I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 224: Chapter 85: My Sharpness (Highly Recommended) (Part 2)

At the start of the season, Real Madrid encountered Valencia, when both teams were full of vigor. However, after Real Madrid swept Valencia with five goals at Mestalla Stadium, Real Madrid went from strength to strength, while Valencia declined.

”Let’s take a look at the formations again.”

”Both teams have set up a 4-2-3-1 formation for this match.”

”Real Madrid chose Chen Zhong as the center forward, lined up behind Chen Zhong are Robinho, Baptista, Sneijder, while the two defensive midfielders are Guti and Diara. The defense line, from left to right, consists of Marcelo, Cannavaro, Pepe, and Ramos.”

”The goalkeeper is still Casillas.”

”And on Valencia’s side...”

”In this match, Valencia’s core players like David Silva, Villa, Mata, Albiol are all on the field.”

”In the goalkeeper position, Koman has abandoned Canizares and opted for the German goalkeeper Hildebrand.”

”After Hildebrand became the main goalkeeper of the Bat Legion, he faced extensive media criticism due to poor performances.”

”In this match, he might be Valencia’s biggest weak link.”

The match against Valencia has been pre-announced by television stations, and many late-night food stalls in the ”City that Never Sleeps” would turn on the TV to broadcast this match.

This league round was held on March 23, 2008, coincidentally at midnight on a Sunday.

To cater to the new fans, major TV commentators have been extremely detailed.

Calling friends, drinking beer, enjoying skewers, the country’s first multi-platform, multi-channel live broadcast attracted many spontaneous fans. If this match is exciting enough, it might develop quite a few ”superficial fans.”

Players from both teams entered the field one after the other, Koman and Schuster had an unusual parallel vibe, both coaches with blonde hair, there was an alternative synchronization in the breeze.

Both of them recently encountered the same ”trouble.”

Schuster lacked a suitable choice on the frontline, while Koman lacked a reliable choice in the goalkeeper position.

”Chen, give me some surprises in this match!”

”Hildebrand, others look down on you, you must prove yourself!”

Real Madrid kicked off first, after Chen Zhong got possession he passed the ball back to Baptista, then plunged into Valencia’s defense line. His task in this match is to act as a nail, firmly planted in Valencia’s rearguard.

”There!”

Chen Zhong raised his right arm high, Valencia’s defensive midfielders, one 185CM and one 175CM, Heideweggs Madro, the taller one, is responsible for marking Chen Zhong closely.

If Chen Zhong shakes off Madro, he would then face the 190CM Albiol head-on.

Obviously, these are Koman’s targeted strategies against Chen Zhong!

”Stick him! Madro!”

”Little brat, drop your arm and go home to your mom for milk!”

”Madro and Albiol, they are the strongest in our team!”

Valencia fans in the stands shouted curses loudly, trying to interfere with Chen Zhong, while Chen Zhong concentrated on pushing against Madro, step by step pushing him backward.

Madro felt the power coming from his body, his expression changed.

In the locker room, he confidently told the coach that he could easily handle that 16-year-old kid, bringing Albiol in for support was purely unnecessary!

But now, he just wanted to express his respect to Koman!

Then say, you’ve got a good eye.

Chen Zhong gained the upper hand in his tussle with Madro, but the ball from his teammates didn’t come over. Valencia’s midfield played very decisively, and Real Madrid’s midfield confidently matched up.

The result is that without Chen Zhong in midfield, they returned to the ”soft” feelings at the start of the season.

The ball was directly intercepted by Valencia at midfield.

Guti’s lob hit the pressing Aris Mendy, this 189CM Spanish player staggered and swept the ball to the center.

David Silva directly fed a through ball without stopping.

Even though Diara is a ”low-budget Makelele,” he wouldn’t fly or teleport, and without Chen Zhong’s awareness, he could only watch as the ball arrived at Mata’s feet.

Pepe attempted to bring in physical intervention from the side, but Mata elegantly chipped the ball to the blank area between Pepe and Cannavaro.

Villa quickly inserted forward, Cannavaro had no choice but to foul, and both tumbled to the ground.

Valencia fans in the stands were extremely excited, shouting loudly, red card, red card!

”The referee blew the whistle!”

”This is a foul outside the penalty area.”

”Cannavaro is a crafty veteran.”

”Villa didn’t have a clear positional advantage, the referee didn’t even issue a card.”

”If Villa had an obvious...”

”Quick play!”

”Valencia quickly plays the free kick!!!”

The commentator had planned to explain to the fans why this tactical foul didn’t result in a card, but then Valencia’s Banega executed a quick free kick.

The ball sailed past the somewhat bewildered Real Madrid players, Villa succeeded in timing his run.

”Villa!”

”Charge!”

Valencia fans waved their arms, countless eyes focusing on Villa.

However, Casillas shattered Valencia fans’ dreams, striding bravely towards the ball, finally collecting it in his embrace ahead of Villa.

”Oh!”

”Casillas decisively charged forward.”

”Valencia’s teamwork was very proficient this time.”

”Huluwa, Villa, almost gave the team the first goal.”

David Villa is a player quite familiar to Chinese fans, due to his resemblance to Huluwa, he is nicknamed ”Huluwa” Villa in China.

Such a mention of Huluwa immediately brought a knowing smile to many Chinese fans watching the match for the first time.

Villa they may not be familiar with, but Huluwa, they certainly know.

Fans on the Valencia stands were a bit regretful.

Real Madrid fans discussed heatedly as well.

”Why let Chen play as a center forward!”

”How long has it been since we’ve been suppressed through the midfield like this?”

”How long has it been since we’ve been penetrated through midfield with such a through ball?”

”I really don’t understand, clearly we have Soldado, why not give Soldado more chances?”

”Don’t mention Soldado, against such a defensive wall as Valencia, Soldado would be completely locked down, but to let Chen be center forward? I’d rather push Baptista to the forward line!”

...

Schuster paced back and forth on the sidelines, Valencia’s recent attack scared him into a cold sweat.

If Chen Zhong had been in the midfield and defense line just now, he would have anticipated the opponent’s anticipation, stepping into position beforehand.

And any position favored by Chen Zhong, very few could squeeze him out.

Having Chen Zhong in midfield feels like having a stabilizing force, no matter how much the opponent presses, there’s always a completely reliable backline capable of passing the ball over.

But now...

”Real Madrid’s attack.”

”Marcelo takes possession!”

”Beautiful breakthrough!”

”Not even ten Marcelos can defend against one Marcelo!”

”Heading inside.”

”Lob, aimed at Chen Zhong!”

”Spectacular!”

While Schuster hesitated, Real Madrid executed the offensive move he wanted.

Chen Zhong outmuscled Madro and headed the ball away as the ball flew towards Baptista.

Baptista burst forth from the second line, greeted the ball, and executed a fierce volley shot!

The power in this shot was immense, the entire stadium seemingly able to hear that sound...

”Bang!”