Chapter 362: The Bruno Song
Bruno became one of the most frequently spotlighted players, mainly because Sterling frequently had the ball.
"Sterling has the ball! He's facing Bruno. Go past him!"
"Fake move! Beautiful! Just like that! Accelerate! He can't outrun you, Raheem!"
Manchester City fans were similarly enthusiastic. Whenever Sterling got the ball, they erupted in cheers. However, with only around 2,000 City fans against Old Trafford's 76,000-seat capacity, their cheers were barely noticeable. In contrast, the boos from over 73,000 United fans often rattled City players.
Sterling had the ball and faked a move to the outside. Bruno didn't budge, seemingly aware it was a feint. Sterling tried the same feint again, but Bruno remained unmoved. With United players closing in, Sterling knew he couldn't stall. On his third attempt, Sterling genuinely moved to the outside. However, Bruno mirrored his move, staying tight on Sterling.
Sterling swung his left foot as if to cross, hoping to throw Bruno off balance and quickly stop and turn. Usually, this series of moves would shake off his defender, but as Sterling turned back, he found Bruno still right in front of him. It felt like all his efforts were in vain, as if he were running in place.
Sterling sighed inwardly, realizing he couldn't shake Bruno this time. Continuing the duel would only invite United's defense to swarm him. He passed the ball back to the advancing Kolarov and moved to the center.
Kolarov took the ball, forced his way forward, and crossed it. However, in aerial duels, City was outmatched. Neither Iheanacho nor Nolito could win headers against Maguire and Van Dijk. Van Dijk headed the ball away, but City's second-ball retrieval was strong, and Fernandinho collected it. He passed to David Silva to reset the attack.
City relentlessly pressured United's defense. Commentators supporting United could only praise Bruno's defensive skills, as he was rarely involved in the attack. To solidify the defense, even when United had possession, Bruno stayed back, organizing and directing the team from the rear, effectively playing as a holding midfielder.
City launched a counterattack, intercepting a pass from Ibrahimovic to Rashford. They quickly switched the play to the left wing. Sterling received the ball near the halfway line, back to Rooney. As he controlled the ball, he used the outside of his foot to roll it behind him, turning swiftly past Rooney. His speed left Rooney trailing.
Sterling then faced Valencia's challenge, shifted the ball to his left foot, and accelerated. Valencia's sliding tackle was easily evaded as Sterling jumped over it. With two defenders beaten, City fans at Old Trafford roared, creating a noticeable noise even in the vast stadium.
Commentators supporting City were equally excited: "Sterling! Sterling! He's past Rooney, and Valencia too! Beautiful! Sterling is unstoppable like this!"
Sterling approached United's center-backs, with his teammates moving to support, pulling United's defense apart. Defenders faced a dilemma: mark Sterling or cover his teammates.
At that moment, Bruno sprinted from behind. In Bruno's mind, every move Sterling made seemed in slow motion, allowing him to easily predict and intercept. As Sterling touched the ball, Bruno timed his tackle perfectly, intercepting the ball cleanly.
Sterling tripped over the ball and fell, but Bruno emerged with the ball. "Foul!!" shouted City fans, but Bruno ignored them. Knowing this was a prime counterattack opportunity, he didn't waste time protesting. He got up, while Sterling lay on the ground, appealing for a foul. The referee waved him to get up and followed the play.
United's counterattack began. Bruno dribbled up the flank, with Valencia shielding him and Rooney ahead. In the center, Ibrahimovic dropped back, supported by Gündoğan, and on the far side, Luke Shaw and Rashford were ready for a long diagonal pass.
City's hurried defense, due to Sterling losing the ball, allowed Bruno to advance unchallenged for twenty meters. As soon as Fernandinho confronted him, Bruno passed to the dropping Ibrahimovic and continued his run, creating a fake one-two scenario.
City's defense reacted to Bruno's movement, and Ibrahimovic switched the ball to Rooney on the wing. Rooney crossed, and Rashford's header narrowly missed the target. Rashford's aerial ability still needed improvement; otherwise, it would have been a goal.
City escaped narrowly, and their fans were even more displeased with the referee and Bruno, blaming the non-call and Bruno's aggressive play. They criticized Bruno for not showing sportsmanship by helping Sterling up or kicking the ball out of bounds. City's commentator echoed these sentiments, accusing the referee of bias towards United.
With each Bruno touch, the 2,000 City fans at Old Trafford would boo in unison, though their efforts were drowned out by the massive United crowd. United fans loved Bruno. Whenever City fans booed, United fans sang his praises, creating his own song, "The Bruno Song," to honor their star.
"Charge on! Bruno! You're unstoppable! Running tirelessly, you're invincible! You are the truth; on the pitch, make your opponents salute! Ascend the throne, the world is in your hands!"
The United fans' song completely overwhelmed the City boos, making them negligible in the grand stadium. Replays showed Bruno's tackle on Sterling was clean from every angle, validating the referee's decision.
City didn't slow their attack despite Sterling being stopped by Bruno. They knew they had to equalize before halftime. It wasn't a tactical directive from Guardiola but rather their pride and honor at stake. Trailing 0-1 to their city rivals, United, was unacceptable.
City pushed hard, driven by their need to level the score before halftime, knowing a lead would be ideal but keeping their focus on maintaining composure.
(End of Chapter)
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