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

[BluesGuy]

Well done so far, why have Inter failed to comply with FFP?

[ManUtd1]

14 minutes ago, BluesGuy said:

Well done so far, why have Inter failed to comply with FFP?

Not sure.  Their wage bill doesn't seem too high, and they show up as "rich" on the club overview.  But, they weren't in Europe last year at all -- that likely hit their income very hard.

[ManUtd1]

Champions League draw...

I desperately want to be in Group B or H...Group E would be solid, as well.  Groups A, C and F could be brutal.

Group C it is, with a rematch against Pep The Bald's PSG.  CSKA takes the last slot in Group H.

  

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

2 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Champions League draw...

I desperately want to be in Group B or H...Group E would be solid, as well.  Groups A, C and F could be brutal.

Group C it is, with a rematch against Pep The Bald's PSG.  CSKA takes the last slot in Group H.

  

I really hope you can get revenge on Possession Pep. Quite a tough group though. Groups B, D and G would have been relatively easy.

Edited January 1, 2017 by Fer Fuchs Ake

[BoxToBox]

Harsh group.

[ManUtd1]

36 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

I really hope you can get revenge on Possession Pep. Quite a tough group though. Groups B, D and G would have been relatively easy.

 

19 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Harsh group.

Tough group, for sure, but Celtic are extremely weak.  Worst case, I'm primed for a run through the EL.  But, I think I can steal some points and sneak through.

[BoxToBox]

Well, it's likely they're as worried about you. Shine-o knows last season was a fluke.

[ManUtd1]

 

Netherlands

World Cup Qualifying - September 2025 Mini-Update

After the loss to Serbia, we can't slip up again.  The June matches were solid 3 points, never in doubt.  But, we weren't clinical enough.  

We had to do better.  Estonia saw the fruits of that focus, as we romped to a 6-1 win away.

 

Serbia beat Cyprus, so that meant that the big tie later in the week would be Hungary away to Serbia.  Another draw would be perfect, while we hosted Bosnia & Herzegovina in a friendly.

Again, we left it late which is a very concerning trend.  But a Friendly win is a Friendly win.  

And when we looked to the scoreboard...much to our surprise, Serbia had bottled it again.

We're a point off the top with a match in hand.  Serbia come to the Amersterdam ArenA on October 11th, followed by a trip to Cyprus.  October could see us seize the advantage, once and for all.

[ManUtd1]

YESSSSS, SASA LAD!!!

[ManUtd1]

Hahahaha...there's no way I'll be able to convince anyone that Papa Quintino wasn't behind this...1 week before the crucial WCQ match against Serbia.

Apollonia doesn't want to talk about it.  Lucio will be starting the car for a few weeks, in case the Serbian Ultras try anything.

[BoxToBox]

Fecking hell, what timing, and just the right injury to screw up an international break, but have no effect on the club side.

[ManUtd1]

5 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Fecking hell, what timing, and just the right injury to screw up an international break, but have no effect on the club side.

RNGeebus loves me, this I know.

[ManUtd1]

Netherlands

World Cup Qualifying - October 2025 Mini-Update

Serbia didn't even bother coming out to play tonight.  But, we were back to our usual wasteful selves, controlling the match but with only 1 goal to show for it.  When they broke on a counter in the 86th off a corner...and their forward skipped right past my fullbacks, I thought it was over.  Achtenburg came up huge, though, to save the match.

A massive 3 points.

 

Into second, as Hungary defeat Cyprus 1-0.  So, we're off to face the Cypriots away in Limassol...

 

We scrape a 1-0 victory thanks to an early penalty, and Hungary manages a win in Estonia.  It will all come down to the matches in November, home against Estonia and then away to Hungary.

This should be well in-hand.

[Deisler26]

Should be a breeze

[ManUtd1]

The same gameplan as before.  Play a deeper line, slow things down a bit.  It was tight, but we took our chances.  Once Mostafa went off, it was over.  They kept pushing and we hit our third on the counter.  

Clinical.  A truly outstanding display.

[BoxToBox]

Smashed.

[ManUtd1]

I've decided to invoke what will be known as "The @Dave. Rule" for this save (and any future attempts).  Not only do I HAVE to prioritize taking over Leeds, I have to take them to glory using the most mind-numbing tiki-taka approach possible as a form of karmic redemption.  

It'll be like LVG taking over Millwall with his "philosophy."  

Yes, I'm more excited about this than I should be.

[ManUtd1]

7 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Smashed.

We're off to Paris shortly.  Could be payback time.  We'll see if we can hold them scoreless again.

[ManUtd1]

Fantastic match, but for the 2 Keystone Cops goals they gave us.  Utter shambles.  I'd like to think that the first was due to my switching to a high block a few minutes earlier (just to change things up for 10 minutes or so), but...yeah.  That was just awful.  Literally laughed aloud.  Didn't roll on the floor, though.

 

Pep is Bald.

Up next, Napoli.  Then it's the final WCQ matches.

[ManUtd1]

Netherlands

World Cup Qualifying - November 2025 Mini-Update

Another early penalty set the tone, and we ran away with it.  As expected.

 

It all comes down to the final match in Hungary, at the Groupama Arena in Budapest.

 

Frankly, we played very poorly.  We were gifted yet another penalty and blew it.  They were the side threatening to win in the last 30 minutes.  Regardless, we're through.

The cold, hard reality is that by drawing Hungary missed out on the World Cup on goal difference.  England, Russia and Italy all also missed out, finished second in their respective groups.

  

 

Can't wait for the draw.

Edited January 2, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Netherlands

2026 World Cup Draw

Four pots.  We're all going to Canada.  The only question is who will come home covered in glory, and who will be licking their wounds dreaming of missed opportunities.

 

 

Frankly, anything other than Group E is good with me.  Group A, B or C would be ideal.

Group B it is, with the Swiss taking the final slot in Group H.  Win the Group, and we face the runner-up in Group A.  Finish 2nd, and we'll face the winner of Group A.  

Tremendous draw.

We face Ireland first, then Cote d'Ivoire, and finish with South Korea.

[hasdgfas]

Do you want to take the credit for England going out to Sweden in this one?

Regardless, you made it! Tight as it was, and got a very favorable group out of it. Just make sure the team shows up and you have a great chance. Can't afford any slip-ups here.

[Dave.]

6 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

I've decided to invoke what will be known as "The @Dave. Rule" for this save (and any future attempts).  Not only do I HAVE to prioritize taking over Leeds, I have to take them to glory using the most mind-numbing tiki-taka approach possible as a form of karmic redemption.  

It'll be like LVG taking over Millwall with his "philosophy."  

Yes, I'm more excited about this than I should be.

Wow, a sucker for punishment. You really are Leeds, aren't you?

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, hasdgfas said:

Do you want to take the credit for England going out to Sweden in this one?

Regardless, you made it! Tight as it was, and got a very favorable group out of it. Just make sure the team shows up and you have a great chance. Can't afford any slip-ups here.

Hahaha...there are 9 players from my Malmo side in the team, does that count?

Note that Alfredo Perez is in the side, of all people!  Champions League winning-penalty Perez!!1  He joined Malmo in August of 2019, so has been eligible for a little over a year.  Beautiful!

 

5 hours ago, Dave. said:

Wow, a sucker for punishment. You really are Leeds, aren't you?

You wound me, sir!  

Having spent countless hours watching Moyes and LVG era United, I would say that I am most certainly a glutton for punishment.  But I'll never be mistaken for a Leeds supporter, rest assured 

I have a good friend (United supporter, home and away throughout the 70s/80s) who still texts everyone with glee every time Leeds lose.  He also goes bonkers if you capitalize the "L" which amuses us all to no end.

[ManUtd1]

Netherlands / ACF Fiorentina

    

December 2025 Mid-Season Domestic Update

This is why I place my trust in youth.  For three years running, we've improved at every turn.  Players develop.  Become battle-hardened.  Some don't quite make the cut (I'm looking at you, Rui Dias), but generally we progress with each passing year.

This year, the lads take their annual holiday with the knowledge that, to date, we have not lost a single competitive match.  4 months of near-perfect results.  Firing on all cylinders.  We sit atop the Serie A and waltzed through the Champions League Group Stage, winning all  6 matches.

La Viola are positioned for an incredible run over the next 6 months.  Yet we are not resting on our laurels.  The fire crackles in the background with a glass in one hand and the other arm around Apollonia.  But the mind is still turning.  Plotting.

Rugi has been virtually unplayable.  Slippy G has been phenomenal at right back, a position that requires some attacking nous.

 

The insanity has died down somewhat in the Serie A.  Everything was incredibly tight through late November, but we've been slowly pulling away from the pack.  Much credit goes to the 2nd XI who have secured us points in matches where our 1st XI need to rest, to prepare for Europe.  You'll note that the likes of Caruso and Arregi didn't move on -- after that first offer, nothing else came in and I didn't feel obligated to push them out the door...as I couldn't secure a younger, more promiising replacement.

We've been absolutely rampant in the Champions League.  Six wins from six, including the massive wins noted above.  We finished the Group Stage by annihilating Arsenal 4-0 at the Artemio Franchi, with a 16-minute barrage that put them down for the count.

  

 

     

So, we topped our Group.  But, who might we face?

 

Real Madrid, Bayern, United...Chelsea?  Oof...  That's brutal.  

(Note that Bobby Manc was eliminated and is off to the Europa League).

Obviously, at this juncture I'm willing to take on anyone.  The only reason PSG went through is that I decided to play my 1st XI against Arsenal in a match when we'd already wrapped up the Group.  I could have been a cheeky **** and let Arsenal win, but...I didn't.  So, we curb-stomped the defending champions and Arsenal.  I'll take on anyone.  An easier draw would be welcome, but isn't something I'm really hoping for.  

In the end, we drew TomasZ10's Chelsea, who are defending Premier League champions.  Which makes me very happy.

On to 2026!!!

Edited January 2, 2017 by ManUtd1
Mistake re Chelsea's league position

[BoxToBox]

Jesus, Ireland to the World Cup and England stay home. What a world....... cup.

[ManUtd1]

My apologies -- I forgot one final screenshot, taking a look around Europe:

Real Madrid are off the pace, Bayern are struggling mightily...Partizan is having a 'mare in Serbia.  Brugge is not only through to the CL knockout rounds, they're rampant in Belgium.  

Just let me know if you'd like to see anything else!

[ManUtd1]

Just now, BoxToBox said:

Jesus, Ireland to the World Cup and England stay home. What a world....... cup.

Yeah -- that's not typically what I see in-game, either.  Usually, the English are pretty dominant.  *cough*

Regardless, it bodes well for our chances -- there is a genuine possibility of a great draw in the knockout rounds.  Group A is pretty weak, in terms of the 2nd round matchup...  I like it.

[ManUtd1]

Ooh...our 2nd straight Golden Boy award, after Besevic took it home last year.  Nice.

[ManUtd1]

And a stadium expansion is in the works, after begging for years.  It's only an increase of 6k, but still...it's something.

[ManUtd1]

[BoxToBox]

That John Terry bit!

[ManUtd1]

58 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

That John Terry bit!

He gave the interview in his full kit.

[ManUtd1]

This is one of the more...bizarre...post-retirement moves I've seen.

[BoxToBox]

Tends to use counter attacks.

[Keano16]

We're going to a World Cup! How have the Irish team done so far if you don't mind me asking? Any world class players or just solid displays?

Cracking progress by the way, bodes well for the rest of the season.

[ManUtd1]

1 hour ago, Keano16 said:

We're going to a World Cup! How have the Irish team done so far if you don't mind me asking? Any world class players or just solid displays?

Cracking progress by the way, bodes well for the rest of the season.

Primarily, it was solid displays.  Here's a look at the Irish squad, qualification and their "top" players:

  

     

Mooney is a very solid young keeper.  I also picked up this kid, Eddie Brown, from Cork City for $800k.  Absolute steal.

He has yet to be capped, but that should just be a matter of time. 

[BoxToBox]

Nice score on the young Irishman, Cork City are a handy club for pinching cheap prospects.

[ManUtd1]

Netherlands / ACF Fiorentina

    

March 2026 - Champions League Update

They're already calling it The Miracle at Stamford Bridge.  Down 1-nil in a tough match where the margins were razor thin, we shipped a second goal in the 72nd minute.  All hope seemed lost to the traveling support.  John Terry himself appeared on the side of the pitch, wearing a full kit with a bottle of champagne in one hand, and a samurai sword in the other.  Like the utter wanker that he is.

Three attack-minded substitutions immediately followed.  

We may go down, lads, but we'll always go down swinging.  Chelsea had already used their three substitutions, and thought they had buried us.  The upstart side who dreamed big, but had yet to win a trophy.

We began to push, exposing our flanks and pressing higher than we had been.  First, a vital away goal.  But we didn't stop there, content with a moral victory.  We continued to push.  Three minutes later, we equalized.  A mere two minutes after that, Sasa completed his hat-trick.

Now, if you tell anyone this, I'll deny saying it.  When we went on the attack after the 2nd goal, I thought they'd hit us on the counter and end the tie right then and there.  At least we would have put up a fight.  But **** me, the lads punched those overpaid ******** right in the face, and they shattered.

We knew that the return leg at the Artemio Franchi would be epic.  We had embarrassed Chelsea in front of their home support.  They would be prepared.  The silence on Zajicek's social media accounts told us, more than anything, of the level of focus in the Chelsea camp.

We'd lost Vasalas for the remainder of the season, with a damaged Achilles tendon.  Van Driessche will take his place in the XI.

We would have to be clinical.  Ruthless.

Our supporters were of the same mind.  While they typically adore former Malmo players (and abhor all things Bobby Manc), due to our unique connection, Zajicek was spared no quarter.  "You're tips are offside, your tips are offside, Tommy Zajicek, your frosted tips are offside" greeted the young, well-coiffed Czech.  I won't repeat what was sung to his model girlfriend, who foolishly braved the wrath of the Curva.

No need to worry.  The job was done in the first 15 minutes.

Clinical.  We let our concentration slip after the 3rd.  But only momentarily.  The rout was on shortly thereafter.  By the half, it was all but over.

 

On to the next round, where we'll face Robin Dutt's Atlético, who currently lead La Liga.

Edited January 3, 2017 by ManUtd1

[ManUtd1]

Ok, as excited as I am about the current state of the side, this message was even more exciting...

You don't say, eh?

Oh, my, sweet RNGeebus.

[BoxToBox]

Lad's going to be spectacular.

[hasdgfas]

Dang, that's a player I'd immediately start using in the first team in about 80% of all my FM saves regardless of team, just to get him started developing.

Edited January 3, 2017 by hasdgfas

[Fer Fuchs Ake]

10 hours ago, ManUtd1 said:

Primarily, it was solid displays.  Here's a look at the Irish squad, qualification and their "top" players:

  

     

Mooney is a very solid young keeper.  I also picked up this kid, Eddie Brown, from Cork City for $800k.  Absolute steal.

He has yet to be capped, but that should just be a matter of time. 

As a Cork man, I really wish City could produce players like this in real life😀. Nice catch though. Improve his passing and dribbling and he could be one hell of a roaming playmaker for you. 

Edited January 3, 2017 by Fer Fuchs Ake

[ManUtd1]

46 minutes ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said:

As a Cork man, I really wish City could produce players like this in real life😀. Nice catch though. Improve his passing and dribbling and he could be one hell of a roaming playmaker for you. 

Indeed.  And look what just happened!

[ManUtd1]

9 hours ago, BoxToBox said:

Lad's going to be spectacular.

9 hours ago, hasdgfas said:

Dang, that's a player I'd immediately start using in the first team in about 80% of all my FM saves regardless of team, just to get him started developing.

Absolutely.  He's going to be solid.  He's good enough that I won't be too upset if I end up staying at Fiorentina for a few years!

[BoxToBox]

1 hour ago, ManUtd1 said:

Absolutely.  He's going to be solid.  He's good enough that I won't be too upset if I end up staying at Fiorentina for a few years!

Maybe you can bring him to Leeds with you.

[ManUtd1]

Netherlands / ACF Fiorentina

    

April 2026 - Champions League Update

Let's be honest.  If we don't win the Champions League this season, I'm going to be very disappointed.

We were the better team in Spain, no question.  We played a bit deeper and tore them apart.  At home, we were more aggressive than usual from the first whistle, going straight for the kill.  It was over long before halftime of the 2nd leg.

 

Into the semifinals we go.  Undefeated in the Serie A, dominant in Europe.  This should be our trophy to lose.

 

We draw Ze Germans, while the other semi will see Barcelona face Real Madrid.

[ManUtd1]

6 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Maybe you can bring him to Leeds with you.

Does he like sheep?  I think you need an editor to check that hidden stat.

[Ceching You Out]

43 minutes ago, BoxToBox said:

Maybe you can bring him to Leeds with you.

[Keano16]

Those physicals on Browne!  He looks great and for only 800k. Roy Keane 2.0? I'm expecting Hakan to make sure he gets at least 100 caps. Also I wish Redmond would declare IRL. Basel is a strange club for an Irishman! 

Back to Fiorentina, Civiero is going to win the Ballon d'Or, I'm calling it. You're beasting everyone right now, Atleti surely didn't know they had a game?!?!