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

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

 

On 09/09/2018 at 00:23, ManUtd1 said:

You have to be a bit of a liar to tell a story the right way.

FK Partizan Beograd -- December 2023

We started out so well.  2 convincing wins.  6 points.  Positivity abounded.

And then we faced Borac.  Dirty, dirty Borac... Hateful place.  Spiteful place.  Dirty, dirty Borac.  A defeat.  By a single goal.  In a match we utterly dominated.

In the locker room I reassured the lads.  Unlucky.  Totally undeserved.

But doubts were creeping in.  I'd blindly copied a Telleusian tactic, assuming that it would work for me like it had my illustrious teachers.  But I'd made the cardinal mistake of not adopting the tactic to my own squad.

Drake demanded that we put three up top.  "These Serbian teams can't handle it, don't know who to mark."  But, I don't want to cheat, do I?  No, I do not.

"You've got to stick to your principles," I tell him.  

"You're not going to off yourself like that 'arry bloke who done shot the midget, are you?"

"No, Drake.  I'm not."

"Good, good... Great flick, that."

 

Edited September 11, 2018 by Fer Fuchs Ake

[bigmattb28]

Awesome news bringing this back mate! Can't wait to see what nonsense happens this time around!

[ManUtd1]

10 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

 

Exactly.  No 3 strikers here...now get off my lawn!!!

5 hours ago, bigmattb28 said:

Awesome news bringing this back mate! Can't wait to see what nonsense happens this time around!

Thanks, man!  Glad to be back on this track and to have you on board!

[ManUtd1]

On 10/09/2018 at 02:01, rodesire said:

btw, what happened to Panathinaikos?

Confirmation...relegated after a 3-win season in 2021/22.  They're back in the SuperLeague now, though.

  

[ManUtd1]

 

  

[ManUtd1]

 

[ManUtd1]

Germany 2024 - European Championship Review

While Bozidar was enjoying the return of football to his beloved Partizan and making travel arrangements for Belfast, much of the football world was focused on Germany 2024.

Ze Germans could not defend their title on home soil, however, losing 3-1 in the final to Pascal Gastien's France on the back of a late brace from Mbappe.  This after a penalty miss from Ozcan would have put Ze Germans up 2 partway through the 2nd half.  Bruno Labbadia was sacked as a result of the loss, which seems a bit harsh...perhaps Ozcan will spot him some lunch money.

Other fun bits and bobs...Harry Kane was the leading goalscorer...unclear if all 6 were his or not.  England finished 2nd in Group C with 2 points...  Other than that, it seems kind of 'meh' for a major international tournament...not many goals in the knockout rounds.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

Onward, then! To glory and some such nonsense.

FK Partizan Beograd -- August 2024

It has been a busy summer, albeit a triumphant one.  European qualifying got off to a running start with trips to Belfast and Moldova before we were put to the test in Sweden.  Big wins in the 1st legs meant that we could blood our 2nd XI in Europe, no small thing given how heavily we're investing in (and promoting) youth. 

Basel were a big ask in the final qualifying round, but we came up big on the counter in the first leg away, grabbing two key goals in a tight draw.  Back in the friendly (at least for us...) confines of Belgrade for the 2nd leg, it was a tight affair, balanced on the edge of a knife, up until we scored.  At that point, Basel began to push forward and we were able to claim a 2nd and secure passage to the Group Stage.  Our reward?  A kick in the bollocks, as we drew Manchester City, those energy drinking ****s at Leipzig, and Napoli.  It could get ugly.  But we're laughing all the way to the bank.

Domestically, the 2nd XI have been tasked with keeping our heads above water so that the 1st XI can focus on Europe...and thus far they've done brilliantly, winning 4 from 4, as the 1st XI took the field for 1 match.  As we go into the Fall, fixture congestion will force the 2nd XI to truly step up.  I believe they can do it.  Obviously, or else we wouldn't have shipped out so many senior players, replaced by Academy prospects or young signings.  If we can blood this group of players and come together as a side, we'll have the backbone of a side for years to come.  After all, there is little challenge domestically.  No, no...the tougher nut to crack will be Europe.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

If that oiled-up **** Ronaldo wasn't so gorgeous, I'd have punched him right in his stupid face when he pulled our ball out of the hopper.  An utter **** draw.

When I tried to confront him backstage...he signed my forehead with a Sharpie, having obviously mistaken my "I'm so angry I could punch you" face for a look of adoration.  The lads will never let me live this down. 

And to think I told the Chairman he shouldn't try to bribe those ****s at UEFA, to ensure a favorable draw.  We'll know better next year.

 

 

[ManUtd1]

Matchday 1 in the Group Stage.  We're hosting the defending champions - Carlos Ancelotti's Manchester City, who are joint-top of the table in the Premier League.

We don't stand a chance.  Things are so bleak that Drake got well and truly drunk on the local plum brandy beforehand.  

I'm so nervous in my pre-game team talk that I launch into a diatribe about launching cattle over the ramparts with a trebuchet...but no one got the Monty Python reference.  So I just started shouting and gesticulating wildly in (fake) Hungarian...in my mind I was cursing their wives, promising them bountiful riches and fame, if they'd only dig deep and find a path to victory. 

Sure, it was all gibberish -- the incoherent rantings of a passionate fake Hungarian -- but I think they got the gist of it.

We held back the tide in the 1st 45, hitting the oily buggers twice on the counter.  And we held on for dear life in the 2nd 45, our defense only breached after the scum were granted a well-deserved penalty.  Firmino deserved a kicking, in my opinion.  Drake thought so, too...although I'm not sure how he saw anything through the Šljivovica-induced haze...

Tonight, we will feast like kings and bathe in Šljivovica at Partizan's recently-opened nightclub, The Itchy Kitty.  A night to remember, no doubt.

  

 

[ManUtd1]

Lightning may not strike twice, but we're going to celebrate tonight regardless.  A valiant display.

The only problem with our success in Europe...the media is starting to pay attention.  I don't know if our Hungarian identities will survive scrutiny...

  

[ManUtd1]

Drake was right.  The crazy ****er had it spot on.

The secret to it all.

Grapefruit. 

Obscene quantities of grapefruit.

Just when you think you've had enough, that's when you have to knuckle down and eat some more.  

And then another.

And another.

Napoli?  They probably ate pasta before the match.  Like idiots.  Wankers.

   

[ManUtd1]

Uhh...so, yeah...I think the tactics are clicking.  We've been playing on the counter and...sweet RNGeebus, we're flying.  

Squad review tomorrow.

[kidthekid]

what's more surprising is you are averaging about 50-52% possession against big sides. That is fine for many people but for you it's too high. You are basically the anti-pep

Edited September 13, 2018 by kidthekid

[Sir_Liam]

Great result against Man City, and then against Napoli.

You have a decent chance of getting atleast 3rd place now.

[ManUtd1]

6 hours ago, kidthekid said:

what's more surprising is you are averaging about 50-52% possession against big sides. That is fine for many people but for you it's too high. You are basically the anti-pep

Definitely.  Part of that is playing City and Napoli at home, and a function of how sides approach Europe.  Sitting deep and countering heavily in Leipzig didn't hurt either.  Tactics screenshots will be in the squad review that I'll post in a few.

4 hours ago, Sir_Liam said:

Great result against Man City, and then against Napoli.

You have a decent chance of getting atleast 3rd place now.

Thanks, man!  I think so, as well -- if we can get through to the Europa League knockout rounds, I'd be extremely pleased.

[ManUtd1]

It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.

FK Partizan Beograd -- Squad Review, October 2024

There's no denying, we've had a tremendous start to life in Serbia.  We're exceeding all expectations at this point and (I'm happy to say) carrying on the '17 tradition of scalping big opponents in Europe by playing on the counter.

Tactically, we're playing the strikerless 343/523 I mentioned earlier, with both attacking and counter variations.  Domestically, we play the default attacking tactic in every match.  In Europe, we've played both -- in qualifying, we played the attacking version when playing a small club or at home.  On the road, we counter.  We have definitely counter-attacked at home against City and Napoli.  It has been an absolute joy to watch -- smooth attacking movement that you'd expect from a strikerless system, with better wide play than my '17 tactics employed.  Defensively, the 3 CBs work as expected -- changing the libero into a CB split the other centerbacks further wide, providing cover on the flanks.

As you'll note below, we're an extremely young squad.  But I've found over the many years playing this game that age is really nothing -- the question is can your players do the job on this pitch, in the role/system you've set up.  Having played this system (or some variation/predecessor of it) for nearly 2 years, I'm feeling pretty good about it.

So, without further ado...here's where things stand in October 2024, nearly 1 year into my tenure at Partizan.

 

 

Goalkeepers

  

Stankovic is currently my starter -- he was sitting at Teleoptik when I arrived, behind Josic and Popovic.  When the latter two wanted to leave...it was apparent that he'd be my starter.  Milic will never be more than a backup.  Emircan Hut...he's an intriguing prospect -- signed by my DoF on a free, this Turkish kid could be a diamond in the rough.  I'll play him in my 2nd XI for now and see what happens.

Defenders

        

At the back, Kovacevic, Kapor and Petric are my starting 3 centerbacks, flanked by Zuza and Bunjak.  You'll notice a trend here -- I'm working to sign any notable Serbian youth player I can (and Eastern European...), due to homegrown restrictions in Serbia and the relative cost of players.  I love scouring South America and Africa for youth players, but the 4-player cap makes that much less doable at this stop in the save.

In the 2nd XI, Nesic anchors the defense -- a converted midfielder, he's a bit short but I like him in this role.  Bondzic and Ristic are with him in the middle, flanked by Dimitrijevic and Stosic. 

Central Midfielders

    

Nisic has the honor of being the last non-regen in my squad.  He's a beast.  Stamenkovic takes up the Carrilero position next to him -- I'm very excited about this kid.

But, I'm more excited about my 2 other midfielders -- Nilsson and Vukovic.  Nilsson signed for $2.4M from Malmo and looks like a potential beast.  Can't wait to see him develop...and Vukovic is no bad shakes, either.

 

Attacking Midfielders

       

Up top, my 1st XI sees Klisura (signed by my predecessor) flanked by Colombian wonderkid Figueroa and Greek yogurt merchant Spryos Siabos.  Klisura and Siabos were brought to the club by one of my predecessors...I am pleased to say that Figueroa was one of my finds, although one of his compatriots refused to sign (and a few African players did, too).  Altogether a solid trio.

The 2nd XI is led by Seth Dickson, a brilliant kid from Ghana who should probably be getting more playing time, as he's too good for us.  Kolarov and Idrizovic fill out the front line and are solid prospects.  Milanovic is in the squad and definitely needs more time than I've been giving him...a loan may be in the works, as he could be a beast.

Final Thoughts

There's really nothing to complain about, is there?  We're an extremely young squad, playing well and winning matches.  What could go wrong?!

[ManUtd1]

The improbable run continues against an out-of-form Napoli who've lost 3 straight. We give Mano Menezes reason to fear for his job, stealing a point at the San Paolo.  With 2 matches to play, we're all but through to the Europa League knockouts.  Get a result, though, and we could claim a spot in the Champions League knockout rounds...surely, that's beyond our reach...but we'll dream until the last ball is kicked in anger.

An epic night.  Word is that The Itchy Kitty is rocking...we're heading straight there upon arrival in Belgrade.

  

[ManUtd1]

 

 

 

[ManUtd1]

With all of the media furor surrounding our exploits in Europe it was only a matter of time, really.

Robert Prosinecki was sacked as the manager for Hungary after suffering relegation to the Nations League Division D.

Now speculation is running rampant, suggesting that the Hungarian managerial duo pulling up trees at Partizan should be appointed.

The club press official has forwarded calls to us from various Hungarian media outlets and personalities, which we've declined to take.

Of course we're interested in the job and have signaled as such to the MLSZ, through intermediaries.  Who wouldn't be?  The problem being...we're not Hungarian.  We don't speak a lick of the language.  Drake's latest attempt to learn the language was just a pretext to browse adult websites with a Hungarian theme on a nightly basis.

This could become awkward.  We didn't think this far ahead when crafting our identities...

[ManUtd1]

We didn't get the Hungary job.

Drake is beside himself with righteous indignation.  "'Not the best person for the job.'  Not the best...what are they thinking?!"

I try to calm him down, but there's no talking to him when he's like this.

Reason just slides off him, like water off a duck's back. 

"We're the best Hungarian managerial duo since Rachel Weisz and ... you know ... that guy who talks funny."

"First of all, Daniel Craig is English.  So is she, for that matter.  Second, we're not f***ing Hungarian, you ****."

"Don't make excuses for them, Jean!!!  I won't hear it!!!  Not from you!!!"

I don't have time for this.  We face City at the Etihad in less than 2 days.  I suggest that Drake go back to his internet "research" on Hungary, and he's only too happy to oblige.

Truth be told, of course I wanted the job...but my eyes are set higher.  And taking on Hungary would have invited too many questions... Question we are not prepared to answer.

 

 

Edited September 13, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

We have every reason to be proud of our showing in Manchester tonight.  We were overrun in nearly every respect, but held City at bay after Sane's wonder-goal in the 2nd minute.  No shame at all.

And with Leipzig smashing Napoli, we're guaranteed to advance to the Europa League...although we could still finish 2nd if we beat Leipzig and the Italians were to win on home soil...

 

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

 

23 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Matchday 1 in the Group Stage.  We're hosting the defending champions - Carlos Ancelotti's Manchester City, who are joint-top of the table in the Premier League.

We don't stand a chance.  Things are so bleak that Drake got well and truly drunk on the local plum brandy beforehand.  

I'm so nervous in my pre-game team talk that I launch into a diatribe about launching cattle over the ramparts with a trebuchet...but no one got the Monty Python reference.  So I just started shouting and gesticulating wildly in (fake) Hungarian...in my mind I was cursing their wives, promising them bountiful riches and fame, if they'd only dig deep and find a path to victory. 

Sure, it was all gibberish -- the incoherent rantings of a passionate fake Hungarian -- but I think they got the gist of it.

We held back the tide in the 1st 45, hitting the oily buggers twice on the counter.  And we held on for dear life in the 2nd 45, our defense only breached after the scum were granted a well-deserved penalty.  Firmino deserved a kicking, in my opinion.  Drake thought so, too...although I'm not sure how he saw anything through the Šljivovica-induced haze...

Tonight, we will feast like kings and bathe in Šljivovica at Partizan's recently-opened nightclub, The Itchy Kitty.  A night to remember, no doubt.

  

 

[ManUtd1]

A frustrating result at home.  You can only hold back the tide for so long.  But with City drawing in Italy it was all for naught anyways.  

We can rightly be proud of our 3rd place finish above Napoli, and know that with a favorable draw we could make a run in the Europa League.  

  

[ManUtd1]

 

Bozidar in Amsterdam...

[oriole01]

Come on, you couldn't have expected to get the Hungary job, could you? That would be just about the most fraudulent thing ever... and I'm including our Lord in that!

You're already progressing really well with Partizan. They were probably my favorite club of yours on the last save, and it looks like that could be the case again! Keep it up mate.

 

[ManUtd1]

12 minutes ago, oriole01 said:

Come on, you couldn't have expected to get the Hungary job, could you? That would be just about the most fraudulent thing ever... and I'm including our Lord in that!

You're already progressing really well with Partizan. They were probably my favorite club of yours on the last save, and it looks like that could be the case again! Keep it up mate.

 

Yeah, it was a tad ambitious to expect it...on the one hand, it could have been great fun (in terms of the narrative), but there's a reason I never went to Hungary in the 17 version of the save...

Partizan is amazing on multiple levels -- glad you're enjoying it!

[Sir_Liam]

You've got a very promising squad.  Having managed in Serbia on last year's FM I know how many good young players are produced there and how surprisingly cheap they are, even in comparison to neighbouring countries.  The drawback was that foreign AI clubs thought they could buy my best players for next to nothing, and those players, some of whom were world class, thought I was being unreasonable turning down £2.5m for them when I had £50m+ in the bank. 

One question as well, does Serbia join the EU in this version of FM like in FM 2017?  If it does I think it would have happened by now.

[rodesire]

1 hour ago, Sir_Liam said:

One question as well, does Serbia join the EU in this version of FM like in FM 2017?  If it does I think it would have happened by now.

Albania, Montenegro and Serbia join EU on 1 July 2022 in FM18

[ManUtd1]

2 hours ago, Sir_Liam said:

You've got a very promising squad.  Having managed in Serbia on last year's FM I know how many good young players are produced there and how surprisingly cheap they are, even in comparison to neighbouring countries.  The drawback was that foreign AI clubs thought they could buy my best players for next to nothing, and those players, some of whom were world class, thought I was being unreasonable turning down £2.5m for them when I had £50m+ in the bank. 

One question as well, does Serbia join the EU in this version of FM like in FM 2017?  If it does I think it would have happened by now.

 

1 hour ago, rodesire said:

Albania, Montenegro and Serbia join EU on 1 July 2022 in FM18

Beat me to it! I skipped right past this date when setting up the save, but this is exactly right.

And, yeah, I have a number of stupidly low offers coming in... Per usual, I just need to keep them happy long enough to increase our rep, coefficients, etc...

Like last year, I anticipate a 5-6 year window here in Belgrade. So that's 2 teams to build, in theory...1 with some backfilling if I'm lucky.

[ManUtd1]

You're like a potato.  In a minefield.

FK Partizan Beograd -- December 2024

Christmas in Belgrade.  We sit atop the table, with a date on the calendar against Ajax in the Europa League.  1 year into our tenure at Partizan and we couldn't ask for more.

**** Star are pushing us in the Super Liga.  While I expect us to pull ahead as we head into the final months, the simple fact is that Serbia will have 2 Champions League places going forward, so we need not worry too much.  Not that I'll say that to the lads.

The other good news is that with our exit from the Champions League and not getting the Hungarian job, most of the scrutiny over our background has gone away.  Drake promised to talk to some of his "contacts" to backstop things further, but I don't know if that can get us very far.  After all, my graduation from Telleus' academy isn't something we can fake.  There are pictures of me, under my real name, on the wall with my graduating class.  All it takes it one person to recognize me...from there, or from my days in France and Belgium, and the house of cards will come crumbling down.

But I can't worry about that today.  There's nothing I can fix.  And we've got the club Christmas party at The Itchy Kitty.  Wouldn't miss that for the world.

[ManUtd1]

New signing.  Brilliant potential.  Unfortunate name.

 

[ManUtd1]

With Bozo's arrival, I decided to: (1) accept bids for Nisic; and (2) promote Nilsson to the 1st XI.  Bozo will take Nilsson's spot on the bench with the 1st team, and take up the Mezzala role in the 2nd XI.  Nisic appears to be off to France.  This move is all about long-term player development with an eye towards the Champions League in 2-3 years' time -- Nisic is clearly the better player right now, but with enough time in matches, Nilsson and Bozo should be better.  

Seth Dickson and Srdjan Klisura have also swapped places, with the Ghanaian taking over the deep-lying targetman role in the 1st XI.

A few friendlies are all that stand between us and the Ajax tie...Michael Bolton is ready, are you?!

Edited September 14, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

More upgrades to the squad, as we land Ghanaian U21 left midfielder Lawrence Ansah from Denmark.  He's going to step into Stosic's spot as the left wingback in the 2nd XI; Stosic will go out on loan.

 

Edited September 14, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

By all rights, this tie should be over.  Down 2 after 10 minutes, when it should have been 3.  Down 4-1 at the half, 5-1 shortly after that.

As far as counterattacking has gotten us this year in Europe...it wasn't working tonight.  So let's throw the lads forward and see if we can pull one back.

Or two, we'll take two.  Yes, yes we will.  The traveling supporters were put through hell, utter dismay followed by unbridled joy...with a hint of hope on the horizon.  They're sure to tear a path through Amsterdam tonight.

We'll go back to Belgrade facing a 2-goal deficit, with 3 away goals in the bag.  

  

  

Edited September 14, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

 

 

[ManUtd1]

The hazards of continued game timeout...nearly missed this message about my youth intake, and I had to go back to read it after their friendly with my U19s and contracts were on the table.

Best of his generation, you say...I've heard that nonsense before...let's go take a look at this Cvejic, then, or whatever his name is...

  

Sweet Baby RNGeebus jumping on a Pogo Stick...and just...wait...Stojkovic and Skenderija, wouldn't kick them out of bed for eating crackers either...  Knock it off, Drake, you know what I mean.

  

 

[rodesire]

Aw what an intake!

[ManUtd1]

The second leg back in Belgrade starts as well as we could possibly hope...Nilsson burying one in the 3rd minute.  We're one goal away from taking the lead on away goals.

20 minutes later, and we're struggling to find a way through.  Ajax's narrow 41212 is congesting things through the middle...Drake, ever helpful (*cough*) suggests that we stop attacking the flanks...you know, the place where all the space is.  I'm at a loss for words.  I ignore him.

In the 28th minute, a long ball plays Figueroa in wide behind the Ajax defense, and he rifles a low cross to Nilsson attacking the back post...2-nil.  We're flying.  When Siabos buries a loose ball in the 44th, anything seems possible. 

Ajax are sinking like a stone.  At halftime, however, I have to remind the players of what happened just 7 nights ago...how quickly a match can turn.

We drop deeper, aiming to frustrate Ajax...Dickson finds the back of the net in the 63rd...Ajax look deflated.  The tie is over and they know it.  Insult to injury when he pounces again in the 87th.

Drinks are on Drake at The Itchy Kitty tonight...stop attacking the flanks?!  Ok, son...

The hangover is heavy the next afternoon when I wake to the incessant ringing of my cell phone.  Bruno Genesio's Lyon is up next, the Chairman informs me, and we've got training for the 2nd XI in an hour...a little hair of the dog then, yeah?  

    

  

 

[ManUtd1]

Am I nervous?!  Don't be ridiculous.

Of course I am.

Yesterday marked the first time I've stepped foot on French soil since my midnight flight from Clairvaux Prison. 

Everywhere I go, I feel like someone is watching me.

Even last night when I took the lads to Cinnabon for a treat...even then, wearing glasses and cap, I felt exposed.  For a brief moment, I saw a man who -- I'm sure of it -- was coming to arrest me.

Call me crazy, but as good as things are right now, I can't help but feel like the more success we have, the more likely I am to be discovered for what I am. 

An utter and complete fraud.

And I fear the consequences.

Edited September 14, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

We will not be denied.  A narrow loss in Lyon after being thoroughly outplayed, followed by a stroke of luck at home -- outplayed for an hour, until Lyon are reduced to 10 men, with a 98th minute penalty to win it.

We're through.  I should be enjoying this more, but instead I'm a nervous wreck.  A shell of myself.

We draw Hoffenheim...possibly the best draw we could have had, as Ze Germans are struggling mightily in the Bundesliga, sitting a mere 6 points out of the relegation zone.

  

 

Edited September 14, 2018 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

hey its me urCristiano

 

[ManUtd1]

Once there was a bunny. This bunny had a birthday party. It was the bestest birthday party ever. Because that was the day the bunny got a bazooka.

FK Partizan Beograd -- April 2025

Tired legs.  Weary heads.  But still we persevere.  We finished the preliminary stage of the Super Liga away to **** Star, and ceded the lead to them.  We're down a point, and have to return in a few days' time for a massive match as the final stage kicks off.  Before we play them again twice in the Kup semifinals.  The 2nd XI played this last match, but I don't think we can rely on them again...if we do, we'll be 4 points back with 6 to play, giving them the inside track to the title.

At the same time, we've got a European quarterfinal tie against Hoffenheim to navigate.

I'd complain, but no one would listen.  Let's do this.

[ManUtd1]

A brutal week.  A roller-coaster if there ever was one.  We should have had a win in the first leg against Hoffenheim, having stifled Ze Germans and grabbed 2 goals on the counter, while also missing a penalty.

Tired legs meant I rotated the squad for the **** Star match...and we fluked it.  2 own goals giving us all 3 points and moving us to the top of the table.

We then gave up 2 early goals back in Belgrade, before drawing level late in the 1st half...only to give up a 3rd right before the half.  We were comprehensively outplayed over the course of 180 minutes, the scoreline kind in the extreme.  

So close, yet so far.  Our focus can return to the domestic calendar, where we're battling for 2 titles.

  

 

[kidthekid]

tough way to go out

[ManUtd1]

Now, I had been frightened on several different occasions in my life. The most frightening of these involved an elevator and a mime.

FK Partizan Beograd -- 2024/25 Season Review

Altogether an outstanding year.  **** Star gave us more of a run for our money in the league than we expected, but in the end we saw it through with the help of two on goals, on the road, in the first fixture of the Championship Stage.

And we did it all with an extremely young side that should have many better days ahead, especially when some of the other youngsters begin to push for playing time.

The future's so bright in Belgrade, I gotta wear shades... Yeah, I gotta wear shades.

Sorry...it's stuck in my head after Stana and I danced to it last night at the Itchy Kitty. And now it's stuck in yours.

Goals for 2025/26: Win the Super Liga.  Reach the knockout rounds of a European competition.

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|Europa League Fixtures

Champions League Review

Booooooooring.  West Ham and Leipzig appear to be on the trajectory for gaining eligibility, but beyond that it was painfully, well...boring.  Chelsea.  Milan.  PSG.  Blah.

 

Challenge Overview

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, kidthekid said:

tough way to go out

Maybe, but we were pretty lucky to get that far as it was -- the AJax tie was madness, and Lyon reduced to 10 men at a critical stage of the match.

The boost to our reputation/coefficient is a big deal, as I wasn't expecting a knockout round appearance this year.  

[ManUtd1]

Generally speaking, it was more of the same around Europe in the big leagues...

City won their 3rd straight PL. Dortmund defended their title.  Barcelona in Spain. Inter. PS-f***ing-G.  Club Brugge reclaimed their title in Belgium.  AEK ended Olympiacos' run, as Panathinaikos marked their return to the top flight with a 6th place finish.  Malmo reclaimed their title from Hammarby, but appear to be struggling again. 

Inter also defeated Hoffenheim to claim the Europa League title.

Why can't it just be 2073 already, with the giants of Oostende, Dijon and Zulte stomping across Europe while Liverpool languish in the 3rd tier?!

       

 

[rodesire]

5 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Why can't it just be 2073 already, with the giants of Oostende, Dijon and Zulte stomping across Europe while Liverpool languish in the 3rd tier?!

your son is not there yet, darling

[noikeee]

****ing hell, how do you always get those crazy tactics to work so well.  Even in this ME that is nowhere near as friendly to strikerless as FM17 was. Neither do I think it is any friendly to the counter mentality. Awesome work in Europe so far.