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

[Bedese]

Gutting  

[ManUtd1]

When you've got something to prove, there's nothing greater than a challenge

ACF Fiorentina

2026/27 Season Review

The gut-wrenching hurt has yet to dissipate.  Maybe it won't.  Maybe we're destined to fall at the last hurdle.  3 years running -- on away goals in the semis, then twice in the final.  3 years running, with nothing to show for it.  

This year, our only loss all season in European play was in the final.  We'd won every other match.  Literally.  Up until the losses to Juventus and Roma in the Spring, we hadn't lost a match in any competition.

Certainly, winning the Serie A at a canter was a joy.  And the individual displays, on European nights, were a wonder to behold.  But nothing can ease the pain of losing the Champions League final.  Especially to that arrogant **** at United.  He finishes 5th, and is all but out of a job?  No longer.  They're Champions of Europe and back into the mix, despite a domestic campaign that can only be described as an utter disappointment.  

1 year ago, we were motivated to get revenge.  Payback.  This year, it is more than that.  Intangibly so.  It's personal.  We cannot just play with a chip on our shoulders.  We need the entire rock.  We need to be angry.  Defiant.  Single-minded in our pursuit of the one trophy that has eluded Fiorentina, the one held most dear.

Hey, Apollonia, have you ever seen Independence Day?  No?  Oh, man...pop in the DVD.  You're in for a treat.  "We will not go quietly into the night!!!!"

Why are you looking at me like that, dear?  Honey?  Pookums?

Goals for 2027-28:  Win the Serie A and Champions League.  What?  What did you think I was going to say?

Squad|League Overview|Finances Overview|Income Detail|Expenditures Detail|Transfers

Serie A Fixtures 1|Serie A Fixtures 2|Champions League Fixtures|TIM Cup Fixtures

Champions League 2026-27 Review

Just screenshots this time, as the journey was pretty exhaustively detailed this year.

 

Challenge Overview

Edited January 15, 2017 by ManUtd1
Formatting

[ManUtd1]

ACF Fiorentina

June 2026 Squad Review/Assessment/Inquisition

The loss in Germany has left a nasty, bitter taste in my mouth.  On the balance, we should have won that match.  But, how many times was the shoe on the other foot over the past few years?  Regardless, we need to assess where we are and where we're going.  Top to bottom, no stone unturned.  No player immune from review.

Where possible, I'll be invoking 3-year contract clauses.  Per usual, I'll renegotiate only in extreme situations.  For example, Besevic and Austin are being sought by all the major clubs we're competing with in Europe.  There's no way that's happening.

More to the point, no one is leaving unless and until I say so.  Moreover, I'm only sanctioning a move if I have already brought in a first XI player to take over in that position.

Goalkeepers

 

Dragowski has unquestionably been my starter since I arrived in Florence.  That being said, Ferretti has developed nicely.  While Dragowski still has an edge on him, I may install the young Italian in his stead.  Fresh blood.  Moving on.  When fully developed, Ferretti will likely be the better 'keeper.  This one is a toss-up, and tough for me to decide one way or the other.  Ferretti certainly needs more football.  A tough call.

Right Backs

 

Emiliano "Slippy G" Gherardini has been my starter here since Arregi left.  He always has good ratings, and plays well.  But, he isn't a top drawer right back when you really look at him.  Fred "The Weeej" Ooijer has been the butt of his fair share of jokes since arriving during my tenure as manager of The Netherlands.  Fortunately, he can back it up on the pitch.  He's in the same spot as Ferretti -- not quite good enough to claim the spot on pure merit, but potential...yeah, it's there.  Another tough call, especially when Slippy G has been the Fans' POTY for several years running.  This is a position where I could see spending a f***ton of cash in the transfer market, to bring in the "right" player.

Center Backs

    

Paolo Postorino and Taoufik "The Spanish Vidic" Benali have been my central pairing for a while now.  I genuinely adore them.  But, I may swap them in their entirety for Vaquero and Tomura.  The latter have been the rock at the core of my 2nd XI and, given their development over the past year, are arguably better on merit.  There's no question that Tomura will step into the 1st XI next year.  It's only a question of who is next to him.  Rosi had so much promise as a youngster, but hasn't developed like I'd hoped.  He's likely to be sold off for a packet of Doritos.  No matter how you dice it, this is a position where a new, major signing could be in order.  I've got the cash, perhaps I should spend a little of it.

Left Backs

 

Frankly, this one is easy.  Jean-Francois "Frank" Delaval is my starter.  He's always had more potential than Visani, and is starting to really show it.  No need for any changes here.

Right Midfielders

 

Grapefruit 2.0 relies on this player to create, albeit from a Wide Midfielder position instead of an out-and-out Winger, which allows for my right back to push forward more.  Janssens is a frickin' legend in the making here.  Pini is an exceptional backup both here and in the central midfield -- a supersub to come off the bench and play in one of 3 roles.  Again, I don't see an upgrade making sense here.  If need be, I've simply thrown Crncevic on in this role (a left-footer), and he seems to excel.  But, I don't need him to play in this position so I'm not wasting his time in training specifically teaching him the role.

Center Midfielders

   

I feel like I have an embarrassment of riches here.  Matt "Ozzie" Austin is my best midfielder, and plays in the left central midfield spot.  He's been paired with Dino Zamuner, who is deadly from a dead ball.  Pini fills in off the bench on occasion.  The "newer" additions to the side are intriguing.  After passing time as a squad player for a few years, Puljic has truly stepped up with the departure of Caruso and that other guy, whats-his-face, last summer.  Puljic may even be pushing for Zamuner for a spot in the 1st XI if he contintues to develop.  Eddie Browne is my Irish good luck charm.  He may not make it, in the end, but I like having him in the side for some reason.  His lawyers also tell me that I'm legally barred from selling or sacking him, under the LAD Clause of the Anglo-Irish Treaty  (see, e.g., Anton Rodgers, surpra).  Sounds suspect to me, but I know better than to mess with the wee folk.

I will also use Crncevic as a central midfielder, in a pinch.

Left Midfielders

 

Besevic.  Sasa Besevic.  His name strikes fear in the heart of right backs across Europe.  If we'd had him in the final against United, I have little doubt that he'd have given us at least a spark or two.  His understudy, Bozo "The Clown" Crncevic, could be a starter in his own right.  He's tremendous and, as noted, is used to fill gaps in the central midfield and on the right.  If it wasn't for Sasa...

Attacking Midfielders

 

Vasalas has been a fixture in the XI for some time.  His injury in the 2025/26 season gave Freddy "Il Duce" Van Driessche quite the opportunity, and he took it with both hands.  Over the past year, Van Driessche has surpassed Vasalas and will take over in the 1st XI for 2027/28.  Vasalas is an important player, but sentiment can play no part here.  "Il Duce" is the man going forward.

Forwards

 

Finally, our front line.  It seems like only yesterday that Giorgio Rugi forced his way into the XI.  Well, now he's got some serious competition.  Tommaso Civiero is a bona fide legend in the making.  His first full year with the squad was a massive success, and great things are expected of him.  He'll remain in the 2nd XI for this coming season, but who knows after that.

Final Thoughts

This side is clearly good enough to win the Champions League.  Our time is coming.  The only question being whether I want to splurge a little and try to bring in 1-2 players to try and make that happen sooner -- a right back and a center back, being the most likely options.  We'll see.  Some scouting needs to be done.  And, some hard thinking about the goalkeeper and right back positions, especially.   

Edited January 12, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Ugh.  Denied the chance at revenge.

[ManUtd1]

A couple of my U20s stars.

      

I've bumped Oosting up to the senior squad, to replace Rosi.  Mitura would likely make the side, but for Civiero.  Morfos has the look of serious talent about him.

[BoxToBox]

Shame the Oirish lad can't tackle, I'd love the idea of having him on the bench to come on and just push people around.

EDIT: Also, seems Mourinho ran away, can't blame him, storm's coming....

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

1 hour ago, BoxToBox said:

Shame the Oirish lad can't tackle, I'd love the idea of having him on the bench to come on and just push people around.

EDIT: Also, seems Mourinho ran away, can't blame him, storm's coming....

This. Mourinho’s panicked.

[Repsalty]

That is one hell of a squad you got there, truly world class.

And Mourinho is smart enough to quit while he's ahead. There's no bus big and strong enough for him to park to stop La Viola coming season I suspect.

[smp20]

Fantastic squad. If you were ruthless and wanted the trophy over developing the young talent you have I'd be tempted to bring in a top world class striker and ship out Civiero on loan.

[ManUtd1]

4 hours ago, smp20 said:

Fantastic squad. If you were ruthless and wanted the trophy over developing the young talent you have I'd be tempted to bring in a top world class striker and ship out Civiero on loan.

Thanks, man. The thing is, we're generally scoring goals at will, from multiple sources.

Your point is perfectly valid, I'm just feeling like the defense is a bigger issue if I were to dip into the deep end of the transfer market.

I've got one big fish that I might bring in - all the terms are agreed; to be determined tonight. Having succeeded (more or less!) thus far with an emphasis on developing talent instead of buying the finished product, I'm wary of going down that road and potentially ruining the save for myself, for having taken a shortcut.

5 hours ago, Repsalty said:

That is one hell of a squad you got there, truly world class.

And Mourinho is smart enough to quit while he's ahead. There's no bus big and strong enough for him to park to stop La Viola coming season I suspect.

Maybe a tank? Aircraft carrier? Admiral Jose?

I'm curious to see where he ends up.

6 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

This. Mourinho’s panicked.

His in-game personality never fails to amuse me. 

7 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Shame the Oirish lad can't tackle, I'd love the idea of having him on the bench to come on and just push people around.

EDIT: Also, seems Mourinho ran away, can't blame him, storm's coming....

Hahaha...poor Eddie. He doesn't even merit a crap nickname at this point. 

[Joe.]

Personally I don't think you need to bring anyone in. That squad is young and will only continue to improve, you've got cover in every position and you were entirely dominant last year - just got a bit screwed over towards the end. I particularly like Benali and Tomura, though it's a slight shame they're both left footed.

If anything, I'd advise you to utilise the younger generation in order to prevent burnout/late season injuries - but I don't even know if that'd make much difference. 

[ManUtd1]

7 minutes ago, Joe. said:

Personally I don't think you need to bring anyone in. That squad is young and will only continue to improve, you've got cover in every position and you were entirely dominant last year - just got a bit screwed over towards the end. I particularly like Benali and Tomura, though it's a slight shame they're both left footed.

If anything, I'd advise you to utilise the younger generation in order to prevent burnout/late season injuries - but I don't even know if that'd make much difference. 

Much appreciated, man. The heavy workload did result in a couple "wear and tear" injuries late in the season.  I hate running too big a big squad, and rotate pretty heavily (as is likely apparent from the squad screen), but an additional game or two off may help.

I frankly wasn't of a mind to revamp things too heavily, until I really started looking at the squad closely after the CL final. My scouting thus far has basically confirmed that, to improve on them -- in terms of current ability/attributes AND personality -- it'll cost a mint. The 2 players I'm considering (one with agreed terms, the other we're stuck haggling over a fee) are former players of mine. Top class, but costly.

I'm leaning towards not signing them, maybe buying one South American kid I've had my eye on, and just proceeding with Tamura partnered with Vaquero, Benali or Postorino. Away from the laptop for 12 hours though.

All work and no play makes Hakan a dull boy.

[ManUtd1]

Oops...just saw that the challenge progress spreadsheet has an error. Rugi led the club with 42 goals this year. 34 was the cut/paste from last year. I'll fix it this evening.

[Joe.]

Signing Jan Lundqvist would be a fine idea  

[ManUtd1]

1 minute ago, Joe. said:

Signing Jan Lundqvist would be a fine idea  

I don't think I could afford him! 

[hasdgfas]

54 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

I've got one big fish that I might bring in - all the terms are agreed; to be determined tonight. Having succeeded (more or less!) thus far with an emphasis on developing talent instead of buying the finished product, I'm wary of going down that road and potentially ruining the save for myself, for having taken a shortcut.

I wouldn't call that ruining the save. If you need one more piece, why not splash a bit? That's the goal, right? Take that last step over the top?

If you'd rather have faith in the current young squad, I do understand that though. There's always something special about that.

[andychar]

If you don't win the champions league this season I will...well...erm...i don't know what I'd do!

[BoxToBox]

Best off to spend the money, don't want to leave a big kitty for Bobby Manc to waste.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

2 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

I don't think I could afford him! 

I saw that he made the bench for Player of the Year last time you posted a screenshot of all the PoTY nominees. Where's Mourinho gone to? Or is he just drifting aimlessly like me when I get sacked in FM?

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Where's Mourinho gone to? Or is he just drifting aimlessly like me when I get sacked in FM?

I'll check when I get home. I'm hoping that Pep takes over, for the karmic hilarity of it all. He was/is a top candidate, per the screenshot!

[ManUtd1]

4 hours ago, hasdgfas said:

I wouldn't call that ruining the save. If you need one more piece, why not splash a bit? That's the goal, right? Take that last step over the top?

If you'd rather have faith in the current young squad, I do understand that though. There's always something special about that.

Fair points. There is something special about pulling a side together and watching them progress.  Breaking with the approach I've taken thus far, even to sign 1-2 former Malmo players...I'm on the fence.

4 hours ago, andychar said:

If you don't win the champions league this season I will...well...erm...i don't know what I'd do!

I've actually got a plan for how this would play out, in the narrative, the seeds of which will be sown soon enough.

3 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Best off to spend the money, don't want to leave a big kitty for Bobby Manc to waste.

Hahaha...that is something I can get behind. But, instead of buying a player that he would sell at a loss and/or misuse, maybe I should just commission a statue of myself, made of jelly beans.

[BoxToBox]

3 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Hahaha...that is something I can get behind. But, instead of buying a player that he would sell at a loss and/or misuse, maybe I should just commission a statue of myself, made of jelly beans.

The statue could be you using a scarf to wipe your backside.

[ManUtd1]

2 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

The statue could be you using a scarf to wipe your backside.

While mocking a certain folicly-challenged Spaniard.

[BoxToBox]

3 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

While mocking a certain folicly-challenged Spaniard.

Damn it, it would be perfect!

[ManUtd1]

6 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Damn it, it would be perfect!

Never let it be said that I don't leave a legacy at my clubs.

[ManUtd1]

After much deliberation, I decided against finalizing the $72M signing for Umar Okoye and backed out of negotiations for Albert Augustsson (likely would have come in at/around $100M).

  

Yes, it would have been an upgrade in both positions.  No doubt.  But, it didn't feel right.

Slippy G gets a new lease on life, and I'm going to aim for a South American CB/DM I like the look of.

Edited January 13, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

This is priceless.

Mourinho is just wandering about some European city in a bathrobe, mumbling to himself incoherently.

[ManUtd1]

Rodriguez, on a free from Argentina.

I'm training him up as a center back.  I really like him.  

[ManUtd1]

Vaquero will pair with Tomura in my 1st XI.  Dragowski keeps his spot in the side...for now.

[ManUtd1]

The snide is ON.

[hasdgfas]

You can't make it up.

[ManUtd1]

35 minutes ago, hasdgfas said:

You can't make it up.

No, no you can't.  

I've actually just had a ridiculous idea.  A marvelous, ridiculous idea.

Bear with me for a minute.

My right back position is designed to attack.  To get forward, wreak havoc.  We also play, by design, a Total Football approach. What if I threw Finn Janssens back there, and brought in Crncevic at right midfield?  Yes, they'd need to be retrained...but with Crncevic a creative left footer, and Janssens pushing forward...it would get one more fast/creative player on the pitch in a key position...

  

I can't compare Janssens and Gherardini directly in-game, but this is how Finn looks in the key attributes for a CWB, the training role I'd set him up in.

The primary difference is that Janssens has an 11 for tackling/marking, while Slippy G has 13...in the rest of their key stats for the position, it's either a wash or too close to make a huge difference...while Janssens is by far a more complete player.  And, this gets Crncevic on the pitch, who claims assists for fun...

I can't tell if this is genius or absolutely idiotic...

 

Edited January 13, 2017 by ManUtd1
Formatting, autocorrect

[BoxToBox]

I'd like slightly higher tackling(I don't give a crap about marking), but other than that, Janssens looks perfect for a wingback role.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Mourinho to PSG and Guariolda to Utd. 

 

Incredible stuff! Hopefully you can beat both in the CL.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Mourinho to PSG and Guariolda to Utd. 

 

Incredible stuff! Hopefully you can beat both in the CL.

[Joe.]

I don't see why he can't do it Can't have a number 7 at right back though! 

Out of interest, do you control all of the training?

Edited January 13, 2017 by Joe.

[ManUtd1]

6 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

I'd like slightly higher tackling(I don't give a crap about marking), but other than that, Janssens looks perfect for a wingback role.

He's going to be a treat...

5 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Hopefully you can beat both in the CL.

This! This!!!

4 hours ago, Joe. said:

I don't see why he can't do it Can't have a number 7 at right back though! 

Out of interest, do you control all of the training?

Definitely need to adjust his number... Yes, I do control all training. I don't trust the AI to develop players. I have a monthly inbox reminder to ensure I'm checking in.

[ManUtd1]

Big issue for Sweden.  The Allsvenskan has dropped in the qualification coefficients, such that the winner no longer qualifies for the CL Group Stage automatically.

The legacy of Bobby Manc, ladies and gentlemen.

The other oddity is Spain dropping to 5th, and losing a CL spot.

[BoxToBox]

Jesus, that's grim.

[ManUtd1]

10 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Jesus, that's grim.

Brutal for the Swedes. Check out Scotland, though. That's practically criminal.

[Keano16]

50 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

Brutal for the Swedes. Check out Scotland, though. That's practically criminal.

And we just make it into the screenshot.

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

1 hour ago, ManUtd1 said:

Big issue for Sweden.  The Allsvenskan has dropped in the qualification coefficients, such that the winner no longer qualifies for the CL Group Stage automatically.

The legacy of Bobby Manc, ladies and gentlemen.

The other oddity is Spain dropping to 5th, and losing a CL spot.

Is he still at Malmo these days and, if not, who is?

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Is he still at Malmo these days and, if not, who is?

He went to Dortmund a year or two back (should be a screenshot earlier in the thread). Paulo Fonseca has taken over in his stead (after poor spells with Juventus and Bayern). 

Losing that cash from the Group Stage will be devastating to the free-spending days that began with The Anthropomorphic Scarf.

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, Keano16 said:

And we just make it into the screenshot.

Ouch. Hadn't noticed that yet. 

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

5 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

He went to Dortmund a year or two back (should be a screenshot earlier in the thread). Paulo Fonseca has taken over in his stead (after poor spells with Juventus and Bayern). 

Losing that cash from the Group Stage will be devastating to the free-spending days that began with The Anthropomorphic Scarf.

How's he done at Dortmund? Any lucky, last-gasp title wins?

[ManUtd1]

13 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

How's he done at Dortmund? Any lucky, last-gasp title wins?

I'll check tonight, if not this afternoon if I can pull out the laptop in a quiet moment.

[LPQR]

quite the squad you've built there, jeez, I'm yet to manage a team that's got this level of talent in FM17

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, LPQR said:

quite the squad you've built there, jeez, I'm yet to manage a team that's got this level of talent in FM17

I spend an obscene amount of time scouting - looking at clubs on/about intake day, asking for reports from my scouts on an insane number of players, chasing those with good personalities (and no red flags like being injury prone). Landing those players, and then developing them, is a real joy.

[LPQR]

9 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

I spend an obscene amount of time scouting - looking at clubs on/about intake day, asking for reports from my scouts on an insane number of players, chasing those with good personalities (and no red flags like being injury prone). Landing those players, and then developing them, is a real joy.

I'm surprised you didn't think of yourself hipster enough to use terms like 'club DNA' and all that  on a serious note though, well done, looks like a tight knit bunch with a solid home-grown talent pool!

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, LPQR said:

I'm surprised you didn't think of yourself hipster enough to use terms like 'club DNA' and all that  on a serious note though, well done, looks like a tight knit bunch with a solid home-grown talent pool!

Hahaha...thanks, man. It isn't anything I'm doing that's special. I'm applying the club DNA principles others have outlined in detail - both in terms of squad building and tactics. Standing on the shoulders of giants, and all..