[FM23] & [FM24] Ernst Happel Challenge - If at First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again

[Hootieleece]

Finally on the deserved stage in the Champions League Final.

Not winning the league hurts but whenever a team goes unbeaten, they deserve it. (Especially interesting that the AI managed it and will they actually defend their title is the question)

[Jogo Bonito]

A dramatic end to the season, but we have to congratulate Braga on fighting off your strong challenge. As for Europe, it's great progress to edge past Juventus and PSG (well written and evidenced to capture the tension). Best of luck against Arsenal, but whatever the outcome it's been a great effort.

[SixPointer]

45 minutes ago, Hootieleece said:

Finally on the deserved stage in the Champions League Final.

Not winning the league hurts but whenever a team goes unbeaten, they deserve it. (Especially interesting that the AI managed it and will they actually defend their title is the question)

Very interesting from the AI. I hope they can stay in the title race but I think they will lose their star striker who’s been sublime.

I can’t quite believe that’s their first title. I knew the big three dominated especially, but I never realised only Boavista and Belenenses are the only two title the big three haven’t won. Shows you my knowledge on Portuguese football isn’t as good as I thought. 
 

40 minutes ago, Jogo Bonito said:

A dramatic end to the season, but we have to congratulate Braga on fighting off your strong challenge. As for Europe, it's great progress to edge past Juventus and PSG (well written and evidenced to capture the tension). Best of luck against Arsenal, but whatever the outcome it's been a great effort.

I tried to write it with as much suspense as possible, can be quite hard when you already know all the outcomes.

Braga full deserved their title they won the big game when it mattered and to not lose in a whole season is always special no matter what level. Never mind elite.

I think in both the 1/4 and semi finals we done well, controlling the games perhaps lacked a clinical edged. No Mbappe certainly helped our cause against Paris.  

[Rikulec]

Tough one to take in the league, fair play to Braga though.

As for the Champions League... well, just go out there and get it. No pressure! 

[lfds89]

Good luck for the final!

[Lestri]

Huge effort there. It's frustrating but understandable when you're fighting on all fronts and something slips, ever so slightly. Let's go!

[SixPointer]

6 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Tough one to take in the league, fair play to Braga though.

As for the Champions League... well, just go out there and get it. No pressure! 

Braga I can have no complaints with, I would of course want to win the league but I think them winning it and doing it undefeated add a nice edge to the story. Would rather them than either Sporting or Porto.

No pressure 🤣 wait until you see the Arsenal squad.
 

5 hours ago, lfds89 said:

Good luck for the final!

Thanks my man 👍🏻

4 hours ago, Lestri said:

Huge effort there. It's frustrating but understandable when you're fighting on all fronts and something slips, ever so slightly. Let's go!

Thanks dude 👍🏻 something must give way but in all truth I think it was more a case of Braga we’re just better than us this year rather than us being poor.  

[rich ruzzian]

If you can keep this level of performing in the league, next year the title will be back with your team. Dont see Braga doing this again.

Any improvements for your squad already in place? 

[SixPointer]

4 minutes ago, rich ruzzian said:

If you can keep this level of performing in the league, next year the title will be back with your team. Dont see Braga doing this again.

Any improvements for your squad already in place? 

I already secured a left back from Atalanta about April time, there having money issues so I feel I got myself a bit of a bargain. 

[SixPointer]

Arsenal are looking to right the wrong of 2006, when a team filled with the brilliance of Henry, Pires, Cole and Fabregas were out done by Barcelona whose spirited comeback against ten men was led by Henrick Larsson.

Arsenal do have some major european silverware, winning the Uefa cup in 1970 and the cup winners cup in 1994.

However when compared to Benfica’s 7 european cup finals and two wins you have to think the Portuguese club has been there and done it, but it was a long time ago and their last final was 1990. It is perhaps why they go into the tie slight favourites.

They also have the curse of Bela Guttmann hanging over them, after back to back european cup triumphs the hungarian manager asked for a pay increase when denied he cursed the club. "Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champion," 

The final is to be played in Athens and as fate would have it i go to Athens on holiday next weekend, just in time to catch AEK take on Olympiakos.

Franz would be going up against a very unknown manager, Craig Mudd has had interim control of Arsenal since December when the club parted ways with Zinedine Zidane. He has worked under Pep at Man City, before joining Arsenal as Zizou’s Assistant, he managed to navigate his side to the UCL final while in temporary charge most impressively.

Setting up his side in a 4-3-3, he has an array of talent to pick from. Endrick is the star of the show, with Fati and Rowe hitting the flanks. With the likes of Fabio Veira, Pedro Goncalves, and Martinelli as backup.

The engine room is just off that, Mosies Caicedo is in phenomenal form and is the heartbeat of the side, with the Austrian Seiwald in beside him, both players complete midfielders full of industry and creativity.

The backline is protected by Ben White, he anchors the midfield in front of Saliba (injury doubt) and Konate, Saka is predicted at LWB with Tomiyasu being the more defensive minded.

They like to play out from the back and circulate the ball, and the one thing that looks positive is how isolated you could make Endrick if you play it right. The Brazilian has hit 33 goals this season with 16 of those coming in the UCL. If we can stop him and frustrate their early build up play and stagnate the ball progression we have a real shot.

The team selection is in and there are a number of surprises, the biggest of all no ENDRICK! No injury news but he's not in the side, Tierney comes into left back, Ahmedhodzic replaces the injured Saliba.

There were of course some injury issues for ourselves, most notably Jose Dias, which meant Andric would come into the middle and Fonseca would move to the WCB right, not ideal at all.

Young Estêvão Palmeirim got the nod in front of Giovane, Cáceres penalty heroics and recent upturn in form had made him first choice at RWB. Doig on loan would play at LWB a position that has been a real problem all season for Franz.

Hidalgo and Granelli have led the way on the goalscoring front, I think Arsenal will have big plans to stop them, it is most likely why Tierney came into the side to stunt the pace and attacking nature of Hidalgo on that side.

Fati leads the line, much like Odegaard at PSG am going to look to suffocate him and force him backwards, the flanks are always a concern so we will look to force play centrally. But showing their wingers the byline is a must, with three centre backs against a short Fati will allow crosses from those wingers, also showing them down their weaker side should reduce the quality of the crosses.

Caicedo and Seiwald we will look to smash and force onto their weaker sides, both are so complete that i don't want to go flying into pressing them, especially when when its 2v2 in there, Granelli will block the passing lanes into White asking him to do a number on him to help stop the flow, this is while pressing the back line and forcing the wide men inside and trying to mark them out the game.

The idea is simple, look to suffocate them when the centre backs have it and force long balls into our superior aerial backline, simple is the idea putting it into practice is another. On the attacking front nothing changes, we look to exploit the space in behind after turnovers, especially the wide forwards, if that's not on we build the ball to the flanks and look to fire low driven crosses into the danger area.

"Welcome to the 2030 Uefa Champions League Final between Benfica and Arsenal"

"Some huge news out of the Arsenal camp no Endrick, rumours of a bust up with interim manager and the Brazilian star have been sweeping around Athens all day and he sits this one out"

"Ten minutes in and it's been an edgy affair, both teams feeling each other out. Moises Caciedo gets the ball and looks to have pulled up with a hamstring issue, a further blow to the Gunners''

“Goaaalllll we have lift off in the Champions league final, Benfica take a deserved lead  and it's the pacy hitman Hidalgo who finds the back of the net, superb build up play drawing Arsenal over to the left before squaring the ball to the back post, 1-0”

"AND WERE LEVEL!! Arsenal hit back 15 minutes later, a ball in behind the Benfica defence catches them off guard, they have been on top and allowed Arsenal back in with some terrible defending, Credit to Rowe he takes his chance"

“It's 1-1 at the break, Arsenal will need to up their tempo if they are to trouble Benfica, everything bar their goal has been in front of the Benfica defence. It's clear to see the effect no Endrick is having on the Gunners. Saka enters the fray replacing Fabio Vieira, the gunners are turning to their legendary winger to get them going” 

“Benfica on the other hand will be kicking themselves, they controlled the first half and got sloppy and allowed Arsenal a route back in so easy, again the missing Dias has unbalanced the back three and its obvious. Granelli is replaced with Leites and Caceres with Dego, as Franz wastes no time with players not in the flow of the game”

“Benfica’s high press is frustrating Arsenal into long hopeful balls, Fati isn't interested in them, Benfica pounce on it, work it forward, GOALLLLLLLLLL Hidalgo has done it again……….. Oh were hearing there is a possible offside to be checked, Yes he's marginally offside this is going to be ruled out”

“ITS 2-1 TO THE ARSENAL, A long hopeful ball isn't dealt with, Andric at sixes and sevens, the ball is prodded through to Fati and he squares it for Saka, it does look tight, Yes again VAR has intervened and we return to 1-1, WHAT A GAME, IT'S ON A KNIFE EDGE”

“BENFICA HAVE THE LEAD, There's no doubt this time Palmeirim times his run to the back post perfectly to slot home, superb work from Hidalgo down the right drawing Tierney inside with Dego, the overload pays off and he has free pass”

“Ten minutes left on the clock here at Stádio Olympiakó Spiros Louis, Fati reevies the ball on the edge DEGO HAS TRIPPED HIM, Is it inside the box? The ref points to the spot, VAR will check it……… Yes penalty is given”
 

"ARSENAL AREN'T GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT!, Fati gives Seimen the eyes and sends him the wrong way, cool as you like with such a high pressure penalty ICE RUNNING THROUGH HIS VEINS. Dego looks distraught he knows his clumsy challenge could just have handed the ascendancy to Arsenal"

“It looks like we could be heading to extra time here, 85 minutes on the clock. Ramsdale is pressured into kickin it, the high press has cause issues all evening, Dego latches onto it he drives forward, fires across, PALMEIRIM IS THERE!!!!!!!!! HES COASTED IN AT THE BACK POST AGAIN 2-1 BENFICA……… WHAT A GOAL……….. The academy graduate could just have become god himself!!!!”

“Franz has instantly withdrawn Hidalgo and screamed Morato over, Martinez is to double anchor the midfield, Morato is to shift into the middle, Franz is setting up shop, hes parking his bus, he is determined not to let arsenal back in again!”

“THE CURSE IS BROKEN,ITS FULL TIME HERE IN ATHENS” “PALMEIRIM REMEMBER THE NAME HE WILL BE CROWNED KING LIKE EUSEBIO”

A Champions league final for the ages

The game had everything, both teams gave their all and in the end Benfica just shaded it. Arsenal upped the ante in the second half, but the high press of Benfica which caused them so many problems all day came out on top.

Franz's plan to suffocate Arsenal paid off, you can see how isolated Fati became, showing Arsenal into corridors then blocking them. Both sides created chances, both sides had goals ruled out.

The Gunners will have another huge talking point, and hardship much like the Jens Lehmann debacle in 2006, No Endrick.... There is no doubt they missed their man. In the end its a local Lisbon lad who steals the headlines.......

Edited September 10, 2023 by SixPointer

[Rikulec]

[Lestri]

Those low crosses 😍 congratulations! Huge result.

[Hootieleece]

What a way to win it and break the curse!

 

[SixPointer]

4 hours ago, Rikulec said:

Thanks bud 

2 hours ago, Lestri said:

Those low crosses 😍 congratulations! Huge result.

They have proved to be lethal all season. If I had the time I would make a whole reel of them!

2 hours ago, Hootieleece said:

What a way to win it and break the curse!

 

Thanks mate!! I think we were fortunate to escape Mbappe and Endrick but I think when you look at the games from Juve onwards we more often than not we’re the more dominant side 

[dtown1414]

Congrats!!

[keeper#1]

Well done!

[Sizeman21]

Great final, awesome job!

[SixPointer]

2 hours ago, dtown1414 said:

Congrats!!

Thanks 👍🏻

1 hour ago, keeper#1 said:

Well done!

Cheers bud 👍🏻

52 minutes ago, Sizeman21 said:

Great final, awesome job!

It’s had it all really! Thanks 

[Dong21]

Congratulations High drama! 

[lfds89]

Congratulations!

 

Will you stay? Or is there another adventure in sight?

[SixPointer]

33 minutes ago, Dong21 said:

Congratulations High drama! 

Thanks my man, was indeed!!! 

2 minutes ago, lfds89 said:

Congratulations!

 

Will you stay? Or is there another adventure in sight?

thanks!!! I still have three league titles and three Fa cups to win until unlock the next stage! So I’ll be here for at least another three seasons my man 

[Carambau]

 Thank you for sharing this! This was great to watch !

[SixPointer]

1 hour ago, Carambau said:

 Thank you for sharing this! This was great to watch !

Thanks bud. Tried my best to capture it the best I could. I love the fact it’s was a local lad who stole the show. Felt very benfica. I’ve just gave him a huge contract with a 580 million release clause 

[warlock]

Well, I have to admit I'm a bit miffed .

But seriously, well done - a great achievement

[SixPointer]

2 minutes ago, warlock said:

Well, I have to admit I'm a bit miffed .

But seriously, well done - a great achievement

I spent big, Seimen, Lavia and Danilo all proved  pivotal, I also was lucky enough to miss mbappe and endrick which was massive in my eyes.

Arsenal although filled with Endrick, Saka and Caicedo haven’t won the EPL, it’s been City and Liverpool so you could say we got a better tie in the final.

But also we did control games and held up our end of the bargain.

Thanks bud! It’s your time to shine next!

[warlock]

1 minute ago, SixPointer said:

you could say we got a better tie in the final

Yeah, you need a bit of luck somewhere along the line but, as you say, you did what was needed. Great win!

[SixPointer]

7 minutes ago, warlock said:

Yeah, you need a bit of luck somewhere along the line but, as you say, you did what was needed. Great win!

I’ve just spent another 40 million on a RWB and a further 20 on LWB. So the fun doesn’t stop. But that is incomings done for another year unless we sell. I’ve got another 16 year old to bring into the fold as well. To keep the product line flowing. 

[rich ruzzian]

Nice to see the splashed cash payed out with the result in the finale. The curse is broken. 

[Jogo Bonito]

A late congratulations from me too, very well played & relayed! Another three seasons minimum, wow 

Good luck for the next season.

[SixPointer]

3 hours ago, rich ruzzian said:

Nice to see the splashed cash payed out with the result in the finale. The curse is broken. 

Thanks bud! Yeah quite the final! 
 

1 hour ago, Jogo Bonito said:

A late congratulations from me too, very well played & relayed! Another three seasons minimum, wow 

Good luck for the next season.

Thanks my man! Tried my best to bring it to life!

Yeah three seasons all going well. To be honest I’m really enjoying what we are building, the big spend now has the squad filled with 8 wonderkids. So just supplementing the side and growing the players and grabbing must haves is manageable 

[SixPointer]

Guys am off on holiday on Thursday for 2 weeks. I’ll try and get the summer window played out and updated but it may be a little quiet around here if not.

Wife doesn’t understand I’ve won the champions league so I should be allowed to take my laptop on holiday. 🙃

[warlock]

1 hour ago, SixPointer said:

Wife doesn’t understand I’ve won the champions league so I should be allowed to take my laptop on holiday. 🙃

It's difficult sharing your life with someone who doesn't understand the important things.

[SixPointer]

2 hours ago, warlock said:

It's difficult sharing your life with someone who doesn't understand the important things.

Its makes you question if she’s really the one 

[keeper#1]

5 hours ago, SixPointer said:

Guys am off on holiday on Thursday for 2 weeks. I’ll try and get the summer window played out and updated but it may be a little quiet around here if not.

Wife doesn’t understand I’ve won the champions league so I should be allowed to take my laptop on holiday. 🙃

Explain to her that you need to bring your laptop "for work."  it just so happens that your "work laptop" also has FM loaded on it.

[SixPointer]

1 hour ago, keeper#1 said:

Explain to her that you need to bring your laptop "for work."  it just so happens that your "work laptop" also has FM loaded on it.

As an oil and gas pipeliner if I needed a laptop for work I think I would be doing it very wrong…….. worth a shot tho 

[keeper#1]

3 hours ago, SixPointer said:

As an oil and gas pipeliner if I needed a laptop for work I think I would be doing it very wrong…….. worth a shot tho 

I can understand that.  I work as a travel agent so I always need a laptop with me.  Even when I'm on vacation, that's when I'll have a client contact me about something.  

[SixPointer]

14 hours ago, keeper#1 said:

I can understand that.  I work as a travel agent so I always need a laptop with me.  Even when I'm on vacation, that's when I'll have a client contact me about something.  

Hahah wiseman maybe I need career change 🤣

[SixPointer]

The transfer window has slammed shut…. But unfortunately I’ve ran out of time for and update and will now be signing off until the 1st weekend in October. 
 

There was deadline day drama as wonderkid Lucas joined arsenal for a potential 72 million euros. We signed him for 1.5 million. If that’s not Benfica I dunno what else is.

The big coming was Tino Livermento, the English RWB’s relegation release clause of 40 million activated at Southampton.

I’ll do a proper update when back from holidays hopefully the passion I have for the save at the minute is still there when I return 
 

 

[keeper#1]

Have a great vacation!

[warlock]

3 hours ago, SixPointer said:

I’ll do a proper update when back from holidays

Have a great time. Nothing can go wrong while you're away. Probably

[SixPointer]

7 hours ago, keeper#1 said:

Have a great vacation!

Thanks dude 👍🏻

 

5 hours ago, warlock said:

Have a great time. Nothing can go wrong while you're away. Probably

You never know, Oliver Neuville the assistant might go crazy and sell everyone 🤣🤣

[Fire_03]

Am 22.11.2022 um 13:39 schrieb Carambau:

I hope you will find your inner love for austria soon   I enjoyed playing the austrian leagues in the past - Only in those leagues you get rewarded in cash by the FA if you play at least 8 domestic youngsters or so if i recall correctly  

Incorrect

[Carambau]

17 minutes ago, Fire_03 said:

Incorrect

Might have been in a FM20/FM21 save but that definitely happened when i was managing SV Horn

[Fire_03]

vor 26 Minuten schrieb Carambau:

Might have been in a FM20/FM21 save but that definitely happened when i was managing SV Horn

That's true. This changed before the season 2020/21 but wasn't changed in the game

[Carambau]

18 minutes ago, Fire_03 said:

That's true. This changed before the season 2020/21 but wasn't changed in the game

Ah then thats because of that. Thanks for clearing that up  

[Carambau]

11 hours ago, SixPointer said:

The transfer window has slammed shut…. But unfortunately I’ve ran out of time for and update and will now be signing off until the 1st weekend in October. 
 

There was deadline day drama as wonderkid Lucas joined arsenal for a potential 72 million euros. We signed him for 1.5 million. If that’s not Benfica I dunno what else is.

The big coming was Tino Livermento, the English RWB’s relegation release clause of 40 million activated at Southampton.

I’ll do a proper update when back from holidays hopefully the passion I have for the save at the minute is still there when I return 
 

 

Wishing you a great vacation  

[rich ruzzian]

Enjoy the holiday. I am waiting and coloring the days on my calendar until you're back. 

[SixPointer]

10 hours ago, Carambau said:

Wishing you a great vacation  

Thanks man 👍🏻

9 hours ago, rich ruzzian said:

Enjoy the holiday. I am waiting and coloring the days on my calendar until you're back. 

Thanks dude. Big push to get it over the line when am home. Before 24 is released.

although FM24 might just be the first edition I don’t buy right away, since is started playing championship manager 2000/2001. As I’m going to Angola to work there will be zero FM time. 

[Jogo Bonito]

18 minutes ago, SixPointer said:

Thanks man 👍🏻

Thanks dude. Big push to get it over the line when am home. Before 24 is released.

although FM24 might just be the first edition I don’t buy right away, since is started playing championship manager 2000/2001. As I’m going to Angola to work there will be zero FM time. 

Have a great vacation.

Good luck in Angola too. My experience of living & working in Africa was excellent although the work and social lifestyle was quite different to Europe. At least FM works well 'offline' which is what I had to do when I played it from there due to poor internet and no WiFi. Maybe you already speak it, but if you learn more Portuguese when you are there, you can switch FM language at Benfica to make it more authentic 

[SixPointer]

17 minutes ago, Jogo Bonito said:

Have a great vacation.

Good luck in Angola too. My experience of living & working in Africa was excellent although the work and social lifestyle was quite different to Europe. At least FM works well 'offline' which is what I had to do when I played it from there due to poor internet and no WiFi. Maybe you already speak it, but if you learn more Portuguese when you are there, you can switch FM language at Benfica to make it more authentic 

Thanks my man!

yeah I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to Malaysia, Brazil, Norway and soon Angola through work. It’s a challenging project and 12 hours everyday. Throw in my fitness routine and FM isn’t going to be an option. So I think I’ll leave it behind as it will just frustrate me only being able to play it at a glimpse.