Chapter 556: Falling Behind
Bruno hesitated for a moment, unsure where to pass the ball. In that split second, Fernandinho swiftly intercepted the ball, executing a clean and precise tackle.
"Fernandinho intercepts Bruno's pass!"
The Etihad Stadium erupted in cheers.
Bruno quickly chased back, attempting to regain possession, but his move was slightly aggressive, causing Fernandinho to fall to the ground. Referee Martin Atkinson immediately blew his whistle, penalizing Bruno for the foul.
Bruno didn't help Fernandinho up; instead, he quickly retreated, wary of a quick free kick that could catch his team off guard. However, Manchester City didn't rush the play. Their players moved forward methodically, and the free kick was taken leisurely by center-back Vincent Kompany.
Bruno, now back in position, placed his hands on his hips and shook his head slightly. It seemed today's match was proving to be tougher than he had anticipated.
Bruno had been marked out of games before, and it was evident that when he struggled, so did his team—whether it was Manchester United or Udinese. Mourinho, who had monitored him for years, was well aware of this. However, it was rare for any team to completely neutralize Bruno for a full ninety minutes, given his exceptional stamina and running ability, allowing him to remain energetic even in the dying moments of a match.
Mourinho wasn't overly worried about Bruno being marked out of the game. He believed that as the match progressed, Bruno would find a way to overcome the obstacles. Additionally, he had Kante and Gundogan nearby and Rashford, Harry Kane, and Mbappe up front, who could assist in breaking through City's defense.
The game had only been underway for ten minutes, and there was no need to rush. Patience was key.
Mourinho remained seated, his composure matched by City's coach, Guardiola. Relaxed and with legs crossed, Guardiola even took the time to chat with those around him. From the first ten minutes, it was clear the game was unfolding as he had planned, with no surprises.
The trio of midfielders had successfully locked down Bruno, preventing him from advancing the ball. Despite the media's hype about Bruno being a versatile warrior, even suggesting he could become the third greatest player in football history, Guardiola was unimpressed. Bruno might be excellent, but not to that extent.
Bruno was surrounded by three players, facing zonal rather than man-to-man marking. No matter where he went, the defense was tight and effective, maintaining a compact and impenetrable formation.
With no other options, Bruno resorted to frequent back passes and lateral passes. This gave City more opportunities to press and attack, each time posing significant threats.
Bernardo Silva tested De Gea with a powerful shot from outside the box, forcing a difficult save. Sterling's close-range effort narrowly missed, and Sane's sudden strike also threatened United's goal. De Gea continued to make crucial saves, but he was under immense pressure, unsure when his defense might finally be breached.
Bruno was equally anxious. He knew that constant defense would eventually lead to conceding a goal. Despite United having the league's strongest defense, facing City's renowned attack, pure defense wouldn't suffice. The only way to relieve the pressure was through counter-attacks, which could curb City's momentum.
Bruno devised a plan to draw fouls from City's players. Fernandinho, Mkhitaryan, and David Silva were playing aggressively without any cautions. If he could draw yellow cards from them, the dynamics would change. To increase the likelihood of fouls, he needed to hold onto the ball more and invite challenges.
Bruno tried this tactic, but referee Atkinson only awarded free kicks without showing cards. Bruno got up and continued to play, determined to find another way.
However, this strategy didn't always work. Sometimes, his attempts to provoke fouls resulted in losing the ball cleanly. To mitigate this risk, he instructed Kante to stay close for support.
"Stick closer to me," Bruno told Kante. "I need cover."
Kante nodded, "Got it."
"Bruno seems to be changing his approach," observed a commentator. "He's dribbling more instead of passing. It seems he believes that taking on defenders might yield better results."
Commentators debated the effectiveness of Bruno's new tactic. "He's not known for fancy dribbling," one remarked. "But his dribbling is practical," another countered. "He's not showy, but effective."
Bruno targeted David Silva, identifying him as the weakest defender among City's midfield trio. He drove towards Silva, anticipating a foul. Instead of committing a foul, Silva used his body to shield Bruno, allowing Mkhitaryan to close in and dispossess him. Kante retrieved the loose ball but his long-range shot flew over the crossbar.
Bruno, frustrated, gestured towards referee Atkinson, believing Silva and Mkhitaryan had fouled him. Atkinson, however, shook his head, indicating he saw no foul. Kante urged Bruno to get back, and he reluctantly complied, hoping for another opportunity.
Despite Bruno's hopes, United couldn't withstand City's relentless pressure. In the 25th minute, City finally broke through. From a corner, Sane's delivery caused chaos in the box, and Kompany escaped Van Dijk's marking to head the ball into the net, 1-0.
The Etihad Stadium erupted with deafening cheers. Scoring within the first 25 minutes, City had set a positive tone for the match.
"Goal! Vincent Kompany!" the City commentator shouted passionately. "GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!"
"City takes the lead! This could break their ten-match winless streak against United," another commentator added.
Since November 2014, City had failed to beat United in ten encounters, spanning six league games, three League Cup matches, and one International Champions Cup fixture.
City's players celebrated exuberantly, eager to end their winless streak against their rivals. They now felt they were on the brink of a long-awaited victory.
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