Chapter 411: Intense Battle
People used to say that Mourinho was a conservative coach, a staunch believer in winning 1-0. Look at his Chelsea and Inter Milan teams. Look at how Inter Milan stifled Barcelona at Camp Nou. His teams were often seen as the nemesis of artistic, attacking, and flamboyant football. His constant duels with Barcelona, which he often won, earned him the nickname "The Killer of Artistic Football."
If he wasn't hostile towards attacking football, why did he always go against Barcelona, the epitome of attacking football?
In reality, Mourinho wasn't a conservative; he didn't strictly adhere to the 1-0 philosophy. If anything, he was a pragmatist. He knew what strategies to employ in different situations to secure victory by any means necessary. If defense guaranteed victory and pleased the fans, he would defend. If attacking ensured success and delighted the fans, he would attack.
Having worked in Portugal, Spain, England, and Italy, he adapted to various football styles, finding a balance between ensuring his team's victories and maximizing the fans' enjoyment.
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At Chelsea, the fans didn't demand beautiful football; they just wanted victories and titles after fifty years without a league championship. The aesthetics of the game were secondary. Thus, Mourinho's Chelsea was highly utilitarian, winning the Premier League in his first season. The fans adored him, considering him almost divine, and still reminisce about his era.
At Inter Milan, both Moratti and the fans craved the Champions League trophy, caring little about the style of play. So, he continued with Chelsea's pragmatic approach and succeeded, winning the treble. Even after leaving Inter, neither Moratti nor the fans spoke ill of him. When he returned to the San Siro with Real Madrid to face AC Milan, many Inter fans welcomed him at the airport and displayed banners of gratitude in the stadium.
Now, at Manchester United, not only does his team win, but they play attractive football. Nearly every game ends with a high score, featuring numerous shots and goals, playing a direct, fast, and exhilarating style. Even the critical Real Madrid fans couldn't find much fault, let alone Manchester United fans who also value pragmatism.
Even during Ferguson's era, United's football wasn't purely attacking. Therefore, everyone from the club's chairman and general manager to the ordinary fans and players, unconditionally supports Mourinho, following his lead.
Chinese fans have nicknamed Mourinho "魔力鸟" (Magician). This Portuguese indeed possesses a magical quality, earning the unwavering support and love of everyone wherever he goes, leaving them yearning for his return after he leaves.
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After conceding a goal, both teams resumed their attacking play. United needed to score to overturn their deficit, while Liverpool habitually pursued high-scoring wins.
Pre-match criticisms claiming Klopp benched his key player Coutinho to give up on this derby were silenced. Anyone who wasn't blind could see that Liverpool remained as aggressive as ever.
Sadio Mané, having scored, was particularly lively, constantly signaling for the ball, eager for more goals. His relentless pursuit of goals explains his current success.
However, United also had someone equally dedicated to victory.
Watching Mané score right in front of him was a rare humiliation for Bruno, one he couldn't tolerate. Determined to make amends, he felt obligated to help his team level the score and regain hope.
"Bruno asks for the ball, and it's passed to him..."
Wijnaldum immediately closed in, making it clear that his sole target this match was Bruno. Klopp had specifically tasked Wijnaldum, a skilled ball-winner, to mark Bruno.
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This time, Bruno didn't pass the ball immediately. He leaned back, colliding solidly with Wijnaldum, who momentarily lost his balance. Bruno used the recoil to push the ball forward, leaving Wijnaldum stunned.
With Wijnaldum out of the way, Bruno charged forward. Facing Henderson's defense, he passed the ball ahead, receiving it back from Kante in a one-two move.
Ibrahimovic pulled wide to support Bruno, prompting Lovren to follow. But Bruno didn't pass to Ibrahimovic. Instead, he sent the ball to the wing where Lingard was. Lingard adjusted and crossed into the box.
Charging in to meet the cross was none other than Bruno! In a full sprint, he leaped high, outjumping the typically dominant Klavan, and headed towards the goal.
"Bruno!!"
Mignolet made a world-class save, diving left to palm the ball over the bar.
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"Mignolet!! An absolutely brilliant save!"
"Oh!!"
Both sets of fans gasped in awe.
"Klavan was completely outmatched in the aerial duel with Bruno! Bruno leaped so high that Klavan could only reach his waist. Bruno nearly headed it in! What a goal that would've been!"
Instead of lamenting the missed opportunity, Bruno quickly signaled for a corner. He didn't want to waste time.
Bruno didn't take the corner himself or let Herrera send it directly into the box. He ran up and called for a short corner, intending to organize the attack anew.
Herrera obliged, passing the ball to Bruno. Seeing Bruno with the ball, Liverpool's players swarmed out of the box, several converging on him.
But Bruno didn't cross it immediately, knowing it would only waste the chance. He turned and passed back to Kante in defense, resetting the play.
Bruno moved back, linking every position and player on United's side, orchestrating their movements.
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Bruno received the ball in defense, and Liverpool's lines spread out, leaving gaps in their previously tight box defense.
Bruno turned and advanced, with Origi closing in. Knowing Origi wasn't a strong defender and often went through the motions, Bruno shifted the ball away and evaded him effortlessly.
Origi didn't follow, merely hovering nearby.
Crossing the halfway line, Bruno encountered Wijnaldum again. This time, he didn't engage physically but outmaneuvered him with a quick change of direction.
Wijnaldum, refusing to be shaken off, stretched to tackle but clipped Bruno's heel instead. Raising his hands in innocence, Wijnaldum claimed no foul.
But Bruno, thanks to his core strength, maintained balance. Seizing Wijnaldum's lapse, he broke free and surged forward.
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Henderson expected Bruno to continue his solo run towards goal. Instead, Bruno sent a diagonal pass to the left wing.
Gündoğan received it, with Darmian rushing up as if to combine for a breakthrough. Liverpool's defense shifted focus, even the camera panned towards that side.
But Gündoğan, using the space created by Darmian's run, shot at goal!
Though the angle wasn't ideal, he took the chance. Lovren blocked the shot, deflecting it out.
"Gündoğan shoots—blocked..."
Liverpool's fans anticipated another swift counterattack. Mané, Firmino, and Origi readied themselves, starting to sprint forward.
In midfield, Henderson rushed towards the loose ball, ready to launch a counter, having already identified potential targets, as Klopp always emphasized in training.
(End of the chapter)
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