Chapter 563: Controversial Decision
It was a good pass, but Mbappé on the wing didn't receive it because he thought Bruno was going to shoot. Seeing Bruno swing his leg towards the ball, he didn't even start running. By the time he realized the ball was bouncing towards him, it was too late to get to it.
At that moment, City's defense was concentrated in the middle. If Mbappé had gotten the ball, he could have broken through. This was an opportunity United had been waiting for!
Mbappé knew what missing this chance meant. He quickly raised his hand to apologize to Bruno, indicating that his pass was good, but he failed to connect properly.
Bruno didn't mind Mbappé missing the chance. Instead, he realized from this "mistake" that perhaps some "unexpected" moves could break the deadlock. His attack patterns had become predictable, making it easier for the opponents to defend against him. To break through their defense, he needed to be more unpredictable and free.
With little time left in the match, Bruno decided to abandon tactical constraints and play freely for the remaining time.
City launched an attack, but it was intercepted by Kanté in midfield. Kanté passed the ball to Bruno, who was just past the halfway line. As Bruno received the ball, the City players hadn't yet closed in on him. Typically, Bruno would either pass to the side or carry the ball forward. Unexpectedly, he took a long-range shot as soon as he crossed the halfway line.
"Bruno's carrying the ball... and he shoots from distance!" The commentator Lineker was taken aback.
Bruno's shot was sudden but not high. In terms of height, it was very threatening and seemed likely to be on target. Ederson wasn't prepared for such a long-range effort from Bruno, and by the time he reacted, he couldn't reach the ball. The ball narrowly missed the post, skimming just wide of the goal.
"Oh—!" The Etihad Stadium let out a huge gasp of relief from City fans.
"A high-quality long shot!!"
"City's players didn't expect Bruno to shoot from there!"
"Let's see the replay... It was so close! What a pity! If that had gone in, it would surely be one of the Premier League's best goals of the season! Over forty meters!"
Commentators worldwide marveled at the effort.
Although Bruno's long shot ended United's attack, no one complained about wasting a chance. Instead, everyone saw it as a morale booster. Kanté even gave Bruno a thumbs-up as he returned to defend.
Behind Bruno, Fernandinho gritted his teeth: "Shooting from that distance, he really dares! We need to be more vigilant in defense and not give him such easy opportunities."
Bruno's shot lifted United's spirits, showing the players his determination to score and beat their opponents. United soon mounted another attack. This time, Bruno didn't shoot directly. When he received a pass, he let the ball run through his legs, causing Bernardo Silva to lunge in vain.
The ball went to Harry Kane, who then passed it back to Bruno, who was running forward. This time, Fernandinho moved in to mark Bruno, but Bruno again let the ball run past him, surprising Fernandinho.
"What's this?" Fernandinho was taken aback by Bruno's decision not to touch the ball twice.
Bruno let the ball go to Rashford, who was quick to react and passed it into the penalty area.
Due to Fernandinho's advance, City's defense wasn't as solid. The hurried cross found Gündoğan, who took a shot. Ederson made a world-class save, pushing the close-range effort over the bar.
"Oh—Ederson! What a save!"
The ball flew over the bar. Ederson jumped up, clapping his hands and shouting at his teammates to focus on defense and not give United any last-minute chances to score. A goal now would almost certainly end City's title hopes for the season.
Lineker praised Bruno's involvement in the attack: "He didn't even touch the ball, yet he was the undeniable core of that attack. By not touching the ball, he opened up City's defense and created chances for his teammates. This performance is world-class!"
Commentators from around the world also praised Bruno's actions.
"Bruno's performance is delightful! Using two runs and dummy passes in one attack, he helped his team create a dangerous opportunity. Such performances are rare even in world football!"
"I don't know what's happening, but since that long shot, Bruno seems different. He seems... more flexible? Or more unpredictable..."
"This sequence of dummy passes was classic! It's a shame Gündoğan didn't score, or this goal would surely make the season's top ten highlights!"
Not only were the commentators surprised, but United's teammates also found it unbelievable.
Rashford nearly assisted a goal, but he wasn't focused on that. Instead, he grabbed Bruno and asked, "How did you think to let the ball go through?"
Bruno shrugged and said, "I just thought of it suddenly."
"Oh my god, can you give me a heads-up next time? I wasn't ready at all!" Rashford complained.
"Come on, Marcus. If I told you beforehand, wouldn't the opponents know too?"
"Hmm..." Rashford thought for a moment and realized Bruno had a point. City seemed to have figured out all of United's tactics.
"So, from now on, we rely on our chemistry." Bruno winked.
Guardiola stood up. Bruno's performance in the last fifteen minutes made him sense danger, making it impossible to sit still any longer.
"Our defense is getting sloppy!" he complained to his assistant coach, Arteta.
Then he stood up and shouted to his players, "Stay focused! Tighten up the defense! Don't give them such chances!!"
While Guardiola was shouting, Bruno was carrying the ball on the field. He was dribbling diagonally towards the penalty area, drawing in both Fernandinho and Mkhitaryan. Bruno managed to get past the two but lost the ball, subtly flicking it with his heel to the oncoming Kanté.
Kanté drove into the penalty area but was brought down by Kompany.
The 2,000 United fans in the stands erupted with boos: "Foul!!"
United players raised their hands, signaling a foul and demanding a penalty. On the bench, United players and coaches stood up, also calling for a penalty.
However, referee Martin Atkinson signaled to continue play and told Kanté to get up and not waste time.
"Referee Martin Atkinson didn't award a penalty!"
Kompany cleared the ball upfield, and City launched a counter-attack. The television broadcast didn't even have time to replay the controversial moment.
Seeing the referee's decision, Kanté furiously jumped up and confronted Atkinson. His actions didn't win a penalty but earned him a yellow card for dissent.
Kanté's opening words were "What the hell," so the outcome was predictable. He was lucky not to be sent off.
Bruno pulled him away and pushed him back, telling him to get back on defense and stop arguing with the referee.
Although Bruno didn't intend to dwell on the penalty, the missed call affected the team.
Mourinho continued to shout from the sidelines and was warned by the fourth official.
Commentators worldwide shared their opinions.
"I think it was a clear penalty..."
"Kompany's action wasn't obvious, and it seemed like Kanté was looking for the penalty..."
"In such a sensitive moment, referee Martin Atkinson wouldn't casually give a penalty!"
The debate over the penalty overshadowed Bruno's brilliant back-heel pass during the run.
Even Guardiola focused on the penalty, giving a thumbs-up to Atkinson for his decision and making faces at Mourinho, who angrily kicked a water bottle, imagining it was Guardiola.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10