I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 192: Chapter 70: Chen’s Champions League Iconic Moment

Stadio Olimpico

The fans in the stands stared in shock at this scene, as Heinze attempted to steal the ball from Totti in the backfield but failed to intercept the ball, causing a mistake.

After hooking the ball back at his feet, Totti faced the advancing Casillas and slanted a pass towards the right side of the penalty area.

Casillas reacted very swiftly, moving sideways with both his hands and feet, but Mancini nudged the ball aside and then easily slotted it into the empty net, effortlessly breaching Real Madrid’s goal.

In an instant, the entire stadium turned into a sea of joy.

Rome’s fans celebrated passionately in the stands, rewriting ”history” as they were set to eliminate Real Madrid and take a decisive step towards the quarter-finals.

”2:1”

”Rome has taken the lead!”

”Totti, up against Heinze, showed exquisite ball control skills.”

”Heinze’s interception wasn’t clean.”

”Facing Casillas, Totti calmly passed the ball to a teammate in space.”

”Mancini darted forward, nudged past Casillas, and easily scored facing an empty goal.”

After scoring, Mancini celebrated wildly, and Spalletti was also swinging his arms on the sidelines, signaling the fans in the stands to get even more excited.

The Rome fans understood this message, shouting loudly and provocatively.

”You won’t win.”

”You will stop here!”

”Champions League 16, Champions League 16, Champions League 16!”

Schuster’s golden hair fluttered in the wind as he loudly called Heinze’s name, sternly saying, ”Do what you need to do.”

”Don’t do anything extra!”

Heinze was a player Schuster valued, ”destined” to be a key player before the season started, but due to injuries and other factors, his appearances this season were limited.

Totti had always been a key target for Chen Zhong to watch closely, and just now, if it weren’t for Heinze’s ”blind command,” confidently charging forward, things would have been different.

There were also many Real Madrid fans in the stands expressing their opinions.

”What on earth is with this Heinze?”

”Can he play or not? If it were Chen, he wouldn’t make such a mistake.”

”Just build a defensive system around Chen; he’s never made such mistakes facing Totti.”

”That Chinese guy, that number 22, if he had been the one defending Totti just now, it wouldn’t have turned out like this. Who gives him the right to command Chen?”

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In the stands, the eyes of Real Madrid fans turned to Heinze, with some even waving white handkerchiefs, and Chen Zhong, noticing this, jogged towards Heinze.

This Argentine, who resembled Guti with his golden hair, looked at Chen Zhong with his brown eyes, seemingly asking why he was approaching.

Chen Zhong did not reach out to embrace Heinze, as the age difference would make such a gesture somewhat inappropriate.

He simply faced the fan stands, pointing at Heinze, then himself, and then at other teammates around, indicating that they were a team and it wasn’t one person’s mistake.

After seeing Chen Zhong’s gesture, some of the Real Madrid fans put down their targeted actions, like booing and waving white handkerchiefs, but some persisted in doing so.

They firmly believed that age isn’t the issue.

If the on-field players can’t decisively ”cooperate” and ”revolve” around Chen Zhong, then they aren’t fit to play.

”The game continues, and Rome is now defending tightly in front of the goal.”

”It seems they want to hold onto this score until the end of the game.”

”Before the game, experts predicted the probabilities of both teams advancing were at 37 points.”

”Real Madrid had a 70% chance, while Rome had 30%.”

”But if the game ends with this score.”

”Unencumbered by tradition, Rome might have a bigger chance to advance to the next round.”

Rome’s fans no longer cared.

If at first, they were displeased with the team’s conservative strategy, now that the team has reversed the score against Real Madrid, they just want to ”kneel” on the ground, proclaiming Spalletti as a god!

Yes, Spalletti is a god!

Facing Real Madrid, knowing they can’t win an offensive battle, knowing they’re not in good form, by shamelessly choosing to defend, what’s wrong with that?

What’s wrong with that!?

Real Madrid controlled most of the field, but Rome’s core area was densely packed with figures. Chen Zhong was already stationed in the opponent’s half, and although Real Madrid created many opportunities, forwards Raul and Van Nistelrooy struggled to find their scoring touch.

In the 68th minute, Chen Zhong got the ball and passed it to Robben on the left side. Robben executed a ”step-over,” twisting and turning, breaking through two defenders.

The Rome fans in the stands erupted with boos, while the Real Madrid fans craned their necks, eager to watch Robben, who was in fine form this match.

After breaking through, Robben didn’t force a shot, but instead lightly tapped the ball with his heel near the penalty spot.

Van Nistelrooy attempted to volley the ball in front of goal, beating the two Rome players to the shot, but the ball soared into the sky and into the stands.

”Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” Schuster yelled loudly from the sidelines, the agonizing feeling of watching his main striker carry his expectations again and again, only to be disappointed each time, truly tortures.