Chapter 693: Two Heavy Blows
After a series of rapid dribbles and sharp turns, Bruno Fernandes found himself catching his breath. As he jogged back into position, he felt a tinge of frustration.
He was acutely aware of the focused defensive attention Schalke 04 had directed at him. The consistent double- and triple-marking he faced was proving to be a headache.
Moments ago, after slipping past Guido Burgstaller, Weston McKennie had closed him down at just the right moment. If McKennie had been even a second slower, Bruno could have adjusted his attack, bypassing the horizontal run to drive directly into the box at an angle.
The horizontal move followed by a sharp change in direction was far less effective than a direct diagonal run. Schalke's defense was meticulous—stiflingly so.
Bruno glanced toward the opposing technical area, where Schalke manager Domenico Tedesco stood, a broad grin spread across his bearded face as his team neutralized yet another Manchester United attack.
He's probably feeling pretty pleased with himself for how his defensive plan is working, Bruno thought.
It was evident that Schalke 04's defensive setup revolved around him and Harry Kane, successfully limiting United's attacking momentum early in the game.
Bruno knew something had to change. If Schalke managed to strike first, United would be forced into an uphill battle.
I need to find a way to break them down. He scanned the field, searching for an opening.
...
Schalke soon launched another dangerous attack. Breel Embolo unleashed a powerful long-range strike that whizzed just past the post, eliciting gasps of relief from the crowd at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Moments later, Bruno had a chance of his own. Picking up the ball on the left side of midfield, he surged forward, threading a precise through ball to Harry Kane. However, the English striker was under intense pressure from two Schalke defenders and couldn't make clean contact, his shot skewing well wide of the target.
Bruno clenched his fists in frustration. United's midfield was retreating too deep when defending, leaving the attacking transitions disjointed and isolating players like Kane up front.
As Bruno jogged back, he locked eyes with İlkay Gündoğan, sending a subtle but meaningful signal.
Having played alongside each other for over two years, the two midfielders had developed a strong understanding. Gündoğan hesitated briefly, then nodded, grasping Bruno's intent.
Bruno also exchanged a quick gesture with Harry Kane, who returned a determined look.
Time to change the game plan.
...
Schalke's team was well-organized, transitioning seamlessly between rapid attacks and compact defensive structures. Their efficiency frustrated United's efforts to build sustained momentum.
When United regained possession, Bruno received the ball on the left wing, only to find Yevhen Konoplyanka and Jonjoe van den Hoorn closing in fast.
Without hesitation, Bruno drove toward them, forcing Schalke's defense to backpedal. As he approached the 30-yard mark, he executed a sudden step-over feint, pretending to cut inside before sharply shifting the ball to his right foot.
McKennie lunged in, trying to intercept, but Bruno was too quick. With a deft touch, he sent the ball diagonally toward the edge of the box.
At that moment, McKennie realized the danger. His mind raced: It's a trap!
...
Both N'Golo Kanté and İlkay Gündoğan had anticipated Bruno's intentions.
As Bruno drew defenders toward him, Gündoğan made a late, surging run into the space that had opened up at the top of the penalty area.
Trusting Bruno's ability to deliver, Gündoğan sprinted forward. His faith in his teammate's vision and precision was unwavering.
True to form, Bruno executed a perfectly weighted pass, bypassing the scrambling Schalke defenders. The ball rolled into Gündoğan's path, just outside the box.
Without breaking stride, Gündoğan controlled the ball with his right foot and took aim. His powerful strike rocketed toward goal with blistering speed.
The sound of the ball connecting with his boot echoed through the stadium—THUD!
Before Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann could react, the ball slammed into the back of the net.
Schalke's defenders stood frozen as the Millennium Stadium erupted in deafening cheers.
...
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLL!!!!"
"Gündoğan!"
"It's in! Manchester United take the lead!"
"1-0! A lightning-quick counterattack from Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes delivers the assist, and Gündoğan scores a sensational strike from 20 yards out!"
The crowd roared as Gündoğan sprinted toward the corner flag, arms outstretched in celebration. Bruno followed close behind, his trademark grin lighting up the pitch.
United had landed the first heavy blow. Schalke would need more than defensive discipline to recover now.
When Gündoğan lined up his shot, he felt an overwhelming certainty—this is going in!
As he saw the ball sail into Schalke 04's net, he bolted toward the sidelines to celebrate. The joy was unmistakable. Before joining Manchester United, Gündoğan played for Borussia Dortmund, Schalke 04's fiercest rivals. The Ruhr Derby was one of the most heated clashes in German football, and even now, playing for United, Gündoğan couldn't help but savor the moment.
This wasn't just any goal—it was a crucial strike in a Champions League knockout game!
His teammates swarmed around him and Bruno Fernandes, celebrating the vital goal that significantly eased the pressure on United.
Bruno, brimming with confidence after his plan worked, declared to his teammates:
"They're marking me heavily. I'll draw their defense and open them up. You just run—let's crush them!"
His teammates nodded in agreement, fully recognizing the opportunity they had. Schalke's defense was pressing too high, leaving space behind to exploit.
...
This is a disaster!
Schalke 04's manager Domenico Tedesco felt as if a hammer had struck his head. Just minutes ago, his team had been dominating. Yet out of nowhere, they conceded.
Now he faced a dilemma. Should he pull his team back to defend? It felt like a waste to abandon the momentum they had built. But if they didn't retreat and conceded another goal, it could be catastrophic.
Typically, a coach in this situation would opt to stabilize the defense and wait for opportunities. However, Tedesco had no room for caution—he had to take risks.
Schalke's players were just as incensed by the goal. They had dominated possession and created several close chances, only to see United strike first. Frustration fueled their response, and Tedesco did nothing to temper their aggression.
The team surged forward with even more intensity, launching relentless attacks.
In football, calm and composure are paramount. Statistics show that the 10 minutes following a goal are when teams are most likely to score again—either the conceding side mounts a desperate counterattack or the scoring team capitalizes on their opponent's disarray to extend their lead.
As it turned out, Schalke's ferocious push forward only left them vulnerable to another counterattack—just like United's first goal.
...
Bruno Fernandes received the ball on the left flank, scanning the field quickly before playing a diagonal pass to Harry Kane, who had drifted wide.
The English striker drew Schalke's defenders out of position before passing the ball back to Marcus Rashford, who was making a late run down the left.
Rashford controlled the ball and delivered a precise horizontal pass to Bruno, now positioned centrally.
Bruno shielded the ball from Weston McKennie's challenge and, with a deft touch of his left foot, lifted it over Salif Sané.
Suddenly, Kylian Mbappé appeared out of nowhere, darting in behind Sané. The French forward beat him to the ball, and with a delicate lob from the edge of the penalty area, sent it soaring over the onrushing goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann.
The ball dipped gracefully into the back of Schalke's net.
2–0!
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLL!!!!!"
"Five minutes—FIVE MINUTES! Manchester United have scored twice in five minutes, and both goals were assisted by Bruno Fernandes!"
"My God! He was facing away from the middle of the pitch—how on earth did he see Mbappé making that run? Does Bruno have eyes on the back of his head?"
"That pass was pure genius—he scooped it over Sané with perfect precision, and all Mbappé had to do was finish."
"Another brilliant assist from Bruno, and Mbappé's stunning lob has put United firmly in control! 2–0!"
Mbappé sprinted toward the corner flag in celebration, followed by a swarm of United players.
The entire team gathered to celebrate, with many showering Bruno with praise for his incredible assist.
The move had caught everyone off guard. From the angle Bruno had received the ball, it seemed impossible for him to see Mbappé's run. Yet the pass was perfectly timed and placed.
To call it a coincidence felt absurd. But to believe it was entirely deliberate seemed almost unbelievable.
Bruno said nothing, merely grinning as his teammates congratulated him.
Sometimes, maintaining a little mystery isn't a bad thing.
(END CHAPTER)
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