Bruno: Creating chances is not enough
Bruno Fernandes believes Manchester United played well in our semi-final defeat to Sevilla on Sunday, but was left disappointed with our finishing.
The midfielder opened the scoring from the penalty spot in Cologne when he calmly dispatched his spot-kick in the ninth minute.
However, Suso’s equaliser and Luuk De Jong’s subsequent winner meant the Spaniards progressed to this week’s final.
Despite that, United dominated large periods of the match and produced 20 shots, seven of which were on target. While Bruno was pleased with the Reds' creativity against Sevilla, he knows United must become more ruthless in front of goal.
However, Suso’s equaliser and Luuk De Jong’s subsequent winner meant the Spaniards progressed to this week’s final.
Despite that, United dominated large periods of the match and produced 20 shots, seven of which were on target. While Bruno was pleased with the Reds' creativity against Sevilla, he knows United must become more ruthless in front of goal.
"We do a great game, create a lot of chances, but in football that is not enough.
— Football on BT Sport #Club2020 (@btsportfootball) August 16, 2020
"Their keeper did very well, but for the quality we have, we need to score."
Bruno Fernandes reflects on a disappointing night for Manchester United...@darrellcurrietv | #Club2020 pic.twitter.com/24sg7BGtKB
“It was more than an impressive performance, it was a great game,” the Portuguese international told BT Sport. “We created a lot of chances, but in football it’s not enough.
“When you create chances you need to finish, you need to score and today we missed a lot in front of goal. Of course, if you keep creating these chances you will score next time.
“Obviously, everyone is not satisfied about this because we want to go through. We want to win the game and be in the final, but it’s not possible today. Now it’s time to rest, to refresh the legs and think of next season.”
“When you create chances you need to finish, you need to score and today we missed a lot in front of goal. Of course, if you keep creating these chances you will score next time.
“Obviously, everyone is not satisfied about this because we want to go through. We want to win the game and be in the final, but it’s not possible today. Now it’s time to rest, to refresh the legs and think of next season.”
Sevilla owe much of their triumph to the outstanding contribution of goalkeeper Bono, something Fernandes acknowledged after the game.
“Of course the keeper did very well,” said Bruno. “He was amazing like [the goalkeeper] in the last match against Copenhagen. They were two very good keepers - we can say nothing about that. We can say that he [Bono] saved his team two or three times.”
Bruno has already established himself as a vocal figure in the United dressing, and the 25-year-old had plenty to say when De Jong bagged a late winner in Cologne.
“Of course the keeper did very well,” said Bruno. “He was amazing like [the goalkeeper] in the last match against Copenhagen. They were two very good keepers - we can say nothing about that. We can say that he [Bono] saved his team two or three times.”
Bruno has already established himself as a vocal figure in the United dressing, and the 25-year-old had plenty to say when De Jong bagged a late winner in Cologne.
Semi-final photos
GalleryCheck out these pics from a dramatic Europa League clash in Cologne.
Yet, the midfielder was quick to play down the on-field disagreement with himself and Victor Lindelof following the goal.
“I think it’s normal when you concede a goal and you have 10 minutes to score,” he explained. “Everyone was mad and it’s not about me and Victor. What happened between me and Victor is nothing; in football that happens.
“It’s looking for challenges and many more times these things will happen in other teams. The most important thing now is to see the mistakes everyone has done and to look forward and improve in the next games.”
Get ready for next season. Our 2020/21 home and away kits are available now from United Direct.
“I think it’s normal when you concede a goal and you have 10 minutes to score,” he explained. “Everyone was mad and it’s not about me and Victor. What happened between me and Victor is nothing; in football that happens.
“It’s looking for challenges and many more times these things will happen in other teams. The most important thing now is to see the mistakes everyone has done and to look forward and improve in the next games.”
Get ready for next season. Our 2020/21 home and away kits are available now from United Direct.