Chapter 356: Shaking the Tigers
United's defense looked solid in the first three games, but that was because their opponents weren't strong enough. Whether they could hold off the Premier League's strongest attacking team, Manchester City, was still unknown. Bruno believed the team should attack, using their own sharp offense to suppress City's attack, forcing City into defense rather than letting them roam freely in their half.
This strategy was developed by Bruno and Mourinho together and had been practiced in pre-match training. Everyone knew their goal was to attack relentlessly from the start, pressing City and not giving them a chance to control the game's rhythm. Bruno was excellent at controlling the tempo.
Bruno received the ball again in the defensive half. A minute and a half had passed since the match started, and United had kept possession without launching a single attack, mostly passing around the back with no intention of moving forward. The closest attempt was when Bruno moved forward after getting past Iheanacho, but he quickly passed back under pressure from Nolito.
This time, would the ball just circle around the back again?
With the ball at his feet in the defensive half, Bruno found himself under pressure from Nolito. Unlike most teams, Guardiola's City pressed aggressively even in the opponent's half, swarming the ball carrier with multiple players. The first player would pressure the ball, while others would close in to use their numbers to win the ball back and immediately launch a counter-attack.
Bruno, like a magnet, drew Nolito and Iheanacho towards him. Just as Nolito thought he could steal the ball, Bruno sprinted forward, but the ball was no longer at his feet. He had subtly nudged it to Gündoğan, who was in Nolito's blind spot.
Nolito hesitated when he realized the ball was with Gündoğan and rushed towards him, but Gündoğan passed it back to Bruno, who was now in midfield. David Silva and Fernandinho rushed to intercept, but Bruno used the outside of his right foot to flick the ball to Rashford on the wing and continued his run, signaling for a return pass.
Fernandinho, knowing Bruno's moves, tracked back quickly. Silva was also momentarily fooled. Rashford, seeing Bruno's hand signal indicating a fake one-two, pushed the ball forward for a breakthrough. His task was simple: push forward as far as possible to force City to retreat. If he couldn't break through, he should pass the ball back instead of forcing it.
Mourinho had emphasized not to be reckless. Losing possession would put United's defense in danger and allow City to regain control. This game would be exhausting for United, as they needed to maintain high tempo and intensity to prevent City from dominating.
Rashford's breakthrough was short-lived as Sagna intercepted him. Instead of forcing his way through, Rashford passed back to Bruno, who had positioned himself behind him after feinting a one-two.
Bruno received the pass and immediately executed a diagonal long pass, switching the play to the right. City's formation, having shifted left with the initial attack, left Valencia unmarked on the right wing.
United quickly switched the attack direction, and City's players scrambled to cover. Valencia took the ball, drove inside, and passed to Rooney in the half-space. Rooney did not pass back to Valencia as expected. Instead, he passed horizontally to Bruno, who had been closely marked by Fernandinho.
Bruno let the ball run through his legs, fooling Fernandinho, and ran into the penalty area. The ball reached the oncoming Kante.
"Kante!" the commentator shouted.
Fernandinho was momentarily confused by Bruno's dummy, allowing Bruno to slip into the box. Kante, who received the ball, immediately played a through pass.
Bruno, making a diagonal run, found a gap and received Kante's pass. Otamendi charged at him like a mad dog, but Bruno shot immediately upon receiving the ball, leaving Otamendi no chance to close him down. The shot was swift and surprising.
Bravo dived desperately but couldn't reach the ball.
"Bruno shoots!"
Old Trafford erupted in cheers as fans leaped from their seats, ready to celebrate. The ball seemed destined for the far corner, past Bravo's outstretched hand.
City fans held their breath while United fans prepared to cheer. Bravo watched helplessly, haunted by memories of being outplayed by Bruno in last year's Champions League semi-final.
But the ball grazed the outside of the post and went out.
"The ball… it didn't go in! So close! Oh!" BBC commentator Gary Lineker exclaimed. As the commentator for this crucial match, Lineker, although not a United fan, was captivated by United's brilliant attack and hoped for a goal to cap it off.
United's fans shared his disappointment. The attack had been excellent, but it lacked a goal to complete it.
(End of Chapter)
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