FUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKK WE'RE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL!! Last 4 seasons we've been knocked out in RO16; 1/4; PO; RO16
Scraped into top 8, and was rewarded with a last 16 tie against Valencia, against whom we won both legs. 6-2 on aggregate. Liverpool in the QFs and a 3-1 agg win, and then onto Real Madrid in the semis; we took the lead in the Bernabau in the first leg in the 30th minute, and then basically Tony Pullised the rest of the game - they absolutely battered us
Second leg and I kept the same cautious tactic; defensive fullbacks, two DLPs and it was one of those games where there's literally no highlights; a combined xG of 0.62 until the 82nd minute when we caught them on the break and made it 1-0. A capacity 24,924 crowd at the new Charlie Kirkwood Arena were then sent to heaven with a second goal in stoppage time.
It really, really helped that I'd already won the by the QF, so played the kids either side of each leg, and it definitely helped being able to pick a fresh, best eleven.
Unfortunately we've got Man City in the final. Three previous meetings - 4-0, 3-0 and 2-1.
The 2-1 is what I'm clinging to - it was earlier this season in the group stage, and it was actually a good, close game
If nothing else I hope it helps with the reputation as it's still not easy to get some players to talk to me. Not talking top players, even some exciting youngsters from the likes of River or Lyon often won't talk to me.
I had initially intended on getting a new job once I'd won the SPL a few times. I didn't think it'd be possible to win the Champions League with such a small club in such a small league. No doubt we've had luck on our side this season, but I guess you don't need to be the best team in Europe to win it, just in the top 15 or so, and then get lucky. One game to go