Soccer: I became Bruno Fernandes.

Chapter 437: Chapter 437: Strategic Weapon



Chapter 437: Strategic Weapon

The over fifty thousand fans at Etihad Stadium created a cacophony of boos, a roaring ocean attempting to swallow Bruno whole. Amidst this storm, Bruno remained as calm as a lone boat, bobbing up and down but never losing his composure.

He meticulously calculated the height of Manchester City's wall, their potential jump height, and the positioning of the players in the box, including Bravo's likely reactions. He noted that City's primary concern was defending against a potential indirect free kick from United.

Directly scoring from this distance seemed unlikely—Bravo was no novice. As the referee Martin Atkinson blew his whistle, Bruno took a deep breath, ignored the red laser flickering on his face, and sprinted forward. His steps, carefully measured, brought him to the ball where he planted his left foot and swung his right foot swiftly and smoothly.

The sound of the strike echoed through the stadium, the ball flying with speed, rising over the wall and heading straight for the goal.

...

It all happened in a blink of an eye. Fans might have missed the ball's flight, but Manchester City's goalkeeper Bravo kept his focus firmly on it. He saw clearly that Bruno was aiming directly for the goal.

As the ball soared over the wall, it barely spun but carried immense power, veering towards the right. Bravo anticipated the trajectory, positioning himself for the save. Just as the ball cleared the wall, it sharply curved to the left, defying Bravo's initial read.

Reacting quickly, Bravo adjusted his stance, lunging left. But the ball, as if guided by an invisible hand, dipped suddenly—an unpredictable swerve that outmaneuvered Bravo. The ball shot past him into the net as Bravo tumbled to the ground.

...

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!" The commentator's cry echoed, mingling with the astonished gasps from the crowd. A 32-meter strike!

"It's in! Incredible!" "In the 13th minute, Bruno has opened the scoring for Manchester United with a stunning free kick!" "A world-class strike from Bruno!" "This goal alone cements Bruno's status as one of the planet's premier free-kick specialists." "Yaya Touré probably thought his foul was far enough to be safe, but Bruno's kick turned it into a nightmare." "From now on, fouls within 30 meters of the goal are effectively scoring opportunities for Bruno. Opponents facing United must tread carefully to avoid fouls in this range." "This is nothing short of a strategic weapon for United!"

...

Bruno, having seen the ball curl into Bravo's net, turned and sprinted towards the corner flag, sliding on his knees and leaving two long marks on the grass. He jumped up at the end of his slide, fists clenched, roaring towards the Manchester United fans who responded with thunderous cheers.

Behind him, United players swarmed, enveloping Bruno in their celebration.

"Damn it, you told me to go for the second ball! Where's the ball?" Maguire bellowed in mock anger. "Incredible! How did you make that?" Rashford marveled. "Nothing more to say," Gundogan admitted defeat with a grin. Kante jumped onto Bruno, shouting in his ear with excitement. De Gea, too, celebrated exuberantly by his goal.

1-0, United led at Etihad! Despite the early strategy of aggressive play faltering, United's counters remained lethal, creating numerous opportunities. Bruno's free kick shifted the momentum dramatically, instilling confidence in his teammates.

...

Not only were the players ecstatic, but in the stands, Manchester United's chairman, Jasem, who was seated with Manchester City chairman Mubarak and other officials, stood up in excitement when Bruno scored. Realizing his excitement might be seen as improper, he quickly sat back down, though his joy was evident, much to Mubarak's chagrin.

Mubarak had confidence in his team, but conceding so early dampened his spirits. The goal scorer, Bruno, was a player Mubarak had once desired but failed to acquire.

Jasem, after offering an apologetic smile to Mubarak, turned to Gianluca Petrachi and Sir Bobby Charlton. Both were equally pleased, especially Petrachi, who analyzed the situation.

"Mourinho's tactics are effective, forcing City's attacks to the center where we have double pivots to intercept. Kante and Carrick are crucial—one for defense, the other for organizing the play." "And of course, Bruno," Petrachi added, full of admiration. "His free-kick ability is remarkable, comparable to Juninho Pernambucano." Charlton chimed in, "Bruno's dedication to mastering free-kicks is well-known. He studies Juninho's techniques and practices tirelessly." Charlton continued, "But it's his decisiveness in critical moments that stands out." A 32-meter direct free kick is a bold choice, one that many might avoid for safety. But Bruno's confidence and execution showed his leadership and resolve. Petrachi nodded, "With this momentum, more goals are possible."

...

Meanwhile, on the other side, Manchester City's staff analyzed the game's early minutes. "We're making a crucial mistake. We control possession but disrupt our formation," Omar Berrada noted. "Sané and Sterling drift too central, crowding the midfield and stifling our own play," he explained.

Omar Berrada, with a background from Barcelona, had been instrumental in City's commercial success since joining in 2011. In 2016, he became the club's CEO and was a vital part of the management team. Often providing tactical insights, Berrada now suggested adjustments.

Mubarak, concerned, asked, "What should we do?"

"We need to widen our attack, utilizing the flanks more effectively," Berrada proposed. Guardiola's formation aimed to balance control and stability but led to overcrowded central play, leaving the wings underutilized.

"Patience is key. Rushing will only exacerbate our situation," Berrada warned. With City trailing early, the pressure was immense. Their league position and Champions League qualification were at stake, adding to the already heavy burden.

Now, with United ahead, City faced mounting pressure to perform under intense scrutiny.

(End of Chapter)

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