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SEASON 7 (28-29) – THE VILLA BLINDERS
Episode 2. BIRMINGHAM TO DORTMUND.

The ending of the 28/29 season explained in fourt acts, focusing in the Champions League Performance.

Act One: Ups and Downs
Aston Villa’s season was a rollercoaster. Struggles in the Premier League included tough losses to Tottenham, Brighton, and Newcastle, but victories against Wolves, Salford, and West Ham brought momentum before the Champions League Round of 16. A hard-fought 0-1 win in Monaco and a dramatic second leg saw Villa advance despite late scares, edging past Monaco to reach the quarter-finals.

Act Two: The Quarter-Finals
In the first leg at Villa Park, Villa stunned Liverpool with an emphatic 3-0 victory, taking full advantage of defensive lapses and seizing control of the tie. The return leg at Anfield was nerve-wracking. Liverpool’s relentless pressure brought the score to 3-0, taking the match to extra time. However, a clutch goal by Van Ginkel sent Villa through 4-3 on aggregate in one of the most dramatic nights of the season.

Act Three: The Semi-Finals
Facing Manchester City, Villa delivered a stellar 2-0 win at Villa Park in the first leg, showcasing defensive solidity and clinical finishing. However, the second leg at the Etihad tested their mettle. City led 3-0 deep into stoppage time, which would have sent them through, but a miraculous equalizer by Gnonto in the 94th minute forced extra time. Villa’s resilience shone as they struck again, securing a 3-2 result on the night and a 4-3 aggregate win to reach the final.

Act Four: The Final
Against Olympique de Marseille, Villa completed their fairy-tale campaign. Despite an early setback, they dominated to lead 4-1 by the 60th minute with goals from Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, Duran, and Timber. Late goals from Marseille created tension, but Villa held on for a thrilling 4-3 victory, claiming their first Champions League title since 1982.

Read the full story here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/11/18/choose-life-season-2-the-villa-blinders-episode-2-birmingham-to-dortmund/

Feel free to share your thoughts!

SEASON 7 (28-29) – THE VILLA BLINDERS

Introduction
Giorgos Palagostecoglou's jump from Hibernian to Aston Villa mirrors a leap from familiar ground into the intense realm of the Premier League. Villa Park offers promise and challenges, requiring Giorgos to employ every bit of his experience from Scotland to bring Villa into European contention.

Objectives
This save began with the goal of mirroring Ange Postecoglou's managerial journey, starting in Scotland to eventually face him as a rival. The first main objectives involved creating a recognizable style of play for both the club and its manager, a goal already achieved. Over six seasons with Hibernian, Palagostecoglou transformed the team, winning one league title, two domestic cups, and even a Conference League title. His achievements also include earning "Manager of the Year" three times, showing consistent competitiveness in the Scottish league by frequently challenging giants like Rangers and Celtic.

Now that he's in the Premier League, Giorgos’s next objectives are to climb into a top Premier League club (Barcelona included for sentimental reasons) and, ultimately, to win a league title and a Champions League. Reaching this top tier of competition will be the real test of his attacking style and tactical evolution.

Club Status
Villa’s past performance under Unai Emery has consistently placed them in the Premier’s mid-to-upper ranks, with a solid squad and an increasingly young talent pool. Last season's 4th place allow us to play Champions League football this season. However, Giorgos faces a strict budget, slightly overdrawn due to prior managerial decisions, and will aim to rebalance the club’s finances over the next season.

Staff Updates
Many of Villa’s staff left to follow Emery, leaving Giorgos to rebuild a strong technical team. This effort brings notable additions, including Michael Carrick as coach and, remarkably, LEO MESSI as assistant manager.

Tactics
Giorgos remains loyal to his 4-3-3 setup from Hibernian, designed around fluid possession and positional awareness. The team plays with expansive width and a high line, pressing intensely without the ball. Currently, this is the sole tactical approach, though additional strategies may be introduced in future seasons.

First Months
Five months in, Villa's performance is strong, with key victories against RB Leipzig and Manchester City demonstrating the tactical shift. Yet the winter holiday period presented setbacks, with draws against mid-table clubs like Everton and Leeds. As Champions League knockout rounds and intense Premier League clashes loom, Giorgos has set Villa up to compete as they push to meet their ambitious season goals.

Full article here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/10/27/choose-life-season-2-the-villa-blinders/

SEASON 6 (27/28) CHOOSE LIFE: Season Finale – The Farewell European Tour

The final chapter of the Choose Life series sees Palagostecoglou wrap up his time at Hibernian with a thrilling campaign that spans domestic battles and the club’s first-ever Champions League journey. This season, marked by the transition from FM23 to FM24, is filled with ups and downs as the team travels across Europe and competes with giants of the game. Let’s take a look at the highlights, broken down by the iconic stadiums we visited.

Diego Armando Maradona (Naples)
The European adventure begins at the legendary Maradona Stadium against Napoli. Despite a strong start to the season, Hibs couldn’t handle the Italian side’s pressure, falling 2-0. This marked the beginning of a tough but memorable Champions League journey.

Red Bull Arena (Salzburg)
A difficult stretch followed, with Hibs struggling in both the Scottish Premiership and Europe. Losses piled up in domestic matches, including heavy defeats to Celtic and Hearts, while a 3-0 win over St Johnstone offered some relief. In Salzburg, after a hard-fought battle, Hibs fell 3-1, further denting their European hopes.

Hampden Park (Glasgow)
Hibs reached the Premier Sports Cup semi-final at Hampden but were knocked out by Livingston, losing 3-1. Despite high hopes with Celtic and Rangers out of the competition, Palagostecoglou’s men couldn’t overcome their sluggish form.

Parken Stadium (Copenhagen)
Copenhagen was a turning point for Hibs. A 6-3 victory, their first-ever in the Champions League, kept their playoff hopes alive. Goals from Schjelderup and Nicolson highlighted the performance, but injuries and inconsistent league form threatened to derail their momentum.

Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
Hibs’ Champions League run ended with a 5-2 loss to Manchester City. Despite spirited goals from Nicolson and Schjelderup, the team couldn’t match City’s firepower. Their European dream was over, but the experience laid a strong foundation for future campaigns.

Celtic Park (Glasgow)
Back in the league, Hibs faced fierce rivals Celtic at Celtic Park. Despite twice coming from behind, including a last-minute goal from Molotnikov, the 2-2 draw kept Hibs in the race for second place in the Premiership.

Easter Road (Edinburgh)
Easter Road was the scene of several key moments as Hibs pushed for a top-two finish. A 1-1 draw with Rangers left them needing the Glasgow side to slip up to reach second place. However, a dramatic 5-1 win over Hearts on the final day wasn’t enough, as Rangers snatched victory elsewhere. Hibs finished third but had established themselves as genuine contenders.

Hampden Park (Glasgow)
Back at Hampden for the Scottish Cup semi-final, Hibs comfortably beat Motherwell 4-0 to book their place in the final. Facing Celtic, they executed a perfect tactical plan, with Shaw and Myslovic scoring to secure a 2-0 win and lift the Scottish Cup for the second consecutive season.

Villa Park (Birmingham)
With the season concluded, Palagostecoglou looked towards the future. Despite interest from Juventus and Real Sociedad, his dream was to manage in the Premier League. As Aston Villa became available, the opportunity was too good to miss, and he signed on for the 2028/29 season. The Choose Life series ends, but a new journey begins at Villa Park.

Read the full story here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/10/03/choose-life-season-finale-the-farewell-european-tour/

Thank you for reading! As always, your shared thoughts on this are always welcome!

SEASON 5 (26/27) – CHASING CELTIC

Part 2 - Since 1952

Let's discover how the 26/27 season ends, but let me remind you where we were:
 

Previously in Chasing Celtic

A promising start in the Premiership, remaining undefeated until November with wins against Rangers and Celtic, though we did drop some points with draws. We were eliminated from the Premier Sports Cup but put up a good performance in Europe. We ended the year with a 3-3 draw at Celtic Park, leaving us just 2 points behind Celtic, the league leaders. In the Europa League, with two games left, our qualification is well within reach.

Now

January – The Perfect Month 

The month starts with Clarkson's transfer to Watford, and the signing of Dylan Levitt. Hibernian wins several key matches, including a 4-0 Europa League victory against Sturm Graz and a 5-0 triumph over Spezia, securing a top 8 finish in the Europa League. In the Premiership, they finish January with a victory against Livingston, tying Celtic on points.

February – Leaders for a Short Time 

Hibernian tops the league briefly after key victories against St Johnstone and St Mirren. However, a draw against Rangers drops them back to second place, tied with Celtic. They maintain a strong position for Champions League qualification, and in the cup, they advance after defeating St Mirren again.

March – Old Friends in Europe 

March focuses on the Europa League Round of 16 against Bayer Leverkusen. Despite losing 2-1 in the first leg, Hibernian stages a comeback in the second leg with a 3-1 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals. In the domestic competitions, they secure important wins in both the league and cup, including a 6-0 cup win against Partick Thistle.

April – Only Crucial Clashes, Please 

April is packed with crucial matches, including league games against Celtic and Hearts, the Scottish Cup semifinals against Rangers, and the Europa League quarterfinals against Inter Milan. Hibernian defeats Celtic to go five points clear but faces setbacks in Europe, getting knocked out by Inter. They bounce back by reaching the Scottish Cup final after a dramatic extra-time win over Rangers.

May – The Run In 

Hibernian enters May with a chance to secure the Premiership title. They defeat Rangers and narrowly miss clinching the title against Livingston but eventually secure it with a victory at Celtic Park. The season concludes with a league record of 90 points and a Scottish Cup final against Dundee, where they aim to achieve the club's first-ever domestic double. A 2-0 win in the final makes this season historic, winning the first double for the Hibs!

Epilogue:

After five successful years at Hibernian, where Palagostecoglou led the club to league and cup victories, as well as a Conference League trophy, two paths lie ahead: either accepting a potential offer from the Premier League or staying one more season to compete in the Champions League. With the transfer market heating up and both Manchester clubs looking for new managers, the next steps will unfold in the upcoming episode.

As always, feel free to check the full story, share your thoughts and feedback. I really appreciate it.

Thank you for reading!

Read the full story here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/08/29/choose-life-episode-5-chasing-celtic-part-2-since-1952/

SEASON 5 (26/27) – CHASING CELTIC

Part 1

A new season begins in Edinburgh with renewed ambition. After a dip last season, the goal is to step up and challenge Celtic. With a higher transfer budget, several key signings are made to enhance the squad, including:

• Ryan Duncan (Right winger from Aberdeen) for €4.1M
• James Trafford (Goalkeeper from Manchester City) for €1M
• Archie Gray (Midfielder from Leeds) on loan
• Franco Carboni (Left back from Inter Milan) on loan
• Oscar Bobb (Free agent from Manchester City)
• Liam Shaw (Defensive midfielder from Norwich) on loan with an option to buy
• Luke Mbete (Central defender from Manchester City) for €155k

Departures include loans and transfers of several youth players, and key players like Kenzi Nicolson moving to Manchester United for €7M, but playing with us on loan this season.

Training Plans and Injuries

A new focus on tactical training during the pre-season aims to reduce injuries, with fewer and less severe injuries reported compared to the previous season. In-season training plans focus on offensive and defensive strategies tailored to the team’s style.

Tactics

Tactical changes include a focus on aerial defense and a shift in roles to bolster both defensive and attacking options. New formations, including a 4-4-2, are introduced to adapt to different match situations.

Season 26/27:

• August: The season starts with a strong 5-2 win over Dundee United. Despite a good start, the team draws against St Johnstone and has a mixed performance in the Premier Sports Cup.
• September: A thrilling 4-3 victory over Rangers highlights the team’s potential, though there are setbacks including a cup elimination and a draw against Dundee.
• October: The Europa League campaign starts well with a decisive 0-3 win against Lyon. In the Premiership, we end up leaders after wins against Celtic, Hearts and Dundee Utd.
• November: First Defeat

A narrow defeat to Mainz in the Europa League and a draw with Livingston see the team lose the Premiership lead to Celtic. However, strong performances in other matches keep the team in contention.

• December: Chasing Celtic

The team’s form includes a tough 1-0 win over St Mirren and a dramatic 3-3 draw against Celtic. Despite not regaining top spot, the team remains just 2 points behind Celtic, showing promise for the remainder of the season.

Assesment

The team leads in possession, shots, and passing accuracy, and remains competitive with Celtic and Dundee. With solid performances and a strong position, the season shows promise for a successful challenge for the title.

Read the full story here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/08/09/choose-life-episode-5-chasing-celtic/

As always, feel free to share your thoughts and feedback. I really appreciate it.

Thank you for reading!

SEASON 4 (25-26) – THE YOUTH REBELLION

Part 2

Happy New Year! Here’s the second and final part of the 2025/26 season for Hibernian. Despite ending the first part with a defeat in the derby against Hearts, the team's trajectory was strong, and we seemed to have found our groove, which continued into January.

January - Continuing the Trend 

We maintained good form, achieving solid results, including a notable 3-0 victory over Celtic and qualifying for the next phase of the Europa League.

February - A Blemish 

February could have been almost perfect if not for a 4-0 cup loss to Aberdeen. Despite dominating possession, doubts about our play emerged, and we started conceding more opportunities to our opponents.

March - Europa League Round of 16

March began with a 1-1 draw against Rangers and a 4-0 derby win over Hearts. We then faced Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League Round of 16. Despite playing with 10 men for an hour in the first leg, we managed a 0-0 draw.

The Tragic Week

The return leg was tough and we forced the extra time. Our goalkeeper McGinty injured in the extra time with no changes left, so a field player had to be the goalkepper. This led to a 5-1 defeat, eliminating us from the competition.

A poor performance against Dundee, following our European exit, left us out of the league title race and 6 points behind Rangers. Despite bouncing back with victories against Kilmarnock and St. Johnson, the gap remained.

April and May - Season Ending 

We entered the final phase of the league in third place, unable to catch Celtic or Rangers. Despite a thrilling 3-3 draw against Celtic and a heavy 0-6 defeat to Aberdeen, we secured third place. The season ended with a 4-0 win over Celtic, albeit with their title already secured.

Season Conclusions 

We finished third with 76 points, 10 behind Rangers, conceding 41 goals. The season saw a drop in level compared to the previous one, with early cup exits and a late Premiership slump. However, we performed well overall, creating a recognizable style of play and becoming competitive with Celtic and Rangers, though not yet title contenders.

Looking ahead, improvements in set pieces, defensive efficiency, and a focus on more vertical play will be crucial for next season. Palagostecoglou's contract has been extended for another year, and the aim is to build on this season's experiences to achieve success, whether domestically or in Europe.

Read the full story here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/07/26/choose-life-episode-4-the-youth-rebellion/

Thanks man! Great movie, the reason why I chose Hibernian. 

never had a save in Scotland and I'm enjoying it. Really difficult to win the Premiership against Celtic and Rangers. Hope I'll finally do it.

SEASON 4 (25-26) – THE YOUTH REBELLION

Part 1: Champions League and Injuries

Current Game Date: 12/26/2025

Merry Christmas, everyone! This is the fourth installment of the Choose Life series, following Hibernian’s manager Giorgos Palagostecoglou. Here’s a brief update on our journey after last season.

After winning the UEFA Conference League title, Hibernian and manager Giorgos Palagostecoglou gained significant prestige. This summer, several clubs expressed interest in hiring Giorgos, including Osasuna, Genk. Also Bournemouth, and Lille were interested in Giorgos during the season. However, Giorgos decided to stay in Edinburgh, aiming to compete in the Premier League or possibly join a top club like Barça someday.

Squad Overview for 2025/26:

• Goalkeepers: Ed McGinty remains the starter, with young Murray Johnson as the backup. Brian Kinnear was sold to Manchester City.
• Defenders: Key signing Anthony Ralston joins from Celtic. Watford activated James Furlong’s release clause, so Kerr Smith was brought in on loan from Aston Villa. Owen Hastie joins from the reserve team.
• Midfielders: Minimal changes, with Clarkson and Myslovic continuing from last season. Alex Lowry and Nicolas Raskin join on loan.
• Forwards: Injuries led to the signings of Rocco Vata and Jay Henderson on loan. Philip Johnson and Kenzi Nicolson are promoted from the youth ranks.

Injuries: 

Pre-season injuries were significant, with 22 injuries across July and August. Many injuries were due to tackles and impacts during friendly matches, making the early months challenging.

Champions League Journey:

• 2nd Qualifying Round: Hibernian defeated St. Gallen 2-1 on aggregate.
• 3rd Qualifying Round: Faced Feyenoord. Despite a valiant effort, Hibernian lost 3-6 on aggregate but secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League.

2025/26 Season: The Youth Rebellion

• August: Faced Champions League qualifiers and started the Premiership season. Despite a painful 4-3 loss to Saint Mirren, we ended the month with a win against Livingston.
• September: A tough month with eliminations from the Premier Cup and losses in both the Premiership and Europa League.
• October: Tactical changes helped, leading to five consecutive victories in the Premiership and Europa League.
• November and December: The team stabilized, finishing the year strong with significant wins, including a 2-0 victory against Rangers at Ibrox Park.
• Philip Johnson: The 17-year-old forward has been a breakout star, scoring 12 goals so far.

Currently, Hibernian is 5 points behind Rangers in the Premiership and 5 points above Aberdeen. The young talent, particularly Philip Johnson, has been crucial. As the season progresses, the goal is to challenge for second place and secure another chance at Champions League qualification.

Stay tuned for more updates as we aim for a strong finish to the season!

Read the full story here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/07/19/choose-life-ep-4-the-youth-rebellion/

Feel free to share your thoughts and feedback.

Thank you for reading!

Hi everyone!

I'm starting to write about my FM saves and I'd like to share it with you. I will share a brief abstract of my first 3 seasons, but if you want to approach closely you can check my blog, where I post more extent articles about this story. 

https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/

BRIEF CONTENT OF THE SAVE

Who is Giorgos Palagostecoglou?

Giorgos Palagostecoglou, born in Naxos, has Greek and Catalan heritage. Raised in Australia, he developed his passion for football there. After coaching in Australia and Asia, he got his first European opportunity with Hibernian in Scotland.

Inspired by Ange Postecoglou

This character is inspired by Ange Postecoglou. After becoming fascinated with Postecoglou's early success at Tottenham, I created Palagostecoglou to recreate his playing style in Football Manager.

Objectives of the Journey

• Establish a unique playing style.
• Compete with Celtic and Rangers.
• Reach the Premier League.
• Manage a top Premier League team and/or FC Barcelona.
• Win major titles, including the Champions League.

Why Hibernian?

Hibernian was chosen due to its connection to the characters from Trainspotting. The club, based in Edinburgh, has a rich history but has struggled in recent decades. Palagostecoglou aims to restore its glory.

Now let's begin with the story.

Season 1 (22/23): THE DEBUT SEASON

Giorgos Palagostecoglou’s first season at Hibernian started slow but gradually improved, with some dark spots – like the cup competitions – and a good season in the Scottish Premiership, where he qualified among the top 6 for the championship playoff. Let’s break it down.

Premier Cup and Scottish Cup:

The team’s performance in the cup competitions was disappointing this first season. We began the season with the Premier Sports Cup group stage, against lower-division teams, which we easily overcame. In August, Dundee, a Championship team and seemingly an easy opponent, eliminated us. The first setback of the season.

The Scottish Cup performance was worse. In our first knockout round in January, we were eliminated in extra time by Falkirk from League One after a goalless draw in the first 90 minutes. At home. Devastating.

Cinch Premiership:

A promising start in the league, with 2-4 victories against St Johnstone and especially a 4-0 win in the second round against Hearts in the Edinburgh derby, seemed to excite the club, squad, and fans. But after the derby, negative results followed: losses to Livingston and Rangers in the first major clash of the season. A draw with St Mirren closed August on a bittersweet note.

From September to November, when the competition paused for the World Cup in Qatar, the team was flying. Eight wins, one draw, and two losses – both to Aberdeen, our bogey team in these early months. Along the way, the first duel against Ange Postecoglou ended with a 1-2 victory in the 88th minute with a goal from Josh Miller, the team’s backup right-back.

After the World Cup, which Brazil won, December and January were tough months with matches against Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, and the derby against Hearts. The 3-0 defeat at Ibrox Park hurt, making us feel far from Rangers, but on the other hand, the match at Easter Road, our stadium, against Celtic was a spectacle for the fans.

Unbeaten in the head-to-head against Postecoglou, we finally managed to beat Aberdeen and drew our first point against Rangers. We navigated the rest of the matches thanks to Palagostecoglou’s imposed playing style, and the only loss during February, March, and April was a heavy blow at Celtic Park (4-1).

May was for the playoff among the top six teams to compete for the title, although it was clear it would go to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic. A good playoff, with only one loss to Celtic (5-0) and victories against the other teams – including the duel with Aberdeen – took us to the last round second in the standings with 78 points, one more than Rangers’ 77. The last match of the season was against Rangers at Ibrox Park. A draw would be enough to bring the Champions League to Edinburgh, and everything pointed to a 0-0 final score, but fate is fickle, and two goals in the last fifteen minutes of the game deprived us of the European dream.

The disappointment was greater because the third place in the standings did not give us access to the Europa League, so next season we will play in the Conference League, making our European debut. Despite this, the team responded well to the playing style, and there is a sense that this season could be the start of something. Choose Palagostecoglou. Choose Hibs. Choose European football. Choose life. 

Read the first season full story here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/06/12/choose-life-hibernian-football-mangaer-ep-1-the-debut-season/

Season 2 (23-24): The EuroHibernian

Giorgos Palagostecoglou's second season at Hibernian faced significant challenges: participating in Europe, competing with Celtic and Rangers, improving cup performances, and evolving the team's playing style.

August – Qualifying for the Conference League Group Stage The season began with a draw against Aberdeen in the Premiership. Hibernian then faced a hectic schedule with the Conference League qualifying rounds, successfully advancing past Maccabi Tel Aviv and Portimonense to reach the group stage. However, they were eliminated early in the Premier Sports Cup by Morton.

September – The Wall Solid defense marked September, with only two goals conceded, though one led to a home defeat against Livingston. The team won their other matches, including their Conference League debut against Dinamo Kyiv.

October – The Reality Despite early league struggles, including losses to Rangers and Celtic, Hibernian's European campaign saw a surprise defeat to Derry City but a win in Astana.

November – Undefeated with 2 Victories November was marred by too many draws, distancing Hibernian from Celtic and Rangers. They ended the month with a decisive win over Derry City.

December – History and Disappointment A 0-0 draw in Kyiv secured Hibernian’s place in the Conference League round of 16. However, league performances were disappointing, prompting Palagostecoglou to experiment with tactics. The derby win masked another harsh defeat against Rangers.

January – A Signing and the Same Old Ghosts Martin Boyle's injury led to the signing of Domingos Quina. The team struggled in the league but advanced in the Scottish Cup, with academy talent Reuben McAllister making an impact.

February – Back to the Winning Days A single defeat to Rangers prevented a perfect month. Hibernian's performances were otherwise strong, including further advancement in the Scottish Cup.

March – Give Me Two Cups! In the Conference League round of 16, Hibernian triumphed over Lugano. They also reached the Scottish Cup semi-finals, where they were defeated by Celtic. League performance remained consistent.

April – And Dreams are Just Dreams… April was a busy month with mixed results. Despite competing well, Hibernian were eliminated from the Conference League by Betis and lost the Scottish Cup semi-final to Celtic. The league campaign ended with a defeat to Motherwell.

May – One Step Below Despite a victory against Aberdeen, defeats against Celtic and Rangers left Hibernian in 4th place, one spot lower than the previous season. They will compete in the Conference League again next season.

Season Review The 23/24 season highlighted the need for a larger, stronger squad to compete on multiple fronts. Despite good performances in the Scottish Cup and Conference League, the Premiership campaign suffered. Future transfers need to significantly strengthen the team to close the gap with Celtic and Rangers. The strong community connection and development of homegrown players remain positive aspects.

Read the full story of this 2nd season here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/06/26/choose-life-pt-2-the-eurohibernian/

SEASON 3 (24-25) – ONE NIGHT IN AMSTERDAM

August – Undefeated and Qualified for the Cups Hibernian starts the season strong, winning league matches, advancing in the Premier Sports Cup for the first time, and progressing through the Conference rounds by defeating Sarajevo and Zilina.

September – We Have a Goalkeeper Ed McGinty becomes the starting goalkeeper after Brian Kinnear’s error against Aberdeen. Despite a heavy 1-4 loss to Motherwell, Hibernian enjoys clear victories, including a 6-1 win over Cove Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup.

October – Ups and Downs October sees mixed results with a 6-0 win against Sligo Rovers in the Conference League but a loss to Mechelen. They beat Rangers 2-1 but suffer a 4-0 defeat at Celtic Park. Tactical adjustments against Celtic are noted for future encounters.

November and December – Dangerous Territory In November, Hibernian reaches the Premier Sports Cup final after a narrow victory over Rangers. However, they struggle in the Conference League, losing to Rennes and Portimonense. December features crucial matches, including a trip to Austria where a win against Sturm Graz secures a Conference League playoff spot. The team falls short in the Premier Cup final against Celtic.

January and February – Consistency The new year brings consistency with six consecutive victories. Hibernian secures a 3-0 win over Basel in the Conference League playoff, despite a tough return leg. They continue to excel, including another victory against Rangers, securing their spot in the Champions League playoff.

March – Finally! Hibernian defeats Celtic for the first time this season and progresses to the Conference League quarter-finals by overcoming Portimonense. However, a loss to Rangers in the league affects their title hopes. They also advance to the Scottish Cup semifinals.

April – Whatever happens, we’ve already made history April is pivotal as Hibernian competes in crucial league matches and progresses to the Conference League semifinals with a historic 0-5 win against Braga. Despite a narrow loss in the Scottish Cup semifinal against Rangers, they maintain focus on the Premiership and Conference League.

May – Maybe this year… May brings the Conference League semifinals against Rennes. Hibernian secures a spot in the final after a 2-0 win at home and a 0-0 draw away. They also draw against Celtic, ensuring a Champions League spot for next season. The season concludes with a loss to Aberdeen and the Conference League final.

ONE NIGHT IN AMSTERDAM: THE CHRONICLE In Amsterdam, Hibernian faces Atalanta in the Conference League final. An early goal by Wright is quickly answered by Atalanta. Hoppe scores to make it 2-1 in the 18th minute. Despite an intense match, Hibernian controls possession and wins their first European title. This victory brings recognition to Hibernian and their coach, Palagostecoglou, as they prepare for the UEFA Champions League.

Read the full story here: https://thecatalanfm.wordpress.com/2024/07/11/choose-life-ep-3-one-night-in-amsterdam/

Feel free to share your thoughts and feedback.

Thank you!