I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 238: Chapter 92: Siu

Many of the tactics used by Manchester United now, even after more than ten years, remain evergreen on the football field and are currently utilized by many teams.

This Manchester United team is Ferguson’s ”masterpiece,” reaching peak standards in attack, midfield, and defense.

Rooney’s goal appeared to be luck.

But those who truly understand tactics know it’s all about setup.

Manchester United’s formation is fluid, their attack flexible, they don’t stick to convention.

The flexible formation allows them to establish control based on solid defense while counterattacking at astonishing speed.

They have an exceptional defense line with Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, and Evra.

In this match, their defensive width is narrower than in the league, directly rendering Robinho and Robben invisible.

Schuster wanted Robinho and Robben to act as daggers, piercing the heart of Manchester United, but United’s heart was shielded by thick armor, with an added heart protector.

Their two full-backs were aggressive and simultaneously gave Schuster a perfect ”lesson.”

Considering the player strength alone, Real Madrid’s Marcelo and Ramos clearly possess notable attacking abilities.

However, in this match, it was Manchester United’s full-backs who were superiorly set up.

Manchester United had hardly any weaknesses in this match—Vidic’s robust physique and power coupled with his terrifying interception capability, paired with a composed Ferdinand and Van der Sar’s sweeper-keeper skills.

Every Real Madrid attack became a Manchester United counterattack.

The midfield composed of Scholes and Carrick stood perfectly on the field, becoming two focal points, safeguarding the team’s attack and frequently interchanging positions.

In this match, Scholes inserted deeper than usual, while Carrick controlled Manchester United’s rhythm from the back like Chen Zhong for Real Madrid, acting as a perfect metronome.

More importantly, both possess extensive passing range, whereas Real Madrid has only Chen Zhong.

This was absolute and thorough domination.

The newly built Real Madrid and the accomplished Manchester United, one is ”mercenaries,” the other ”regular army,” and Schuster versus Ferguson, one is a ”novice” and the other a ”legend.”

Whether it’s player ability or coach tactics, the disparities are apparent.

In the face of such Manchester United at Bernabeu, Schuster should learn from ”Capello,” aiming for a ”ugly” victory via defense instead of futilely attempting to overcome United with a nominal 4-2-3-1 which is actually a 4-1-2-3.

On the stands, Real Madrid fans began to worry.

Last season, Manchester United clashed with Rome in the Champions League quarterfinals, ruthlessly defeating them with an aggregate score of 8:3; now at Bernabeu, trailing by two goals before reaching 30 minutes in the first half.

Are we also going to suffer Manchester United’s humiliation?

Schuster evidently realized this too; he, at this moment, was like a frog leaping out of a well, acknowledging the vastness of the outside world.

He once believed the ”Galaxy Battleship” was inferior to his ”Youth Army,” but today, looking at the Red Devils wielding forks and their team stars, Schuster suddenly felt bewildered.

The coach appeared bewildered, and the players on-field naturally reflected this, especially upon recognizing their tactical suppression leading to a sort of team division.

Some players advocated attacking now, some insisted on defending, while others sought guidance from the coach.

Real Madrid’s chaos afforded Manchester United some opportunities.

”The 33rd minute of the match.”

”C Ronaldo, cutting inside with the ball.”

”His position.”

”Is he trying to emulate Rooney?”

C Ronaldo, inherently competitive, felt his itch when he saw Rooney score a long-range goal against Real Madrid.

He cut inside from the flank, his eyes incessantly searching for openings.

Finally, he found a decent position, spotted a scoring trajectory.

Ball control, pause, strike!

It was then he sensed a ”putrid wind” approaching—was it that Chinese named Chen or Dong?

C Ronaldo had a brief distraction but still managed to shoot before being knocked over.

”Boom!”

The ball barreled towards the goal like a cannonball from roughly 30 meters out.

Casillas dove to one side, but failed to touch the ball.

”Boom!”

Another thud sounded as the ball struck the post and rebounded fiercely.

Rooney, Scholes, and other Manchester United players quickly pushed forward, attempting to follow up.

Pepe fortunately cleared it strongly; otherwise, all hope would rest with Casillas.

C Ronaldo grimaced, shaking his head regretfully, then glanced at Rooney with a gesture seemingly conveying, ”just a bit more, just a bit more.”

As for Chen Zhong who collided with him, he didn’t mind much.

He even displayed a thumbs-up, nodding with pursed lips as if saying, ”Well done, kid, keep going! See if I flinch.”

Chen Zhong ignored C Ronaldo’s taunt and instead loudly called Pepe’s name, extending his thumb as encouragement, to which Pepe acknowledged with a wave.

Then Chen Zhong shouted for Sneijder, pointing towards the spot beside him.

”Sneijder!”

”Sneijder!!”

”Come back, we need to weather this first half.”

”We cannot concede anymore!”

Sneijder’s contribution in attack was scarce, as was his defense, in the first half. He looked at Guti; Guti nodded and slightly adjusted his position backwards for the subsequent play.

With every defensive effort ensuing, Chen Zhong repeatedly bellowed his teammates’ names.

And with every successful defensive action, he clapped vigorously in approval, under this ambiance, Real Madrid’s formation gradually stabilized while Schuster on the sidelines seemed to regain his senses, instructing the team towards a dual defensive midfielder play.

In some scenarios, Chen Zhong could manage as a single holding midfielder.

However, against Manchester United, having Chen Zhong, who lacks outstanding speed and possesses limited stamina, playing as a lone holding or sweeping midfielder would only exhaust his scarce ”battery” faster.

On the sidelines, Ferguson’s eyes lit up upon observing Chen Zhong’s performance.

”This kid...”

”If Cristiano truly can’t be retained.”

Lord Ferguson muttered, impressed by the 16-year-old Chen Zhong’s ability to manage his emotions unlike other teenagers barely managing themselves, furthermore soothing the pitch’s diverse emotional origins.

While official captain Raul transformed into ”King Gigi” and vice-captain Guti was stuck in a stubborn mindset.

Chen Zhong, through each ”positive energy” feedback, vocal encouragement, and endorsements, gradually dissipated Real Madrid’s scattered state, reforming into a cohesive unit.

This is the ”born leader” within the team.

After Sneijder retreated for defense, Real Madrid’s offense remained ”weak,” but their defense gradually solidified.

The first half ended with a score of 0:2.

Adjustments made by the manager for the second half are crucial.