Chapter 568: One Match Decides It All
Thanks to Bruno's brace, Manchester United finally defeated Tottenham 2-1, advancing to this season's FA Cup final.
The following day, at the same venue, Chelsea comfortably beat Southampton 2-0, setting up a final clash with Manchester United on May 19th at Wembley Stadium to contest for the FA Cup title.
From late April to early May, these ten days are crucial for Manchester United. Each match could determine the team's success or failure this season. And every opponent in these matches is incredibly strong.
April 21: FA Cup Semi-final against TottenhamApril 24: Champions League Semi-final First Leg, at home against Manchester CityApril 29: Premier League Round 36, at home against ArsenalMay 2: Champions League Semi-final Second Leg, away at Manchester City
It's almost like playing Russian roulette, where any match could suddenly knock Manchester United out of a competition. Fortunately, United's luck held out; they won the first match against Tottenham and advanced to the FA Cup final.
The upcoming home match against Manchester City is even more important than the match at Wembley. It will decide if Manchester United can advance to the Champions League final this season.
With the away goals rule still in effect, drawing to play at home first and away second put Manchester United at a disadvantage. Therefore, Mourinho fielded his strongest lineup in this home game against Manchester City, aiming for a significant victory to secure an advantage in the two-legged tie.
On the night of April 24, at Old Trafford, Manchester United faced Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final.
Both teams' players were in the tunnel. The referee, Spaniard Antonio Mateu Lahoz, was conducting the final checks before the match. He paused when he saw Bruno, nodding slightly.
Lahoz had long heard of this European superstar, often considered alongside Ronaldo and Messi. Despite Bruno's several years of dominance in football, this was Lahoz's first time officiating one of his matches. He was eager to see if Bruno indeed matched the prowess of Ronaldo and Messi.
Of course, this did not stop him from showing Bruno some goodwill. Bruno responded politely with a smile.
Guardiola lined up Manchester City in a 4-3-3 formation: Ederson in goal; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, and Otamendi across the back; De Bruyne, Fernandinho, and Mkhitaryan in midfield; with Silva, Jesus, and Sané forming the front three.
Manchester United, under Mourinho, also fielded a 4-3-3: De Gea in goal; Cancelo, Maguire, Van Dijk, and Shaw in defense; Bruno, Kanté, and Gündoğan in midfield; with Mbappé, Kane, and Rashford upfront.
This was Manchester United's most used and trusted lineup this season. In key matches, Mourinho would field this lineup if all players were available.
Bruno faced off against his old rival Fernandinho, with De Bruyne and Mkhitaryan nearby. Bruno was very familiar with these players.
Just six minutes into the game, Bruno seized an opportunity on the right, creating a counter-attack chance.
In football, with eleven players on each team and the referee, there are twenty-three people on the field, not counting the goalkeepers who stay mostly in the penalty area. The rest move around at high speed, requiring constant attention. A lapse in concentration means missing critical movements.
When United intercepted a ball in their half, Shaw received it on the left near midfield. City's stand-in left-back, Otamendi, didn't sense the danger, assuming the ball was still on the left. But when Shaw made a quick diagonal pass behind City's left-back and center-back, Otamendi realized too late.
Bruno, sprinting at top speed, overtook Otamendi like a gust of wind, chesting the ball down effortlessly. Luckily for City, Laporte quickly reacted, blocking Bruno's path.
It was a one-on-one. After chesting the ball, Bruno accelerated, trying to get past Laporte. But Laporte made a tactical foul, tripping Bruno to the ground. Referee Lahoz didn't hesitate to issue a yellow card to his fellow Spaniard.
In just ten minutes, Lahoz saw that Bruno's skill level indeed surpassed other players on the pitch, validating comparisons to Ronaldo and Messi.
City had a brief respite, organizing their defense inside their penalty area. Bruno's cross from the right found Kane, whose header went just over the bar.
Despite not scoring, United managed to get a City defender booked early, showing Mourinho's tactics were working and Bruno's performance was impressive. Guardiola was visibly frustrated on the sidelines, complaining to the fourth official about the harshness of the punishment.
For defenders, especially center-backs, a yellow card early on means playing cautiously, unable to commit fully. Laporte's choice to foul rather than let Bruno through was understandable; it was better than conceding a goal.
Mourinho seemed relaxed on the sidelines. When Bruno forced Laporte to get a yellow card, he smiled. Though the subsequent free-kick didn't yield a goal, the result was still positive.
"This kid's short-distance burst is getting better, especially in those quick turns," Mourinho praised.
"Indeed," Faria agreed. "Both defenders couldn't stop him. Laporte had to foul, or it would have been a goal."
Watching Bruno retreat while encouraging his teammates to attack down the right, Faria and Mourinho exchanged knowing smiles.
Smart kid!
Otamendi, playing out of position at left-back, was prone to lapses in concentration. Now with Laporte on a yellow card, Bruno signaled his teammates to attack more on the right. This strategy was like striking while the iron is hot, exploiting the weakness.
Football often rewards such smart choices.
As Bruno called for more right-sided attacks, United's offense shifted. With Mbappé and Cancelo on the right, known for their attacking prowess, and Bruno's involvement, United's right flank became a constant threat, pressuring City's left side.
In the 21st minute, Rashford made a diagonal pass to the edge of the box. Kane redirected it to Mbappé on the right, who returned it to Bruno in the middle. Bruno quickly passed it to Cancelo on the right, who crossed into the box.
Bruno, finding space, received Cancelo's cross, pulled the ball left, and shot with his left foot.
"Bruno!!!"
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLL!!"
"In the 21st minute, Manchester United takes the lead!"
"A clinical and efficient attack!"
"United attacked from the left, Kane headed the ball, Mbappé passed to Bruno, who then played it to Cancelo. Cancelo and Bruno showed great chemistry, setting up a cross that Bruno converted."
"Laporte, on a yellow card, could only watch as Bruno created space and scored."
Old Trafford erupted, chanting Bruno's name. Bruno ran to the fans, arms outstretched, celebrating.
The goal was straightforward, capitalizing on Laporte's cautiousness. Bruno's run created an awkward situation for the defender, and Cancelo's assist was crucial.
After teammates swarmed him, Bruno hugged Cancelo, sharing the glory with the fans.
Cancelo was also thrilled. Training with Bruno every morning and working on strength had helped him improve defensively. His enhanced physicality and defending solidified his place in the starting lineup, pushing Valencia to the bench. Valencia, at 33, planned to return to Ecuador to end his career, leaving his position in good hands.
With Bruno breaking the deadlock, Guardiola was visibly annoyed, fearing United's growing momentum. City adjusted their tactics, focusing more on defense, limiting United's scoring chances for the rest of the first half.
Bruno, heavily marked, didn't get many more opportunities. The first half ended 1-0 for United. In the second half, United continued probing City's left side, especially targeting Laporte.
In the 53rd minute, United capitalized again. Mbappé faced Otamendi one-on-one, burst down the right, and passed back to the advancing Cancelo. Cancelo's right-footed shot from the edge of the box doubled United's lead.
2-0!
This goal essentially secured the victory for United.
With the match in their favor, City reinforced their defense. Losing heavily in the first leg would render the second leg meaningless.
Despite the two-goal lead, Bruno was relentless, continually attacking down the right. Eight minutes after the second goal, Bruno received a pass from Kane, drove into the box, and was fouled by Laporte.
The referee awarded a penalty and sent Laporte off with a second yellow card. Laporte would miss the second leg.
Bruno, United's primary penalty taker, calmly scored from the spot, making it 3-0.
This was Bruno's 11th Champions League goal this season, second only to Ronaldo's 15, placing him second in the scoring charts.
Bruno was then substituted for Mata, with the score remaining 3-0 until the end.
In a two-legged tie, United effectively decided the outcome in just one match.
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