ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 A lot of people say that it's a lack of vocabulary that makes you swear. Rubbish. I know thousands of words, but I still prefer 'f***.' Scotland June 2055 - Nations League Semifinals/Final The semifinal will be played at the Stade de France. An unlucky draw. But, we catch the hosts sleeping, and bury not 1, not 2, but 3 in the first 5 minutes. We're brimming with confidence, and overrunning the French on their own turf. They manage to regain their footing and make quite a game of it, but Baird finishes them off in the 77th. An immense win. Croatia await in the final, having beaten the Dutch 2-1 at the Maksimir. It's a tough, hard-fought match, but our quality sees us through. Champions. Oh, and Diego? You're out. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 3 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: A lot of people say that it's a lack of vocabulary that makes you swear. Rubbish. I know thousands of words, but I still prefer 'f***.' Scotland June 2055 - Nations League Semifinals/Final The semifinal will be played at the Stade de France. An unlucky draw. But, we catch the hosts sleeping, and bury not 1, not 2, but 3 in the first 5 minutes. We're brimming with confidence, and overrunning the French on their own turf. They manage to regain their footing and make quite a game of it, but Baird finishes them off in the 77th. An immense win. Croatia await in the final, having beaten the Dutch 2-1 at the Maksimir. It's a tough, hard-fought match, but our quality sees us through. Champions. Oh, and Diego? You're out. Mark it down everybody 2055, the year Hell officially freezes over. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Your reputation must be at 100% now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 Fener have appointed Alberto Solis as manager, to replace Hakan. Full credit to Solis -- his resume is not overwhelming at first glance, but in 2054/55 he won La Liga and finished as runners-up in the Europa League at Espanyol. They were runners-up in La Liga in 2053/54, too. He'll be reunited with Calleja (screenshot posted earlier), who I purchased earlier this year to retrain as a sweeper. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 8 hours ago, andychar said: Mark it down everybody 2055, the year Hell officially freezes over. What happens when we win the 2056 Euros and 2058 World Cup, then?! 4 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Your reputation must be at 100% now. 4 1/2 stars! Hakan is fluent in 12 languages though. So, he's got that going for him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keano16 Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Can't seem to motivate his players to get fit it seems though.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 Very straightforward qualifying draw for Japan 2058. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Keano16 said: Can't seem to motivate his players to get fit it seems though.... That stat is priceless. Gyazo seems to have deleted the save-opening screenshot of Telleus, and I can't remember where it was set at the very beginning. For the sake of comparison, these are Hakan's profile from right after the Malmo and Fiorentina CL wins: Edited June 29, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 Linus is looking solid. Gustav has been released by Monaco, with a wide array of interested clubs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 A lot of people say that it's a lack of vocabulary that makes you swear. Rubbish. I know thousands of words, but I still prefer 'f***.' Scotland September 2055 Mini-Update After our triumph in the Nations League, we returned to Euro 2056 qualifying with 2 matches in hand, 1 point off the Finns who were coming to Hampden. 92 minutes of utter dominance followed, with a last-gasp winner from Scotty Donald denying the Finns what would have been a hard-fought point. A heavily-rotated squad took the pitch in Tel Aviv, seeking to make it 4 wins from 4. An early screamer from Hamish put us in a commanding position, but we once again gave up an equalizer to an overmatched opponent, before giving up a second against the run of play. Ultimately, we leveled through Hamish in the dying minutes. It is only a few matches, but our inability to finish and defensive fragility against weak opposition during this qualifying campaign is a concern. Not alarming, as of yet, given the small number of matches. We're on track to qualify with ease. But this remains a concern. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
yugo23 Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 On 1/17/2017 at 06:01, ManUtd1 said: Borussia Mönchengladbach / Sweden SALAZAR BEATEN AT HIS NEAR POST!!! HIS FEET WERE NOT SET!!! HUMILIATION!!! 2 GOALS, GIFTED TO THE GERMANS!!! BUT CAN THEY SURVIVE THE ONSLAUGHT TO COME!!! EMERY IS LIVID WITH HIS KEEPER, AND RIGHTLY SO!!! TELLEUS, THE PICTURE OF FOCUSED IN HIS TECHNICAL AREA! HE DIDN'T EVEN BLINK WHEN THE GOAL WENT IN!!! 5 MINUTES, PLUS STOPPAGE TIME?!?!? IS THIS THEIR MOMENT?!?!?!? IT IS!!!! BARCELONA, WITH ALL OF THE POSSESSION, AND NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT!!! TELLEUS' MEN ARE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE, AGAIN!!! WOW!!!! This was essence of FM magic, reason why we all play this beautiful game. Simply amazing! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 9 minutes ago, yugo23 said: WOW!!!! This was essence of FM magic, reason why we all play this beautiful game. Simply amazing! Thanks, man! That run with Gladbach as an incredible time. I was (and remain) completely gutted that I couldn't stay! I write these in the moment, so it tends to get a bit...passionate...at times Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 (edited) 3 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: What happens when we win the 2056 Euros and 2058 World Cup, then?! 4 1/2 stars! Hakan is fluent in 12 languages though. So, he's got that going for him. Supporting four clubs. Hakan's a glory hunter. Also, I think Galatasary have signed Gomis. Edited June 29, 2017 by Fer Fuchs Ake Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 1 minute ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Supporting four clubs. Hakan's a glory hunter. And confirmed by his career! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 A lot of people say that it's a lack of vocabulary that makes you swear. Rubbish. I know thousands of words, but I still prefer 'f***.' Scotland October 2055 Mini-Update This qualifying campaign is nothing if not exciting. We simply cannot do anything the easy way, and our opponents have 1 match plan -- pack the back, and hope for a goal on the counter. Perhaps we're overconfident. Another hard-fought match, this time in Tirana against 2nd place Albania. Another goal against the run of play, forcing us to pull a rabbit out of the hat late in the match. At the very least, we know that we've got goals in our bag...it's only a matter of time. Call it the "Ferguson Factor," as an homage to Sir Alex and his Scottish roots. Malta up next, where a win will mathematically clinch the Group. Surely, we won't need a last-gasp winner here, will we? A heavily-rotated squad takes the field. An early goal from Crawford has us heading in the right direction. But this is where the wheels have been falling off. I need not have worried. We're far from clinical but bury them, 6-nil. I'm ready for the qualifiers to conclude, and for a long break over the holidays. Ludwig, Leto and I have taken up residence in Edinburgh, a base of operations, if you will. From there, we head out across the continent to scout. Leto just comes along for the laughs and good times. He's crap at picking out footballers, and continues to insist that we go manage Ludogrets to European glory. While it sounds intriguing on the one hand, I'm getting too old for some of this ****. What I'd really like to do is escape with Emma, leave the world behind for more than the few days we steal here and there. We occasionally indulge in this fantasy, but that's all it is. A fantasy. There are too many obligations in both of our lives, too many things we cannot just leave behind. And it isn't like the world would simply let us disappear. The press and Apples would haunt our every step if we even tried. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 You know, Scotland has its own martial arts. Yeah, it's called 'F*** You.' It's mostly just head butting and then kicking people when they're on the ground. Scotland November 2055 Mini-Update What have I been telling you, Ludwig? Never an easy moment, this campaign. Never. Helsinki in November. We should be thankful it was 55 and raining. And that we found our shooting boots. A 4-2 win, having already qualified. It's time together on the pitch that counts. We conclude the qualifiers at home against Israel who, along with Albania, are still in the running for a trip to Italy via the 2nd place results. As with Ireland 2 years ago, we'll play an XI from the usual squad and see what happens. Can't go easy on someone, just because they send you a bag of... Nothing. They sent us nothing. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. And, come on...if...IF...they had sent us something, surely we wouldn't have won, right? Right?! We head into the holidays ranked number 1 in the world, brimming with confidence. Even playing as inconsistently as we have over the past few months, we're still winning matches. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Champions League update...very little of surprise here, although Fener barely squeaked through. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 14 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: And confirmed by his career! Smooth Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjoe Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 I guess using "Lads, it's Spurs" only works against.. well, Spurs. Using it this many times in his career has seen Telleus' motivating skills hit rock bottom. "Lads, it's spurs!" "Ehh, no coach, is Tüknumenastiuosusuyrymspur" "Oh. Right." Adaptability at 8 is also ludicrous considering the amount of clubs Telleus have been at with near instant succes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkAussie Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 I do hope that Tottenham does win this edition of the Champions League so that you don't have do an extra team. Also did Colombia, Ivory Coast and Mexico all qualified through to the World Cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 3 hours ago, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Smooth 3 hours ago, Benjoe said: I guess using "Lads, it's Spurs" only works against.. well, Spurs. Using it this many times in his career has seen Telleus' motivating skills hit rock bottom. "Lads, it's spurs!" "Ehh, no coach, is Tüknumenastiuosusuyrymspur" "Oh. Right." Adaptability at 8 is also ludicrous considering the amount of clubs Telleus have been at with near instant succes. It's a really odd attribute to drop like that... Especially because I haven't done anything different. Anyway... I'm pretty sure that adaptability is static, especially after this career... 3 hours ago, HawkAussie said: I do hope that Tottenham does win this edition of the Champions League so that you don't have do an extra team. Also did Colombia, Ivory Coast and Mexico all qualified through to the World Cup. Agreed re Tottenham, as I find managing in England obnoxious these days (World Cup qualifying is a ways off - this was just the Euros.) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 16 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said: Agreed re Tottenham, as I find managing in England obnoxious these days I know where Hakan is going next.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 5 minutes ago, andychar said: I know where Hakan is going next.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andychar Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheriff7 Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 Good luck in CL!! 😉 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 1 hour ago, Sheriff7 said: Good luck in CL!! 😉 I'm hoping that a new team will become eligible, but the pickings are slim this year. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 (edited) Over the holidays, Emma and I escaped to a villa on the Dalmatian coast. 5 days of much needed quiet. Peace. Until we ventured into town for a bite and were recognized. Within 24 hours, the paparazzi had descended on the sleepy town like the jackals they are. The rumors flying. An odd voicemail from Ludwig, just "wanting to touch base." Apples calling Emma, but not leaving a message. Repeatedly. It was the calls from Gustav and Linus that we couldn't ignore. The cat is out of the bag, so to speak. Reluctantly, we pack our bags. Heading home to face the music, albeit in separate directions. Emma to Florence, to face Apples. Me, to Edinburgh for FIFA therapy sessions with Ludwig and Leto. Edited June 30, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 Oh boy. The plot thickens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Just now, kidthekid said: Oh boy. The plot thickens Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Really, Apples? The severed head of a pig, with a cloth stuffed in its mouth? If I'm being honest, the cloth is a little ambiguous . I'd have thought that the severing conveyed a pretty firm, clear message, in and of itself. Maybe if the cloth was a replica kit? And, did you have to leave it floating in the pool? That's just ... unsanitary. Suffice to say that Apples is still angry with me and...has taken a cue from Papa Quintino and tactics she learned in the...err..."family business." I've suggested for nearly 2 months that we just talk. Apparently, she isn't interested in "talking" in the "saying words to each other" sense of the term. The good news is that the twins haven't been bothered in the least by all of this. As Linus noted, it isn't like they had "traditional" parental figures while growing up, between the three of us and "Uncle" Ludwig. The worst part? Beyond the pig's head, naturally. Apples' fury has meant that what little time I had with Emma is gone as we don't want to antagonize each Apples further. After all, who knows what she's capable of? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 You know, Scotland has its own martial arts. Yeah, it's called 'F*** You.' It's mostly just head butting and then kicking people when they're on the ground. Scotland March/April 2056 Mini-Update Finally, a break from the madness. Back to the football. Away to Portugal for a few days, and a friendly. A chance to stretch our legs before the Euros kick off in just over 2 months. We play well and secure a 1-nil, hard-fought win. The draw for the Euros is quite favorable, and we thankfully avoided Group E. Tell me, though, why did the Euros have to have to be in the one country where Apples has underworld contacts everywhere? With our opening match at the Artemio Franchi, the heart of her family's "territory?" While Fiorentina now play down the road, at the 76,196-seater Giancarlo Antognoni Arena, the family still controls so much of Florence that I'm more than a little concerned. Given the lack of a verifiable reconciliation between us, the Scottish FA have agreed to cover certain, extra security costs. I don't think the driver they've hired knows that his principal responsibility is to just turn the car on...before I'm within 100 yards of it. I don't think he'd want to know that. The good news is that I've heard -- through the twins -- that Apples is less upset. She and Emma have reached a detente, of sorts. After all, with the "family business" taking up so much of Apples' time, they've lived largely apart for years as it is. Maybe there's a light at the end of the tunnel after all. Or, maybe that light is the freight train barreling down on me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 2055/56 European Club Competition Review A year without Hakan at the club level, which means it's time to check in on how things have been going around the continent... Manchester United won their 1st title in a decade at a canter, while Arsenal were relegated. Celtic continue to dominate in Scotland. The last non-Celtic side to win the SPL? Rangers. In 2029/30. Rennes pull off yet another title in France. I still expect them to become eligible at some point. Granada take home the La Liga title, while Roma triumph in Italy. Malmo fell to third in the 2055 Allsvenskan, which saw Djurgardens claim the title on the 2nd-level tiebreaker -- level on points and goal difference, but one goal ahead on goals scored. Finally, in Germany, Frankfurt win their 6th straight title as Leverkusen are relegated via the playoffs. As always, just let me know if you want to see any other screenshots/updates. Champions League Overview The Turkish leagues are back inactive, but that didn't stop Fener from making a modest run in the Champions League, which ultimately came down to Frankfurt and West Ham, with the latter winning on penalties. Rennes once again reached the semifinals, but couldn't take the final step. Challenge Overview Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Very good Nations League draw. Scotland Euros preview up next. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Alright, give yer mother a kiss ... or I'll kick yer teeth in. Scotland 2056 European Championships Squad Overview Having reached the Euros semifinals 4 years ago in Sweden, and the World Cup quarterfinals 2 years ago in England, and won the European Nations League last year...big things are expected of this side. And rightfully so. Our players are largely seasoned internationals at this point, plying their trade with top sides across the continent. This is the final tune-up before the World Cup in Japan. I made my squad selection with 2058 on my mind, bringing along a few players that might not be ready yet, but will need to be in the squad in 2 years' time. We're obviously playing the PM Brance di Libero suite of tactics I've employed since leaving Frankfurt. Goalkeepers McLaren is and has been our keeper since Caldwell retired. Strachan remains a warm, competent sub. I had a number of injuries to moderately competent youth...and was thus left with Vance as my third-string keeper. He's got a long, long ways to go and is in no way ready to be a part of the national side...but I didn't have any real choice. We are far thinner at keeper than I'd want to be. Liberos McCabe is the preferred player here, although Lee has developed very nicely and pushed out long-term stand-in (defensive midfielder) Cadden. We're in good shape here for 2056 and 2058. Defenders My starting fullbacks are Barrowman and Donald. Tons of attacking ability, as they're both retrained midfielders. Hutton and Muhsin will partner in the middle, with Robertson and McNamara backing them up. Holt and Paterson are my reserve fullbacks. Again, we've got pretty solid depth here. Midfielders Rae has been and remains the star of my central midfield, and will play in the more attacking, left-sided slot. Dickov will start in the defensive-minded right midfield spot, with Polworth backing him up. Malky Nicholls was brought along as a "player for the future," given that it was a tough call between he and Ally Milne who had been a mainstay of the squad for the last few years. Nicholls has potential far beyond Milne, though, and thus gets the nod. Attacking Midfielders Up top, McBride will start in the deep-lying targetman role, flanked by Stevenson and Baird. Maxwell, McAllister and Crawford are the backups here, and I was really torn up here. I wanted to bring Mark Hunter along (also screenshotted) due to his current abilities and potential, but couldn't leave Hamish out of the side. I expect Hunter to be in the side in 2 years, but he HAS to develop. If he does, he could prove to be a starter (although that likely wouldn't occur before Japan 2058). Final Thoughts We're a better side than we were 4 years ago, and a better side than we were 2 years ago. Easily the best side Scotland have assembled under Hakan's tenure, and better than the side that reached the 2050 World Cup final. We had a mediocre qualifying campaign, but a large part of that was due to the tactics of our opposition. When we play more reputable sides (who don't begin the match in a defensive shell), our talent shines through. We should be able to make a run here. So, join us in Italy. Or, if you are concerned about the security situation surrounding the Scottish side in Italy (Apples...), you can always join Pope Bob in the caves in Turkey. But, be warned -- it's BYOK, Bring Yer' Own Kilt! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fer Fuchs Ake Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 Imagine the narrative if Ur Cristiano becomes a manager. 40 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said: 2055/56 European Club Competition Review A year without Hakan at the club level, which means it's time to check in on how things have been going around the continent... Manchester United won their 1st title in a decade at a canter, while Arsenal were relegated. Celtic continue to dominate in Scotland. The last non-Celtic side to win the SPL? Rangers. In 2029/30. Rennes pull off yet another title in France. I still expect them to become eligible at some point. Granada take home the La Liga title, while Roma triumph in Italy. Malmo fell to third in the 2055 Allsvenskan, which saw Djurgardens claim the title on the 2nd-level tiebreaker -- level on points and goal difference, but one goal ahead on goals scored. Finally, in Germany, Frankfurt win their 6th straight title as Leverkusen are relegated via the playoffs. As always, just let me know if you want to see any other screenshots/updates. Champions League Overview The Turkish leagues are back inactive, but that didn't stop Fener from making a modest run in the Champions League, which ultimately came down to Frankfurt and West Ham, with the latter winning on penalties. Rennes once again reached the semifinals, but couldn't take the final step. Challenge Overview Wow, triple figures for United and Arsenal have been relegated! Somewhere, a 100-and-something year old Robbie Lyle is raking in the cash. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Just now, Fer Fuchs Ake said: Imagine the narrative if Ur Cristiano becomes a manager. Wow, triple figures for United and Arsenal have been relegated! Somewhere, a 100-and-something year old Robbie Lyle is raking in the cash. Sadly, the Oiled One retired at 39 and didn't take up a staff role. Arsenal FanTV was pretty dark and angry this year, even for them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oriole01 Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 So are you focusing solely on Scotland until 2058 or will you take a club job if one becomes available? If so, I think now is the time to head to Sampdoria. This save hasn't yet reached Italy and it would be really interesting to see how Hakan could shake things up there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 16 minutes ago, oriole01 said: So are you focusing solely on Scotland until 2058 or will you take a club job if one becomes available? If so, I think now is the time to head to Sampdoria. This save hasn't yet reached Italy and it would be really interesting to see how Hakan could shake things up there. I spent 6 years at Fiorentina! Granted, I left nearly 30 years ago... I'm staying focused on Scotland right now, but will admit to being VERY tempted by a return to Malmo in the late Fall of 2055. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oriole01 Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 3 minutes ago, ManUtd1 said: I spent 6 years at Fiorentina! Granted, I left nearly 30 years ago... I'm staying focused on Scotland right now, but will admit to being VERY tempted by a return to Malmo in the late Fall of 2055. D'oh! What the heck am I thinking? If you are going to return to Malmo, I think that's where Hakan's story should naturally end, and have a new legend take his place. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 I have a bad feeling of how this save would end. I know you already planned it, but I fear it's going to be a sad ending due to the enemies you keep making Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 44 minutes ago, oriole01 said: D'oh! What the heck am I thinking? If you are going to return to Malmo, I think that's where Hakan's story should naturally end, and have a new legend take his place. I've thought about it, but am not planning on it...no matter how tempting it may be. 27 minutes ago, kidthekid said: I have a bad feeling of how this save would end. I know you already planned it, but I fear it's going to be a sad ending due to the enemies you keep making Read and find out! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GloryFan2002 Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 What happened to PSG, what does their squad look like now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 5 minutes ago, GloryFan2002 said: What happened to PSG, what does their squad look like now PSG utterly imploded a few years back. They've been relegated to Ligue 2 twice in the last 3 years, and will promote back into Ligue 1 this next year, having beat Angers in the promotion/relegation playoff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 (edited) Alright, give yer mother a kiss ... or I'll kick yer teeth in. Scotland Italy 2056; European Championships, Group Stage An uneven performance in the first match against Austria. Unable to finish, conceding against the run of play, yet pulling it out. It was basically our qualifying campaign in a nutshell -- a 3-2 win. A much better performance against a tough Croatian side who looked to defend most of the match. We did what we needed and got the 3 points to secure progression to the 2nd round. I fully rotated the squad for the match against Greece, and was overjoyed at seeing so many familiar faces. We earned our point, ensuring that my former side were eliminated and that we went through as group winners. Our reward? A match against 2nd-ranked Germany. Our path through the knockout rounds looks absolutely brutal. Beat Germany, and we'll face either the French or Dutch. The good news? Apples hasn't tried to kill me yet. That I know of... The 'Ndrangheta are not known for subtlety, so I think I would have known. Linus has scored 1 for Italy, with 2 assists. Good lad. Edited July 1, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 Alright, give yer mother a kiss ... or I'll kick yer teeth in. Scotland Italy 2056; European Championships, Second Round v. Germany Ze Germans are a brutal, brutal draw. But much to my surprise they come out in an ultra-defensive 4141. They maintain possession, but with little threat to our goal. Meanwhile, we're creating opportunities, but not particularly good ones. Something has to give, here in Bari. Yet, with more than an hour gone, neither side has broken through and Germany continues to sit deep. They're playing for extra time. It's time to roll the dice. On come the subs. We switch to Rabbioso. After a poor clearance from Germany in the 84th minute, some quick touches finds Baird 20 yards from goal...he unleashes a howitzer into the far corner. 1-nil. Game on. Time to batten down the hatches because here come Ze Germans... We hold firm, even though they manage to hit the post late. We're through to the quarterfinals, to face France back at the Artemio Franchi. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 (edited) Alright, give yer mother a kiss ... or I'll kick yer teeth in. Scotland Italy 2056; European Championships, Quarterfinals v. France The last time we faced France was in the Nations League semifinals, just over a year ago. Bafatembi Gomis' men will be better-prepared this time around. We certainly won't catch them napping again. The security presence is strong tonight, but the carabinieri aren't saying a word. Unnerving. They set out in a bog-standard 442. We're in PM Branco di Libero, with a few modest tweaks to keep our fullbacks more at home, for the initial stages. We break the match wide open in the 1st minute. Gomis is beside himself. Deja vu. Surreal. Yet, this time France punch back immediately and draw level in the 4th minute. Oh, we've got a match, all right. Ebenezer Nurudeen, from my tenure at West Ham, buries a free kick in the 10th minute. We strike back in the 24th. Two titans, battling it out. France score their 3rd in the 29th. Surely, someone will land the knockout blow at some point? Halftime. Out comes the hairdryer. We hit the crossbar off a corner in the 53rd. So close. An hour gone. We're running out of time. Dangerous free kick to the French in the 69th minute. We clear...AND MCBRIDE GOES THE LENGTH OF THE PITCH TO LEVEL THE TIE AT 3!!! 20 MINUTES!!! ALL TO PLAY FOR!!! McBride sprung clear in the 73th, but his touch takes him too far wide. While France maintain possession, we threaten. It's a delicate balance. Corner to Scotland in the 86th minute...flicked to Muhsin on the back post, he heads it off the bar...FALLS TO RAE WHO BURIES IT FROM 3 YARDS!!! 4-3!!!! 5 MINUTES TO PLAY IN REGULATION!!! 87th minute...we counter and force a corner...France leave several men up, looking to break...BUT HUTTON RISES ABOVE THE MASSES AND HAMMERS THE HEADER HOME!!! 5-3 SCOTLAND!!! SURELY THEY'RE THROUGH TO THE SEMIFINALS!!! France, looking for a path back into the match, as Scotland threaten on the counter...forcing a throw-in deep in French territory...Rae takes a touch into the box...BROUGHT DOWN BY RIO...YES!!! PENALTY TO SCOTLAND!!! AND MCCABE MAKES IT SIX!!! THE SCENES IN FIORENTINA, AT THE ARTEMIO FRANCHI, WHERE TELLEUS FIRST CONFIRMED THE GENUIS SHOWN AT MALMO...NOW...NEARLY 3 DECADES LATER, HE'S AT IT AGAIN!!! AND THERE'S THE WHISTLE! UNORTHODOX, PERHAPS...BUT THERE'S NO DENYING THE RESULT! SCOTLAND ARE THROUGH TO THE SEMIFINAL TO FACE HOSTS ITALY!!! England have won twice on penalties in the knockout rounds. A sign of the apocalypse if there ever was one. Edited July 1, 2017 by ManUtd1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oriole01 Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 It would be hilarious if Linus scored the winning goal against you in the next match. Imagine the headlines! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManUtd1 Posted July 1, 2017 Author Share Posted July 1, 2017 (edited) Alright, give yer mother a kiss ... or I'll kick yer teeth in. Scotland Italy 2056; European Championships, Semifinals v. Italy Perhaps it's better this way. The first time we're all together ... Linus, injured but with the Italian squad, having had a solid tournament. Gustav in the stands of the San Siro with Apples, Emma and the half-blind Papa Quintino. One big happy family, eh? The carabinieri presence is, if anything, greater here that in Florence the other night. A loud bang startles me...and the entire crowd. Unnerving. Apples is just staring daggers at me. I doubt she even blinked. With Italy playing narrow, I make a last-minute change and instruct the lads to try and use Barrowman and Donald on the flanks with our midfielders sitting deep to smother their narrow front three. We can do this. We strike first, through Baird in the 6th minute...Stevenson breaking into the box and finding the Manchester United lad breaking to the back post. One-nil! But the hosts won't take it lying down...they smash the post twice in the next 2 minutes. But we hold firm. Stevenson comes off injured in the 27th...his groin. He could be out for the tournament. McAllister is on. McLaren tips a ball onto the post in the 34th...Italy so close, but the woodwork denying them. We reach halftime, and I reassure the lads, reminding them that with focus we will not only hold on -- we'll hit a second in transition. Just over an hour gone, and everything is going to plan. But, we need a second. Tired legs. Subs are warming up. A goalmouth scramble in the 70th...Montanari denies us once...twice...and the third time, the ball is left spinning on the line...a scrum ensues and .... IT'S IN THE BACK OF THE NET!!! 2-NIL!!! McNamara and Lee are on. Italy will be coming for us. Italy pressing...and...MCLAREN WITH THE SAVE OF THE MATCH!!! THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2-1!!! And, Scotland clear... 81st minute...corner to Scotland...Italy fail to clear...falls to McBride....he shimmies...THAT'S 3!!! SCOTLAND HAVE SURELY BOOKED A PLACE IN THE FINAL NOW!!! The ref checking his watch...THERE'S THE WHISTLE!!! A CLINICAL DISPLAY OF COUNTERATTACKING FOOTBALL!!! SCOTLAND ARE IN THE FINAL!!! TELLEUS' MEN WILL PLAY FOR THE EUROPEAN TITLE!!! We'll face 2050 World Cup winners Spain, currently ranked #1 in the world. I can't help but wonder if Linus could have made the difference today. I'm gutted for him, but elated that we're through. I'm also relieved that it wasn't at his direct expense. That would have been a bitter pill to swallow. Edited July 1, 2017 by ManUtd1 typo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkAussie Posted July 1, 2017 Share Posted July 1, 2017 14 hours ago, ManUtd1 said: It's a really odd attribute to drop like that... Especially because I haven't done anything different. Anyway... I'm pretty sure that adaptability is static, especially after this career... Agreed re Tottenham, as I find managing in England obnoxious these days (World Cup qualifying is a ways off - this was just the Euros.) Silly me, thinking it was a World Cup year Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now