Chapter 649 Ambition

Bruno clapped his hands and said: "I think Mr. Mourinho's words are correct. We should reduce the time we have the ball in the midfield. This will make West Ham United's defense easier - as long as they jam our midfield , we won’t be able to attack it.”

After infecting the team with passion, Bruno analyzed the situation calmly.

"I hope everyone will run during the game, and Luke and Joao will also actively provide assists. Don't think about defense first. We must score goals as soon as possible. You don't need to pass every ball to me, I will organize it. Offense... Let me tell you my thoughts here - we can directly pass the football to the wing without passing through me, or we can simply pass it long to Harry in front. In short, my main function is here. It attracts the attention of West Ham United's defense. They keep a close eye on me, and I don't have any opportunities to pass the ball. But I believe they always have two or three people guarding me, and the defense will definitely be empty in other places. You can't turn the ball over, but you can. They don't pay much attention to your defense. This is something we can take advantage of. Put the football at the feet of people who are more threatening than me."

After Bruno finished speaking, everyone nodded.

"I have nothing more to say, let your feet do the talking, guys. There are still forty-five minutes left. We have the hope and ability to win today's game!"

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After the second half of the game started, West Ham United's players quickly discovered the changes in Manchester United. They were different from the first half.

In the first half, after getting the ball, the Manchester United players would hand the football to Bruno and let him organize the offense or control the rhythm. In this way, West Ham United's defense is very easy. They only need to keep a close eye on Bruno and put pressure on him, and Manchester United's offense cannot launch, so they can suppress Manchester United at home for 45 minutes and score a goal.

But in the second half, Manchester United adjusted their tactics. They ignored Bruno, or Bruno's role in the Manchester United team's tactical system suddenly became unimportant.

Manchester United began to emphasize wing attack. They actually have two full-backs who are good at assists, as well as two fast and skilled wingers. Why not take advantage of them?

Although Bruno doesn't directly pass the ball to organize offense, he can use gestures and words to direct the team on the court. After all, West Ham players can see his body but cannot freeze his mind.

"Pass the ball to Marcus!"

"Pass the ball directly into the space in front!"

"Pass it back, pass it back! There's no chance in front of you!"

"Good, good... big foot transfer, there is space on the right!"

"Pass it to me, hard! Okay..."

…

When the football was really passed by his teammates, Bruno spread his legs and missed the football. The West Ham United players who came up to grab him missed it.

So everyone saw Bruno waving his arms and shouting loudly on the court more often, not like a player, but like a head coach on the court.

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Manchester United's style of play prevented West Ham from reacting for a while, and Manchester United also seized this opportunity.

Only eleven minutes into the second half, United launched an attack. Goalkeeper De Gea kicked the football forward. Bruno won the fight with Noble for the header. He knocked the football down in front of Noble and passed it to Gundogan. Then he directed Gundogan. Dogan passed the football to defender Cancelo on the wing.

After getting the ball, Cancelo moved forward, attracted the attention of West Ham United's defense, and suddenly passed through. Forward Harry Kane, who was supposed to be in the middle, pulled to the wing and received the pass.

Then he dribbled the ball down and made a cross!

Rashford competed with Diop for a header in the middle, but no one touched the ball. The football passed directly in front of the goal and flew straight to the back.

Mbappe appeared at the back point. He did not stop the ball, but took a stance to face the incoming ball.

"Mbappe! Just volley and shoot!!"

The football banged and flew straight to the near corner of the goal.

West Ham United goalkeeper Fabianski fought hard to save, but only his fingertips touched the football...

"BUT! BUT! BUUUUUUUUUUUT!!!" The French commentator burst out with a huge roar, "Mbappe! He helped Manchester United equalize the score! Wow! Beautiful! So beautiful!"

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After scoring, Mbappé excitedly rushed to the sidelines to celebrate, but was quickly surrounded by excited teammates. They slapped Mbappe in the face and shouted: "Well done, Kylian!"

"World wave, world wave! Your shot is so cool!"

"I thought this attack was over, but I didn't expect you to be guarding at the back... Haha!"

"Did you see the look on Fabianski's face? He couldn't believe it!"

…

Mbappe was excited and said to everyone: "Isn't this what it should be? We are going to hit Arsenal's 49-game unbeaten record!"

"That's right! Create a record! We want to create a new unbeaten record in the Premier League!"

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Having equalized the score, Manchester United's morale was high. After West Ham United kicked off, they quickly seized the opportunity to launch a fierce offensive into the hinterland of West Ham United. Because Bruno said to them before kick-off: "We still need to score goals and score more goals. 1:1 is not enough, and 2:1 is not safe. We have to strive for 3:1, 4:1!"

Attack is now the only thought of the Manchester United team. They will never consider any conservative counterattacks. Even though their defense is very good, they are more confident in their ability to score goals.

We want to create a new unbeaten record in the Premier League. West Ham United is just a hurdle that must be overcome on the road.

After falling behind, West Ham United wanted to quickly equalize the score, but as soon as they pressed forward to attack, they were beaten back by Manchester United's fierce artillery fire.

Bruno still rarely got the ball. The team's attack was more bypassing him and passed directly to the front. Most of the time, Bruno just ran from one place to another and moved his lips.

But don't think that he is completely a hands-off boss. Once West Ham United relaxes his defense, he will immediately reach out for the ball, and after receiving the ball, he will pass the football to the threatening area he has already seen.

West Ham United is very uncomfortable with Manchester United's style of play. Their captain Noble followed Bruno, but did nothing. Then he watched the frequent gaps behind him, and he couldn't go up to help. Because once he jumped, Manchester United immediately passed the ball to Bruno, who organized the attack, which made him very uncomfortable.

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At present, West Ham United coach Pellegrini has two choices: one is to stabilize the defense and keep the score of 1:1 until the end of the game; the other is to strengthen the offense and strive to take the lead again.

Pellegrini thought about it and decided to strengthen the offense.

West Ham United is not a team that is good at defense. Last season, they lost 69 goals in 38 Premier League games, the second most conceded team. In the first six rounds of this season, they also lost 11 goals, the fourth most conceded team. However, their opponent Manchester United is the most offensive team in the Premier League. With their weak defensive ability, they will definitely not be able to stop Manchester United's attack.

On the contrary, West Ham United, which has Arnautovic, Anderson and Yarmolenko, actually has good offensive ability and is capable of scoring against Manchester United.

Of course, Pellegrini is more concerned about defeating Manchester United at home and ending the opponent's unbeaten record. This is very beneficial to boosting the morale of West Ham United.

Under Moyes' leadership, West Ham United successfully avoided relegation last season from being a favorite for relegation; and this summer, the Hammers have made a lot of signings in the transfer market, naturally hoping to make a difference. Pellegrini does not want his team to continue to be stuck in the relegation zone.

The Chilean engineer stood up from his seat, walked to the sidelines, whistled and gestured to the West Ham United players on the field, signaling them to strengthen the attack, attack, and not always shrink in their own 30-meter area.

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But if you want to attack, you need a sharp knife figure who can lead the team's offensive. Just like a train parked on the rails, the most laborious time is from static to starting. West Ham United is now in a static state, they need to start, and they need a powerful locomotive.

Who is suitable?

Anderson is a front midfielder, but he is under the close defense of Kante.

Noble can also organize the attack, long pass from the backcourt, or be responsible for the rhythm of the whole team. But he was held back by Bruno.

Declan Rice is too young, and Obiang's offensive organization ability is almost negligible...

Looking around, there is only Yarmolenko. This Ukrainian winger, who is called the new Shevchenko by Ukrainian fans, has good breakthrough and passing abilities.

He rolled his hands into a trumpet shape, put them to his mouth and yelled: "Andri! Andri!"

Yarmolenko heard the coach's call and looked over.

"Take more balls, break more!" Pellegrini waved to Yarmolenko.

Yarmolenko nodded to show that he heard it.

………………

Noble passed the ball to Yarmolenko, and Yarmolenko just received the ball and dribbled it out. He faced Manchester United's left back Luke Shaw, and Mbappe was waiting for an opportunity behind.

Yarmolenko did not give the two men a chance to close the gap. He made a fake move to break through the inside line, tricked Luke Shaw into shifting his center of gravity, then suddenly dunked the ball back, and pushed the ball forward with his right foot, breaking through Luke Shaw along the sideline.

The commentator of West Ham United said happily: "Luke Shaw was like a training cone in front of Yarmolenko, and was easily broken through!"

Yarmolenko, who broke through Luke Shaw, cut into the penalty area and shot. The ball was blocked by De Gea and fell in front of the goal. Then Maguire rushed to clear the ball in front of Arnautovic and resolved the crisis.

Although the ball was not lost this time, it is clear that Yarmolenko has become a major concern for Manchester United. If he is allowed to be active, then Manchester United's defense line will be very worrying.

Bruno looked at the situation and said to Kante: "N'Golo, you continue to defend Anderson, I will defend Yarmolenko."

Kante nodded, without objection or surprise. It was not the first time that Bruno went to the wing to defend. Kante was very confident in his defensive ability.

………………

Yarmolenko announced to his teammates that he was active again with a beautiful breakthrough and a very threatening shot. So West Ham United's players passed the ball to him one after another. His side was the most threatening wing for West Ham United's attack. Obiang could only distract Manchester United's defensive attention and could not do anything else.

When Yarmolenko received the ball again, he found that the person in front of him was not Luke Shaw, but Bruno.

Yarmolenko didn't care, and swung the ball out, while accelerating to chase the ball.

Bruno turned around and chased in a somewhat embarrassed manner.

Yarmolenko was slightly faster than Bruno, but he was carrying the ball, while Bruno was chasing back with all his strength. Soon Bruno caught up with Yarmolenko, he grabbed Yarmolenko's shoulder with one hand, and poked at the ball with his feet.

When Yarmolenko saw Bruno entangled with him, he knew that the success rate of forcing a breakthrough was very low. So he suddenly stopped and hooked the ball back with the outside of his left foot. Bruno rushed over, but his hand did not loosen, still holding Yarmolenko's shoulder. Yarmolenko wanted to turn around and break through from the inside, but he was firmly caught by him.

Seeing that he could not break through and the opponent's defense was well organized, Yarmolenko had no more chances, so he simply fell down and covered his ankle in pain.

The referee blew the whistle and judged Bruno to be fouled.

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Bruno certainly knew what Yarmolenko was thinking. He stretched out his hand to Yarmolenko who was still lying on the ground and couldn't get up: "Don't pretend, get up, you have achieved your goal."

Yarmolenko laughed, then got up from the ground, touched his shoulder and said: "But you really hurt me."

"Then you covered your ankle too..." Bruno rolled his eyes.

West Ham United's free kick came out, and Arnautovic headed the ball, but due to Van Dijk's interference, he didn't head it straight and the ball went out of the goal.

Although there was no goal in this attack, Pellegrini was determined to make Yarmolenko the core of the attack.

In the next game, as long as West Ham United attacked, the football would be sent to Yarmolenko's feet continuously.

Bruno also tightened his defense on Yarmolenko, almost staying close to him. When Manchester United was defending, he deliberately kept himself close to Yarmolenko, and rushed to defend as soon as the opponent got the ball.

Facing this persistent Bruno, Yarmolenko's breakthrough could not be played. Bruno was always able to anticipate the enemy's moves. If Yarmolenko wanted to break through to the inside, Bruno would wait for him in the inside. If Yarmolenko's breakthrough to the inside was just a cover, and his real intention was to go down the sideline, Bruno would decisively kick the ball out of the sideline.

Yarmolenko could only rely on his speed to force a breakthrough on Bruno, but such an opportunity would not appear anytime and anywhere. It was almost impossible to break through Bruno by starting and accelerating on the spot, because Bruno was stuck in position. No matter how fast he was, he could not violate the laws of physics when he started.