I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 190: Chapter 67: Luck Is Also a Form of Strength

”The match being broadcast live now is the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 for the 07-08 season.”

”A match where the runner-up of Serie A meets the leader of La Liga.”

”Real Madrid Team is wearing white jerseys, while the Roma Team is wearing red jerseys.”

”Both teams are using a 442 formation for this match.”

”Historically, the two teams have met six times, with Real Madrid holding an advantage of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, achieving total victory in all three away games.”

”In Real Madrid’s ranks, Heinze returns to the lineup, replacing Marcelo in the starting team to pair with Cannavaro as the central defenders, with Ramos and Torres as the two full-backs.”

”In the Roma lineup, former players Panucci and Juan return to join the fight, and the forward line still consists of Mancini, Totti, and Taddei.”

”Of course, domestic fans are probably more focused on the starting appearance of the young genius Chen Zhong in this match, as it’s the first time a player from our country is starting in the Champions League round of 16.”

”Chen Zhong also broke the record for the youngest player for appearances, goals, and assists in the Champions League.”

”Until this match, he has already scored three goals in the Champions League.”

”Alright, dear viewers, as the whistle of the main referee sounds, the match officially begins. Let’s watch this exciting match together.”

Luciano Spalletti has brought a lot of ”joy” to Roma fans since he started coaching Rome in 2005, and his wolf pack tactics, placing Taddei at the front in the striker-less formation, became quite the fad.

Of course, Roma’s lineup includes Taddei, De Rossi, Totti... these strong players are key factors in his success.

The fans of both teams in the stands are shouting loudly.

After Capello’s departure from Real Madrid, Schuster gradually returned to tradition, producing many beautiful games this season, while Spalletti’s Roma is known for their offensive tactics in Serie A.

Many people call the encounter between these two teams ”a clash of the titans.”

They are expecting an exciting offensive showdown!

However, considering Rome’s recent slump, most fans believe Roma will be heroically eliminated in the Champions League round of 16.

Spalletti’s bald head shines brightly, like a wise light bulb, and as the game progresses, fans both in the stands and in front of the TV are taken aback.

”This isn’t right!”

”Something’s off?”

”Rome is actually playing an ugly, conservative defensive counter-attack?”

What are the fans seeing?

Rome!

This is Rome!

The best-looking team in Serie A!

Yet, they’re shrinking back into their own half, setting up a tank formation, completely unlike the Rome club in fans’ memories!

”Damn bastards!”

”This is truly ugly, unsightly, disgusting gameplay.” Schuster muttered curses, knowing Roma’s play is opportunistic, it’s ugly, but also knowing it’s the right way to play.

Do you really want to engage in an offensive duel with Real Madrid when your form is off?

That’s like an old man getting tired of life and eating arsenic!

Real Madrid played very actively and aggressively at the start, all of which seemed to be within Rome Team’s calculations. They adopted chain defense, each player holding their own area, leaving Real Madrid little opportunity.

When Real Madrid’s players reached their half, all they could see were red jerseys from Rome Team.

”The attack from Real Madrid.”

”Chen Zhong takes possession, performing continuous wall pass combinations.”

”But Rome Team’s defense is very tight.”

”Chen Zhong doesn’t continue forward and instead passes to Robben.”

”Robben takes the ball.”

Robben received Chen Zhong’s pass and made a noticeable pause.

This is Chen’s pass to me!

Robben took a deep breath, eyed the defenders in front of him, and used a change of rhythm to shake off the opponent on the spot.

But Rome’s players remained calm, firmly blocking the inward-cutting route while marking other Real Madrid players tightly.

Robben advanced all the way, made a sudden stop before approaching the baseline, and then performed a backward triangle pass.

Chen Zhong stood like a tower in the penalty area, shouldering the nearby defenders. Having observed the situation early on, he showed no intention of controlling the ball, and directly passed horizontally to Guti without stopping.

Guti’s white headband tight around his blonde hair, a glint of sharpness flashed in his piercing eyes. Replacing Robinho, playing on the left in this match, he ”drew his bow and aimed,” launching a long-range shot targeting Rome’s goal.

Raul was inside the penalty area along the trajectory of the ball, and he extended his leg.

Originally expecting a pass from Guti, he didn’t anticipate a long-range shot.

At that critical moment, Raul adjusted his leg movement from receiving to deflecting, only to see him extend his leg for a deflection, a ricochet causing the goalkeeper, already positioned ”like a rabbit waiting at a tree stump,” to only widen his eyes as the ball rolled into the net.

”0:1”

”In the 8th minute of the match.”

”Chen Zhong returned the ball in the penalty area like a tower.”

”Guti’s long-range shot deflected off Raul’s leg, creating a ricochet.”

The ball deflected into the net.

”Haha!”

”Sometimes, luck is also a form of strength.”

”This is Raul’s 60th Champions League goal, with 60 goals continuing to lead the Champions League’s all-time scorer list.”

After scoring, Raul ran towards the corner flag, kissing the ring on his finger, while Schuster, seeing the team take the lead, felt the huge weight in his heart fall with a thud.