I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 179: Chapter 64: Emery: I Didn’t Offend Anyone

”A team established less than seven years ago doesn’t need to be taken seriously.”

”Considering they were founded only seven years ago and are playing in La Liga, that’s impressive, but they really got thrashed in the first round.”

”However, Negredo performed well! Let’s consider this match as a chance to see the results of our youth training.”

”You better not underestimate Almeria! This season, they’ve beaten Super Laco twice and defeated Espanyol, Valencia, and Sevilla, so they definitely aren’t weak.”

Amidst the fans’ chatter, the match day arrived, and Schuster made some rotation adjustments for this game. Chen Zhong was initially quite looking forward to facing Negredo again, but Schuster rotated the team for this match.

Baptista and Chen Zhong were both rotated out, replaced by a midfield combination of Diara, Sneijder, Guti, and Robinho. The defense remained the same as the last game with Sergado, Cannavaro, Ramos, and Torres, while the front line consisted of Raul and Van Nistelrooy, and Casillas stayed in goal.

Despite it being an away game, the Merengues weren’t too worried about the outcome, and after discovering he wasn’t on the match lineup, Chen Zhong informed Negredo but didn’t reveal the starting players.

Some coaches are quite sensitive about these things, and Chen Zhong wouldn’t divulge too much just because of his relationship with Negredo. It’s better for both sides this way.

Even though he wasn’t on the match roster, Chen Zhong still went to Almeria. After the match, he’d meet up with Negredo for a bit, and then return to Madrid with the team the next day.

Almeria’s home ground is the ”Mediterranean Stadium,” a small stadium for a small club that can only hold around 20,000 people. In terms of size and luxury, it can’t compare to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium at all.

This youngest team in La Liga has gained quite a few fans thanks to their outstanding performance this season.

Chen Zhong had two options for watching the match live: one was to go with the team and sit in the VIP area with team-issued tickets, and the other was a ticket provided by friends.

Chen Zhong chose the second option.

”Almeria!!!”

”This is the Mediterranean Stadium!!!”

”Negredo! Negredo! Don’t leave us!”

Tightening his clothes, adjusting his mask up onto his face, and pressing down the hat on his head, Chen Zhong felt a bit awkward in the VIP section above Almeria’s diehard fan area. Little did he know that the ticket Negredo provided him was for Almeria’s diehard fan stand VIP area!

If possible, he really wanted to ask Negredo if he did this on purpose or by accident?

Perhaps he should even thank Negredo for not directly putting him in the Almeria die-hard fan section and only roasting him over the flames instead of throwing him onto the fire?

What a damn annoying friend.

The only comfort is that maybe because Almeria was established not long ago, their diehard fans seem a bit immature compared to those of other teams, not as intense or extreme.

Furthermore, because Almeria and Real Madrid have some player cooperation, the relationship between the two teams and their fans is quite good. Real Madrid often loans some of its youth players to Almeria, and Almeria, even before entering La Liga, often served as a satellite club for Real Madrid.

So even sitting in the VIP seats above Almeria’s diehard fan area, Chen Zhong didn’t feel too offended; their focus was more on cheering for their team rather than insulting Real Madrid and its players or coaches.

”Here we are at the 22nd round of the La Liga match.”

”Almeria is at home against Real Madrid.”

”Wearing red and white jerseys are the Almeria players, while those in white jerseys are Real Madrid players.”

”This is the second meeting this season and the fifth in history between the two teams.”

”In the last meeting, Real Madrid beat Almeria 4-1 at home.”

”Chen Zhong scored a beautiful goal in the penalty area with the back of his head, a real world-class moment.”

”The match begins, hahaha, Guti just slipped on the ground—how much water did they put on the field?”

”Schuster values this match a lot. After all, if they win, he’ll tie Huck’s nine-game winning streak record set in 1986.”

Schuster squatted by the sideline and touched the grass, which felt quite wet.

He didn’t curse but merely glanced at Almeria’s coach Emery.

Real Madrid has reverted to its traditional style, focusing on short passes in the middle, relying on control; such a slippery pitch affects the team quite a bit.

”This guy has something!”

”But the slippery pitch affects both teams, not just us.”

”I think the real problem lies with the players,” Francisco said, furrowing his brows beside him. ”The players seem to be taking it easy.”

In the first half, Real Madrid appeared quite relaxed and only in the 8th minute, Cannavaro launched a long pass from the backfield, followed by Raul’s casual lob from outside the box, ending that offensive effort.