Chapter 480: European Super Cup
On the other side of the pitch, Bruno, who had switched to the left, broke free from his marker, quickly cutting into the left corner of the box. With a simple push of his right foot, he sent the ball into the empty net!
2-1!
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!"
"Bruno has finally scored! This is his first goal of the season!"
The stands erupted with cheers from Manchester United fans. They had been eagerly awaiting a goal from Bruno since the warm-up matches, the International Champions Cup, and now tonight's Community Shield. They had been waiting for the prolific scorer from last season to return to form.
But Bruno had been struggling to find his rhythm recently. Media and fans understood his efforts to regain his form, but everyone was eagerly waiting for him to start scoring again, as goals would boost his confidence and help him quickly return to his peak form.
Now, the goal had finally arrived!
"This goal perfectly showcases Bruno's intelligent positioning, Lingard's precise assist, Mata's insightful through ball, and before that, Gundogan's build-up play and Rashford's hold-up play at the edge of the box... This goal exemplifies the characteristics of United's attacking players and their smooth coordination."
"Bruno's final shot was calm and skillful. Hopefully, this will help him regain his scoring touch."
"2-1! Manchester United has turned the game around against Chelsea!"
...
This remained the final score. Despite Chelsea's efforts to fight back, with Conte bringing on strong players like Lukaku and Rudiger, they couldn't overcome United's solid defense after taking the lead.
Ultimately, with goals from Gundogan and Bruno, Manchester United came from behind to win the Community Shield after conceding the first goal. This was United's fifth trophy of 2017!
After the trophy ceremony, United didn't celebrate for long. They quickly headed to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Just two days later, on the night of August 8, United would face Real Madrid in the European Super Cup at the Philip II Arena.
This was United's third appearance in the European Super Cup, but they had lost in their previous two attempts.
On August 27, 1999, as the Champions League winners, United faced Lazio, the UEFA Cup winners, and lost to a goal from Salas.
Nine years later, on August 29, 2008, United, again as Champions League winners, faced UEFA Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg and lost 1-2.
In contrast, Real Madrid had won the European Super Cup three times, second only to Barcelona and AC Milan, who had won it five times.
...
In the history of European competitions, Real Madrid and Manchester United had faced each other ten times, with United winning twice, drawing four times, and losing four times, scoring 16 goals and conceding 20.
Mourinho had also never beaten his former club Real Madrid in four attempts.
The last time United faced Real Madrid was in the 2012-2013 Champions League season. Mourinho, then the coach of Real Madrid, led his team to a 3-2 aggregate victory over Ferguson's United in the round of 16.
In the first leg at the Bernabeu, United managed a 1-1 draw, giving them an advantage in the two-legged tie.
However, in the second leg at Old Trafford, Nani's red card was the turning point. Despite United's dominance, they collapsed with ten men, conceding two goals to Modric and Ronaldo.
Nani's red card was controversial. He raised his leg to control the ball but hit Real Madrid defender Arbeloa in the chest. Arbeloa went down, and the referee immediately showed Nani a red card.
Sky Sports commentator Gary Lineker was furious with the decision, believing it unfairly decided the match against United. Nani was focused on the ball and unaware of Arbeloa's approach, lacking any intent to foul. Some even suspected Arbeloa had exaggerated the contact.
...
While United and Mourinho had struggled against Real Madrid, Bruno had been a thorn in Madrid's side.
In the 2014-2015 season, Bruno faced Real Madrid three times with Udinese, including a European Super Cup match and two Champions League group stage matches.
In the Super Cup, Bruno scored a hat-trick and provided an assist, leading Udinese to a 4-2 victory, almost single-handedly defeating Real Madrid.
In the Champions League group stage, Bruno scored twice in both matches, helping Udinese draw 3-3 at home and win 3-1 at the Bernabeu.
These performances were crucial for Udinese's group stage success and even their eventual Champions League triumph, as beating a team like Real Madrid greatly boosted their confidence.
Both United and Real Madrid were aiming to become the 2017 sextuple winners.
United had already won the League Cup, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, and Community Shield in 2017. A European Super Cup win would make them the second team in history to achieve a sextuple in a calendar year.
However, compared to Barcelona's 2009 sextuple, including the La Liga title, Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cup, and Club World Cup, United's sextuple would be seen as a mini-version.
Real Madrid, despite missing out on the Copa del Rey, could still aim for the La Liga title, Champions League, European Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup, Club World Cup, and an additional Bernabeu Trophy to claim a mini-sextuple.
...
At the Philip II Arena, in the 71st minute, United intercepted the ball 30 meters from their goal. Carrick launched a long pass to start a quick counterattack.
Bruno sprinted down the left flank.
"United launches a counterattack."
"The referee doesn't blow the whistle; Bruno is onside!"
Over 10,000 United fans at the Philip II Arena cheered, chanting Bruno's name.
Bruno quickly caught up with the ball on the left side of the box.
Real Madrid's right-back Carvajal, who had been marking Bruno tightly throughout the match, quickly tracked back. The two faced off inside and outside the box.
As Bruno approached, Carvajal prepared to defend fiercely.
When Bruno reached Carvajal's zone, he suddenly accelerated, dropping his left shoulder as if to head to the byline.
Despite repeatedly reminding himself not to be fooled and having been tricked twice before, Carvajal still fell for it. He couldn't see what was behind him and didn't know if Bruno would cross if he reached the byline.
Bruno was skilled with both feet, capable of cutting inside to shoot or crossing from the byline, making him tough to defend.
As Carvajal moved, he felt a blur pass by.
Bruno had pulled the ball back and squeezed past Carvajal into the box.
Carvajal, realizing his mistake, quickly reacted, but Bruno had already entered the box with the ball, forcing Carvajal to stop.
Unexpectedly, Bruno shot as soon as he entered the box.
...
"Bruno shoots!"
"Goal!!"
"In the 71st minute, United intercepted the ball and launched a counterattack. Bruno quickly cut in from the left and calmly shot past Carvajal."
"Real Madrid goalkeeper Navas reacted but couldn't stop the ball from going in."
After scoring, Bruno ran to the stands, spreading his arms as if to embrace the fans, receiving even louder applause and cheers.
His teammates rushed to celebrate with him, surrounding him with joy.
"This is the fifth goal of the match and United's third."
"It has been a thrilling match. Both teams have played aggressively from the start."
"Mourinho, facing his former club, opted for a direct approach, showing confidence in Bruno's form and abilities. Bruno did not disappoint, assisting Mata for the opening goal with a strong left-wing run and low cross."
"However, Real Madrid responded with goals in the 24th and 52nd minutes to take the lead. United equalized in the 62nd minute with a goal from Rashford."
"Both teams have played aggressively, making for an exciting match."
(End of Chapter)
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