Chapter 479: Time for a Change
In the second half, Chelsea struck early.
In the 46th minute, a corner kick from the right side was cleared by Herrera, but it didn't go far. Cahill headed the ball back into the penalty area, where Moses was quick to react, shooting from close range to score! Chelsea led 1-0!
This frustrated the 50,000 Manchester United fans at Wembley Stadium.
From the warm-up matches to the International Champions Cup and now the Community Shield, it seemed like the team hadn't developed a smooth attacking style over the past three weeks, especially in the attack. Last season, the team relied heavily on Bruno, but now he needed time to adjust and regain his form.
Without Bruno at his best, could Manchester United not attack? Was there no way to support him?
...
The fans in the stands were becoming restless, a clear sign of growing dissatisfaction.
Coach Mourinho also began to realize that the team needed some changes.
Professional football is brutally competitive. Every team's coach tries to exploit the opponent's weaknesses to win. To avoid being defeated, constant change is necessary.
There is no perfect, unbeatable strategy. Only through continuous innovation can a team survive in professional football; otherwise, opponents will find and exploit any flaws.
Mourinho, a seasoned and world-class coach, understood this well. He knew United was in such a situation.
Mourinho hoped to continue last season's stable tactics, but Bruno was not yet in form and couldn't carry the team's offensive burden alone. Chelsea's tight marking on Bruno also forced Mourinho to rethink his tactics.
As the fans grew more agitated, Mourinho felt he needed to make bold changes. If things continued this way, even his position as coach could be at risk.
In today's impatient football world, neither fans nor clubs have much patience, especially at a club like Manchester United, where success is expected. Regardless of a coach's reputation, if they can't bring victories and titles, they will be dismissed.
...
"José, make a decision," Faria urged.
As the assistant coach, Faria leaned towards Bruno's suggestion to press forward more aggressively. However, Mourinho's cautious nature made him hesitant.
Nevertheless, when the situation became dire, Mourinho was not afraid to take risks. This was why he sometimes used extreme formations with four or five forwards.
The current situation was critical.
The league had not yet started, so there was still room for trial and error. Once the league began, it would be harder to make such changes.
Mourinho, deeply frowning, hesitated for a moment before nodding to Faria, "Let Gundogan in."
Faria nodded and went to the bench to signal Gundogan to warm up.
...
When Faria returned, he saw Mourinho coming back to the bench.
"Rui, what do you think about giving the captain's armband to Bruno?"
Carrick was the first captain, and when he wasn't playing, Valencia usually wore the armband. Both were long-serving, respected players.
Moreover, after Valencia, there was still Ashley Young.
Faria shook his head, "I don't think Bruno has any desire to be captain."
He misunderstood Mourinho, thinking Bruno wanted more power and wasn't giving his all.
"No, no, Rui, I know Bruno's character. I genuinely believe he could be a great captain, setting an excellent example," Mourinho explained.
Faria said no more.
...
Would Bruno make a good captain? That depends on the definition of a captain.
Bruno wasn't like Roy Keane. He was calm and rational on the field, never provoked, rarely committing fouls or diving. He played fairly, earning respect from referees. It was even said among referees that if Bruno fell in the box, it was likely a genuine penalty.
Bruno was diligent, disciplined, and led by example. He was always the first to arrive at training and the last to leave, fighting until the last minute in matches.
This fighting spirit made him a suitable leader.
At Udinese, he wore the captain's armband in Di Natale's absence and achieved excellent results.
He was also United's top star and core player.
Considering all factors, Bruno was a very good choice for captain.
"Now isn't the right time, José," Faria advised.
Mourinho nodded, "I was just thinking aloud; we'll discuss it later."
...
In the 60th minute, United made a substitution, bringing on Gundogan for Herrera.
This substitution didn't elicit much reaction from the fans, as Gundogan had been relatively unimpressive since joining United last summer.
However, United's players received instructions from the coaching staff, with Gundogan bringing Mourinho's latest orders to go all-out in attack.
It was a do-or-die move.
Soon, the situation on the field changed drastically.
United's midfield and forwards pushed forward aggressively, with the defense following suit.
Led by Lingard, Rashford, and Bruno, the attack pressed Chelsea's defense. Gundogan, Kante, and Mata also advanced, creating a pressing game in the midfield and attacking third.
This style caught Chelsea off guard. As United pushed closer to their goal, Chelsea began to panic.
Conte urged his team to push out and not fall back, but United's pressing pinned Chelsea back.
With increased pressure, Chelsea made more mistakes, and United began creating more chances.
Bruno found more space and opportunities to receive the ball.
...
In the 72nd minute, United's pressing forced Chelsea to clear the ball to midfield. Maguire headed it down, and United started an attack from the right with Valencia.
Bruno moved back to receive Valencia's pass.
With Marcos Alonso quickly closing in, Bruno made a quick turn and dribbled past him.
Alonso reacted quickly, but Bruno's cut inside drew Chelsea's defense.
Bruno passed to Mata, who then passed to the open space at the edge of the box.
Gundogan sprinted forward, received Mata's pass, and unleashed a powerful shot.
The ball hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the net, sending a shockwave through the stadium.
1-1!
The teams were level again!
...
Gundogan's goal reignited the United fans' enthusiasm at Wembley.
The German midfielder, who had been underwhelming since joining United, had scored in the first official match of the new season, equalizing against Chelsea, surprising everyone.
His powerful, precise shot from outside the box showed both accuracy and power.
On the sidelines, Mourinho and Faria were pleasantly surprised by Gundogan's contribution.
As the game progressed, Gundogan grew more confident, helping Mata and Kante get into the rhythm.
The midfield began to gel, and the team's pressing became more effective.
After assisting the equalizer, Bruno found his rhythm and started to roam more freely, even switching to the left to escape Alonso's marking.
Alonso was tough but persistent, sticking to Bruno like glue.
Just six minutes after the first goal, United created another chance.
Kante intercepted a pass in midfield and gave the ball to Gundogan, who moved forward and passed to Rashford at the edge of the box.
Rashford laid it off to Mata, who threaded a precise pass to the right side of the penalty area.
Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois rushed out, while Alonso chased Lingard into the box.
Although Lingard couldn't shake off Alonso, he reached the ball first.
Under pressure from Courtois and Alonso, Lingard passed the ball across the goalmouth to the left side of the goal.
(End of Chapter)
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