[FM 18] If You're Not First, You're Last (Re-Redux) - Redemption for the "Nearly Men" of Europe

[ManUtd1]

36 minutes ago, oriole01 said:

This is how we'll know if you're legit.

Now it's your fault if I lose...

[ManUtd1]

Adversity is preparation for greatness.

FK Partizan Beograd / Croatia -- Champions League Final, June 2030

We always knew that we'd have a battle on our hands in Paris.  City.  A team we'd eliminated at the semifinal stage last year.  Top of the Premier League, looking for revenge.

We decided to go at them...Conte's 4141 gave us room to attack.  And we were rewarded with an early goal from Cvejic, only for City to peg us back within minutes.  A battle for the ages ensued.  Back and forth, neither side giving way, until City broke through in the 68th...only for Jovic to fire home 3 minutes later.

Extra time.  Ghosts of 2029 looming over our shoulders.  And in a mad scramble, a shot from Cvejic deflecting wildly and finally off of Croatian Trbuhovic in the City goal, cruelly judged an own goal...a nightmare in the 96th minute.  Cvejic found another in 104th...ecstasy...and cueing the beginning of a City onslaught...rewarded only 2 minutes later when aging Kylian Mbappe pulled one back for City.  4-3...with 14 minutes to play.  The epic battle continued until the 120th minute when Kristian Antic fired home a cutback from Milanovic. 

After 3 straight finals...including a loss in penalties...2 hours of football on the night, and the title we'd sought was, at long last, hours.  The party will stretch on into the wee hours, no question.  But my mind is already turning...rumors that I'm up for the Gladbach job are rampant...and it seems like, at long last, my job in Belgrade is over.  I've taken the lads as far as they can go.

But that is a question for tomorrow.  Tonight, we celebrate.

                

 

[ManUtd1]

So, it's really late here and my alarm is going to go off early.  I wanted to live-blog the match, but decided I didn't have the time to do it right...and I'm both happy I played it tonight, and regretting that Jamie and Gary didn't get to do their thing...and happy that I didn't try to force it quickly, because it wouldn't have been right.  Jamie and Gary shall return in due course.

An epic run in Serbia has come to an end with the first Champions League title of the save.

The Gladerbooderbach rumors are true...the position is open after they finished 15th, 2 points above Hannover in the relegation/promotion playoff spot.  I interviewed already...if we'd lost the final and I was offered the job, I would have simply worked it into the narrative -- rejecting Ze Germans to stay in Belgrade.  As it stands...I guess we'll see if I get offered the job, eh?

But before we get too far...I need to do: (1) a season review; and (2) preview the World Cup, as Croatia's first game is against the USA on June 18th.

Edited October 11, 2018 by ManUtd1

[Goofan]

Finally! Well done! 

[ManUtd1]

20 minutes ago, Goofan said:

Finally! Well done! 

Thanks, man! I'd have lost my head if we'd lost this one 

[kidthekid]

Congratulations. Finally and well deserved. Flashbacks of Fiorentina 

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Congratulations man! I'll be sad to see you leave Partizan because I loved the highs and lows of this part of the save. As @kidthekid said it was reminiscent of Fiorentina on the FM17 save. Good luck at your next club.

[rodesire]

Congratulations on landing the big ears, almost feels sad that you are leaving Partyzan though. Are you taking Zlatan with you?

[Mark Heath]

wow congratulations and well deserved after last year's brutal penalty shootout

[ManUtd1]

7 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Congratulations. Finally and well deserved. Flashbacks of Fiorentina 

Thanks, man! It definitely had echoes of that...

*curls into the fetal position upon flashing back*

6 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Congratulations man! I'll be sad to see you leave Partizan because I loved the highs and lows of this part of the save. As @kidthekid said it was reminiscent of Fiorentina on the FM17 save. Good luck at your next club.

Indeed. Great place to kick off the save, steady progression with some definite highs and lows and the way.

6 hours ago, rodesire said:

Congratulations on landing the big ears, almost feels sad that you are leaving Partyzan though. Are you taking Zlatan with you?

Thank you! The app Zlatan is too big for Belgrade to contain. And Drake just wants to keep the band together, he's the Taylor to Jean's Clough.

6 hours ago, Mark Heath said:

wow congratulations and well deserved after last year's brutal penalty shootout

Thanks, man!

[ManUtd1]

You see, that is the sad, sorry, terrible thing about sarcasm.  It's really funny.

FK Partizan Beograd / Croatia -- 2029/30 Review

From outright frauds to winning the World Cup and Champions League, Belgrade has been good to us in every possible respect.  Although our time here has necessarily come to an end, we finish on a high...albeit with one blemish.

With the Kup Srbije final kicking off 72 hours before the Champions League final, we had to field a scratch squad ... and lost 1-0 to bitter rivals, **** Star, for the first time in more than 5 years.  Partizan's first loss in a domestic competition since November 2025, a run covering 207 matches total.  Fitting, isn't it -- that we've lost the last domestic match we'll play in Serbia, mere days before claiming our biggest win?

The club is in tremendous shape -- absurdly profitable with a top-notch squad.  We won 36 of 37 matches this year, scoring 153 goals and conceding 4.  Our only dropped points were a meaningless, scoreless draw away to Napredak.

We've attained legendary status here, and have laid the foundations for the future.  But it is time to move on.  Our time in Belgrade must come to an end.  But before we go, the Chairman insists -- one more night at the Itchy Kitty, one more night with Stana in the CockPit.  And who could say no to that?

Goals for 2030/31: Move to a new job, sooner rather than later.  Make a run in the World Cup with Croatia.

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

Super Liga Fixtures (Prelim. Phase)|Super Liga Fixtures (Final Phase)|Kup Srbije Fixtures|Champions League Fixtures

Champions League Review

Third time pays for all, as Partizan claim the title.  Had we failed to overcome City, it would have been the 7th year in a row where an English side won it all.  That's bonkers.

 

Challenge Overview

[ManUtd1]

Ok, before moving on, we need to take a quick look around Europe...

City continued Manchester's dominance in England.  Dortmund re-claimed the title in Germany.  urCristiano's Real Madrid knocked Celta off its perch.  Brugge claimed its second straight title.  Inter.  PSG.  AEK changed the story a little bit in Greece, as Panathinaikos narrowly avoided another relegation.  Hammarby re-asserted themselves in Sweden.

In the Europa League, Julian Nagelsmann's Leicester annihilated Manuel Pires' Marseille in the final, 7-2, led by Jadon Sanchez and Angel Gomes.

       

  

[ManUtd1]

When has any man ever been content with what he has? When has any tyrant said to himself, "This is enough?"

Borussia Mönchengladbach / Croatia -- June 2030

The hardest and most important step I've taken has been to leave Belgrade -- leave the comforts of the city that has become our home.  The goodbye was inevitable, as all goodbyes are.  But we opted not to leave for the dizzying heights of the Premier League, or a glamorous, successful club.  No, we've gone a different route. 

To Germany.  To an industrial city with an unpronounceable name, a proud footballing tradition, and a delightfully-insane mascot.

With one simple mandate: win.

   

  

 

  

Edited October 11, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

 

 

[ManUtd1]

I have to say, I'm extremely excited about heading to Gladbach. 

The echoes of Hakan's Fiorentina were already strong, having lost 2 straight CL finals...  But there are even more coincidences...  The team Hakan's Fiorentina finally overcame, in their 3rd final?  Manchester City (link).  The team Hakan joined, after shaking off the bad juju?  Gladbach. 

Of course, Hakan went on to win the Champions League with Gladbach just 6 months later...beating Barcelona in the final.  Can this feat be replicated?!  No, because this Gladbach are crap.  More importantly, they aren't even in Europe for 2030/31.

In the 2017 version of this save, Gladbach was over WAAAAY too quickly.  As nice as it was to mark them off the list, I always felt like there was a missed opportunity for some good fun.  

This year, we'll get to have that fun.  I mean...have you seen Kuhn (screenshot here and above)?!  If that kid is half as good as I think he might be...

And, of course, off the pitch we have Junter...the mascot who I've always thought is basically a deranged Barney the Dinosaur.  I guess we'll see...

Edited October 11, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

First things first...let's free up some room for possible transfers...  That $270k/week additional room in the wage budget won't be necessary...

And with an average age of 25 (!!!) in the first team, there's some obvious dead wood.  Frankly, the remaining $1.4M wage budget is going to get slashed -- as those of you who've followed my threads know, my first step upon joining a new club is to get rid of any older/highly-paid players that aren't in the 1st XI. 

If you're a 34 year-old wingback, with a pace of 8 on $48k/week, I cannot get rid of you fast enough.  Yes, Pascal Stenzel, I'm looking at you.  Pack your bags, son.

Edited October 11, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

We've also got this kid in the youth side:

He and Kuhn will be key players in the CL-winning Gladbach side. We've got some youth who could be in the squad, but no one else on their level.

[Rikulec]

A bit late I guess, but still...

[ManUtd1]

14 minutes ago, Rikulec said:

A bit late I guess, but still...

Better late than never!  Thanks, man!

[ManUtd1]

10 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

If you're a 34 year-old wingback, with a pace of 8 on $48k/week, I cannot get rid of you fast enough.  Yes, Pascal Stenzel, I'm looking at you.  Pack your bags, son.

  

[ManUtd1]

Ok, after much legwork, I've got my Gladbach squad assessed, transfers in progress...and we've progressed just over a week, such that we're on the verge of a World Cup.  Woohoo!

1st thing tomorrow, Croatian squad review...then we're off to Spain 2030 to see if the lads can make a run.

[ManUtd1]

When has any man ever been content with what he has? When has any tyrant said to himself, "This is enough?"

Borussia Mönchengladbach / Croatia -- June 2030

With a World Cup imminent, we have to look through the squad.  The pre-tournament friendlies weren't overly-taxing, but we played relatively well against sides that we should outplay and beat.

This is a young squad that is capable of making a run.  But, at the end of the day, this is a squad that is 90% built with the 2034 World Cup in mind.

 

Goalkeepers

   

Trbuhovic is my starter in goal.  He's solid and in the 1st XI at City.  Kalaica is a more than capable backup.  Levacic is a promising young kid that I've considered trying to bring to Gladbach.  We are in great shape here, for both 2030 and 2034.

Defenders

          

Zivkovic, Brekalo and Kramaric are the starting back 3, with Bagaric and Gluic on the flanks.  Tin Jedvaj was in the side but has seen his physicals deteriorate rapidly over the last 18 months -- there's no way I'm taking a CB to the World Cup with pace of 8. 

In the 2nd XI, we've got Alvir, Krznar and Loncaric in the middle, with Nemanic and Vidovic as the wingbacks.

Again, this group has got youth on its side, and should form the backbone of the defense in 2034.

Central Midfielders

      

Midfield...I'm kind of meh about this group.  They're not bad, but I just can't get too excited about any of them right now.  Zubak is the starting carrilero, Mitrecic is the mezzalla.  Peric and Sosa are their backups, respectively.  There's a question as to when Zubak and Mitrecic's physicals will start to decline, as they'll be 32 and 33 at the next World Cup...

 

Attacking Midfielders

       

Up top, we've got Janjis flanked by Antic and Matic.  Janjis is the most exciting player in the squad -- but he wasn't getting the job done as a shadow striker.  As soon as I dropped him into the deep-lying targetman role, his performances picked up.  Antic is more of a pure goalscorer, Matic is like a mini-Janjis.

In the 2nd XI, Vlasic takes up the central role, with Brekalo and Mocinic as the shadow strikers.

In terms of planning for the future, this is the last tournament for Vlasic and Brekalo -- the last time they'll even be called up, under my regime.  Janjis and Matic will be 31 and 32 at the next World Cup...I'm really hoping that their physicals don't drop off, because they're tremendous.

Final Thoughts

This is a much better squad than what I had with Sweden (not that I'm bitter...).  We're young, but not too young.  Tons of talent.  Not good enough to win it all, but we should be able to navigate our Group with relative ease -- Egypt, USA and Switzerland.  We could have a really tough draw in the second round, as if we were to advance we'd likely face Argentina, England or Mexico.

Let's do this thing...

[ManUtd1]

Spain 2030; World Cup -- Group Stage

Frankly, after all of the build-up, the Group Stage was rather...straightforward.  We played well -- not great, not bad.  Good enough to move through without much worry.

A workman-like 2-0 victory over Tab Ramos' Gringos, led by Soccer Jeebus (Pulisic) and that guy whose dad won the World Cup with Germany.  1-0 over the Swiss, in a rather boring match.  Then the 2nd XI coasting to a 3-0 win over the Pharaohs.  We'll face Karl Robinson's England, who have performed well thus far and will prove a tough match in the Second Round.

The big surprises of the tournament thus far?  Paraguay winning Group F, with Germany eliminated.  Defending Champions Mexico, eliminated from Group H.  It's a shame that Paraguay and Honduras have to face off in the 2nd round, but if we can get past England that means we've got a clear path to the semifinals...

  

 

Edited October 12, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Spain 2030; World Cup -- Second Round

England will play their standard 4231 at La Romareda.  We'll be in the counter-attacking version of our tactics, at least for the start of the match.  With Honduras beating Paraguay, we have a golden opportunity here...but we have to focus on England, first and foremost.

The "Football's Coming Home" banter has hit all-time highs...and is beyond annoying.  Zlatan spent the warm-ups flicking the Vs at the England supporters.  Suffice to say, they gave him as good as they got.  Drake -- being Irish -- is beside himself with worry right now...he wants a win more than anything.  Well, perhaps it's the 12 grapefruit he had for breakfast...wreaking havoc on the plumbing, this diet of his.

We strike first, through Zubak in the 24th minute.  A long free kick from Matic falling to the ground in the box.  That's the stuff, lads.

But our concentration slips, Trbuhovic failing to come for a cross...1-1 in the 29th.

We're too reactive.  In the 40th minute, we begin to push forward, looking to get more aggressive.  We're failing to create anything and, while we're frustrating England almost entirely, the balance of the match is off.

Motivation needed, I break a wooden chair over Drake's back in the locker room at the half.  At least, I aimed for his back.  He ducked and got it right in the back of the head.  He's going to be spared the 2nd half it seems, as the concussion protocol threw up all kinds of red flags about his mental state.

As motivated as we are...England come out all the more so and take the lead off a corner just one minute into the 2nd half.  Nightmare.  We need to pull it back.  And before we can catch our bearings, England strike again.  3-1, not 3 minutes into the half.  Stop ****ing about, lads!!!

The "Football's Coming Home" song is now cascading throughout the stadium.  Richard ****ing Ashcroft, you can **** it.

We push forward, looking to overload them with waves of attackers.  And Antic heads home in the 60th.  There's more than enough time...but we cannot find a 3rd.  We're eliminated, heading home with the bitter taste of defeat in our mouths.  Well, all of us except for Drake...he can barely remember his own name, much less what year it is.

         

 

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

Bet Zlatan just spammed GIFs of his bicycle kick against England on Twitter before the match.

Unlucky against England though. What happened to Drake is probably for the best, all things considered.

[ManUtd1]

Just now, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Bet Zlatan just spammed GIFs of his bicycle kick against England on Twitter before the match.

Unlucky against England though. What happened to Drake is probably for the best, all things considered.

Surprisingly, that tactic didn't work for Zlatan.  Back to the drawing board...

As for Drake...yeah, the less he remembers, the better.

[ManUtd1]

 

 

[ManUtd1]

After a month-long search, Partizan have replaced our managerial trio with...Messi and his lick-spittle Luis Suarez.  I literally can't even. 

 

[ManUtd1]

Spain 2030; World Cup Review

Having beaten us, England probably felt they had a straight shot to the finals...only to beat Honduras 4-3 on a 95th minute goal from Jadon Sancho...and then lose 2-nil to Scotland, in a smash-and-grab win claimed in the style of William Wallace.  Yes, you read that correctly -- Scotland beat England in the semis, to reach the final.  Where they were smashed 3-nil by France, in an otherwise close match.

It was a pretty solid tournament -- some major upsets, smaller countries making progress, and a newly-eligible country.

 

[rodesire]

New eligible nation then 

[ManUtd1]

7 hours ago, rodesire said:

New eligible nation then 

Exactly.  And one that was great fun for Hakan -- it was actually his last stop on the journey, before Gunnar took over.  (Hakan's "demise" on a remote Scottish airport and the transition to Gunnar was by far one of my favorite moments of the entire save -- in terms the concept and how it turned out.)

Edited October 13, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

First night with the new laptop, first competitive match with Gladbach is imminent, and the first screenshot...

 

Messi!!!

[rodesire]

4 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Messi!!!



inb4 Partyzan - Real Madrid rivalry begins in earnest

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, rodesire said:

inb4 Partyzan - Real Madrid rivalry begins in earnest

With The Midget Beast and urCristiano in charge, I'm very much looking forward to this...

[ManUtd1]

Life in Germany has started out well.  While we're busy at the fields and planning for both club and country, the late start to the Bundesliga (as compared to Serbia) has meant that we've had unexpected downtime.

Drake and Zlatan are already fixtures on the local club scene, with Drake's Irish accent meaning that he is a hit with the women.  Seriously, it's as if the inability to pronounce "th" and shortening every ****ing word are an aphrodisiac to German women of a certain age.

He was talking about the security cameras around our club-provided manse being "mounted on a flange" and, all of a sudden, it was like Noah's flood around our table.

[ManUtd1]

Tonight at 7, on BBC Family!

¿Cuánto cuesta, Gato Con Guantes? Animated, 60 mins.  Juan Mata and Gabi Gato are back in an all-new adventure, to teach children and families important lessons about personal space, implied oral consent, and capitalism during an evening beneath the Brighton Palace Pier. (Viewer Discretion Advised: strong sexual content; dank memes.)

Edited October 14, 2018 by ManUtd1

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

56 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

the inability to pronounce "th" 

 

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

59 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said:

the inability to pronounce "th" and shortening every ****ing word

Also, this:

[ManUtd1]

32 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Also, this:

[ManUtd1]

When has any man ever been content with what he has? When has any tyrant said to himself, "This is enough?"

Borussia Mönchengladbach / Croatia -- October 2030

At least we are consistent...consistently inconsistent.  The 1st XI put together the performance of the year, beating injury-riddled Bayern 4-nil, only for a rotated squad to get hammered days later by Dusseldorf.

Croatia have been equally frustrating, dropping our 1st 2 Nations League matches, and looking poor on Matchday 3 against Greece, before finally putting together 45 minutes of football.

We've got a lot of work to do...

   

 

[ManUtd1]

 

(h/t Diego, for keeping it classy...)

[ManUtd1]

When has any man ever been content with what he has? When has any tyrant said to himself, "This is enough?"

Borussia Mönchengladbach / Croatia -- December 2030

The consistent inconsistency continues...as does Drake's baffling success with women in Germany.  He just started dating this woman, Ilse...she's enchanting, but has an obnoxious dog the size of a teacup that she carries around in a little bag.  Even Drake carries the little ****er around at times, too.  Otto.  He's dumber than a brick.  Looks like a hairless badger.

 

[ManUtd1]

An early Festivus present, in the form of a favorable European Qualifier draw.  If we can't qualify from this Group, we deserve to be sacked.

 

[ManUtd1]

It was still late afternoon on Christmas Eve and we'd already had far, far too much to drink...I'm not sure whose brilliant idea was it to mix the Jagermeister with Red Bull...?!  Probably Zlatan...sounds like his kind of idea.  Now, if the Board found out we were even indirectly supporting Leipzig, they'd have our heads.  But we've got bigger fish to fry.

Ilse and Otto were here, too.  Her laugh...incredibly shrill. Fingernails on a chalkboard.  So we'd escaped to a back room with ample alcoholic provisions to see us through to dinner.  Of course, Otto was let our of his bag so he could run around, ****ing on everything, marking his territory.  We're inside, you dumb ****.

Otto is so high strung, I didn't blink when Zlatan suggested a beverage to calm him down...little guy would probably just take a nap, yeah?  It seemed like a decent idea at the time...perhaps not the nicest thing, but if he'd just shut it for a few minutes, everyone would be much happier, yeah?  And maybe he's a happy drunk, like Drake's Uncle William?

Wrong.  Turns out, Otto is a mean drunk.  Kind of like Drake's Uncle Cian, the one who claims to be in the IRA and was formally declared a sex-pest last year after being arrested for streaking during the County Cork U12 hurling final.

Another thing Otto doesn't like?  Eye contact.  One minute, he was humping the **** out of Drake's Cristiano Ronaldo blanket, the next he'd caught Zlatan's eye from across the room.  Zlatan -- himself drunk on the Jagermeister and Red Bull -- wouldn't break eye contact, naturally...but neither would Otto.  Otto just kept pumping away.  It was truly awkward...especially when Otto began to growl softly...really latched on...must be something to do with the fleece on Cristiano's face...

And then, it happened.  With warning, Otto took off after Zlatan.  Zlatan reacted instinctively, kicking Otto across the gob, which only served to enrage the little guy even more...  The next 10 minutes, all I could hear was them running around the house and grounds...lots of growling, grunting, screaming, cursing...thank goodness Drake and Ilsa were doing a Kraftwerk marathon on the karaoke machine, and didn't notice.

It all ended too quickly, a cry of joy from Zlatan, the slamming of a car door, the squealing of tires on wet pavement...followed by a sudden, inhuman shriek that cut off abruptly.

I rushed outside to find Zlatan looking down at Otto's lifeless body, in his arms...he'd smacked the little ****er with his Cooper Mini...ironic, considering.

Perhaps having heard Otto's death cry, Ilse started calling for Otto...the muted sounds of Die Roboter echoing from within the manse.

Panic set in.  We legged it as fast we could, looking for a place to hide.  10 minutes later, we met up back in the dining room, panting breathlessly.

"Did you manage to ... ehh ... take care of the package?" I asked him.

Touching the side of his nose sagely, Zlatan nodded.  "Of course, The Zlatan is very good at hiding packages, in fact The Zlatan is best in world at  hide-the-sausage.  Not as good as the elephants hiding in trees, though, they are crafty, evil bastards they are."

"Elephants don't hide in trees, Zlatan.  Never seen it."

"Exactly."

"Ok, but...elephants aside, you didn't hide...you-know-who in a tree, did you?"

"No, no.  The Zlatan did much better.  Little yappy dog is well-hidden, dark space, no one will open.  The Zlatan is sure of it."

When an alarmed Ilse and Drake come running in moments later, we casually explained that we'd seen Otto run off to chase the ducks at the pond.  Mind you, we don't have a pond.  Or ducks.  But Ilse bought it, and Drake was too busy staring at her ***s to give it more than a moments thought.

"Iz ok," slurred Ilse, reaching for another shot of Jager.  "He vill come for ze dinner, no miss ze dinner ever."

A peaceful tranquility settled over the group as evening fell.  We enjoyed several more beverages out on the deck, although Zlatan and I were having trouble relaxing, as we wracked our brains, trying to come up with a good excuse for when Otto didn't come running for dinner...

As we walked back into the house, a caustic smell overtook us...we couldn't figure it out, but it wasn't good.  The chef was all up in arms, too -- shouting incoherently at the waitstaff in German.

"Sounds like someone ****ed up, eh, Zlatan?!"  

"Job opening, in the kitchen!!!"  A good laugh.

As we settled into the first course -- a delightful soup -- the chef came out to apologize profusely.  It seems the turkey was overcooked.  Very tough, dry.  The chef assured us that he'd already fired his assistant.  But Drake in his drunkenness insisted it was no problem.  "Serve it up, my good man!  We're too drunk to taste this chicken!"

Ilse reminded him that it was a turkey, not a chicken...which prompted an argument over whether turkeys and chicken are the same thing or not...but I couldn't miss it.  Zlatan, a look of sheer terror on his face, white as a sheet.

Zlatan began making insistent gestures at me, which I mistook for a request for more Jagermeister...he didn't pour himself a shot, but just threw the entire bottle back before leaning in to whisper...

"Mate, The Zlatan...hiding..the .woof woof...you know...in the...ehh...oven?!"

I was dumbstruck by sudden understanding, as the chef wheeled in our Christmas turkey, passing Drake the carving knife and fork, to do the honors. 

Ever the gentleman, Drake carved off a big piece for his lady love, as Zlatan and I stared wordlessly at each other.

Not daring to say a word, I mouthed silently to him... "Otto?"

He passed me the bottle.  

I remember nothing else after that. 

In the morning, Drake announced that he and Ilse are engaged to be married.

This is going to be the worst Christmas ever.

Edited October 15, 2018 by ManUtd1
Typo

[ManUtd1]

A horribly, horribly boring CL year...even Madrid finishing 3rd in their Group couldn't make me happy.

 

  

[ManUtd1]

"Golden generation, Zlatan?  Really, after that Trump video, I thought we'd agreed to never use the word 'golden' to describe anything, ever again."

"Yeah, Boss...  Sorry.  The Zlatan forgot.  But you should check this kid out, Huseyin Cobain!  I mean...with the name alone, he's bound to be immense!"

"Zlatan, I'm quite certain that isn't his name."

"Huseyin in da Cobain, insane in da brain!!!"

"Kurt Cobain was in Nirvana, Zlatan, not Cypress Hill.  It's completely different...just... Hold on, I've just pulled up the roster.  Coban, not Cobain.  He's Turkish, not some grungy **** from Seattle who needs a shower."

"Yeah, Boss...but just think... What if that was his name.  It would be wicked."

Honestly, I'm a little underwhelmed.  They need to develop.

  

  

[ManUtd1]

Drake is getting deep into the wedding planning now.  Ilse is the definition of a Bridezilla, making all kinds of unreasonable demands on him.

Even Drake gets that things have been taken a bit too far.  Pouring out a bottle of 1998 Dom Pérignon Rosé for Otto?! Just pour him some Jager and call it a day, son.

But, no.  Drake is convinced she's "the one."  He wants to make her happy.  Granted, he said the same thing about a Starbucks barista in Belgrade, swearing up and down for months that she was really into him.  We tried to tell him it was just customer service, not actual flirting...he didn't listen. 

And now we can't ever go back to that Starbucks...not after he tried to ask her out with a line stretching out the door.  Talk about awkward.

Edited October 15, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Ok, I was inspired by @Makoto Nakamura this morning to create two new trackers. 

Thus far, my end-of-season review includes a color-coded spreadsheet updating Jean's progress and an overview of the entire save, showing what clubs/nations have completed the "challenge."

Now, I'll be updating and including 2 additional spreadsheets, which are intended to track: (1) the domestic league finish of each eligible team, on an annual basis; and (2) how each eligible nation has done in the World Cup.  This should be self-explanatory...and, hopefully, something that people will like.

In the club tracker, the up/down arrows indicate promotion/relegation, while the parenthesis reflect results in the 2nd tier.

  

Edited October 15, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

When has any man ever been content with what he has? When has any tyrant said to himself, "This is enough?"

Borussia Mönchengladbach / Croatia -- March 2061

With 7 matches to play, we're sitting just outside the qualification spots for the Europa League, level on points with Wolfsburg and Dortmund, with Hoffenheim, Frankfurt and Leverkusen also in the mix.  Squeaky bum time, beyond the shadow of a doubt.  We've done ourselves proud this year, no question.

That being said, as we've evaluated the Academy graduates this Spring, Drake and Zlatan think our HOYD (artist's rendering) may have ulterior motives.  No one likes My Little Pony that much, clear grounds for termination.  They sacked him.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I will counterattack you.

5 matches to play and we're miraculously in a Champions League spot.  But Stuttgart is only 6 points off of our pace...and their sitting 11th in the table.  Anything can happen.