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


ManUtd1
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7 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

Your Fiorentina days were probably the most heartbreaking. How many finals was it before you won? 2?

One semifinal, and two finals.  It was gut-wrenching -- we were rampant before falling flat in at least one of the finals.

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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

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Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

September 2043 Mini-Update

A disappointing start to the Greek strikerless experiment.  Domination, but without the goals we should have had.  Very frustrating.

Domestically, we've started off like usual -- 2 draws and win in the Bundesliga, and an easy win in the DFB-Pokal.  But, we've drawn Bayern next.

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Quite dominant in terms of chances and possesion but just needs to get consistent. I think it'll get good. I'd say this is more encouraging than if you'd started off with two one-nil wins with 5 chances total. It'll soon get rolling I suspect.

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just curious what do you look for in a libero. Do you just use a DM with decent pace, or do you make sure you get the perfect player for the role. I currently have a very creative DM playing as a libero, and even though he gts high ratings, I think I may be wasting him there.

 

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54 minutes ago, Benjoe said:

Quite dominant in terms of chances and possesion but just needs to get consistent. I think it'll get good. I'd say this is more encouraging than if you'd started off with two one-nil wins with 5 chances total. It'll soon get rolling I suspect.

Yeah, I have faith.  It was just a frustrating debut.

49 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

just curious what do you look for in a libero. Do you just use a DM with decent pace, or do you make sure you get the perfect player for the role. I currently have a very creative DM playing as a libero, and even though he gts high ratings, I think I may be wasting him there.

Generally, I will start by looking for defensive midfielders with half-back or deep lying playmaker skills, or ball-playing center backs.  I want someone who can tackle, pass and win headers, as well, so no 5'8" liberos in my side.  I'll then evaluate their skillset, which I shameless stole from @LPQR and @Guimy, prioritizing: tactical awareness (anticipation, concentration, decisions and positioning), mobility (acceleration, agility, work rate and pace).  I always want technique, first touch and composure developed, with vision a HUGE plus for this role when we're launching attacks.

https://fmasymmetric.wordpress.com/2016/12/03/the-libero-part-i-a-total-defending-approach/ 

https://strikerless.com/2016/12/31/project-libero-the-tactic/ 

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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

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Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

October 2043 Mini-Update

Down 2-nil to Croatia, and I had that sinking feeling.  This was the Czech Republic all over again.  But, we pulled it back...even if I failed to use any subs...eh, yeah.  The journos had fun with my amateur hour, but we got the result we needed.  Even if it wasn't pretty. 

A 1-0 annihilation of Lithuania followed.  No, not a typo.  Most lopsided 1-0 match I've ever seen.  A result at home in our final match against Iceland, and we're through as the group winners.

Domestically, we're on track. Our 2nd XI **** the bed against Leipzig, but otherwise I'm pleased.  The Champions League is proving a tough nut to crack, as expected.  We'll be more competitive next year.  The return to Stade de Reims was everything I could have asked for -- easily one of my favorite stops on this journey.

Domestically, we've started off like usual -- 2 draws and win in the Bundesliga, and an easy win in the DFB-Pokal.  But, we've drawn Bayern next.

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1 hour ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

I read the Steam reviews for CKII. It seems like a very interesting game. Might look at it over the summer.

FM and CKII are far and away my favorite games -- given work and family stuff, I can pick up and drop these at will, pause as needed, etc.  Much harder to do that with games like the Witcher 3, for me personally.

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5 hours ago, deltablue said:

I've only ever played EUIII out of the Paradox games, that does me nicely. In fact I returned to it last week after a long gap to finish a Byzantium game I started. I have considered CKII but it seems quite a different animal.

After tons of CKII, I tried EUIV but struggled to get into it.  On paper, it is a game I should truly enjoy.  Victoria II is one I've meant to try, but haven't.  HOI4 is on my wishlist, even though it is very different.

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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

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Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

November 2043 Mini-Update

Benfica didn't know what hit them.  A massive 3-nil win at home, the best football seen at the Commerzbank in decades.  Truly impressive stuff.  With 2 matches to play, we've got a chance to go through to the Europa League.

We remain inconsistent in the Bundesliga, which is to be expected.  There was little chance of a reprise of last year's performance, and with the squad reshuffle that took place over the summer, it would be an initial step backwards so that we could leap ahead 2 down the road.  We're slowly coming together, and my 2nd XI even dumped Bayern out of the DFB-Pokal.

The November international break began with a friendly against Tommy Bjelland's Denmark.  I still haven't told him about my scouts pushing to sign him at Malmo...and the unpleasantness that ensued for Vito as a result, in Yemen.  Someday, the story will come out.  It'll be a great anecdote in my memoirs.

Back to the point...another strong, dominant performance, with a narrow scoreline.  We've got to do better.  The next day, though, Croatia drew their match in hand at home against Iceland leaving us as the group-winners before with one match to play.  Notwithstanding the excellent news, we remained focused and took care of business, dominating Iceland in our best performance yet.  Croatia drew again at home to Lithuania, so we go through as the clear winners.

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Edited by ManUtd1
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Djurgardens have absolutely usurped Malmo's status as the top side in Sweden, with their 6th straight title.  After nearly 20 years of annihilating all-comers, Malmo has definitely fallen back to Earth.

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Edited by ManUtd1
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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

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Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

December 2043 Mini-Update

This is an odd feeling.  At times, we're rampant -- knocking off the likes of Benfica and Stade de Reims.  And then we get spanked by Koln, 5-0...before turning around and beating them 3-nil just a few days later.  Throw in a loss to Braunschweig, and I can barely tell what's going on.

Bottom line, though, we're 6h on goal difference, level with Mornkeebeelach, and through to the Europa League knockout rounds after holding our own in the Group Stage.  But...we drew Real Madrid, of all teams.  I'd like to think this is a chance to avenge the 7-3 drubbing Frankfurt took nearly 80 years ago in the Champions League Final in Hampden, but that can't possibly be, can it?

Regardless, we're in for one heck of a second half to the season.

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Wow, thats a young squad...:rolleyes:

You can't have many tutors, if any in that squad. How do you manage without it? I find it to be a key part of Football Manager.

 

This is great reading as always! :applause:

Edited by BathCity
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11 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

FM and CKII are far and away my favorite games -- given work and family stuff, I can pick up and drop these at will, pause as needed, etc.  Much harder to do that with games like the Witcher 3, for me personally.

Have you ever tried any of the Civilisation series? It doesn't have the same narrative structure that CKII seems to have but it does have the same “Just one more turn” effect that FM has. It's very fun trying to advance your technology and weapons to wage war against other civilisations. Or you could try to win by beating them in the Space Race.

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5 hours ago, BathCity said:

Wow, thats a young squad...:rolleyes:

You can't have many tutors, if any in that squad. How do you manage without it? I find it to be a key part of Football Manager.

This is great reading as always! :applause:

Thanks, man!  A bit less manic than usual, due to my not having much time, so I'm glad you're still enjoying it!  

Re tutoring, I try to manage that in a couple of ways.  Mainly, I scout specifically for good personality types, inclusive of determination (13 or higher is ideal, but I'll take someone lower if the rest of their personality/stats are worth it).  I'll also tutor when I can -- for example, Friedeck is a youth academy prospect, who had initially determination of 8 or 9 (I think...I'm away from my laptop).  After one round of tutoring, I sold his former mentor off...but was lucky enough to get the random "off-field events have led to an increase" news item last summer (the first and only time that's happened in this save).   So, he's in the ballpark I'd like now.  Tutoring basically cannot happen now, due to the age of the squad -- as I recall, the mentor has to be 24, and only Haußler fits that bill.

2 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

Have you ever tried any of the Civilisation series? It doesn't have the same narrative structure that CKII seems to have but it does have the same “Just one more turn” effect that FM has. It's very fun trying to advance your technology and weapons to wage war against other civilisations. Or you could try to win by beating them in the Space Race.

Ages ago, yes.  I haven't played any of the recent ones, but have been tempted on occasion :D

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Come at me, bro.

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That is the beauty of our tactics -- when the opposition attack, we have space to exploit.  The more reckless they are, the more likely we are to hit them back.

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Granted, this isn't your daddy's Real Madrid. They're currently 25 points off of Barcelona, who are the dominant side in Spain (which has dropped to 5 in the league rankings).

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3 minutes ago, Keano16 said:

Normality has resumed.

How I feel when I see you beating Real 7-2 with Frankfurt while I lose to team I've never heard of in preseason with Sampdoria.

 

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[Edit -- remember, preseason results mean nothing!]

Edited by ManUtd1
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The 1st XI are hitting their stride.  The 1-0 win at home wasn't much to celebrate, but we annihilated Young Boys at the Wankdorf.

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The 2nd XI...not so much.  They lost 1-0 away to Ingolstadt in the match in beteen these two.

We've drawn Bayern in the next round, which should be a solid test, as they're top of the Bundesliga.

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Edited by ManUtd1
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A quick glance around Europe finds Chelsea pulling away in England, Barcelona running the table in Spain, Fiorentina 27 points off the pace, Brugge, Panathinaikos and Partizan leading their respective leagues, with Lyon maintaining a narrow lead (once again) in France.

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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

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Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

April 2044 Mini-Update

A brilliant first leg at the Commerzbank, where everything went to plan...followed by a nightmare start in Bavaria, as Bayern scored after 20 seconds.  Not good.

Regardless, we remained in In Catene begging them to attack so we could exploit the space behind them.  It was largely a stalemate until the 43rd, when we struck on a quick counter to regain our 2-goal lead.  Bayern pressed and pulled back another, but we finished up 3-2 on aggregate.  Koln and Dortmund are also through, along with Liverpool.

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Those ***** at UEFA are trying to **** us, though.  Look at this Group.  Brutal.

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Regardless, with 5 Bundesliga matches to play, along with a European semifinal, we sit 3rd.  Our post-winter break form has been solid domestically.  I think we're good value for a CL spot next year, which we need to have a prayer of signing Lleshi on a permanent deal. Through the Europa League or Bundesliga, we should get there.  

But, we can't get overconfident.  All to play for, as Dortmund are only 3 points back in 5th.

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A massive week.  3 matches that could make or break our season.  Away to Dortmund, away to 3rd-place Moredebkerbee and then home against Dortmund.

A nightmare 1st half against Dortmund...the hairdryer kicked some life back into the side, and we switched to PM Libre 2.0...a quick 48th minute goal to bring us back into the tie, and Friedeck smashed the crossbar in the 50th.  This is more like it.  We couldn't find a second, but held the match there.  It'll be a big 90 in Frankfurt.

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But first we have to return to my old haunt, Borussia-Park...the 2nd XI should be tasked with this match, but they've lost to the likes of Ingolstadt.  Tired legs will have to push on, with only 2 changes to the XI.  

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We can only manage a dire draw, while Dortmund finish off Nurnberg.  We drop to 5th, 1 point back but with a better goal difference.  Dortmund face Ingolstadt and Hoffenheim, and we'll need them to drop points.  Not bloody likely.

Back to the Commerzbank for the 2nd leg.  We may need a miracle.

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An early goal from Fleischer gives us hope...and Traore buries one in the 56th.  At this point, the tie is ours, but a single goal from Dortmund changes everything.  We switch from PM Libre back to In Catene.  We're 35 minutes from a European final.

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Dortmund are shell-shocked, and push forward recklessly straight from the kickoff, but we regain possession and launch forward ourselves...Fleischer hits his 2nd.  That has to be the tie!

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Kone, filling in for the injured Lleshi...makes it four on the night!  

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A brilliant display, from a tired XI.  Of course, it is all for nothing if we don't take care of business (and get a little help) in the last 2 Bundesliga matches...or at the Ullevi in Goteborg.  

That's right, boys, Daddy's coming home to Sweden.  I hear the Troupers will be there in force.   The dippers won't know what hit them.

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1 minute ago, kidthekid said:

Homecoming?

Not quite.

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But, I'll make a spectacle of it tomorrow night :D

I only have time tonight to play the league matches and pick my Euros preliminary squad.

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We've blown it.  Simple as.  Nightmare.

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3 draws and 2 losses in our last 5 Bundesliga matches.  Unacceptable.  No one to blame but ourselves.  

We don't deserve to be in Europe based on our league form, anyways.  Beat Liverpool, and we'll have earned it.  If we somehow fluke 4th on the last day, it will not be something to celebrate.

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I have no words.  Nothing went our way. 

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We drop all the way to 6th.  3 losses and 3 draws to finish the season.  Utter disaster.

We have to pick our heads up, though.  Liverpool is on Wednesday night.

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17 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Damn it! Hakan's gone and got that Neverkusen stink all over him! Cursed!

9 hours ago, Benjoe said:

You guys really lost it completely in the end. :(

Now go get that trophy at least! 

7 hours ago, withnail316 said:

All about trophies, mate. Forget the end of the league campaign, 6th and a European trophy is an incredibly successful season... best of luck in the final. 

An utterly mad end to the season...but let's push on with the Europa League final, shall we?

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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

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Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

Europa League Final, 2044 - Göteborg

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The season has come down to this.  Win tonight, lads, and all is forgotten.  Lose, and we're the new Neverkusen.  It's on your shoulders now.

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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

 5aec611f0d7cfb1b150268dd0435d54c.png         adb46d786d2b54f5e300261d66fdde6a.png

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

Europa League Final, 2044 - Göteborg

We start off playing PM Libre, but switch to In Catene after 15 minutes.  They're controlling, but not in danger of scoring.  Nevertheless, we're a bit disjointed at the back.  Need to tighten up.

The first real chance of the match falls to Liverpool in the 25th, as we fail to clear a corner.  Simpson buries it.  1-0 to the Brits.

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Halftime, and things are dreary.  We tweak the tactics, to try and get something going on the attack.   Horrible match thus far for the neutrals.

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We certainly don't look like breaking our poor run of form any time soon.

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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

 5aec611f0d7cfb1b150268dd0435d54c.png         adb46d786d2b54f5e300261d66fdde6a.png

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

Europa League Final, 2044 - Göteborg

Liverpool find a second in the 56th.  We're going down without a fight.  This nightmare needs to end.  It isn't funny.

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We switch to Scatenato, the rarely-used ultra-aggro form of our strikerless tactic.  Sfakianakis launches one from 25. yards out, a low percentage shot if there ever was one...

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THAT SNEAKS UNDER THE LIVERPOOL KEEPER!  WHAT THE HECK WAS HE DOING?!?!  ALL OF A SUDDEN, WE'RE BACK IN THIS MATCH!

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I suspect this is all gonna end in screaming and drowning.

 5aec611f0d7cfb1b150268dd0435d54c.png         adb46d786d2b54f5e300261d66fdde6a.png

Eintracht Frankfurt / Greece

Europa League Final, 2044 - Göteborg

What the football Gods giveth, they taketh away.  Within minutes, Liverpool are back up by 2, as their aggression on the flanks pays off.  We need to punch back immediately.

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10 minutes to play, and we haven't had a decent look at goal since giving up the 3rd.  There's no life in the match, from either side.  No sense that another goal is imminent.  It's over.

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Or is it?!?!  Friedeck launches a hopeful 20+ yarder that curls INTO THE SIDE-NETTING!!!  3-2!!!

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But we have nothing left.  Frankly, all we had were two long-range shots that the Liverpool keeper ****ed, anyways.  The whistle blows.  A brutal end to the campaign.  There will be no Champions League football next year in Frankfurt.

Granted, we progressed further in the Europa League than anyone expected, but this very much feels like a missed opportunity.

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Edited by ManUtd1
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