Beam me up, Scotty - Rangers & Scotland CM Story

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
So close, in terms of result. It looks like Liverpool were quite relaxed in the end.

---

Yes, they pretty much controlled that second leg. I was just happy to score the one to reduce the size of the defeat...

The way things turned out, I also think an exit here was all right, all things considered. I 'survived' a simimar tie vs Bayern earlier. It would almost have been too much, if I'd done it again... But exits from two EL semi finals and now one in the CL, these semi finals are beginning to become my nemesis.

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
Satisfying season, all in all. A joint-record points haul. epic number of goals scored and Celtic well and truly put in their place.
Even the Champions League delivered some memorable performancs and results.
Where do you go from here?

---

That's actually a good question. Obviously there's still something to chase in Europe, now that I've fallen short in every semi final so far.

The 2028 Euros are upon us, and I'll definitely play that and see how far Scotland can go this time. And perhaps some player performances provide new inspiration for transfers for my Rangers team - along with a few promoted from the academy... I think I'll continue a bit longer, perhaps with a less detailed approach for summarizing domestic games etc.

Another great season for Rangers that ends falling just short of the top trophy. It is hard to build from here, the resources still say you would be major underdogs going into next year in Europe but recent history shows you are now expected to advance far. Much like Ajax standards in the past decade where people start to ignore that you do not have the money and just expect top results.

Who is the favorite to win the EUROs?

---

@Stlducks4 wrote:

Another great season for Rangers that ends falling just short of the top trophy. It is hard to build from here, the resources still say you would be major underdogs going into next year in Europe but recent history shows you are now expected to advance far. Much like Ajax standards in the past decade where people start to ignore that you do not have the money and just expect top results.

Who is the favorite to win the EUROs?

---

Thanks, yeah I would continue as an underdog, unless I started spending crazy money here. With £21M still being the club's most expensive signing ever (Rutter), it would almost take a record fee to even sign backups, now that most of my players have grown into 78-82 OVR. But we'll see. Early games in the Euros have given me a few ideas that I might use for the club.

The favourite at the Euros could be reigning champions Netherlands or world champions Germany. Or runner-ups England, who have quite the squad at this point in time. Runner-ups at the last Euros, Italy, can't be counted among the favourites, as they haven't qualified this time, continuing their poor record of qualifying for major tournaments in recent years. And then there are France, of course. If I was to make an immediate power ranking, I would probably say:

1.France

2.England

3.Germany

4.Netherlands

With Portugal, Spain and Belgium next in line. But it's all guesses, I haven't really looked into squads or anything here.

Just catching up.again and that turned into a fantastic run in the Champions League, beating Bayern was one thing but but to go and win at the Etihad and Anfield is fantastic results. Shame about the 2jd leg against Liverpool but gives another target for next season, now the club has tasted the semi finals they'll wanna go one better to the final and win it, who knows maybe it will.

The title comfortably wrapped up and a great send off for Tavanier

---

@thurlow885 wrote:

Just catching up.again and that turned into a fantastic run in the Champions League, beating Bayern was one thing but but to go and win at the Etihad and Anfield is fantastic results. Shame about the 2jd leg against Liverpool but gives another target for next season, now the club has tasted the semi finals they'll wanna go one better to the final and win it, who knows maybe it will.

The title comfortably wrapped up and a great send off for Tavanier

---

Thanks, yeah that was a good run. We'll see how my preparations for the next season will come along.

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
Gonna be difficult to qualify out of the group, given that the last match is Spain (I think that's right?).

This could be a short Euros...

---

Yes, Spain in the last game. And I'll probably need a win, since Norway will probably beat Hungary. Interesting times.

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
Most unexpected. Sounds like you employed the perfect tactics.

---

Yes, perhaps I did. Spain are good, but maybe they're not THAT good, perhaps missing the X factor to get them the goals. Abel Ruiz was their topscorer here, but apart from him it was Asensio, Ferran Torres and left back Balde scoring their goals. In previous FIFA's I've often seen Gerard Moreno lead the line for them (too old now in 2028), and he's hardly a world class striker. And neither is Morata, though I do think he's better than the abuse he's got over the years. He is another case where I sympathize with a player due to online abuse. Anyway, with Spain lacking this 'extra', they weren't too difficult to keep at bay, apart from 4 good saves from Angus Gunn, who was also voted man of the match. France will be harder, with tournament top scorer Laurienté and of course Mbappé, even though he's yet to score a goal. He has provided a couple of assists though.

Scotland getting out of the Group stages? That's unheard of. Think the closest they got to doing so was 1974 despite a win and 2 draws Brazil and Yugoslavia pipped them to next round.

---

@thurlow885 wrote:

Scotland getting out of the Group stages? That's unheard of. Think the closest they got to doing so was 1974 despite a win and 2 draws Brazil and Yugoslavia pipped them to next round.

---

Haha, yes that's true. Except that it's been the norm in this save so far, finishing 2nd in the group stages of both 2024, 2026 and now 2028.

2024 Euros then saw a quarter final vs France - losing 4-2 with Mbappé both scoring and assisting with his then first goal contributions at the competiton.

2026 provided an easier route, and wins vs Morocco and Ghana sent Scotland to the semi's, only to lose on penalties to England. 

---

@CO88LER5 wrote:
Well, Scotland held their own in terms of possession, at least. Very creditable.

---

Yes, it was a pretty good game. Obviously France were better with more chances etc., but I matched them where I could, and possession was one of those areas. I do also try to keep possession a lot in games, so I have some kind of control. Otherwise I find it to be too much back and forth, with games producing 7 or 8 goals in them. I think you may be able to relate to that 😉

A wise man once said that possession without penetration was meaningless in football, and I totally agree with that. But in game I find it to be a valuable asset from time to time. The only thing that frustrated me from this game was conceding after 4 minutes one time and 3 minutes the other. I find this to be something that happens quite often, and I would like to improve here and not allow my opponents to score in the aftermath of my own goals.

Hard to expect much more from Scotland. Going out against France again is frustrating but can be expected.

I like to slow the game down and keep possession when possible. My favorite attack is passing the ball until a player makes an unexpected run to get open. Playing on manual,I give the ball away at times but that keeps it realistic.