Chapter 606: Extra Time
As Bruno shot the ball into Real Madrid's goal, the internet exploded. Manchester United fans, and even some neutral fans, began to express their emotions wildly.
"Hahaha! Long live Bruno!"
"So awesome! Absolutely awesome!"
"Bruno is incredible!"
"This is so thrilling! My heart can hardly take it!"
"Even though I'm not a Manchester United fan, I cried when Bruno scored!"
"I declare, from today onwards, I am a fan of Bruno!"
"Manchester United is truly the Red Devils, so devilishly powerful!"
"Ooh ooh ooh! Go Bruno! Ooh ooh ooh! Go Bruno!"
...
...
Manchester United's celebration lasted quite a while, to the point where the referee had to intervene. It wasn't just because they were happy to escape from a near-defeat; under Bruno's direction, they were trying to use the celebration to delay time and regain their energy.
After all, Manchester United was playing with one less player, meaning they had to cover more ground than Real Madrid players, consuming a lot more energy. With thirty minutes of extra time ahead, if they collapsed due to exhaustion, their hard-fought equalizer would be meaningless.
With the referee's intervention, Manchester United ended their celebration and slowly walked back to their half, seizing every moment to rest. However, they needn't have worried too much. Real Madrid hadn't recovered from the shock of conceding that late equalizer. Even as the game resumed, their attacks were rough and hurried, with a very low success rate.
Considering it was the 88th minute, and they were so close to winning the championship, it's understandable they were shaken. Real Madrid had been cruising smoothly since Zidane took over, rarely finding themselves in such tight spots. They were so used to smooth sailing that they seemed slow to react to unexpected situations.
By the time the referee blew the whistle to end the ninety minutes, Real Madrid hadn't mounted an effective counterattack, and their faces still showed confusion.
On the other hand, Manchester United players were full of spirit. Despite their fatigue, their high morale drove them on, making them forget their exhaustion entirely.
...
"Full-time! This final, which was considered a foregone conclusion before the game, has been dragged into extra time!"
"Who said the only suspense was how many goals Real Madrid would score? Manchester United has slapped them hard!"
"Bruno has been the standout player for Manchester United in this game! His goal equalized the score just before the end!"
"In the Premier League, Bruno is known as the 'City Killer,' 'Arsenal Killer,' and 'Liverpool Killer.' He can now be called the 'Real Madrid Killer,' just as he claimed before the game—he has never lost to Real Madrid."
...
Everyone praised Manchester United's resilience and Bruno's performance. Only the Spanish commentators tried to boost their team's morale:
"There's nothing to worry about. Manchester United still has one less player, and they've been playing at a very high tempo throughout the game, which is a huge test of their stamina. I don't believe they can maintain their energy and speed in these circumstances. So, in these thirty minutes, as long as we make the most of it, we have the opportunity to crush Manchester United! Just one goal is enough!"
...
Zidane was repeating similar sentiments to his players. Both teams had a five-minute break before extra time, which was too short to go back to the dressing rooms, so they sat around the pitch, listening to their coaches' strategies for extra time.
Meanwhile, the team's physiotherapists worked quickly to massage the fatigued players, helping them recover some energy and focus.
In the midst of his players, Zidane encouraged them: "They definitely don't have enough stamina to last thirty minutes of extra time. We must keep the ball under control, move it around to tire them out, and then wait for their defense to break down..."
On the other side, Mourinho was rallying his players: "Real Madrid is very strong, yes. But we have made them this desperate! We dragged them into extra time, so we are stronger! I know you are all tired, so in the first half of extra time, let's not rush. No matter how they pass the ball around us, don't worry about it. We'll defend tightly and save our energy. Let's hold these fifteen minutes and wait for a chance to counterattack in the second half!"
...
The five minutes passed quickly. The players got up and prepared for the new battle. It was clear that everyone was tired, whether they were from Manchester United or Real Madrid.
After all, playing ninety minutes of high-intensity football with fierce competition and rapid tempo changes would exhaust anyone.
Bruno was an exception, though. Aside from the goalkeepers, he probably had the best stamina on the field. The team's physiotherapists wanted to give him a leg massage, but he declined, asking them to help those who needed it more.
Many were amazed at Bruno's incredible stamina, but Manchester United and even Udinese fans were used to it. He would often run to training, run to games, and run back home.
After playing a ninety-minute match, he still had the energy to run home, showing just how impressive his fitness was.
As soon as extra time started, Zidane used his third substitution. He brought on Asensio for Benzema, clearly aiming to strengthen the attack.
Zidane had no intention of taking the match to a penalty shootout. For a team as strong as Real Madrid, being dragged into a penalty shootout would be a disgrace and would severely impact their players' mentality, which is crucial in penalty shootouts.
...
In the first half of extra time, Manchester United completely retreated into their thirty-meter area, barely counterattacking. When they did, they just kicked the ball upfield for Ibrahimović to hold up, waiting for Bruno to support.
If the timing wasn't right, Bruno wouldn't even bother running up to help, leaving Ibrahimović to lose the ball alone.
Facing Manchester United's ironclad defense, Real Madrid had no solutions.
"Manchester United is so negative and defensive! This is a regression in football!" the Spanish commentator said angrily. "Even if Manchester United wins in the end, what's the point of such a victory?! Fans didn't come here to watch a bunch of cowards!"
Of course, he'd say that because only a fool would attack Real Madrid head-on in such circumstances. As a Real Madrid supporter, he wished all their opponents would be idiots so Real Madrid could win title after title effortlessly, creating an everlasting dynasty.
However, no sane person would agree to the Spanish commentator's wish under the current circumstances.
Victory is victory, a championship is a championship. No matter how it is achieved, it doesn't detract from the final result, especially when it involves the prestigious Champions League title.
Manchester United fans aren't like the peculiar Real Madrid fans, who unreasonably demand their team not only win but also win beautifully.
...
While Manchester United was hunkering down, Real Madrid fans booed, but their boos lacked momentum. In reality, only a few thousand die-hard Real Madrid fans in the stands were truly vocal. More than half of the tickets were allocated to Real Madrid's sponsors, business partners, and celebrity guests. The boos from these few thousand fans were soon drowned out by the songs of nearly thirty thousand Manchester United fans.
All the Manchester United fans stood up, waving their arms and singing: "Glory glory man united! Glory glory man united! Glory glory man united! As the reds go marching on on on..."
The roar of the Red Devils fans shook the stadium and echoed in the sky.
He Wei, hearing this song, sighed: "No wonder Old Trafford is called the Theatre of Dreams... With such fans, Manchester United can indeed defeat any strong opponent at their home."
...
Against Manchester United's deadlock, Real Madrid had no good solutions. Neither Ronaldo, Bale, nor the recently substituted Asensio could break through. Even the midfielders like Modric, Kroos, and Casemiro, despite numerous attempts, couldn't breach the flesh-and-blood wall built by the determined Manchester United players in front of their goal. Time and again, they were met with failure and frustration.
Fifteen minutes flew by, and when the referee blew the whistle to end the first half of extra time, the score was still 3:3.
The players didn't leave the field; they simply switched sides to start the second half.
Fifteen minutes of relentless attacks without breaking through would surely dent Real Madrid's morale.
Many Real Madrid players looked confused. They couldn't understand why, despite their dominant play and relentless attacks, they couldn't score again.
Meanwhile, Manchester United players, though exhausted, were satisfied with the result. Their faces were even flushed with an almost feverish vigor, full of energy.
(END CHAPTER)
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