Chapter 773: Battle at the Bernabéu
"Honestly, I don't have high hopes for the second half turning into an exciting match," Martin Tyler remarked to his co-commentator Andy Gray.
"Objectively, a 1-1 draw is an acceptable result for Manchester United as the visiting team," Gray replied. "The real question is whether Zidane is willing to settle for a draw at the Bernabéu."
As commentators speculated about Real Madrid's intentions, the second half began, but the match remained locked in a stalemate. Both teams continued their fierce midfield battles, with no signs of a breakthrough.
Around the 60th minute, Manchester United manager José Mourinho made the first move, substituting Kanté for İlkay Gündoğan. Surprisingly, Gündoğan slotted into a double pivot role alongside Fred, maintaining United's existing formation.
"Looks like Mourinho isn't content with just a draw," Tyler observed with a hint of intrigue.
Gray nodded. "Now the ball is in Zidane's court. Let's see how he responds."
The broadcast briefly showed Zidane on the sideline, followed by a shot of Gareth Bale on the Real Madrid bench. The camera then panned to Toni Kroos, sitting next to Bale and looking even more eager to get on the pitch.
Mourinho had opted to bolster his attacking options, while Zidane seemed to be weighing his options. Bringing on Bale would indicate a push for a win, while subbing on Kroos would signal contentment with a draw and a focus on midfield stability.
Tactical Moves
In the 71st minute, Zidane made his move, substituting Vinícius Jr. with Bale. Mourinho quickly countered by replacing Rashford with Mason Greenwood, injecting fresh pace and attacking intent.
As Bale stepped onto the pitch, Zidane stood on the touchline with a stern expression, closely observing the action. He faced a critical decision: Should he reinforce his defense or gamble on an offensive push, taking advantage of United's attacking risks?
Minutes later, Mbappé used his blistering speed to burst past Ferland Mendy on the flank, cutting inside and feigning a shot before delivering a diagonal pass to Gündoğan. The German midfielder attracted the defenders' attention before laying off a clever reverse pass to Greenwood, who fired a powerful shot into the stands.
The Bernabéu erupted into boos, their jeers masking the anxiety caused by United's threatening play. Though the shot sailed high, the build-up exposed cracks in Madrid's defense.
This near-miss prompted Zidane to act decisively. He brought on Marcelo for Mendy, who had struggled all night to contain Mbappé.
Breaking the Deadlock
While Zidane adjusted his tactics, Mourinho folded his arms, deep in thought. "Breaking down Real Madrid when they're fully focused on defense is like trying to pierce armor—you can't find an opening," he muttered to his staff.
Moments later, the crowd's jeers turned to a mix of gasps and cheers, and Mourinho's focus snapped back to the pitch.
It was Gündoğan who initiated the game-changing play. Pressing high, he intercepted a sloppy pass from Valverde, taking the ball straight into Madrid's half. Casemiro lunged in with a sliding tackle, but Gündoğan deftly chipped the ball over him, evading the challenge while keeping possession.
Spotting Harry Kane upfield, Gündoğan delivered a pinpoint pass. Kane held off his defender with his back to goal, cushioning the ball with a deft touch.
Bruno Fernandes surged forward.
"Block the shot!" Madrid goalkeeper Courtois bellowed, fully aware of Bruno's reputation as one of the deadliest finishers in the game.
Bruno Strikes
Bruno didn't hesitate. He seized the ball from Kane's layoff, adjusted his position with a quick touch, and unleashed a venomous strike.
The ball rocketed through the crowded penalty area, grazing Ramos' outstretched leg. Courtois dived to his right, but the deflection left him helpless. The ball slammed into the top corner of the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"
Mourinho leapt into the air on the touchline, pumping his fists in celebration. "Yes! Brilliant, Bruno!" he shouted, his face beaming with pride.
The Bernabéu fell silent, save for the corner of traveling United fans who erupted in joy.
A Decisive Moment
As Bruno sprinted to the corner flag, his teammates swarmed him in celebration. Mourinho paced the sideline, shouting instructions to maintain focus.
Real Madrid players looked dejected. Zidane signaled for his players to push forward, knowing they had limited time to salvage a result.
The scoreboard read Real Madrid 1–2 Manchester United, and despite Madrid's frantic efforts in the closing minutes, United held firm.
When the referee blew the final whistle, Mourinho's side celebrated a hard-fought victory at the Bernabéu.
A Narrow Edge
This win gave Manchester United a crucial away-goal advantage heading into the second leg at Old Trafford. However, Mourinho cautioned his players against complacency, knowing Real Madrid would come back stronger.
The battle at the Bernabéu wasn't just a clash of footballing titans; it was a test of resilience, strategy, and determination—qualities that defined United under Mourinho's leadership.
Ramos stepped up to block the shot, expecting Bruno Fernandes to strike. But just as his foot met the ball, Bruno adjusted, using the outside of his boot to delicately flick it through Real Madrid's defensive line.
Everyone watched as Greenwood arrived from the left, collecting the pass. He immediately cut inside, leaving the scrambling Carvajal with no chance to close him down. Without hesitation, Greenwood unleashed a ferocious shot.
"MASON!!" Martin Tyler's voice roared. Greenwood's strike soared, the ball rising sharply and hurtling toward the Real Madrid goal.
Courtois stretched out, arms fully extended, but the shot was simply unstoppable. The power and trajectory were too much—an upward curving rocket that pierced through his hands and rippled the back of the net, lifting it high into the air.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLL!!! Greenwood! Greenwood has scored for Manchester United! 2-1! Manchester United have taken the lead at the Bernabéu!" Andy Gray exclaimed. "A brilliant counterattack by United—Gündoğan, Harry Kane, Bruno Fernandes, and Greenwood working together to create an exquisite goal."
"Eighty-one minutes in, Manchester United are now ahead of Real Madrid!"
An Electrifying Celebration
Greenwood erupted in celebration, turning back to point excitedly at Bruno, the provider of the decisive assist. Bruno, arms wide open, met him with a hearty laugh and a hug.
The rest of the Manchester United squad rushed to join them, forming a jubilant huddle. This match had been a grueling test, and this goal was a culmination of all their hard work.
If this goal secured the win, it would give United a massive advantage in the tie, practically placing one foot in the Champions League quarterfinals.
"This is an absolutely crucial goal. With injury time included, we're looking at a little over ten minutes left, and Manchester United lead 2-1..."
As United's players celebrated with wild enthusiasm, Real Madrid's players stood dejected, their faces betraying a mix of frustration and despair. Conceding at such a critical juncture was a brutal blow to their morale.
Closing the Game
Real Madrid launched a desperate offensive in the closing minutes. Zidane even brought on striker Luka Jović, deploying a four-forward setup in an all-out assault on United's defense.
Mourinho, ever the strategist, responded by substituting Bellingham for Mbappé and shifting to a 4-4-2 formation to reinforce his midfield and defensive lines. Real Madrid's frenzied attacks ultimately failed to break through.
When the referee blew the final whistle, the scoreline remained unchanged: Manchester United 2–1 Real Madrid. Mourinho's side had earned a hard-fought victory at the Bernabéu.
Post-Match Praise
At the post-match press conference, Mourinho didn't hold back in praising his players.
"Real Madrid are a team that commands respect. They are strong, aggressive, and the Bernabéu is a fortress. Winning here is incredibly difficult," he said.
"So, I have to applaud all my players. They were phenomenal tonight. Their spirit, effort, and performance make me incredibly proud."
As a former Real Madrid manager, Mourinho knew firsthand the strength of the "Galácticos." For United to triumph on their turf was a monumental achievement, warranting all the accolades he could offer.
While some journalists rolled their eyes at Mourinho's effusive praise, others nodded in agreement. Unsurprisingly, the most displeased were the Madrid-based media, while outlets associated with Barcelona were notably upbeat.
The Fallout
Barcelona fans were particularly delighted by Real Madrid's loss. While United posed a threat, they were not direct league rivals, and encounters with them were infrequent. Real Madrid, on the other hand, loomed as a perennial adversary in La Liga and the Champions League.
Real Madrid had already won 12 Champions League titles, far eclipsing Barcelona's four. If Los Blancos advanced further and added another title to their tally, it would further cement their European dominance—something no Barcelona supporter wanted to see.
For Barcelona fans, Real Madrid's home loss and potential early exit from the Champions League was a welcome outcome, even if it meant United progressing instead.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10