Chapter 500: Continuous Threats
"Good morning viewers! Welcome to CCTV's broadcast of the UEFA Champions League Group G second round match between Manchester United and Roma!" the CCTV commentator's voice rang out. "In red home kits attacking from left to right on your screen is Manchester United, while in white away kits attacking from right to left is the visiting team, Roma!"
After kickoff, Harry Kane passed the ball to Bruno.
Instead of moving the ball forward directly, Bruno let the ball pass by and turned to pass it back. After making the pass, Bruno didn't stay put; he ran back to get the ball from center-back Virgil van Dijk.
When Van Dijk passed the ball to him, he was almost level with the center-backs. This strategy was due to the increasing pressure on Bruno. If he received the ball in the midfield, an opponent could easily tackle him from behind. So now, he retreated to avoid those aggressive early-game challenges.
In the backline, Bruno calmly received the ball and turned. The closest Roma player to him, Perotti, was still about ten meters away, making it a safe position.
...
Bruno looked up and feigned a long pass—his posture suggested a big kick. Seeing this, Roma's defense reacted, keeping an eye on Harry Kane and the already forward-positioned Rashford and Mbappe.
But Bruno executed a low pass to Kante, then ran forward. Kante immediately returned the ball to him in a one-two play.
Now Perotti was just five or six meters in front of Bruno, who dribbled forward. Perotti made a defensive move but quickly gave up as Bruno easily bypassed him. Perotti was a forward, not known for his defensive efforts.
The other forward, Dzeko, wasn't the type to aggressively press in the front either. Thus, Bruno was quite safe in his half. After passing Perotti, Bruno signaled his teammates to close in, keeping only Harry Kane up front. Rashford and Mbappe moved into the half-spaces.
...
As Bruno crossed the halfway line, he felt the pressure from Roma's captain, Strootman.
"Strootman is pressing Bruno! This is the first direct clash between the two captains in this match!" the commentator exclaimed.
Chinese fans watching at home shouted, "Get past him, Bruno!"
Everyone anticipated an intense duel, but they were disappointed. Bruno didn't engage Strootman directly. Before Strootman could get close, Bruno quickly passed the ball to Mbappe.
Mbappe, instead of attacking down the wing, moved into the half-space, drawing Roma's defensive midfielder Gonalons. While defending Mbappe, Gonalons also kept an eye on Bruno, prepared to freeze him out of the game with Strootman.
Gonalons noticed Bruno advancing and stayed cautious, knowing he had defenders Fazio and Jesus behind him. As Mbappe saw Bruno moving forward, he passed the ball to him.
Gonalons, feeling confident, turned and moved to intercept Bruno. Strootman was also nearby, adding to the pressure. They thought they had Bruno trapped, but Bruno let the ball pass, deceiving both.
"Beautiful dummy!" shouted the commentator.
The reason this dummy was impressive, rather than a mistake, was because Rashford was rushing up from behind Bruno. The dummy allowed the ball to reach Rashford perfectly.
Gonalons' tackle missed, and Strootman's effort was wasted. Both were drawn to Bruno and were now out of position. Rashford received the ball in the 30-meter zone, completely unmarked. He had time to switch the ball from his right foot to his left and shoot!
"Rashford! Shoots—!"
The ball flew low towards the near corner, evading Fazio's leg and forcing Roma's keeper Alisson to make a diving save, tipping the ball out for a corner.
"Corner kick! Within just one minute, Manchester United have already had a very threatening shot and earned a corner!"
Old Trafford erupted, with fans loudly cheering for their team. The game had become intense and thrilling from the start. Roma players' hearts pounded as Rashford's shot narrowly missed, showing just how dangerous United could be.
Rashford's corner aimed for the near post but was too low and cleared by Gonalons. Bruno, having positioned himself in the box, turned to chase the ball as it was cleared outside the penalty area.
Cancelo, who was positioned outside, controlled the ball and passed it to Bruno in the middle. Without needing a signal, their understanding was so strong that Cancelo immediately passed to Bruno and sprinted forward.
...
Seeing the ball cleared, Roma's defense pushed up to trap United offside. However, they failed to notice Cancelo's determined run and Bruno's precise lob pass!
The ball flew over the heads of the Roma and United players, landing perfectly for Cancelo. Roma defenders raised their hands for offside, but the linesman kept his flag down; Cancelo was onside.
"Cancelo is onside! This is a great chance for Manchester United! Just three minutes in, and they have another very threatening attack!" The commentators were thrilled, sensing a goal was imminent.
Cancelo, after receiving the ball, looked up at the box. Instead of crossing immediately, he dribbled inside, causing chaos in Roma's defense as they scrambled to cover.
As the Roma defense was in disarray, Cancelo sent a low pass to the penalty spot. Valencia arrived, swinging his leg.
"Valencia... Shoots!!"
The ball rocketed between Fazio and Jesus, brushing Alisson's fingertips, and crashed into the net!
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"
Roma players were left stunned and confused, perhaps thinking it was offside. But the fans and viewers saw it clearly.
They watched as Cancelo combined with Bruno for a slick one-two, remained onside, then passed into the box for Valencia. Although it was surprising to see Valencia, the right-back, at the penalty spot, his powerful shot left no doubt.
Old Trafford erupted as 73,000 Manchester United fans roared in celebration.
(End of Chapter)
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