Chapter 561: Transition Between Offense and Defense
"Just six minutes into the second half, United have fallen behind again. This is definitely not good news for them."
"It seems that after the halftime break, United have lost the rhythm they found in the latter part of the first half. Their attacks are no longer threatening City, and their defensive gaps are once again exposed under City's pressure..."
"Guardiola is indeed on par with Mourinho as one of the best coaches in football. His halftime adjustments were very effective. Now it's up to Coach Mourinho to respond!"
"Bruno's performance is no longer as dazzling as it was in the latter part of the first half. He is struggling against City's tight defense. However, there aren't many players in the world who can break through such a defense. The fact that Bruno has already scored against City is impressive enough..."
Quick passing and pulling the opponent's defense out of shape were no longer working. What other methods could there be?
City's players were celebrating, while his own teammates were dejected and frustrated. Bruno frowned as he thought.
If he couldn't figure out a way to break through this defense, they were bound to lose today's game.
In the following minutes, Bruno kept trying various methods to break through City's defense. However, his efforts were largely ineffective. It was very challenging to break City's defense relying solely on himself or the few attacking players up front because the team lacked the variations needed to tip the balance.
City had thoroughly studied him—his runs, his passing habits, his shooting. The City defenders knew it all. As soon as he got the ball, Bernardo Silva would be right there to harass him constantly.
This teammate from the Portuguese national team now looked less like an attacking midfielder and more like a hardworking laborer.
If it were another forward, they might refuse to execute such tactical instructions, thinking the coach had lost his mind by asking an attacking player to focus on disruption.
But Bernardo Silva wasn't like that. He would follow the coach's instructions without question.
This was what Guardiola valued most about him—his ability to strictly follow tactical plans without complaints and without causing any trouble during matches.
Throughout the match, Bruno not only had to be cautious of Bernardo Silva intercepting the ball but also needed to find a path that could directly threaten the danger zones while constantly facing challenges from other City defenders.
If he didn't pass the ball and chose to break through on his own, he would soon find himself up against the combined defensive efforts of Fernandinho, Mkhitaryan, and David Silva.
Despite this, Bruno continued to push forward with his dribbles, hoping to draw more defenders to create space for his teammates.
"Bruno is driving forward again... He's been dribbling much more frequently recently..."
Although Bernardo Silva wasn't particularly strong in one-on-one defense, he excelled in pressing, timing his tackles, and tracking back.
He kept in mind Guardiola's halftime instruction to immediately pressure Bruno whenever he had the ball to delay his advances.
But once Bruno cut inside, Bernardo Silva wouldn't follow. Instead, he would leave Bruno to the other defenders and position himself forward to be ready for a quick counterattack if they regained possession.
Chasing Bruno back would slow down City's counterattack. If they won the ball back, they would need him forward to organize the counter.
For example, this time, Bruno was advancing with the ball, and Bernardo Silva quickly closed in to disrupt him. But once Bruno used his individual skills to break through, Bernardo Silva didn't chase after him but let him pass.
As Bruno broke through Bernardo Silva's defense, Fernandinho stepped up while Mkhitaryan covered the space.
Bruno didn't pass the ball, even though he saw Mbappé calling for it on the flank. Not far from Mbappé, Delph was lurking, ready to pounce. If Bruno passed it, Delph would surely intercept.
Bruno feinted a pass towards Mbappé, then suddenly cut the ball back with his right foot and turned to the other side.
Fernandinho was fooled by the fake pass and didn't block him in time, but Mkhitaryan was there.
Seeing Fernandinho out of position, Mkhitaryan stepped up. Bruno couldn't continue his run without colliding with him.
So, he didn't keep dribbling. He had already drawn two defenders, which was enough. He quickly poked the ball forward with his left foot, aiming for Harry Kane.
After passing, Bruno didn't stop but stumbled forward, dragging Mkhitaryan with him to reduce pressure on his teammate.
Some players pass and stay put, watching their teammates get surrounded and lose the ball. Bruno wasn't that naive. He charged forward, though unsteady, disrupting City's defense.
City wasn't easy to break. Mkhitaryan followed Bruno, and Fernandinho turned to Harry Kane.
Bruno's run didn't dismantle City's defense.
Harry Kane saw Bruno cutting in and passed, but Kompany read it and intercepted.
"Lose the ball!" commentator Lineker exclaimed.
Bruno turned and saw Kompany intercept. He stopped and chased back.
Kompany pushed the ball forward, and Gündoğan rushed to block him.
City's captain passed to David Silva, who quickly passed to Bernardo Silva.
Gündoğan couldn't stop Kompany's pass. As he turned, Bruno sped past.
"Cover David Silva!" Bruno yelled to Gündoğan as he passed.
Bernardo Silva needed to be marked, and David Silva, City's playmaker, couldn't be left alone. They divided tasks.
Gündoğan adjusted his run towards David Silva, while Bruno chased Bernardo Silva.
Bruno grabbed his national teammate's shoulder, forcing him to slow down. He sped up to overtake Bernardo Silva for a better defensive position.
Bernardo Silva faked a move, then abruptly stopped and changed direction, shaking off Bruno.
Bruno overtook him but wasn't completely shaken off.
Bernardo Silva moved the ball inside, planning to dribble across. Bruno leaned in.
In Portugal's national team, they were close teammates. In clubs, they were fierce rivals.
Bernardo Silva, though lean, could withstand challenges. He used his flexibility and balance to control the ball under pressure, accelerating and changing direction.
Both knew each other well. Bruno timed his tackle, cleanly taking the ball from Bernardo Silva.
"Great defense!" Lineker praised.
Bruno lay on the ground, checking who got the ball. He saw Kanté, who controlled Bruno's tackle.
Bernardo Silva got up and rushed at Kanté, aiming to regain possession. But Kanté didn't give him the chance. He quickly passed to Mbappé on the wing.
Both teams fought fiercely in midfield. Rapid transitions of possession disrupted both defenses, making either side's control a significant threat.
Luck favored United. They maintained possession amid the chaos.
Mbappé, with some space, received Kanté's pass and sprinted down the line.
Delph tried to intercept but was easily outpaced by Mbappé.
With Delph behind, Mbappé reached City's box. He wasted no time and crossed the ball!
"Mbappé crosses!"
The ball curved over City's defenders, flying to the far post.
Neither Kompany nor Otamendi reached it; it was too high.
The ball found Rashford on the far side.
"Rashford's up!"
Danilo rushed to block Rashford, but Rashford headed the ball to the center.
"Headed pass! To the middle! Harry Kane!!"
The English striker, unmarked, jumped high and headed the ball.
It flew past Ederson into the net!
2-2!
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