Chapter 590: Tactics
Ramos lowered his head to adjust the football, planning to make a direct pass.
To his left, there was a gap between Manchester United's central defenders, Maguire and Van Dijk. If the ball could get through, either Benzema or Isco would have a direct shot at the goalkeeper, making it almost impossible not to score.
Just as he was about to pass, a foot appeared in front of him, poking the ball away before he could. He ended up kicking the foot instead, causing him to stumble!
The one who ruined his play was Bruno! He poked the ball to Maguire, ignoring the kick from Ramos, and immediately started running forward.
Maguire received the pass from Bruno and didn't linger. Even a second's delay could lead to losing the ball, and losing it in this position would be catastrophic. He passed the ball to Kante, who turned and swept it to the advancing Bruno.
In less than three seconds, the ball had been moved to open space, and Manchester United had transitioned from defense to offense.
This was Manchester United's attack, quick and sharp!
Bruno increased his speed to the maximum, charging forward with the ball. With the system's help and six years of relentless practice, his coordination with the ball had reached the limits of human ability, and his dribbling was incredibly fast.
Of course, it helped that Casemiro had dropped back into the center-back position, leaving a wide-open space twenty meters ahead of him, with no one to challenge him.
At this moment, Bruno was like a horse galloping freely on a vast prairie!
Meanwhile, the real Real Madrid center-back, Ramos, had been left far behind!
Mourinho stood up from the coaching bench as he witnessed this scene, knowing what it meant!
This was a tactic Manchester United had practiced countless times in training, specifically targeting Ramos!
Manchester United launched a fast break, a dream opportunity!
At that moment, the cheers of Manchester United fans in the Kyiv Olympic Stadium reached a new peak!
Those familiar with Manchester United's style knew the potential of this attack.
"Damn…"
Ramos turned his head and saw Bruno far ahead, realizing his mistake. He could only desperately run back, hoping Casemiro could slow down the opponent's advance.
Casemiro, seeing Bruno coming with the ball, rushed forward without hesitation.
This created an open space behind him.
As Ramos chased back, he saw Casemiro's move and cursed internally, "Idiot!"
Unlike center-backs, defensive midfielders can rush up to defend, trying to tangle the ball-handler because they have center-backs behind them to cover the space. But center-backs don't have that luxury. If they rush up, they leave a large open area behind, giving the opponent free rein.
Just as Ramos feared, Bruno passed the ball into the open space behind Casemiro.
Harry Kane, cutting in from the center, received the ball and was through on goal!
"Bruno's through ball is brilliant!" the commentator Wei He shouted excitedly, "Harry Kane got the ball! No offside! No offside!"
Real Madrid fans in the stands erupted with boos and shouts, "Offside! That's offside!"
But neither the referee nor the linesman paid any attention.
Varane chased after Harry Kane, and only then did Casemiro realize his mistake, hurriedly turning back to defend.
As he turned, Bruno also ran past him. He hesitated but chose to keep chasing Harry Kane.
The only remaining Real Madrid defender, Varane, had anticipated Kane receiving the ball and quickly caught up with him. The atmosphere on the field became tense.
Could Varane stop Harry Kane's shot? Could Kane break through Varane's defense?
Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the two players, oblivious to everything else.
Casemiro, too, focused only on Kane, determined to recover the ball and atone for his mistake.
At that moment, he saw Kane preparing to shoot, but he was still at least five meters away, unable to defend in time…
"Harry Kane! Harry Kane—shoots!"
Varane saw Kane shooting and went for a sliding tackle. But it was a feint; Kane pulled the ball back with his left foot, tricking Varane.
For Casemiro, this was his chance!
This was his chance to make up for his mistake!
But just as Casemiro closed in, Kane passed the ball instead, sending it behind him!
Bruno received the ball!
He had indeed sprinted forward but slowed down as he approached the penalty area, allowing Casemiro to overtake him, and then received Kane's pass!
"Bruno——!!" the commentator shouted.
Everyone anticipated a long shot from him. Even Real Madrid players, seeing the ball passed to Bruno, instinctively moved to block his shot.
Navas, the goalkeeper, quickly moved towards the center of the goal, shouting, "Don't let him shoot!"
Ramos rushed in from behind. Earlier, Bruno had stolen the ball from him. Now he wanted to return the favor by tackling the ball as Bruno shot.
If Bruno were to shoot, Ramos would have a chance, as preparing for a shot takes time. But Bruno didn't shoot. He twisted his body and passed the ball again, this time to Mbappe!
With Varane drawn out of position by Kane, Mbappe was left unmarked!
"Good ball! Beautiful pass!" Wei He shouted excitedly again.
Mbappe received the ball with no one marking him. The chance created by Bruno was perfect.
In football, sometimes opportunities are too good, and forwards often miss them. But not Mbappe.
For this moment, Manchester United had waited long enough. This was a chance created by the entire team!
"Mbappe! Mbappe!! Mbappe——"
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"
"Mbappe scores! The ball… the ball is in! Beautiful! What a goal!"
"Manchester United leads Real Madrid by one goal!"
"This is unbelievable! Manchester United is leading Real Madrid in the match! The first goal was scored by Manchester United, not Real Madrid!!"
Mbappe lifted his foot and sent the ball into the top corner. Despite Navas' desperate dive, he couldn't reach it, only watching as the ball flew over his head and into the net…
"In the UEFA Champions League final, it's Manchester United who takes the lead!!"
"What a brilliant combination play, perfectly showcasing Manchester United's characteristics! This is Manchester United! Quick and sharp, exploiting the opponent's defensive flaws with rapid passing and movement. They've done it!"
"Glory, glory, Man United!" As the ball hit the net, thunderous cheers erupted from the stands of the Kyiv Olympic Stadium.
"Glory, glory, Man United!"
Manchester United fans leaped up with their arms raised, hugging each other, tears in their eyes, hoarse voices shouting, "Yes! We're leading! We're leading Real Madrid!"
Watching Mbappe score against Real Madrid, many Manchester United fans at home also jumped up from their seats.
They cheered for Manchester United's goal and applauded Bruno's brilliant performance.
The commentator's voice came through the TV, "…this is Bruno's 10th assist in this Champions League season. There's no doubt he will be the assist king of this tournament!"
Mbappe hugged Bruno, grateful for helping him score in a Champions League final at the age of 19.
More teammates swarmed them, surrounding the two in celebration.
In the midst of the excited crowd, Bruno shouted, "Who said we couldn't beat Real Madrid?! Real Madrid can be scored against! They're not invincible! We are the unbeatable team!"
The teammates echoed his shout, "Invincible!!!"
After rousing his teammates, Bruno added, "Guys, the game has just started! Now's not the time to celebrate; we need more goals!"
"Don't stop, we need to be faster!!"
"Faster!!!"
Mourinho, seeing Mbappe's goal, jumped with arms wide open. But his assistant coaches, Faria and Carrick, were even more excited, rushing onto the field and running a lap before coming back.
"Our plan worked!" The three coaches hugged each other, laughing.
"It worked! Haha!"
"We have a chance to win the Champions League!!"
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