Chapter 802 – The Giant Slayer
At 8:00 p.m. local time in Portugal, on August 18th, the first semifinal of the 2019–2020 UEFA Champions League kicked off at Lisbon's Estádio da Luz. It was a clash between the Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich and the French Ligue 1 rising giant Paris Saint-Germain.
Both teams entered as strong contenders. Bayern Munich had won all nine of their previous Champions League matches this season in dominant fashion. In particular, their 8–2 demolition of the former "Galácticos" Barcelona in the quarterfinals had stunned the entire world.
Paris Saint-Germain, the new powerhouse of European football, had also performed exceptionally well in the tournament. With seven wins, one draw, and one loss from their nine matches, they ranked just behind the formidable Manchester United and Bayern Munich in terms of performance.
A clash between these two titans was destined to be explosive.
And indeed, after a thrilling and fiery match, Bayern Munich ultimately showcased their superior strength, edging Paris Saint-Germain 4–3 to advance to the final.
This was the German champions' first Champions League final appearance in seven years, and the 11th in club history—tying AC Milan and second only to Real Madrid's 16 finals appearances.
One day later, the second semifinal resumed at the same venue, Estádio da Luz, featuring Manchester United against the season's ultimate dark horse—RB Leipzig.
This match also attracted worldwide attention. Manchester United, as the defending two-time Champions League winners, were the pinnacle of European football. RB Leipzig, on the other hand, a club barely over a decade old, had already made history by reaching the semifinals—a true fairy tale story.
...
This was the first-ever European meeting between the two sides, as Leipzig's short history and recent emergence meant they had only just begun competing in the Champions League. Having already reached the semifinals for the first time in their history, Leipzig dreamed of going one step further and writing a new chapter.
Manchester United, aiming for a third straight Champions League crown, were in pursuit of a historic achievement that even the so-called "Kings of Europe," Real Madrid, had never managed in the modern era.
If Bruno had not transferred early to Manchester United, Real Madrid might have been the first club in the Champions League's modern format to achieve a three-peat—further solidifying their royal status.
But after Bruno's arrival at United in 2018, he ended Real Madrid's dream of a three-peat and began a new era of dominance for the Red Devils.
José Mourinho made some rotations in Manchester United's starting lineup. On defense, Victor Lindelöf and Diogo Dalot started in place of Harry Maguire and João Cancelo. In midfield, İlkay Gündoğan came in for Fred. Up front, Mourinho fielded a completely new trio: Riyad Mahrez, Scott McTominay, and Mason Greenwood.
...
"RB Leipzig have started the match with tremendous energy, creating several early chances."
"Here's Angeliño again, trying to deliver the ball into the box."
"N'Golo Kanté intercepts outside the penalty area—Manchester United are countering!"
"Gündoğan moves forward swiftly, turns, and sends a grounded long pass straight ahead!"
...
Bruno made a rapid diagonal run, slicing between two Leipzig defenders. Nordi Mukiele was left behind almost instantly after takeoff.
Dayot Upamecano chased him desperately toward goal but couldn't close the gap.
As the ball reached Bruno's feet, he drove forward fluidly, linking Gündoğan's pass perfectly in stride before charging into the box.
Upamecano pressed hard, refusing to give up, while Leipzig's goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi rushed out to narrow the angle.
But Bruno was already ready for this. From about fifteen meters out, he deftly lifted the ball with his left foot. The ball floated over Gulácsi's outstretched hands and, as he leapt futilely to block it, dropped gently into the empty goal behind him.
...
The instant Bruno made the chip, he knew—it was in!
This was his 10th Champions League goal of the season, and the 73rd of his career.
"Oh my God!"
"A lightning-quick counterattack by Manchester United—"
"Bruno… it's in!!!!"
"What a shocker! Unbelievably fast!"
"Manchester United's counter was pure perfection—Leipzig's defenders didn't even have time to blink!"
"It's simply unbelievable!"
...
After making the shot, Bruno sprinted off the pitch, followed by his ecstatic teammates charging after him.
This goal completely stunned RB Leipzig—and even caught United's own players off guard.
None of them expected to score so suddenly.
What looked like Gündoğan's clearance somehow became an inch-perfect pass. Bruno not only controlled it but turned it into a lethal counterattack. It was astounding.
...
"What a simple yet breathtaking counterattack! From Kanté's interception to Gündoğan's pass, the entire move was lightning fast. And Bruno's awareness to exploit the gap once again proved his extraordinary movement. Stunning play."
"Let's watch that goal again."
"Bruno's first touch was flawless—almost a simultaneous control and dribble. Upamecano never even touched the ball, always one step behind. Bruno's pace was just unstoppable!"
"Mukiele has been solid this season, instrumental in Leipzig's Champions League run, but tonight he's met his nemesis. Against Bruno, the young French full-back just can't keep up."
"And now, Leipzig's early attacking game plan has completely collapsed!"
...
Bruno jumped up excitedly from the ground and turned to embrace his teammates rushing toward him.
He hugged Gündoğan especially tightly, laughing heartily at the beautiful assist.
The German midfielder's vision and technique were sublime. That pinpoint pass made everything possible.
"Thanks for the assist!" Bruno said with a grin.
Gündoğan shook his head with a smile. "No, no. That finish was all you!"
To break Leipzig's defense single-handedly, dribble through under pressure, and calmly chip the keeper—Bruno's skill was extraordinary.
"Well then, let's keep pushing! I feel like I can't stop now!" Bruno laughed.
Hearing that, the other players grew even more fired up.
After several seasons, Bruno had established unquestioned authority within United's squad.
To many of his teammates, Bruno was practically a god on the pitch.
...
In the opening ten minutes, RB Leipzig had completely dominated, pressing aggressively and troubling United's backline. But Bruno's goal in the 13th minute was a bucket of cold water poured straight over their heads, waking them up brutally.
Both Julian Nagelsmann on the sideline and Mukiele on the field immediately realized their mistake. They had studied Bruno through video and data—but they hadn't truly understood how powerful he was until facing him in person.
After scoring first, Manchester United regained control, settled the game, and started to press more aggressively.
Mourinho had fielded one of his strongest midfields.
With Bruno playing ahead of Kanté and Gündoğan, Manchester United asserted dominance in the center of the park, forcing Leipzig to retreat.
Especially after taking the lead, United kept up the pressure.
Bruno remained the most active player on the field. In the 24th minute, he drew a foul from Mukiele outside the box.
He took the free kick himself from thirty-five meters, but the shot went straight to the keeper—an easy save. Bruno raised his arms in frustration, clearly displeased with the strike.
...
Just three minutes later, Bruno collected the ball again on the left, shook off Mukiele, and sent a diagonal through ball behind the defense. Mbappé sprinted onto it and fired, but Gulácsi blocked it.
Finally, in the 28th minute, Bruno's persistence paid off.
Kanté sent a vertical pass to Bruno near the box, creating a one-on-one opportunity.
Facing Leipzig's defensive midfielder Kevin Kampl, Bruno drove the ball toward the byline, surged forward, and used his sheer pace to blow past him, sending a quick left-footed cross into the box.
While Bruno's left foot wasn't as precise as his right, it was more than enough to deliver assists.
Scott McTominay arrived in the center and nodded the cross home, making it 2–0!
Two goals within half an hour!
...
United's attack went into full throttle.
Their rhythm clicked, their chemistry sharpened, and their assaults grew deadlier by the minute.
Though Mourinho had positioned Bruno as an attacking midfielder, he often pushed further forward than McTominay, who dropped back frequently to link play.
Whether cutting inside from the flank or slicing behind defensive lines, Bruno thrived in every moment.
Even more impressive was his passing vision and coordination.
In the 36th minute, he switched the ball brilliantly from left to right, picking out Mbappé. The French forward controlled it and crossed back, nearly assisting McTominay for another header.
Bruno's runs down the left remained dangerous. In fact, United's second goal had originated from his breakthrough.
Then, in the 44th minute, Bruno once again forced a corner from a powerful run down the left.
Gündoğan delivered to the near post. Van Dijk flicked it on toward the penalty spot, and Bruno, ghosting in unmarked, met the ball first time—smashing it into the Leipzig net!
3–0!
Bruno extended his arms wide like a glider, soaring across Estádio da Luz.
...
"The match has reached the 60th minute."
"The score remains 3–0. Manchester United maintain their lead through Bruno's two goals and one assist."
"Mourinho is making a substitution now!"
...
When the fourth official raised the board showing number 8, Bruno froze for a moment. He still felt full of energy.
He wanted to stay, to go for his hat-trick. But Mourinho clearly had the Champions League final in mind, wanting to preserve his star's stamina.
"Indeed, Bruno has been magnificent even in just one hour of play."
"Two brilliant goals—one a solo counterattack, and one a composed volley in the box—plus an assist for McTominay. A masterclass from Bruno tonight."
As he stepped off the field, Bruno shook hands and hugged Juan Mata, his replacement.
Mourinho, grinning broadly on the sideline, spread his arms and said from afar, "Fantastic performance! Keep it up!"
...
When the final whistle blew, the whole stadium erupted in celebration.
Manchester United had reached their third consecutive Champions League final!
And with their emphatic win over RB Leipzig, they earned a new title from the European press—"The Giant Slayer."
Last year, they ended Ajax's miraculous run, knocking out Erik ten Hag's spirited young team.
Now they had done it again—ending Julian Nagelsmann's fairytale journey with another giant-killing performance.
(END CHAPTER)
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