Welcome to the second part of the 2024 Fuller FM Cup, in which I pit together the best teams from all Fuller FM Cup 2024: Part 1my previous Football Manager saves.
Last time out, we met the eight teams who will contest the Group Stage. By the end of today’s chapter, we will be left with just four teams, who will slog it out for the most glamorous trophy in football.
(Okay, so it’s not quite as glamorous as the FA Vase – which my erstwhile local club Romford FC won last season – but it’s a trophy all the same!)
GROUP STAGE DRAW
Let’s find out which teams will face each other in the Group Stage. As far as I know, there are no seedings, so we could in theory have a ‘Group of Death’ with Arsenal, Rennes, Basel and Fiorentina.
Well… that’s interesting. It appears that FM has (more or less) drawn the teams in chronological order – with my first four teams all in Group A, and my four most recent teams in Group B! The good news, though, is that both groups seem fairly balanced.
My unbeatable Rennes team from FM21 will be the clear favourites to win Group A, while Fiorentina’s talented attackers and Sporting CP’s stubborn defence are set to go toe-to-toe for a Semi Final place. Spare a thought for Norwegian minnows Lyn, who will do well to take anything from this group.
In Group B, Arsenal and their Hale End heroes from FM22 will be the team to beat. However, Basel are technically the holders of the last Fuller FM Cup from 2021, and they won’t let it go without a fight. Real Betis could also be challengers, but Millwall will be right up against it.
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal are the bookies’ favourites to go all the way. You can also get short odds on a win for Rennes or Fiorentina, but only a madman would bet on Lyn at 250-1!
The Golden Boot favourite is Arsenal and England’s goal machine Eddie Nketiah (now there’s a phrase you’ll only read in terms of Football Manager). His toughest competition is likely to come from a trio of newgens – Basel duo Sanel Ibric and Ertan Yalçın, and Rennes’ teenage wonderkid Firas Ben Belgacem.
GROUP A
Lyn vs Fiorentina
The first match of the Fuller FM Cup went completely as expected. Lyn were torn to pieces by Fiorentina – and by two players in particular.
The Norwegians could not cope with the pace and crossing ability of right-back Almamy Touré, who curled in a couple of killer crosses for Mario Mandžukić to finish in the 15th and 21st minutes. Mandžukić then completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half after Touré was upended by Kot Chol Tafesse.
Touré and Mandžukić were soon rested, but things only got worse for Lyn and their beleaguered keeper Eivind Aalvik. Serbia striker Dušan Vlahović came off the bench to add a quick fourth goal, before Federico Bernardeschi and Jordan Veretout completed a fabulous Viola performance. The outsiders had been hit for SIX.
Rennes vs Sporting CP
By contrast, Sporting made life much tougher for group favourites Rennes. ‘Les Imbattables’ thought they’d taken the lead in the 21st minute, but Nicolas Pépé was caught offside (not for the first time) from Firas Ben Belgacem‘s through-ball. The breakthrough wouldn’t come until much later in the first half, courtesy of Nikola Milenković‘s header.
Dominik Szoboszlai – whose corner set up Milenković’s opener – was subbed off with a knock shortly after the restart. His replacement Curtis Jones wasted little time to make an impact, creating a quick counter-attacking move that ended with Ben Belgacem rounding Sporting keeper Luís Maximiano and doubling the lead.
Sporting went more direct to try and salvage some pride, and their tactical changes paid off when Luiz Phellype pulled a goal back from Jovane Cabral‘s cross in the 72nd minute. The Portuguese side then wasted chances to equalise as Rennes just about held onto a 2-1 win.
Sporting CP vs Lyn
In this must-win game, Sporting were unlucky not to score in the very first minute. It didn’t matter too much, though, as Luiz Phellype’s header from a 16th-minute Ivan Petriak corner gave the Leões a narrow lead at the break.
When Andraž Šporar doubled the lead by turning in a Marcos Acuña cross two minutes into the second half, Sporting thought they had the game sewn up. Big mistake. Less than a minute later, a lazy pass from skipper Sebastián Coates was intercepted by Tafesse, who set up Svein Melfjord to pull a goal back.
Though Šporar soon struck again to restore the Portuguese side’s two-goal cushion, Lyn never gave up. Another Tafesse assist – this time for right-winger Andreas Öhman – gave Lyn hope that they could spring a surprise. It wasn’t to be, though, and Sporting were very lucky to escape with a 3-2 win.
Fiorentina vs Rennes
Fiorentina defender Belaïd Nemdil had a nightmare start when he decided to spin around rather than block Kevin Mbabu‘s shot, allowing Rennes to break the deadlock after eight minutes. Some sloppy passing from ‘The French Prince’ gifted his compatriots two more scoring chances before an impatient Viola coach hooked him at the half-hour.
It was Rennes’ turn to have a defensive nightmare in the 41st minute, as Jérôme Onguéné was sent off after swinging an elbow to stop Mandžukić running through on goal. When Bernardeschi scored direct from the free-kick, Fiorentina were back level and looking the more likely team to win…
…for precisely one minute. Then Emerson underhit a backpass to Alban Lafont, whose meek attempt at a clearance gave Ben Belgacem the easiest goal he’d ever score! At half-time, ten-man Rennes were back in the lead at 2-1!
Fiorentina levelled again in 59th minute, with Mandžukić converting a penalty after Milenković cynically brought down Marco Benassi. Alas, the Viola’s later attempts to turn one point into three were thwarted by some brilliant goalkeeping from Rennes’ Edouard Mendy – and an ankle injury for Bernardeschi.
Despite the 2-2 draw, Rennes were still expected to qualify for the Semis, provided they could inflict another defeat on already-eliminated Lyn. Fiorentina would advance with a point against Sporting, who realistically needed all three.
Lyn vs Rennes
Though Lyn had nothing to play for, Rennes needed just a point to advance – but only a win would keep alive their hopes of winning the group. The favourites were unusually nervous in the first half, and Pépé firing their best opportunity against the bar didn’t help matters.
By contrast, Lyn were relaxed and under no pressure – and their much-improved defence kept the scoreline goalless at half-time. They would eventually hold out until the 71st minute. Marius Christopher Hoibraten made a fine tackle to try and stop Pépé, but the ball fell back to the Ivorian, who fired in the opener.
Though Serhou Guirassy had a late header chalked off for offside, Rennes had done just what they needed against a plucky Lyn team. A 1-0 win sent ‘Les Imbattables’ into the Semis – but would they be going there as Group A winners?
Fiorentina vs Sporting CP
Neither team could afford to lose, so it won’t surprise you that there were a few cagey moments and loose passes early on. However, it was Sporting who regained their composure first, as veteran defender Luís Neto found the net midway through the first half to put the Leões in the driving seat.
Now Fiorentina HAD to hit back – a task made more difficult without the injured Bernardeschi. Replacement winger Patrick Roberts was unlucky to hit the bar in the 55th minute, but he made amends five minutes later. The Englishman’s cool finish from Lucas Tousart‘s first-time pass drew the Viola level.
Sporting were back under pressure, but they fell apart without defensive midfield rock João Palhinha (who was serving a suspension, quelle surprise). With eight minutes to play, Sandro Tonali hammered the final nail in their coffin. An exquisite ball from the Fiorentina regista found cult icon Valentin Eysseric at the far post, and a point-blank header secured La Viola the match – and the group!
Fiorentina took top spot on goal difference from Rennes, whose immense firepower hadn’t yet reached its full potential. Sporting CP were disappointed to bow out at the Group Stage after two narrow defeats. Lyn never really stood a chance, did they?
GROUP B
Basel vs Arsenal
Basel fancies their chances of grabbing a statement win. Midfield runner Alexandre Jankewitz had the game’s first meaningful chance early in the first half, but fired it straight into Aaron Ramsdale‘s gloves.
Despite enjoying more possession than Arsenal, defensive mistakes would cost Basel dear. A sloppy pass from right-back Damiano Manzella late in the first half was punished by Gunners playmaker Martin Ødegaard, whose through-ball sent Eddie Nketiah through on goal. Though Nketiah’s initial effort hit the post, he made no mistake from the rebound.
Ball-winner Arbnor Shala was to blame for Basel conceding again in the 53rd minute, missing two interceptions before Ødegaard smashed the ball home. The Swiss side then melted like chocolate, as Folarin Balogun‘s 83rd-minute strike made it three and easy for Arsenal.
Real Betis vs Millwall
After a cagey start, Real Betis’ class started to tell in the 22nd minute, when playmaker Nabil Fekir‘s shot found the net with a little help from Jarell Quansah. When Fekir surged forward again two minutes later, Millwall’s Lions had to try some dark arts to get the ball off the fleet-footed Frenchman.
Fin Stevens‘ magical tackle kick-started a counter-attack that should have pulled Millwall level, but target man Chris Wood smashed it against the woodwork. Los Béticos would punish that to devastating effect, as two quickfire goals by Danish sensation Rasmus Højlund put them in a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
Despite losing ball-winner Matt Crooks to a devastating hip injury, the Lions put up more of a fight in the second half. Midfielder Roberto López fashioned some chances late on but couldn’t break down a resilient Betis backline, which saw the game through.
Millwall vs Basel
This turned out to be another classic, between two teams who both desperately needed victories. Hikmet Gökmen hit the first goal for Basel after just seven minutes, only for it to be cancelled within four minutes by a screamer from Sam Morsy. (Fun fact: Morsy NEVER scored for me in my Millwall save.)
Basel regained the lead in the 27th minute – Sanel Ibric skinning Stevens before cutting inside and firing home. But it took the Lions just two minutes to grab another equaliser courtesy of Mika Biereth, making it 2-2.
Then, midway through the second half, Morsy scored again. Unfortunately for Millwall, the Egyptian defensive midfielder could only deflect a Sead Hakšabanović shot into his own net, putting Basel ahead once more. Despite another shaky performance, Shama’s men had done enough to take the points this time and stay alive.
Arsenal vs Real Betis
More early goals, anyone? ‘Nice Guy Eddie’ Nketiah obliged with some fancy footwork and a cool finish to give Arsenal the best possible start after six minutes… but Højlund equalised for Betis just four minutes later.
It was a less likely scorer who restored Arsenal’s advantage on 39 minutes, as right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu carved a shot through a crowded Betis area and beyond keeper Marco Carnesecchi. Leading 2-1 at half-time, were the Gunners sailing into the Semis?
Los Béticos had other ideas. While Arsenal created more shots in the second half, Betis created better ones – the best being Sergio Canales‘ crashing 59th-minute volley into the stanchion. The Spaniards completed an incredible comeback in the final minute, as supersub Willian José headed in a right-wing Fekir cross to shock the tournament favourites!
With their surprise win, Real Betis were all but assured of a Semi Final berth – barring a heavy defeat to Basel. Arsenal would still be on course to go through if they could beat Millwall, who looked doomed to an early exit.
Real Betis vs Basel
A draw would see Betis through as Group B winners… but they had a huge scare after barely two minutes. Defender Luiz Felipe almost diverted a José Emiliano Cruz cross into his own net, but an alert Carnesecchi turned it behind just in time!
Meanwhile, Basel needed a win – perhaps a big one. Ibric sent them on their way with an excellent 16th-minute strike from Gökmen’s right-wing delivery. Carnesecchi denied the Swiss side a second goal from Ulf Ericsson just before half-time, but the Béticos coach had every right to raise his eyebrows at his team’s lacklustre display.
Once again, Fekir came to Real’s rescue. A ferocious strike from Khellven‘s square ball on 70 minutes put the Spaniards back on track. With Basel under pressure again, homegrown forward Ertan Yalçın slid into action… literally.
Sadly, not even DJ Casper could save Basel. They had lost all their momentum, and when Willian José popped up with ANOTHER late winner for Betis, their Fuller FM Cup hopes were in tatters. Shama Deadman had thrown his last water bottle.
Millwall vs Arsenal
This all-English battle rounded off the Group Stage. The outcome was never in doubt from the moment Tomiyasu drove in his second goal of the tournament after six minutes, raising Arsenal’s spirits after the Betis fiasco.
While Millwall realistically had no chance of progressing, they wouldn’t go out without a fight. Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney and midfielder Charlie Patino both sustained injuries while their team-mates struggled to break apart the Lions’ defensive block.
Millwall counter-attacks were few and far between – but when they did somehow snatch an equaliser in the 83rd minute, it wasn’t from a set-piece. A hopeful shot from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi was turned in by Arsenal defender William Saliba. The Gunners then had a goal from Mexican newgen Diego Rizo disallowed for offside, meaning they had to share the points.
How about that? Real Betis’ late antics meant they topped the group with a perfect record! Arsenal’s underwhelming results were still enough to see them through as runners-up ahead of dethroned holders Basel. Millwall did at least go home with one point.
SEMI FINAL DRAW
A potential Arsenal vs Rennes Final is still on… but it’s perhaps a surprise that neither team won their groups.
Arsenal’s shaky performances so far meant that the Hale End heroes will have to face the Group A winners in the last four. Fiorentina have been pretty solid so far and will fancy their chances of causing an upset.
Meanwhile, Rennes will face off against Group B kings Real Betis – the only team to win all their group games. Højlund vs Ben Belgacem is an intriguing battle of the wonderkid strikers, and something to really look forward to in the next chapter!
And then there were four.
Will the Fuller FM Cup be heading to Florence, Rennes, Seville or North London? You’ll find out the answer when the tournament concludes on Friday with the big finale!
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