I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 220: Chapter 83: Arrogance (Part 2)

Schuster had long regarded this match as a sure victory.

He had made ample preparations for this match.

Yes, on the field, he indeed controlled the match.

But with only 5 pitiful shots in the first half, their opponent even had one more than them!

Francisco looked at the angry Schuster, his mouth moved as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately he held back.

In this match, Schuster’s decision to remove Baptista could be considered a clever move, as there was an oversupply of ”resources” in midfield.

Deportivo La Coruña’s five defenders left their midfield quite vacant.

However!

Not playing Robinho, not playing Robben, playing Drenthe, and letting Guti play as a winger, these were all Schuster’s decisions, leading to Real Madrid lacking a breakthrough point. Without a breakthrough point, the team’s attacks on the wings and center struggled.

If Robinho or Robben were there, they could create clashes whether they cut inside or went down the flanks. This was Schuster’s most significant highlight when he first coached Real Madrid.

But Schuster lost this highlight.

And the biggest problem was indeed Filipe Luís.

Lodina, though an unknown, exceeded Schuster in this match with his setup.

Filipe Luís, pushing forward, could help Sergio and De Guzman fight in the midfield and strengthen Deportivo La Coruña’s defense. Most importantly, he shortened his sprinting distances.

The advantage that Real Madrid gave up was picked up by Deportivo La Coruña.

In the five-defender system, Filipe Luís, as a full-back, could stir up trouble in the front and even send crosses.

Francisco could even foresee that Deportivo La Coruña didn’t care about Real Madrid’s ball control in the center; they just waited for Filipe Luís to make a sudden breakthrough.

This tactic became Deportivo La Coruña’s secret to restraining Real Madrid.

Lafita’s quick breakthroughs were foreseeable and easier to guard against, with right-back Pablo staying back, and long-distance runs giving Real Madrid enough reaction time.

Only Filipe Luís was like a snake hidden in the grass, ready to inject deadly venom into Real Madrid at any moment.

Real Madrid, facing Deportivo La Coruña’s five defenders, needed breakthroughs from the wings.

If Schuster had sent Higuain or Balboa as right wingers in the first half, he could not only force Filipe back to defense but also help Real Madrid penetrate the defensive line of Deportivo La Coruña.

The most effective way to disrupt a three-center-back system is with crosses from the wings.

The obvious sign of Real Madrid’s lost balance on the left and right flanks was that Drenthe and Sneijder had three crosses in the first half, but there were no players at the far post on the right to follow up.

This was partly because Torres wasn’t good at attacking and Guti didn’t have the breakthrough a winger should have, but ultimately, wasn’t the root cause Schuster’s underestimation of his opponent and arrogance?

Francisco saw everything clearly, but as the results kept getting better and Schuster kept breaking records, he was able to say less and less.

During the halftime, Schuster mainly criticized the team’s performance, focusing on Drenthe. He believed Drenthe was a weak guy, afraid to try breakthroughs.

Yes, Schuster remained obstinate.

He was blinded by Drenthe, failing to realize the team’s lack of a strong point on the wing, thinking Drenthe was the one.

Francisco stood on the sidelines as the attacking rhythm of both teams slightly increased in the second half. Real Madrid launched a fierce attack at the start.

Perhaps Schuster’s words really had an effect.

The team played more aggressively.

In just 7 minutes, they ran back and forth 3 times, finishing 3 shots against Deportivo La Coruña’s goal, already surpassing Real Madrid’s two attempts in the first half.

Schuster was thrilled by the team’s performance, but Francisco was a bit worried.

He saw the team was starting to pant heavily.

In a short period of time, a large amount of motion is a test for the team’s stamina.

Although Deportivo La Coruña appeared to be overwhelmed, in reality, they still had some leeway.

”The match has reached the 60th minute.”

”Real Madrid has slowed down their attack.”

”Filipe Luís has the ball.”

”He dribbles past Torres on the left.”

”His sudden forward insertion caught Real Madrid somewhat unprepared.”

”Chen Zhong closed in.”

”He’s closed in tight.”

”Filipe Luís forced a cross.”

”Chen Zhong didn’t block the ball.”

”Pepe.”

”Oh no!!!!!!”

After dribbling past Torres, Filipe Luís was squeezed towards the sideline by Chen Zhong. Realizing he couldn’t shake off Chen Zhong, he chose to send a low-driven ball into the penalty area.

At this point, Chen Zhong wasn’t flustered, as he still had his teammates in the penalty area.

But who could have expected that Pepe, at the near post, would extend his leg to deflect the ball, causing a deflection that bypassed Casillas, who had been positioned in advance, and went into the goal?

When the ball hit the net, the entire stadium was momentarily silent, immediately followed by volcanic cheers echoing throughout the venue.

Deportivo La Coruña’s fans were extremely excited.

They shouted!

”You can’t win here!”

”Because this is the Riazor Stadium!”

Deportivo La Coruña’s fans had the right to say this.

After all, Real Madrid hadn’t won at the Riazor Stadium in 17 years, and in the last four seasons, they lost each time they came. If they lose again this time, it will be the fifth season of losing at Riazor.

It wasn’t just Deportivo La Coruña’s fans; even fans of other teams, and even Real Madrid’s own fans, felt it was a bit uncanny.

In this stalemate, an own goal from their player helped the opponent score, and it wasn’t the first time in this match a player almost scored an own goal.

Casillas looked at Pepe with a difficult expression, wondering if this reckless guy was really worth so much money to the club.

Thinking of this, Casillas couldn’t help but cast his gaze towards Chen Zhong. If Chen Zhong were the team’s central defender, none of this would have happened.

Another day that Chen Zhong isn’t a central defender.

Thinking of him, thinking of him, thinking of him.

After the team fell behind, Schuster finally recognized the reality and used up two substitution spots in quick succession.

Higuain replaced Soldado, and Robinho replaced Drenthe.

Soldado and Raul were both about 180 cm tall, and their movements overlapped a bit, making the combination less effective than their potential.

But Higuain was different; as a winger, he had both speed and breakthrough ability.

Continuously bringing on Robinho and Higuain, shouldn’t this turn Deportivo La Coruña’s defense into a sieve?

Schuster had a good plan, but Lodina wasn’t a fool. He had always clearly understood his position. In this situation, he chose to defend stubbornly.

This move left Real Madrid’s fans dissatisfied, but Deportivo La Coruña’s fans applauded Lodina’s wisdom.

In this match, Chen Zhong played a bit sullenly.

In the past, when Real Madrid focused on the midfield battle, his performance was outstanding, but in this match, he was confined to a rear position.

Earlier, Guti, Sneijder, and Drenthe weren’t the defensive types, and they restricted him behind, making him a point in an inverted triangle.

And now it’s much the same.

He was locked down by his teammates.

It’s a tactical issue, it’s...

Schuster’s issue.

Lord Ferguson also watched this match, knowing oneself and the enemy is key to winning.

He wouldn’t underestimate any opponent.

At least, in Lord Ferguson’s eyes, this match provided him with significant reference.

The final score settled at 1:0

Real Madrid lost for the fifth consecutive season at the Riazor Stadium.

Schuster rubbed his hair in frustration.

Perhaps, he should have let Chen Zhong advance to play as a center forward, but then what about the midfield defense?