Chapter 807 – The Most Dangerous Man
Inside the home dressing room, silence fell so completely that only the sound of footsteps could be heard.
To be pulled level after dominating the first half was maddeningly hard to accept—yet there it was.
Apart from grumbling about Bayern Munich's outrageous luck, what else could they say?
Bruno Fernandes believed that now was not the time for fiery speeches but for reassurance. The team had played an excellent first half. If they continued applying the same pressure, they would surely get more chances in the second. The key was patience—no rushing. Stick with what had worked after the early goal, and another would come naturally.
If they grew impatient, though, Bayern's strength would become lethal. Once that team found rhythm, stopping them was nearly impossible.
Just last season, in the 2019–2020 campaign, Bayern Munich scored 100 goals in 34 Bundesliga matches—an astounding average of 2.94 per game, higher even than United's 2.79. Across Europe, only Celtic managed a better average, scoring 89 times in just 30 Scottish Premiership games.
And in the Champions League, Bayern were even more terrifying. Before this final, they had scored 42 goals in just 10 matches—twelve more than second-placed Manchester United.
Even in all of Champions League history, those 42 goals ranked second only to Barcelona's 45 in the 1999–2000 season. But that Barça side had played 16 matches, with two group phases, averaging 2.81 goals per game.
Bayern's average? An incredible 4.2 goals per match!
Just imagine—mighty Barcelona, the so-called "Galácticos," had been crushed 8–2 by this Bayern team. Truly monstrous.
Against such an opponent, even Manchester United dared not relax.
Still, in that first half, United's pressing upfront and tight midfield control were both impeccable. Tactically, there was nothing wrong—it was just bad luck.
...
"Everyone sit down. We have more important things to sort out."
Mourinho and his assistant Rui Faria entered the locker room. His commanding voice filled the silence, and all eyes turned toward him.
"The first half," Mourinho began firmly, "was a success. We contained Bayern Munich and dictated play. In the second half, keep doing the same—use the space behind their defenders and exploit our counter-attacking speed."
The players nodded one by one.
Mourinho continued, "We were unlucky, but that's behind us. 1–1 means nothing. Stay confident. Keep creating. We'll score again."
He clearly believed their tactical plan had worked perfectly. There was no need for drastic alterations.
Star players earn their worth in moments—the split second when opportunity arises. Bruno's opening goal was one such moment; Joshua Kimmich's free kick that led to Bayern's equalizer was another. Outside of those flashes, there had been little either side's stars could do.
Bruno wished he could dominate a match like an NBA superstar, single-handedly crushing his opponents—but football is not basketball, and this was football at its highest level.
Both managers evidently felt there was no need to change.
United had the advantage; Bayern defended well. Neither side dared to alter the balance.
Who could predict how the game would twist if one made the first move?
The heat was intense, and United's high-pressing style demanded greater energy than Bayern's more measured approach.
...
Bayern, too, understood the flow of the game and adjusted their second-half plan accordingly. As play resumed, they began attempting more counterattacks.
Thomas Müller was caught offside once, then broke down the middle moments later only to be stopped by a sharp sliding tackle from N'Golo Kanté.
Upfront, Bruno was tightly shadowed by Bayern's midfield. Flick clearly assigned two players to mark him out of the game. Considering that Mbappé, Harry Kane, and even Gündoğan had all failed to finish their chances in the first half, this trade-off seemed worthwhile for Bayern.
United kept pressing high, putting Lewandowski offside three times.
For a striker once capable of scoring five goals in nine minutes, tonight his biggest impact—aside from the lucky deflection goal—was being trapped repeatedly by United's offside line.
Gradually, the balance shifted.
Bayern's average age was higher, but United's style demanded more energy. Slowly, the two sides found equilibrium.
The match entered a stalemate.
...
By the 63rd minute, Mourinho could sit still no longer. He made his first substitution.
On the opposite bench, Hansi Flick noticed it immediately: Manchester United's homegrown talent Mason Greenwood replaced Mbappé.
"So, he's finally changing things," Flick murmured with a smile.
He turned to his own substitutes' bench, signaling Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Perišić to prepare. Kingsley Coman already had a yellow card—it was time to take him off. Serge Gnabry's quiet performance hardly justified keeping him on.
Both wingers had started to bolster Bayern's attacking threat, but United's stunning first-half control—and their early goal—had thrown Bayern off completely.
Fortunately, Kimmich's deflected free kick had brought them level.
Now that the match was even again, Flick was convinced that time worked in his favor. United's energy-draining approach, under this blistering heat, would inevitably take its toll.
"Send Coutinho on with a note," Flick instructed assistant Danny Röhl. "Tell David Alaba that Thiago needs to drop deeper. The attack is Thomas's responsibility now. He must also help cover our left side. No more letting United cross freely."
He was right to worry.
While Mbappé's crossing was inconsistent, Greenwood excelled in delivering precise balls from the flank—and Harry Kane was among the best headers in world football. Mourinho's substitution was clearly to increase United's crossing threat.
...
Pausing slightly, Flick added, "Also tell Alaba to prioritize defense. First, stabilize the back line."
Röhl nodded and jotted Flick's message onto paper for Coutinho to deliver—a common method for transmitting instructions mid-match. These notes were laconic, relying on established understanding among players.
"Their midfield is incredible," Flick sighed, watching grimly.
With Gündoğan and Kanté anchoring the center, United's defensive screen was formidable.
Add Bruno as an attacking midfielder capable of pressing and tracking back, and United's midfield was nearly impenetrable—completely dominating Bayern's for much of the evening.
Thomas Müller and Thiago had been silent. That fact alone showed United's midfield control.
"It's mostly because Bruno's pulling us apart," Röhl remarked.
Flick nodded continuously. One Bruno Fernandes was enough to occupy two Bayern players—it was no surprise they were losing midfield battles.
Even without scoring more, Bruno's early goal had already justified his influence.
Had Goretzka been free to push forward, Bayern might have regained their rhythm. But they couldn't take the risk of leaving Bruno unchecked.
Sixty-five minutes gone, and Flick still dared not relax. Bruno was simply too dangerous.
...
"Add another note," Flick said firmly. "Tell Goretzka and Thiago to cut off the connection between Harry Kane and Bruno Fernandes. They must not link."
Concern flashed in Flick's eyes. He still didn't trust the situation.
If anyone in the United lineup posed the biggest threat, it was Bruno.
The tighter the match became, the more dangerous he was.
Bruno was the type of player who didn't need goals or assists to change games. His presence alone bent the field around him.
If Mbappé, Rashford, or Harry Kane had been a little sharper, United could have been 3–0 up by halftime. Bruno had created multiple golden chances that went unfinished.
"Don't worry. He looks exhausted," Röhl said, glancing at Bruno on the pitch. "He's still working hard, but he's fading."
Indeed, since the second half began, Bruno ran diligently but lacked his earlier spark. His movement seemed heavier, his energy drained.
"In a final like this, with so much heat and pressure, it's natural he's tiring," Röhl guessed quietly.
Flick, however, shook his head solemnly.
"No, don't underestimate him," he said. "Remember—this is his fourth Champions League final. He's already won the last three. A man like that… you never take lightly."
(END CHAPTER)
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