Chapter 498 Peak Showdown

After the second half, less than two minutes after the change of sides, he saw Bruno got a one-on-one opportunity and suddenly dribbled the ball inside. He was anxious and immediately committed a foul.

The referee quickly ran over and raised a yellow card to Moreno, giving him a warning.

The Liverpool left-back slowly retreated, but his eyes couldn't help but look at Bruno who was pulled up from the ground by Valencia, and he was very emotional.

He still clearly remembered that four years ago, this kid had just made his debut. In the Europa League that year, Sevilla, where he played, and Udinese, where Bruno was, first met in the Europa League group stage. Both teams played 1:1 in both games. Although Bruno performed well, Sevilla still became the winner and advanced to the knockout stage as the first in the group.

Afterwards, the two teams fought all the way and finally reached the final. Sevilla lost to Udinese this time, allowing Udinese to win the final championship trophy, and Bruno was the best player of that game.

Four years ago, at the age of 21, he was a talented left back of Sevilla in La Liga and began to emerge in La Liga. Bruno had just turned 19. Although he had led the Portuguese national youth team to win the World Youth Championship, he was still a young man who had just made his debut in the world football.

But four years later, the two met again. Although he had become the left back of the Premier League giant Liverpool, he was considered to have developed well. But compared with Bruno, he was a small witch compared to a big witch. The opponent was already the Champions League champion, the Champions League Golden Boot, the star of Manchester United, the winner of the FIFA Golden Ball Award, and also broke Ronaldo's goal record in the Premier League.

………………

In Moreno's view, Bruno performed quite bravely in this game tonight, and his state was obviously very good. He kept running and looking for opportunities throughout the game, which made Moreno, who was defending him, feel extremely strenuous.

This was because Bruno did not spend much time on the wing. After all, he was Manchester United's front midfielder and was more active in the middle.

If he was like this, the pressure faced by Wijnaldum, who spent more time against Bruno, could be imagined.

Klopp kept calling on the players to defend their positions on the sidelines.

Manchester United got a set-piece opportunity on the right side of the frontcourt, which was quite threatening.

Moreno had obviously lost his position just now and was forced to commit a foul. Klopp really couldn't complain about his left-back. Klopp believed that the left-back really tried his best in this defense.

It can only be said that Bruno's sudden start with the ball just now, and the subsequent dunk and change of direction, were really too fast!

"Alberto has a yellow card. Next, Manchester United will definitely attack our left side. Let Emre retreat appropriately to help Alberto." Klopp arranged.

………………

Just as Klopp's voice fell, Bruno kicked a high-level set-piece on the court.

"Manchester United took a free kick."

"Bruno's right-footed arc ball passed to the penalty area!"

"Liverpool's defense missed a man in the middle!"

"Van Dijk grabbed the first landing point and headed the ball!"

On the scene, only a "bang" was heard, and the ball hit the crossbar and bounced back into the penalty area.

All the Liverpool fans in the stadium were so scared that their hearts jumped to their throats at that moment. When they saw that the ball did not go in, they breathed a sigh of relief and then booed loudly.

This was not only expressing hostility towards Manchester United, but also venting their fear.

"What a pity! The Dutch central defender's header hit the crossbar."

"Manchester United's set-piece attack was very thoughtful. Bruno's free throw level was very high and the landing point was also quite accurate. Van Dijk quickly inserted a header and the whole set-piece cooperation was very beautiful. But unfortunately, it was still a little bit worse."

"Bruno is still the most threatening player on the Manchester United field. Liverpool obviously intends to strengthen defense against Bruno's active position."

………………

In this wave of attack after the start of the second half, Manchester United played with their own morale and rhythm.

Bruno soon got another chance on the right.

Valencia passed the ball directly, Bruno retreated, turned around when he stopped the ball, and dribbled the ball diagonally to the front of the penalty area.

Emre Can tightly entangled Bruno, but Mbappe quickly slid in and drew Bruno's defensive attention. Moreno was forced to follow the French winger.

Bruno suddenly accelerated and used his speed to get rid of Emre Can's entanglement with the ball and rushed into the penalty area with the ball, which shocked Wijnaldum and rushed over to help defend.

But Bruno's speed did not slow down, and he was ready to rush into the penalty area in one go, which made the Dutch midfielder very passive. He could not find a chance to kick. The closer he got to the penalty area, the less he dared to move easily, and he could only retreat.

But just as he retreated into the penalty area, Bruno saw an opportunity and suddenly pushed the ball sideways. The football passed between Wijnaldum and Emre Can, and Gundogan quickly inserted and shot directly with his right foot!

"Bruno passed the ball horizontally..."

"Gundogan shot directly!"

The football flew towards the goal at a very fast speed, but it slightly brushed the post and went out of the bottom line. Gundogan knelt down at the front of Liverpool's penalty area, feeling extremely regretful.

He was anxious!

He had been waiting for an opportunity, waiting for Bruno to pass the ball, and he always believed that Bruno could pass the ball. And in fact, Bruno did pass the ball.

But when the opportunity came, he was anxious.

………………

"After the second half, Manchester United played their own offensive and played well. Bruno, in particular, was extremely active and created opportunities for his teammates frequently, but unfortunately Manchester United players still lacked the ability to seize opportunities."

Bruno just sprinted 20 meters with the ball, which consumed a lot of energy.

On the football field, the most consuming is this kind of fast sprint. Bruno can only do it more than 30 times a game, and after each fast sprint, he needs a little time to slow down.

"It's okay." Bruno walked over and pulled Gundogan up, encouraging him, "It's okay, Ilkay, I will pass the ball again, and try to grasp it next time."

Gundogan turned around and hugged Bruno, his heart full of apologies.

This was an opportunity that Bruno had finally fought for, but he wasted it.

Sometimes, in a game, such an opportunity can only be once and not again. If it is wasted, it may never appear again.

"Believe me!" Bruno clapped his hands vigorously, "Let's work harder, and the goal will come!"

Bruno's loud call attracted the attention of Liverpool players and Liverpool fans in the stands, and even hostility. The Liverpool players on the field looked at Bruno viciously, and the Liverpool fans in the stands booed overwhelmingly, as if to drown Bruno in the boos.

But it was useless, Bruno would not be affected by these boos at all. He had only one thought in his mind, that is, to kill Liverpool, even if he was hated by the opponent's players, booed by the opponent's fans, or even insulted, it would be a very satisfying thing.

Just like Ibrahimovic said, the most enjoyable thing is to score a goal under the eyes of the opponent's fans, and the opponent's boos are the best compliments.

………………

"Liverpool quickly launched a counterattack, Henderson made a long pass to the front court."

"Van Dijk quickly rushed up and headed the ball away."

"Gundogan retreated and passed the ball to the left."

"Cancelo dribbled the ball forward, Manchester United counterattacked."

……

After Cancelo dribbled the ball to the front court along the left, he quickly passed it to Rashford in front.

Compared with Joe Gomez, the Liverpool right back of the same age, Rashford's speed was not advantageous, and he chose to cut to the middle after stopping the ball.

Bruno ran horizontally from the right to the front of the penalty area arc to ask for the ball.

Rashford's pass was just in front of Bruno, who was out of reach of Wijnaldum.

Bruno did not choose to stop the ball, but gently rubbed it, slowing down the speed of the ball, but it still rolled to the right, and he took a step forward.

Wijnaldum reacted very quickly. He knew very well how strong Bruno's ability to shoot and score was. He immediately chose to entangle Bruno and blocked him with his body, not giving him any chance to kick directly at the goal.

Bruno also blocked Wijnaldum with his body, not giving the Dutch midfielder any chance to reach the ball.

At this time, Emre Can had already returned to defense quickly, and was about to double-team Wijnaldum.

Bruno had a wide field of vision. Through the peripheral vision of his perspective, he could clearly see Mbappe moving forward quickly, and Moreno also chased him and followed him back to defense.

………………

Bruno and Mbappe are teammates, and he has played many games with Moreno. He knows the speed of the two very well: Moreno will never be Mbappe's opponent!

After making a decisive move, Bruno did not look back, blocked Wijnaldum with his body, and knocked the ball with his right heel before Emre Can returned to defense. The ball almost rolled quickly to the ribs of the penalty area along a straight line.

After seeing Bruno pass the ball, Mbappe understood it immediately and quickly shook off Moreno. He stopped his right foot, swung his left foot, and shot a powerful shot.

All the people at the scene heard a bang, and the football was like a cannonball, crossing an arc, almost brushing the left post, and went into Liverpool's goal.

Liverpool goalkeeper Mignolet flew to save the ball, but still couldn't touch it.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLL!!!!!!"

"In the 57th minute, Manchester United finally broke Liverpool's goal!"

"Mbappe's long-range arc shot from the side of the penalty area was a wonderful goal. But for this goal, the French genius winger should thank his teammate Bruno!"