Chapter 712: Respect
Bruno Fernandes clinched the Man of the Match award yet again!
In the first leg at Camp Nou, he secured the accolade with a sensational hat-trick. Tonight, at the Millennium Stadium, his two-goal masterpiece earned him the honor once more.
Of Manchester United's seven goals across both legs, Bruno scored five, elevating his season's UEFA Champions League tally to 15 goals, firmly placing him atop the competition's scoring leaderboard.
Bruno could feel that his form was at an extraordinary level.
Consistent training, a disciplined lifestyle, and challenging goals had made it easy for him to reach such a peak. It wasn't just him; the entire Manchester United squad exuded the same determination.
At the start of the season, Bruno had boldly stated their intention to defend their Champions League title. Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, and the rest of the squad were equally hungry for another trophy.
Now, having emphatically eliminated Barcelona with a 7–1 aggregate score in the Champions League quarterfinals, and still keeping Manchester City and Liverpool at bay in the Premier League, United had every reason to believe.
Sometimes, an athlete's peak performance is forged through such battles.
A Gesture of Sportsmanship
"Hey, Luis."
Bruno approached Luis Suárez, extending a hand in a gesture of respect. He even gave the Barcelona star a polite hug—an act of sportsmanship from the victor.
"You were incredible tonight. Your defensive tactics were spot on," Suárez said, shrugging with resignation.
Bruno smiled lightly and replied, "We had a bit more preparation time. These past weeks, we've been practicing daily on how to counter you guys, though you still created plenty of danger."
Bruno's words were meant to ease the sting of defeat for his opponent.
"Well, congratulations. I think you've got a real shot this year," Suárez encouraged.
"Thanks," Bruno nodded.
"Watch out for Cristiano. He's been in great form lately," Suárez warned with a grin.
"Juventus? It seems unlikely they'll make the semifinals," Bruno mused internally.
Suárez probably didn't know the result of the match in Turin yet. Though Juventus had held a slight edge with a 1–1 draw in the first leg, few expected them to lose 1–2 at home.
Juventus and Ajax: A Shocking Exit
In recent years, Juventus had consistently been among Europe's elite teams.
2014–2015 season: Reached the final but lost to Bruno's Udinese.2015–2016 season: Eliminated in the Round of 16 by Bayern Munich in extra time.2016–2017 season: Reached the final again but suffered a 1–4 defeat to Zidane's Real Madrid.2017–2018 season: Knocked out in the quarterfinals by Real Madrid but still earned widespread respect.
Last summer, Juventus brought in Cristiano Ronaldo with the explicit goal of winning the Champions League.
However, their group stage performance was unremarkable, finishing with four wins and two losses in a group featuring Manchester City, Valencia, and Young Boys. They did scrape through as group winners, but just barely.
In the Round of 16, after a 0–2 first-leg loss, Ronaldo's stunning hat-trick in the return leg saved Juventus, securing a comeback victory and a spot in the quarterfinals.
Bruno trusted Suárez's assessment of Ronaldo's excellent form but wasn't convinced about Juventus as a whole. Despite their strong roster, including Dybala, Matuidi, Bonucci, and Pjanić, Juventus didn't exude the aura of champions.
Still, no one expected them to falter at home against a young Ajax side. The 2–1 loss in Turin shocked the footballing world, sending Ajax into the semifinals.
Barcelona's Struggles
Lionel Messi, in stark contrast to Suárez, was visibly disheartened. It wasn't just the defeat—it was the fact that over both legs, Luke Shaw had rendered him nearly ineffective.
While Shaw wasn't considered extraordinary in any particular area, his well-rounded abilities, work ethic, and concentration made him a formidable opponent. Every time Messi tried to shake him off, Shaw was there.
The Argentine star had returned to Barcelona as the team's savior, expected to lead them out of their struggles. Yet in two matches against Manchester United, Messi's performances were underwhelming, culminating in an early exit from the Champions League.
Barcelona's fate mirrored that of their Spanish rivals. Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid had both suffered humiliating exits in the Round of 16. Real Madrid, after winning 2–1 away against Ajax, suffered a shocking 1–4 home defeat. Atlético Madrid, meanwhile, squandered a strong first-leg lead against Juventus.
For the first time in years, Spain's "Big Three" failed to reach the Champions League semifinals—a testament to their decline.
Acknowledging the Rivalry
Though Messi had always viewed Bruno as a rival, he tried to maintain a polite demeanor, offering Bruno a smile and congratulating him on his outstanding performance.
Bruno, never one to kick someone when they're down, graciously responded by acknowledging Messi's contributions.
"Your presence always puts pressure on us," Bruno said.
In truth, Messi had been Barcelona's most threatening player in both legs. However, Shaw's steady performance neutralized much of his impact.
Bruno had experienced Shaw's tenacity firsthand in training. The English fullback's balanced skill set, focus, and adaptability had earned him a place among football's elite defenders, a far cry from his injury-plagued earlier years.
Under Bruno's leadership, Shaw had transformed into a top-tier player.
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