Chapter 557: What Does It Mean to Be the Brain of the Team?
"Manchester United, playing away, has found themselves in trouble. Twenty-five minutes into the match, their attack is yet to find rhythm or direction, and they've conceded a goal... United is known for playing well when they take the lead, but how will they perform now that they're trailing?"
The Manchester United commentator was deeply concerned for the team, recalling an experience from six years ago.
That season, with only six matches remaining, United held an eight-point lead over Manchester City, making the title seem like a matter of time. However, shock losses to Wigan Athletic, squandering a 4-2 lead against Everton to draw, and poor tactical decisions in the derby led to a dramatic collapse. United's eight-point lead evaporated in just four matches, allowing City to clinch the Premier League title on goal difference.
If United were to lose today, there was a real possibility of City staging another comeback.
Although United had been nearly perfect this season, City had also performed exceptionally well. With 81 points from 31 Premier League matches, City averaged 2.61 points per game, projecting to 99 points by season's end. Such a tally would secure the title in any other league.
Facing such a formidable opponent, United had to avoid costly errors to prevent another reversal.
Upon seeing the goal, Guardiola leaped from his seat, raising his arms in celebration. Meanwhile, Mourinho wore a look of frustration.
City had demonstrated an aggressive form of counter-attacking defense. Rather than sitting back and waiting for United to attack, they pressed aggressively from the front to the back, leaving United with no space to operate effectively.
After taking the lead, City didn't press further but continued their aggressive defensive stance, targeting Bruno. This strategy paralyzed United's attack while allowing City to launch sharp counter-attacks.
Bruno noticed that City's players were careful with their fouls, ensuring they committed no offenses warranting a yellow card.
It seemed Guardiola had instructed them well.
Bruno felt as though City had thoroughly studied and prepared for him over the past two seasons.
Despite this, he believed he could still find opportunities in the gaps between the three midfielders. He didn't believe City could maintain such a high level of intensity and cohesiveness for the full ninety minutes.
If City managed to do that, it would mean United had not applied enough pressure.
Bruno realized he had been too focused on battling the three midfielders and needed a broader perspective.
Bruno continued to dribble, seemingly aiming to draw fouls. But when the opposition closed in, he quickly passed the ball to Kante and then pivoted, sprinting in another direction. Mkhitaryan followed him closely, thinking Bruno would receive the ball again.
Bruno signaled to Kante not to pass back to him and to choose another option. Kante, understanding Bruno's intention, passed the ball to Gundogan on the other side. Gundogan sent a cross into the box, where Harry Kane nearly connected, but Kompany cleared it for a corner.
During the break, Bruno gathered a few teammates. He couldn't instruct the entire team at once but could relay his message to these key players.
"We need to up our tempo," Bruno said. "Sorry, we haven't found our rhythm yet, and that's on me. But now, we need to change that. I'll pass quickly, so stay alert."
Harry Kane clenched his fist. "Quick play suits us better! You don't need to say it, Bruno. Fast football is our game!"
The others agreed enthusiastically.
"So, let's do this. Quick passes and runs. Let's break their defense with speed!"
The group echoed their agreement.
Bruno held back Rashford for additional instructions on the corner kick.
"Marcus, don't aim directly for the goal. Their center-backs are strong in the air."
"You mean a tactical corner?" Rashford asked.
Bruno nodded. "Pass it to me. I'll organize a quick attack in their thirty-meter zone."
Rashford found Bruno's plan intriguing and smiled.
As Rashford moved to take the corner, Bruno positioned himself at the edge of the penalty area, away from the crowded goalmouth.
As the ball flew towards Bruno, Fernandinho bypassed Kante to challenge him.
Bruno feigned a shot, causing Fernandinho to dive to block, then quickly cut the ball inside, avoiding the Brazilian. Without waiting for City's defense to regroup, he made a swift through pass.
The ball slipped through two City defenders as Mbappe made a diagonal run, breaking through City's high line.
"Brilliant offside trap!"
"Bruno finally delivers a quality through ball!"
"Wow! Just brilliant!"
The commentators couldn't hide their admiration.
Mbappe received the pass, some City players raising their hands for offside, not expecting United's sudden, decisive play.
Facing the goal, Mbappe shot, but Ederson saved it, resulting in another corner.
"Whoa! United finally threaten City's goal!"
City fans gasped, nearly seeing their lead vanish.
Mbappe held his head in disbelief, ruing the missed opportunity.
"Bruno finally outplays City's midfield trio in this round!" Gary Lineker, increasingly admiring Bruno's play, noted.
Fernandinho, getting up, saw Ederson looking disheveled, knowing he'd been outplayed by Bruno.
In football, attackers often receive more praise for occasional breakthroughs than defenders do for consistent stops.
When United took the next corner, Fernandinho stayed close to Bruno.
Bruno returned to his previous spot, but this time, Rashford sent the ball into the box directly. Although it found a United player, Maguire's header went over the bar, ending the attack.
Despite not scoring, Bruno and his teammates gained confidence from the attack.
City's defense wasn't impenetrable; sudden tempo changes revealed gaps.
"Let's keep this up!" United players encouraged each other.
Guardiola, furious over the defensive lapse, stormed to the touchline, berating his players.
"What the hell are you doing? Don't give him those chances!"
He quickly realized the issue wasn't his players' effort but United's increased aggression. United seemed to be finding their stride.
Bruno passed quickly, moved to receive the ball again, and then passed again. His teammates followed suit, playing fast and fluid.
United's sudden shift in pace caught City off guard.
"Bruno gets the ball, passes! Kante! Mbappe! Bruno! Rashford! Shaw... Bruno! Harry Kane—just wide!"
"Bruno passes first-time, Mkhitaryan fouls him! Referee Atkinson halts play! He warns Mkhitaryan, but United's players want a yellow card!"
"United's improved play ties to Bruno's energy. Has he found a way to counter City's midfield?"
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