about the seeds. I'd say this'll be your year for the CL.

[ManUtd1]

2 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

That's a good point, I had forgotten about the seeds. I'd say this'll be your year for the CL.

I hope to get through most of the group stage tonight.  Limited time to play this past week and all of this weekend. The side is fully capable...

[ManUtd1]

FADE IN:

 

EXT. HEADQUARTERS, FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC, PRAGUE – DAY

 

A beautiful September, early in the evening. The sun is slowly setting behind a lazy, small group of clouds. Ambient sounds of this a bustling city gently fill the air.

INT. PRESS ROOM

 

The FAČR crest adorns a podium at the front of the room. The latest Sonic Death Penguin album plays quietly in the background.

A phalanx of national and foreign reporters snack on the meager offerings left out for them.  There is no question why a press conference has been called, given the angry headlines over the past few weeks. ANGAR GUNNARSSON sits calmly in the front row, nursing a large cup of coffee. It is his 3rd cup of the day. He carries himself with distinction, his mere presence commanding respect and deference. He has a world-weary crinkle about his eyes – the ghosts of sights that cannot be unseen.

At the stroke of 4, a door to the RIGHT of the podium opens and LUKAS HRUBES, the FA President slowly walks in, ignoring the reporters with a weary look on his face.  Steeling himself, LUKAS faces the assembled, eager mass of reporters.  The wrinkled, rumpled suit does LUKAS no favors as it merely reinforces the media narrative of a man in over his head.  The music stops.

LUKAS: Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for coming here today.

ANGAR sits quietly, chewing on the nub of his pen, while the rest of the reporters begin to shout questions.

LUKAS: Before we begin, I have a short statement from the Association about Mr. Telleus.  This will be the only statement from the Association on this matter.

The room quiets abruptly, mics extended in hope, pens at the ready. ANGAR arches an eyebrow, and pointedly puts his pen down as if to signal that nothing LUKAS says could possibly interest him. LUKAS watches him out of the corner of his eye.  LUKAS begins to sweat.

LUKAS: Well, then...the...statement. Yes. Mr. Telleus’ availability was not truly known to the Association when we made our decision one month ago.  Nevertheless, the the Association are and remain pleased with the appointment of Mr. Trpisovsky as manager of the national team.  We have every confidence in Mr. Trpisovsky. That is all. Eh...I will now answer any questions you may have.

A stunned silence comes over the room. The reporters all look to ANGAR, who has the thousand-yard stare of a man struck by déjà vu. 

A young writer, HAMPUS LINDGREN, handsome, with a carefully cultivated hipster beard and man-bun, breaks the awkward silence.

LUKAS: Would you care to comment specifically on reports that the Association disregarded Mr. Telleus’ letter of interest, out of belief that it was a hoax?

LUKAS flinches visibly.  His left hand begins to tremble.

LUKAS: Well, you see.  Mr. Telleus had just won the World Cup with the Neederlands and has, to our knowledge, only been to Prague on weekend “stag dos” with his friends.  Understandably, we had no reason to believe that Mr. Telleus had any interest –

HAMPUS (scornfully): No reason?  No reason to believe…?  What about the letter itself, and the detailed Powerpoint presentation that he is rumored to have provided to the Association for review?

LUKAS begins to sweat more profusely.

LUKAS: The Powerpoint, yes.  You see, it was very impressive and detailed.  Obviously a hoax.

HAMPUS: What specifically is it about the Powerpoint led you to believe it was a hoax?  The impressive substance or the detailed substance?

LUKAS: The statement…the state – Mr. Telleus’ availability was not truly known to the Association when we made our decision one month ago.  Nevertheless, the the Association are and remain pleased with the appointment of Mr. Trpisovsky as manager of the national team.  We have every confidence in Mr. Trpisovsky.

HAMPUS: Yes, yes, the statement.

ANGAR is struck again by an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.

HAMPUS (continuing): Did the Association consider the letter of interest and Powerpoint as an indication of Mr. Telleus’ interest in managing the Czech Republic, or not?

LUKAS: But, how could it be?  This is the Czech Republik.  We simply assumed that this was like the other times when those people who play that game…Footie-Footie Manager, you know this game?  They win the Champions League with a Bulgarian amateur side and apply for ze real jobs?  It is a joke.

HAMPUS: Mr. Telleus sent you a letter.  A letter you ignored.  Mr. Telleus has chosen to remain silent on this matter, out of respect for your Association.  But you are here to answer questions about the entire debacle, are you not?

LUKAS: Debacle?  Who said it was a debacle, I most certainly did not –

HAMPUS: The President of your Republic. ESPN. The Guardian.  Rabona Interruptus.  The Svenska Dagblet.  The Mirror.  The Times – both New York and Poughkeepsie. 

LUKAS (angrily): Potty language is not welcome in the Czech Republic, sir.

HAMPUS (exasperated): What pot– nevermind.

LUKAS: There will be no more questions about Mr. Telleeesh!

The room is deathly quiet as Lukas slams his open palm onto the podium to emphasize this point. Hampus chuckles softly, already dreaming of clever titles to use for his online fanzine.  ANGAR coughs and raises his hand.

LUKAS flinches as if struck.  The tremble in his hand increases.  He acknowledges ANGAR with resignation in his eyes.

ANGAR: Thank you, Lukas. Why didn’t the Association take the simple step of simply calling the number on Mr. Telleus’ letter and—

LUKAS (interrupting): I said, no more questions about Mr. Tell…Telleus!

Dark sweat stains now adorn LUKAS’ shirt.  His right eye has begun to twitch violently.

ANGAR: Ok, ok.  Let me ask you this – would you consider a man unqualified to be the manager of the national side if he had, say…won the World Cup and Champions League, against all odds?

LUKAS: I will not play these games with you, Angar.  No questions about Mr. Telleus.  I refer you to the statement.

ANGAR (gently, in a soothing voice): Ok, Lukas.  How would you feel if Slovakia were to win the World Cup before the Republic?

LUKAS: Those peasants?  I mean.  Wait.  What?

ANGAR: Exactly.  Moving on…  Would you agree that leaders must, when the occasion arises, admit to their weaknesses? 

LUKAS: But of course, if you cannot recognize weakness in yourself, you can never improve.  Become great.  Better than before.

ANGAR: Then why can’t you admit that your weakness for Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill wine is what caused you to drunkenly ignore the outstretched hand of the greatest young manager in the world, in his prime?

LUKAS begins to stammer, and appears likely to suffer an aneurysm at any given moment.

LUKAS: Th…the….the statement.  I refer you to the statement.  No more questions about the Tellhees.

ANGAR: Fine, fine.  Let’s talk about Tomas Zajicek for a moment, shall we?

LUKAS: Tomas!  Yes!  He’s like the son I never had!  The light of my life.

ANGAR: Some are saying that the appointment of young Zajicek as captain of the national side is long overdue.

LUKAS (regaining his composure): Yes! TommyZ, he is the future!  I wear his cologne every day.  I shampoo with his shampoo.  I mak-ee the uhh…how you say…boink boink to my lovely wife, while listening to his albums!  His voice, is spun gold.  His locks, luscious.  He is the Czech Republic’s greatest footballer, and an icon to us all!

ANGAR (pausing for a moment): Now, others are saying that, notwithstanding his…err…qualities…the only reason the Association appointed Tomas captain is to put an end to his social media campaign, criticizing you, personally, for not appointing his former mentor, Mr. Telleus, to manage the national side.

LUKAS (getting agitated): I told you.  No more questions about Mr. Telly!!!

ANGAR: Technically, that was a question about Mr. Zajicek.

LUKAS (confused): No, no…I’m quite certain that you were—you said his name!!!

 ANGAR: Yes.  I did.  I’ll move on.  Let me ask you this.  Do you agree with 87% of the people polled by ESPN, who contend that you should be, and I quote, “tarred, feathered, and sent on a scouting mission to Yemen in the company of Barney the Dinosaur as a result of your gross incompetence”?

LUKAS stares blankly, the blood draining from his face.  Not blinking or speaking.  The seconds feel like minutes.  The minutes, hours.

ANGAR: That was a question, Lukas.

LUKAS: That…that sounds a little…harsh.

LUKAS’ shoulders slump.  Moments later, he falls face-first into the podium like a puppet whose strings have been violently cut.

Several club officials enter and quietly coax LUKAS back to his feet. LUKAS finally stands with the help of 2 others, and looks about the room like a lost child searching for his mother.

LUKAS (quietly): Thank you for your time this evening. That is all.

ANGAR is again struck by an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.  But he cannot place it.  A half-remembered dream, maybe.  Perhaps it is just the half-dozen Drambouie and RedBulls he drank last night.

FADE OUT

Edited January 9, 2017 by ManUtd1

[Keano16]

Some say he is still trembling in his office.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

7 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

FADE IN:

 

EXT. HEADQUARTERS, FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC, PRAGUE – DAY

 

A beautiful September, early in the evening. The sun is slowly setting behind a lazy, small group of clouds. Ambient sounds of this a bustling city gently fill the air.

 

INT. PRESS ROOM

 

The FAČR crest adorns a podium at the front of the room. The latest Sonic Death Penguin album plays quietly in the background.

 

A phalanx of national and foreign reporters snack on the meager offerings left out for them.  There is no question why a press conference has been called, given the angry headlines over the past few weeks. ANGAR GUNNARSSON sits calmly in the front row, nursing a large cup of coffee. It is his 3rd cup of the day. He carries himself with distinction, his mere presence commanding respect and deference. He has a world-weary crinkle about his eyes – the ghosts of sights that cannot be unseen.

 

At the stroke of 4, a door to the RIGHT of the podium opens and LUKAS HRUBES, the FA President slowly walks in, ignoring the reporters with a weary look on his face.  Steeling himself, LUKAS faces the assembled, eager mass of reporters.  The wrinkled, rumpled suit does LUKAS no favors as it merely reinforces the media narrative of a man in over his head.  The music stops.

 

LUKAS: Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for coming here today.

 

ANGAR sits quietly, chewing on the nub of his pen, while the rest of the reporters begin to shout questions.

 

LUKAS: Before we begin, I have a short statement from the Association about Mr. Telleus.  This will be the only statement from the Association on this matter.

 

The room quiets abruptly, mics extended in hope, pens at the ready. ANGAR arches an eyebrow, and pointedly puts his pen down as if to signal that nothing LUKAS says could possibly interest him. LUKAS watches him out of the corner of his eye.  LUKAS begins to sweat.

 

LUKAS: Well, then...the...statement. Yes. Mr. Telleus’ availability was not truly known to the Association when we made our decision one month ago.  Nevertheless, the the Association are and remain pleased with the appointment of Mr. Trpisovsky as manager of the national team.  We have every confidence in Mr. Trpisovsky. That is all. Eh...I will now answer any questions you may have.

 

A stunned silence comes over the room. The reporters all look to ANGAR, who has the thousand-yard stare of a man struck by déjà vu. 

A young writer, HAMPUS LINDGREN, handsome, with a carefully cultivated hipster beard and man-bun, breaks the awkward silence.

LUKAS: Would you care to comment specifically on reports that the Association disregarded Mr. Telleus’ letter of interest, out of belief that it was a hoax?

LUKAS flinches visibly.  His left hand begins to tremble.

LUKAS: Well, you see.  Mr. Telleus had just won the World Cup with the Neederlands and has, to our knowledge, only been to Prague on weekend “stag dos” with his friends.  Understandably, we had no reason to believe that Mr. Telleus had any interest –

HAMPUS (scornfully): No reason?  No reason to believe…?  What about the letter itself, and the detailed Powerpoint presentation that he is rumored to have provided to the Association for review?

LUKAS begins to sweat more profusely.

LUKAS: The Powerpoint, yes.  You see, it was very impressive and detailed.  Obviously a hoax.

HAMPUS: What specifically is it about the Powerpoint led you to believe it was a hoax?  The impressive substance or the detailed substance?

LUKAS: The statement…the state – Mr. Telleus’ availability was not truly known to the Association when we made our decision one month ago.  Nevertheless, the the Association are and remain pleased with the appointment of Mr. Trpisovsky as manager of the national team.  We have every confidence in Mr. Trpisovsky.

HAMPUS: Yes, yes, the statement.

INGEMAR is struck again by an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.

HAMPUS (continuing): Did the Association consider the letter of interest and Powerpoint as an indication of Mr. Telleus’ interest in managing the Czech Republic, or not?

LUKAS: But, how could it be?  This is the Czech Republik.  We simply assumed that this was like the other times when those people who play that game…Footie-Footie Manager, you know this game?  They win the Champions League with a Bulgarian amateur side and apply for ze real jobs?  It is a joke.

HAMPUS: Mr. Telleus sent you a letter.  A letter you ignored.  Mr. Telleus has chosen to remain silent on this matter, out of respect for your Association.  But you are here to answer questions about the entire debacle, are you not?

LUKAS: Debacle?  Who said it was a debacle, I most certainly did not –

HAMPUS: The President of your Republic. ESPN. The Guardian.  Rabona Interruptus.  The Svenska Dagblet.  The Mirror.  The Times – both New York and Poughkeepsie. 

LUKAS (angrily): Potty language is not welcome in the Czech Republic, sir.

HAMPUS (exasperated): What pot– nevermind.

LUKAS: There will be no more questions about Mr. Telleeesh!

The room is deathly quiet as Lukas slams his open palm onto the podium to emphasize this point. Hampus chuckles softly, already dreaming of clever titles to use for his online fanzine.  ANGAR coughs and raises his hand.

LUKAS flinches as if struck.  The tremble in his hand increases.  He acknowledges ANGAR with resignation in his eyes.

ANGAR: Thank you, Lukas. Why didn’t the Association take the simple step of simply calling the number on Mr. Telleus’ letter and—

LUKAS (interrupting): I said, no more questions about Mr. Tell…Telleus!

Dark sweat stains now adorn LUKAS’ shirt.  His right eye has begun to twitch violently.

ANGAR: Ok, ok.  Let me ask you this – would you consider a man unqualified to be the manager of the national side if he had, say…won the World Cup and Champions League, against all odds?

LUKAS: I will not play these games with you, Angar.  No questions about Mr. Telleus.  I refer you to the statement.

ANGAR (gently, in a soothing voice): Ok, Lukas.  How would you feel if Slovakia were to win the World Cup before the Republic?

LUKAS: Those peasants?  I mean.  Wait.  What?

ANGAR: Exactly.  Moving on…  Would you agree that leaders must, when the occasion arises, admit to their weaknesses? 

LUKAS: But of course, if you cannot recognize weakness in yourself, you can never improve.  Become great.  Better than before.

ANGAR: Then why can’t you admit that your weakness for Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill wine is what caused you to drunkenly ignore the outstretched hand of the greatest young manager in the world, in his prime?

LUKAS begins to stammer, and appears likely to suffer an aneurysm at any given moment.

LUKAS: Th…the….the statement.  I refer you to the statement.  No more questions about the Tellhees.

 

ANGAR: Fine, fine.  Let’s talk about Tomas Zajicek for a moment, shall we?

 

LUKAS: Tomas!  Yes!  He’s like the son I never had!  The light of my life.

ANGAR: Some are saying that the appointment of young Zajicek as captain of the national side is long overdue.

LUKAS (regaining his composure): Yes! TommyZ, he is the future!  I wear his cologne every day.  I shampoo with his shampoo.  I mak-ee the uhh…how you say…boink boink to my lovely wife, while listening to his albums!  His voice, is spun gold.  His locks, luscious.  He is the Czech Republic’s greatest footballer, and an icon to us all!

ANGAR (pausing for a moment): Now, others are saying that, notwithstanding his…err…qualities…the only reason the Association appointed Tomas captain is to put an end to his social media campaign, criticizing you, personally, for not appointing his former mentor, Mr. Telleus, to manage the national side.

LUKAS (getting agitated): I told you.  No more questions about Mr. Telly!!!

 

ANGAR: Technically, that was a question about Mr. Zajicek.

LUKAS (confused): No, no…I’m quite certain that you were—you said his name!!!

 ANGAR: Yes.  I did.  I’ll move on.  Let me ask you this.  Do you agree with 87% of the people polled by ESPN, who contend that you should be, and I quote, “tarred, feathered, and sent on a scouting mission to Yemen in the company of Barney the Dinosaur as a result of your gross incompetence”?

LUKAS stares blankly, the blood draining from his face.  Not blinking or speaking.  The seconds feel like minutes.  The minutes, hours.

ANGAR: That was a question, Lukas.

LUKAS: That…that sounds a little…harsh.

LUKAS’ shoulders slump.  Moments later, he falls face-first into the podium like a puppet whose strings have been violently cut.

Several club officials enter and quietly coax LUKAS back to his feet. LUKAS finally stands with the help of 2 others, and looks about the room like a lost child searching for his mother.

 

LUKAS (quietly): Thank you for your time this evening. That is all.

 

ANGAR is again struck by an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.  But he cannot place it.  A half-remembered dream, maybe.  Perhaps it is just the half-dozen Drambouie and RedBulls he drank last night.

 

FADE OUT

 

Your writing style is fantastic for these pieces.

[ManUtd1]

5 hours ago, Keano16 said:

Some say he is still trembling in his office.

He is a rather twitchy fellow. We'll be seeing him on occasion 

4 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Your writing style is fantastic for these pieces.

Thanks, man. Glad you're enjoying it!

[ManUtd1]

Snooze-fest at Old Trafford.  Sheesh.

(Group Stage, Matchday 4)

[BoxToBox]

Somewhere in the Algarve is an old Dutch man with an erection.

[ManUtd1]

35 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Somewhere in the Algarve is an old Dutch man with an erection.

That was twisted.  Even for this thread.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

37 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Somewhere in the Algarve is an old Dutch man with an erection.

Ranting about his “philo-shiph-y”?

[BoxToBox]

36 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

That was twisted.  Even for this thread.

That's the toned down version, and all. I almost posted a pic of him smiling instead.

34 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Ranting about his “philo-shiph-y”?

That's the one!

[ManUtd1]

7 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

That's the toned down version, and all. I almost posted a pic of him smiling instead.

 

[Repsalty]

This thread is greatly entertaining, keep it going!

Also thanks for getting us Dutchies a world cup!

[ManUtd1]

2 minutes ago, Repsalty said:

This thread is greatly entertaining, keep it going!

Also thanks for getting us Dutchies a world cup!

You're so very welcome!  Thanks for reading!

[BoxToBox]

8 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

 

That's the very one!

(To be honest, I actually liked Van Gaal, football was terrible though!)

[ManUtd1]

Payback is a thing you gotta see...

ACF Fiorentina

December 2026 Update

Easily our best season thus far.  Even significant injuries to Besevic and Austin have not slowed us down.  We're in our stride.  Playing with a chip on our shoulders.  

In Europe, we had a relatively straightforward group, complicated by the presence of Mourinho's United.  We steamrolled them at the Artemio Franchi, and then took advantage in Manchester after a dire match was lit afire when Luke Shaw foolishly gave away a penalty in the second half.  United lost their cool, drew a red for protesting, and the rest was history.  We won our Group handily, allowing our 2nd XI to feature on Matchday 6 against BATE.

 

I'm really hoping for another return to Malmo...for old times' sake...or a rematch with Madrid to avenge our loss in the 2026 Final.  The balls are in the hopper, with Ryan Giggs picking them out.  FFS, Ryan, button that up, son...no one needs to see that carpet right now.

It had to be.  Madrid.  Thank you, Sir Shaggsy.

I'm wearing that jumpsuit at the match.  Get down with yo' bad self!

Domestically, we're rampant.  After the undefeated 2025/26 Serie A season, one would think that we'd have a target on our backs.  We probably, but it doesn't matter.  Grapefruit 2.0 is in effect, with an away draw against Milan the only blemish.

 

All told, we're in great shape heading into 2027.  Time to get our groove on at the Bernabeu.

[ManUtd1]

51 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

That's the very one!

(To be honest, I actually liked Van Gaal, football was terrible though!)

He was mad as a box of frogs, and I loved it.  Shame the football was such utter and complete crap!

[ManUtd1]

Oops, I meant to post these as well, from the Group Stage.

     

[BoxToBox]

8 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

He was mad as a box of frogs, and I loved it.  Shame the football was such utter and complete crap!

Bingo! His lunacy was amazing.

[hasdgfas]

Ah, Real Madrid. Of course

This game really seems like it's trying to build a narrative sometimes, between this and Malmo last year for you, and a bunch of things I've seen in my old games.

[ManUtd1]

Fiorentina claim their third-straight Golden Boy.  This year, it is the beautifully-named Bozo Crncevic, who features in my 2nd XI and off the bench for my 1st.  He's been filling in for the injured Besevic, as well.

I've also had my first player named to the FIFA World XI (edit: in this save), with Rugi claiming a spot on the subs bench behind Manchester City's Paulo Dybala (who just won his third Golden Ball on the bounce).

Edited January 9, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

19 minutes ago, hasdgfas said:

Ah, Real Madrid. Of course

This game really seems like it's trying to build a narrative sometimes, between this and Malmo last year for you, and a bunch of things I've seen in my old games.

At times.  It may just be confirmation bias, but man...I love seeing stuff like this come around.

[ManUtd1]

This has to be our year.  Madrid...can't wait.

 

[ManUtd1]

Tremendous news for the long-term future of the club.  Our attendances and season tickets are way up.

[ManUtd1]

ACF Fiorentina

Champions League 2025/2026 - First Leg, First Knockout Round

The Bernabeu has been my happy hunting ground in the past -- overcoming a deficit against Madrid during the knockout rounds on our journey to the Champions League final in 2022...which was held at the Bernabeu.  So, I have a good feeling.

There is also the element of revenge for losing in the Champions League final last year.  My final words to the lads was to focus on what we'd been seeking, planning and working towards since May -- the big payback.

Jan...Jan...I hope you don't have to cry yourself to sleep tonight on your wee pillow.  Actually, I do.  

Opening minutes.  Free kick from 30 yards.  Zamuner lurking over it like a predator.  1-0 TO LA VIOLA!!!!!!!  WHAT A START!!!!

Madrid kick off and begin to push forward...MEDINA OFF THE POST!!! SO CLOSE FOR MADRID!!!

Both sides are pressing and creating opportunities, but nothing more to show for it.

A long goal kick from Dragowski sees some great interplay between the purple-clad away side...RUGI SPRINGS VASALAS FREE...HE MAKES NO MISTAKE!!!! 2-0!!!!  NIGHTMARE FOR MADRID!!!!

The halftime whistle blows, and the white hankies are out amid a deafening chorus of whistles.  The Madridistas are not pleased!

Another long goal kick from Dragowski finds Janssens, who gives to Rugi and takes off down the wing...he has some space, Rugi finds him...one touch...A CROSS WHIPPED IN...VASALAS!!!!!!!  3 NIL!!! MADRID ARE FALLING APART!!!  A MATCH EVEN BY ALL MEASURES, BUT THE ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS!!!

FIORENTINA CLINICAL, MADRID FLACCID!!!

THEY'LL BE DANCING IN THE STREETS OF FIORENTINA TONIGHT!!!

AND WITH THAT GOAL, IT IS ALL FIORENTINA!  WAVES OF PURPLE, SURGING FORWARD, RELENTLESS!  IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF IF, BUT WHEN THEIR NEXT GOAL WILL ARRIVE!!!!

Substitions are on....Pini and Crncevic on in the midfield for the tiring Janssens and Austin, with Crncevic being given the remit to push forward while Zamuner slides right to hold.  Civiero replaces Rugi, as the youngster continues his footballing education in one of the cathedrals of the game.

Pini...wide right, just inside the half...holding...searching...driving a ball TO CRNCEVIC BREAKING FROM DEEP!!!! HE'S GOT A STEP....AND THAT'S 4!!!!  A BAKER'S HAT-TRICK FOR FIORENTINA!!!

THE BERNABEU STUNNED!!!  TELLEUS AND HIS MEN HAVE QUIETLY SEETHED SINCE MAY, BIDING THEIR TIME.  GIVEN THE CHANCE, THEY'RE TAKING IT BY THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK!!!  THERE CAN BE NO WAY BACK FOR MADRID!!! FIORENTINA ARE RELENTLESS!!!

Pini with a tame shot at Baron...OHH!  Sloppy technique sees the ball spill back to Pini, who gets to the touchline...cuts it back TO BESEVIC ALL ALONE AT THE BACK POST!!!  5!!!!

77 MINUTES, AND THE TIE IS ALL BUT OVER!!! FIORENTINA, CLINICAL IN GAINING THE LEAD HAVE NOW CAPITALIZED ON MADRID'S UTTER AND COMPLETE COLLAPSE!!!  MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE CHAMPIONS ARE DONE!!!

A consolation goal from Lundqvist in the 84th will do nothing to quell the insurrection that is about to begin in the Spanish capitol.

An utter shambles from the defending Champions.  Fiorentina, ascendant!!!

Edited January 9, 2017 by ManUtd1
Formatting

[ManUtd1]

What's killing me as much as anything, is that it's late and I have a full day at the office tomorrow. Can't play the 2nd leg for nearly 24 hours.

[hasdgfas]

Wow! I'm losing 2-1 to ten-man Stoke in my away matches, and you're winning 5-1 at Real Madrid. Really impressive. This has to be the year, right?

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

8 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Bingo! His lunacy was amazing.

Yeah, his press conferences were fantastic.

“Louis Van Gaal’s Red Army!”

[andychar]

That picture of Louis Van Gaal still haunts my darkest of nightmares.

 

Entertaining stuff as always. This is going to be your year. Will be interesting to see where you will be heading next.

[Rikulec]

Amazing stuff, you'll surely get that crown.

[ManUtd1]

15 hours ago, hasdgfas said:

Wow! I'm losing 2-1 to ten-man Stoke in my away matches, and you're winning 5-1 at Real Madrid. Really impressive. This has to be the year, right?

Fingers are crossed. We're certainly good enough, such that I'd be very disappointed if it didn't happen.

12 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Yeah, his press conferences were fantastic.

“Louis Van Gaal’s Red Army!”

That, and the drunken speech at the end of year gathering.

10 hours ago, andychar said:

Entertaining stuff as always. This is going to be your year. Will be interesting to see where you will be heading next.

Thanks! I've got a few thoughts if I were to win it this year, but...not counting chickens before they hatch and all...

6 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Amazing stuff, you'll surely get that crown.

I appreciate the confidence! A crown of grapefruit peelings!

6 hours ago, Duroliponte said:

Thought I'd take in this thread as part of my FMCU comeback- and wasn't disappointed! Out of interest, as they keep cropping up: what sort of state are Leeds in at the moment?

Thanks for reading! Glad you've enjoyed my slow descent into madness...

I'm away from my laptop until this evening, but I've checked in on them. As I recall offhand, they've been "finishing" in the mid/lower tier of the Championship this entire time. Not necessarily relegation fodder, but not close to promotion.

(I use quotes because the Championship is not an active league, to be gentle on the laptop. I'll try to remember to post a screenshot later.)

[ManUtd1]

Picture this...but a grapefruit...on a Swedish Jared Leto.

#HammarDropped

[ManUtd1]

ACF Fiorentina

Champions League 2025/2026 - Second Leg, First Knockout Round

This result was never in doubt, even with Rugi out injured.  Revenge for losing the final?  Check.  Payback, on track?  Check.

 

7-1 on aggregate.  Nice.

Who's next?!

[ManUtd1]

Ugh.  This is bad.

I've been having the "game freezes on inbox" issue that others have posted about in the bugs forum.  First noticed it yesterday, but thankfully I had saved so I didn't lose anything.  Tonight, I froze right after the Madrid 2nd leg.

I replayed it using instant result, and got the same 2-0 scoreline.

I saved, and am now following the directions in the relevant threads to see if this will go away.

Suffice to say, I will be absolutely gutted if this save it lost.

[ManUtd1]

Ooh...I like this.  Very, very much.  

We draw Diego Simeone's City.  The same City that I beat in the Final on penalties in '22 with Malmo. 

(Fingers are very much crossed that the freezing issue will pass...)

[ManUtd1]

Gent, of all clubs, get a tycoon.

[ManUtd1]

Oh, yes.  This year is on track.  On every possible level.

Tomorrow night, the quarterfinals against City.

[hasdgfas]

10 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Gent, of all clubs, get a tycoon.

Ooh, that'll be fun to follow.

That freezing issue sounds horrible! Hopefully it's gone.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Certainly gonna be your year. Seems no one can stop you. I haven't heard about the inbox thing but it's making me nervous about my own save now!

I hope it doesn't affect things for you though.

[ManUtd1]

Thanks, @hasdgfas and @Fer Fuchs Ake!  

The inbox thing is frustrating, but it supposedly will pass if you just let the computer sit and hasn't (to my knowledge) corrupted anyone's save.  Regardless, I'm saving frequently at this point 

[Repsalty]

Champions 7 games before the end in the Serie A...... why do you have to make me look bad?

[ManUtd1]

ACF Fiorentina

Champions League 2025/2026 - Quaterfinals

A highly professional, clinical showing in Manchester meant that we went back to the Artemio Franchi in a tremendous position to advance.  Three first-half goals ensured that the job was done.

 

Full credit to City (what am I saying?!?) for not laying down once the match was truly over.  They attacked with reckless abandon, such that the final 25 minutes of the tie saw no less than 6 goals.

Into the semifinals, with four giants looking to secure a spot at Signal Iduna Park.  Will it be another trip to Manchester?

No.  We're off to Paris, to face Pep's PSG who eliminated us on away goals 2 years ago at this very stage (only for us to hammer them in the Group Stages later that year).

(As busy as my day is, I likely cannot play these matches until tonight, when I can give them the full flavor they deserve.)

[ManUtd1]

23 minutes ago, Repsalty said:

Champions 7 games before the end in the Serie A...... why do you have to make me look bad?

Haha!  It's been THAT kind of year, for sure.  Thanks for following along