Joe. Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 The remaining teams in the Champions League don't look like much to be afraid of.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe. Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 1 minute ago, Joe. said: The remaining teams in the Champions League don't look like much to be afraid of.. Aha I typed this before seeing who got through to the Semis Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 1 hour ago, Joe. said: Aha I typed this before seeing who got through to the Semis Heh...yeah, there was a clear hierarchy in the quarterfinal stage. But, we: (1) curb-stomped Chelsea in the knockout rounds last year (7-3 on aggregate); and (2) won home and away against United during the Group Stage this year. So, I very much like our chances. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 I sincerely hope you don't capitulate horribly and end up drifting away into the obscurity of history. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 10, 2017 Author Share Posted January 10, 2017 3 minutes ago, Keano16 said: I sincerely hope you don't capitulate horribly and end up drifting away into the obscurity of history. It would only be fitting. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 6 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said: It would only be fitting. This guy will always be remembered! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Just caught up on this thread, just love it! superb work with Malmo and the Dutsch, it's going to Fiorentina time surely? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Fioreantina's time is now! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R7Now Posted January 10, 2017 Share Posted January 10, 2017 Pep's out for revenge! Better watch out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 Thanks for reading, as always, @Keano16, @smp20, @BoxToBox, and @R7Now! Let's do this thing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 ACF Fiorentina Champions League 2025/2026 - Semifinal, 1st Leg Nice to see you again, Tommy Boy. Bring it on. The Artemio Franchi is ready. Barneys are everywhere. First chance of the match falls to Dino Zamuner, who blazes over from 16 yards. Get yer feckin' knee over the ball, son!!! Err...nevermind...the ref is giving a corner. Thankfully, no one could hear what I was actually saying given the 57,000 people screaming their heads off. Nevertheless, the early stages are all Viola, as Rugi forces a big save from Donnarumma. Nightmare...PSG's first foray forward, long throw in that we don't deal with at the near post. If anything, the seething cauldron that is the Artemio does not relent. Down 1, so what?! We continue to press and probe, with the lion's share of possession and all the intent...Janssens breaks to the byline...cuts it back for Vasalas...VASALAS, NO!!! BESEVIC YEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! Back in the balance, in front of the new Curva Fiesole!!!! We press from the kickoff...relentless, like a hungry, singing dino, we shall not relent!!! Corner to Fiorentina...Besevic FINDS POSTORINO, RISING LIKE A PHOENIX AT THE BACK POST!!! THAT'S 2!!!! THE CURVA IS A ROILING MASS OF JOY!!! PSG press forward, seeking an equalizer...Busic with a valiant run, centers and...OH MY GOODNESS, BENALI HAS PLAYED THE BALL OFF HIS OWN POST! THE MARGINS THINNER THAN A RAZOR BLADE HERE IN ITALY!!! Dragowski gives the post a cheeky kiss, and we're off and running once again! PSG pushing men forward with reckless abandon now, as Fiorentina casually soak up the pressure and counter. The French have nearly been carved open on several occasions. Zamuner steals and drills a 40-yard Hollywood ball to a streaking Besevic...WHO FINDS VASALAS ALONE IN THE BOX!!! THAT'S 3!!!! PSG HAVE IT ALL TO DO, NOW!!! 3-1 at the half. If PSG don't sort this out soon, the tie will be over before long. No tactical changes on our end of the pitch. Yet. Soak up that pressure, hit them fast and hard. Fiorentina controlling the early stages. Besevic breaking down the left wing...hacked down cruelly by Giuliano! That's a professional foul!!! What will it be?!?!? Only a yellow card! The supporters are furious!!! PSG are rattled!!! Off the ensuing free kick...Besevic drops to Zamuner, who beats 1 man, 2...LAYS IT OFF TO BESEVIC, WHO WHIPS IT ACROSS TO A STREAKING JANSSENS!!! 4-1!!!!! PSG HAVE IT ALL TO DO, NOW!!! PSG are simply unable to create anything here. Fiorentina in complete control. The only question being whether they will execute the final coup d'grace. Besevic with a trademark, winding run at full pace...breezing past defenders, dishing it at the last moment to Van Driessche. It's almost perverse, at this stage. Pep, speechless. But what could he possibly say? His side well-beaten, thinking back to what might have been if Benali's blunder had found its way in at Dragowski's near post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 (edited) So, I manage to sneak in a match...and it has to be that incredible. Alas, the laptop has to go off for a bit. Back later, with the 2nd leg and, hopefully, the final. I almost re-used my twist on the "They'll be dancing in the streets of Total Network Soluntions tonight!" line... Edited January 11, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasdgfas Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Decent result, that. I'd put it in the top half of your results so far this save. Seriously though, that's a fantastic start to the tie. I'd call you a slight favorite for the return leg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Destroyed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 (edited) 5 minutes ago, hasdgfas said: Decent result, that. I'd put it in the top half of your results so far this save. Seriously though, that's a fantastic start to the tie. I'd call you a slight favorite for the return leg Hahaha! The thing is, this side is so good I might not even mind! To be fair, we dropped our first two games of the season right before this one (Juventus and Roma), so I wasn't particularly confident coming into this one. Especially with the long throw in...and then Benali (the Spanish Vidic) putting it off the post. 2 minutes ago, BoxToBox said: Destroyed. #PepIsBald Edited January 11, 2017 by ManUtd1 Autocorrect Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Just now, ManUtd1 said: #PepIsBald He's probably about *this* close to wearing down to skullbone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 8 minutes ago, BoxToBox said: He's probably about *this* close to wearing down to skullbone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 7 hours ago, Keano16 said: This guy will always be remembered! Haha...you think this thread gets dark on occasion? Just wait until I'm mired in a relegation battle with leeds... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 ACF Fiorentina Champions League 2025/2026 - Semifinal, 2nd Leg Not a chance, Pep. A 10th minute goal from Rugi sealed the tie. Comprehensive, thorough. An absolute, utter beating. Mourinho's United annihilate Chelsea in London, to set up a massive Final in Dortmund. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 Quick glace at Europe while we work towards the CL final... PSG is PSG'ing in France...Spain is tight at the top, as 1 point separates the top 3. Mourinho's United may fall out of the top 4. Dortmund pipped Bayern in Germany. And Malmo is struggling more than I've seen since the start of the save, with only 6 wins from 10. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 We bring home the TIM Cup for the first time in my tenure, but at what cost? The injury to Besevic is brutal. He's out of the Champions League final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 ACF Fiorentina Champions League Final 2025/2026 - Signal Iduna Park Tweet tweet! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 An absolutely dire first half. We're controlling, but haven't created any chances of note. Not a single one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 I have no words. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 No. Just, no. We're pressing and can't recover. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 It's too late. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 It's over. 91st minute penalty to United. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 Telleus at the post-Final press conference. He didn't say a word. Just started. Without blinking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 WHY HAVE YOU FORESAKEN ME, RNGEEBUS?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasdgfas Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 oof, completely brutal Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 8 minutes ago, hasdgfas said: oof, completely brutal Indeed. That was brutal. I'm trying to be "glass is half full" about it, in that the side is absolutely immense. We should be unstoppable next year. But that's football, isn't it? 90 minutes, and anyone can win. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 A squad review will follow tomorrow night, along with the season recap. Man. That one stung. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Next year! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willigenburg Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Fiorentina seems to be the real 'Nearly Men' of Europe! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Repsalty Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 What?! How... how did this happen? I was sure you'd get it this time, especially after the dismantling of PSG #PepIsBald. I smell a conspiracy, you are really trying to stave off Leeds aren't you? 9 minutes ago, Willigenburg said: Fiorentina seems to be the real 'Nearly Men' of Europe! And this! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 I think I just died a little inside going through the posts of that final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Oh that must be gutting! Two times Nearly Men in two years as well. I thought you'd walk the final after what you did to PSG and Madrid. But there's always next season so best or luck going forward. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rikulec Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Ouch. Tough luck mate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sherwinriga Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Great story, so far! But not happy to see Fiorentina loss to United. I think the Fiorentina fans would be unhappier than before, guessing that they completely jeered Man United for the loss. Mark Man United as Tellus' greatest enemy of all time, but I hope 2028 will be the second year of luck in Fiortentina again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Painful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave. Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Jesus, your team is disgustingly good. No idea how United got the better of you in the CL final; that's so unlucky. Surely next season will be the one? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Well, that was gutting - next year surely! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 Thanks for the moral support, @Keano16, @Willigenburg, @Repsalty, @andychar, @Fer Fuchs Ake, @Rikulec, @sherwinriga, @BoxToBox, @Dave., and @smp20! I do have to think that it's on the verge of happening. But that's two straight losses in the final, following on the away-goals loss to PSG in the semifinals. The new "Nearly Men," indeed. The squad review will be a bit cathartic, I think. There isn't a ton of room for improvement, but perhaps I can tweak something here or there to give us a little extra something Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R7Now Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Sad thing is, you probably would've won with Besevic. Heartbreaking, nonetheless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceching You Out Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 And on that night in Florence, not a light shone. For the defeat shrouded the city in a misery cruel enough to extinguish hope. Throughout the city La Viola stared silently into the darkness, the children softly sobbing themselves to sleep, those more familiar with disappointment re-embracing cynicism so recently shed. Unassailable doubts whispered in the still recesses.There would never be redemption. Glory graces not Fiorentina. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 3 hours ago, R7Now said: Sad thing is, you probably would've won with Besevic. Heartbreaking, nonetheless. He is a monster out there. Opens up defenses with ease. There's no question that his absence was felt. But, United were missing Pogba and Martial, so... 1 hour ago, Ceching You Out said: And on that night in Florence, not a light shone. For the defeat shrouded the city in a misery cruel enough to extinguish hope. Throughout the city La Viola stared silently into the darkness, the children softly sobbing themselves to sleep, those more familiar with disappointment re-embracing cynicism so recently shed. Unassailable doubts whispered in the still recesses.There would never be redemption. Glory graces not Fiorentina. I'll never forget my oldest son (now 10) bawling when the Ronaldo-led Madrid eliminated United in the Champions League...Nani's BS red card which changed the game. It was his first year really watching matches with me -- he was gutted for days, and just couldn't wrap his head around what had happened. The red card, the loss. The only thing your extremely poetic narrative left out was the detail-obsessed manager, working away in the bowels of the Artemio Franchi. Not stopping at home. Straight from the airport, off the flight from Germany. A cold fury burning in his heart. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceching You Out Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Just now, ManUtd1 said: I'll never forget my oldest son (now 10) bawling when the Ronaldo-led Madrid eliminated United in the Champions League...Nani's BS red card which changed the game. It was his first year really watching matches with me -- he was gutted for days, and just couldn't wrap his head around what had happened. The red card, the loss. The only thing your extremely poetic narrative left out was the detail-obsessed manager, working away in the bowels of the Artemio Franchi. Not stopping at home. Straight from the airport, off the flight from Germany. A cold fury burning in his heart. Poignant to see little ones experience that kind of thing for the first time. That's the value of football (and sports more generally) isn't it? A proxy for the emotional rollercoaster of life and all the lessons therein. And of course the thinly veiled appeal of tribalism and connection. I've had a couple of competing ideas for my first save when I eventually lay down Avenir Beggen and buy FM17. Only relevant because this kind of story-telling has me leaning towards the narrative heavier format of the two that is intended to touch on similar themes in football. I only spin the story of despair! Leaving it to Telleus to scribe the successes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted January 11, 2017 Author Share Posted January 11, 2017 1 minute ago, Ceching You Out said: Poignant to see little ones experience that kind of thing for the first time. That's the value of football (and sports more generally) isn't it? A proxy for the emotional rollercoaster of life and all the lessons therein. And of course the thinly veiled appeal of tribalism and connection. I've had a couple of competing ideas for my first save when I eventually lay down Avenir Beggen and buy FM17. Only relevant because this kind of story-telling has me leaning towards the narrative heavier format of the two that is intended to touch on similar themes in football. I only spin the story of despair! Leaving it to Telleus to scribe the successes. Hahaha -- so very true. My 10 year old is crazy for the game, and plays at a pretty good level here in the States, taking after Dad. The life lessons one learns playing sports...it can be brutal, but man it is a growing experience. The narrative stuff is what entertains me with FM these days. I don't have the time to really play it like I used to, but it is my escape from the responsibilities of the real world (work, family, etc). FM, coffee and jelly beans are my vices/indulgences...that's about it, unless I pick up another game that intrigues me (CK2 and GTA are the only things I've dove into as much as FM). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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