Chapter 447: Steady
When the actual match began, things were almost exactly as Bruno had simulated in the system.
Vigo Celta, as a Spanish team, excelled in ball possession. In attack, they had the efficient striker Iago Aspas and the powerful forward Guidetti, making it tough for Manchester United. Defensively, United struggled against Aspas, while Celta's Argentine center-back duo Cabral and Roncaglia, though not well-known, were solid and formidable. Breaking through their defense was challenging for United.
Throughout the first half, United couldn't penetrate Celta's goal, whereas Celta frequently threatened Romero's goal. In terms of chances, United didn't have more opportunities than Celta, which was expected given it was an away game. Celta dominated the match from the start.
However, Celta couldn't score in the first 45 minutes either, as United's defense performed exceptionally well. United had conceded only 23 goals in 34 Premier League matches, the least in the league. Despite injuries to key defenders like Van Dijk, Rojo, Phil Jones, and Luke Shaw, United's defense, led by Maguire and bolstered by Kante, remained rock solid.
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Ultimately, the first half ended in a goalless draw.
At halftime, Lineker analyzed that since Celta hadn't scored, they would intensify their attacks in the second half. If United remained patient, they would have their chances. Celta, playing at home, needed a win to avoid a difficult second leg at Old Trafford, where even Chelsea struggled. Counting on an away win was not an option for Celta, so their urgency to score would only increase.
Lineker emphasized that patience was crucial for United, an essential lesson from European competitions. Teams often perform well in group stages but falter in knockout rounds due to lack of experience. The group stage allows room for error, but the knockout stage doesn't. Mistakes in one match can be irreversible, making stability and experience more important than aggression.
United, with many young players lacking knockout experience, needed to avoid overcommitting and making costly mistakes.
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Mourinho shared these concerns. During the halftime break, he reminded his players to be patient.
"This is Celta's home ground. They want to win more than we do. Of course, I'm not saying we shouldn't aim to win, but we can afford to be more patient. Even a draw here would be fine because we have 90 minutes back at Old Trafford. So, don't rush. Focus on solid defense first and look for opportunities. If the chances aren't good enough, don't force it. Don't leave our backline exposed."
The players listened attentively and nodded in agreement.
While Mourinho used words to calm his players, Celta's manager, Berizzo, almost filled the tactical board with instructions. He meticulously detailed each player's tasks, down to their specific movements.
This might be a trait of Spanish coaches, who could talk endlessly about tactics. Berizzo seemed tense, knowing that failing to score in the first half at home would impact both his and the opponent's mindset.
He hoped his team could score quickly in the second half, knowing the longer they went without a goal, the worse it would be for them. Hence, his detailed, almost overwhelming instructions aimed to leave no stone unturned.
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Berizzo focused most on Bruno, one of the world's top three most dangerous players. To beat United, they had to contain Bruno, as his performance heavily influenced United's attack.
Celta's players had managed to limit Bruno well in the first half, resulting in few threatening attacks from United. However, it wasn't without cost. Midfield leader Radoja received a yellow card for fouling Bruno, creating a potential issue for Celta in the second half. Additionally, Pablo Hernandez, a key midfielder, was exhausted from constantly shadowing Bruno, raising concerns about his ability to maintain that level of effort in the second half.
Berizzo believed that while containing Bruno was crucial, scoring quickly in the second half was even more important. A home goal would give Celta an unstoppable momentum, making it difficult for even Bruno and United to stop them.
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As the second half began, Celta clearly ramped up their offensive efforts, seeking an early goal. United, well-prepared, focused on solid defense first. Even without clear scoring opportunities, Bruno aimed to keep the ball moving forward, using coordinated plays to push Celta back and away from United's goal.
Bruno's defensive strategy involved maintaining possession and controlling the ball, keeping it away from dangerous areas and wasting time, thereby frustrating the opponent. Direct ball interceptions were just the first step; after winning the ball, Bruno ensured it was safely passed to a teammate, maintaining control and reducing pressure.
With Bruno's exceptional passing and quick thinking, United withstood Celta's most intense attacks. His ability to handle the ball under pressure and distribute it effectively neutralized many of Celta's advances.
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By the 65th minute, the score remained 0-0. United was content with this outcome, but Celta was not. Bruno noticed subtle changes in Celta's demeanor—they were becoming more impatient.
Celta's frustration manifested in both their attack and defense. In the 66th minute, Celta's center-back Cabral fouled Rashford and received a yellow card, a dangerous situation for a defender. As Celta pushed further upfield in their desperation to score, they left gaps in their defense.
Their pressing, intended to force turnovers, required high tactical discipline, which was difficult against a team like United, known for quick and precise passing. This pressing often left their defense exposed, creating opportunities for United...
(End of Chapter)
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