I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 240: Chapter 93: End of the Season (Part 2)

The points gap between Real Madrid and Barcelona widened by a full 4 points in these two rounds, with a total gap reaching 11 points. With only 6 rounds left in the league, if Real Madrid maintains this momentum, they are very likely to secure the title 4 rounds in advance.

In the 33rd round of La Liga, Real Madrid won 2-0 away against Santander Athletic, while Barcelona slipped up again, possibly due to preparing for the Champions League match, and were held at home by the Spanish team.

This allowed Villarreal to surpass Barcelona to take the second place in the league, and Real Madrid only needs to win one more league match to clinch the title.

Many fans and media believe that Barcelona, certain of not winning the league, has placed all its bets on the Champions League, hoping to win the Champions League title.

And in the first leg of the subsequent Champions League semi-final, Barcelona drew 0-0 with Manchester United at Camp Nou, making it realistic for Barcelona to advance to the final and win the championship, as they are only two games away from the Champions League.

In the 34th round of the league, Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at home and successfully defended their league title, while Villarreal won narrowly away by 1 goal against Betis, widening the points gap with Barcelona, who were beaten 2-0 by Athletic Bilbao and firmly held their third place in the league.

In the subsequent Champions League semi-final, Manchester United defeated Barcelona 1-0 at home, advancing successfully to the finals, while Barcelona lost their gamble and is now about to face the humiliating moment of lining up to welcome Real Madrid in the 36th round away game.

In the 35th round of the league, Real Madrid defeated Osasuna 2-1 away, while Barcelona had a massive 6-0 victory at home against Valencia, and in the next round of the league, it will be the second encounter between the two teams.

For Real Madrid, having already secured the league title after playing the 36th round, the entire season is completely over.

...

Rijkaard has confirmed that he will leave Barcelona.

Although the league has not yet concluded, it is confirmed that from the next season, Rijkaard will no longer be the head coach of Barcelona, and the coach choice, rather than the widely rumored Mourinho, is Barcelona’s former heroic player Guardiola.

This little-known newcomer defeated Mourinho and will become Barcelona’s coach after the season ends.

A coaching change is not news anymore; after all, Barcelona had already begun openly seeking Rijkaard’s successor without any scruples several months prior.

Although Guardiola’s succession is surprising, Barcelona has precedents to reference, so fans can reluctantly accept it.

But what confuses the fans the most is the timing of Barcelona’s open announcement of this news.

It’s very subtle.

It’s on the eve of Barcelona’s upcoming challenge against Real Madrid away.

Although not an official document, the leaked content seems almost certain, which is baffling.

Real Madrid has already confirmed as defending champions, and Barcelona is supposed to line up to welcome the champions at the Bernabeu, yet they are releasing such news now. Are they afraid Barcelona’s defeat isn’t embarrassing enough?

In reality, this is Barcelona chairman Laporta’s ”bizarre” operation.

His idea is to use this news to stimulate Rijkaard’s fighting spirit and shift fan dissatisfaction with another trophyless season.

After hearing that Guardiola will become the head coach, many Barcelona fans are worried about his lack of experience in leading a team in top leagues. Indeed, the biggest reason against this decision on various fan forums is precisely the ”lack of experience.”

Compared to Barcelona’s chaos, Real Madrid seems ”serene.”

Although Schuster appeared embarrassed on the Champions League field, especially against Manchester United, considering he successfully led the team to defend the league this season, Calderon publicly expressed his support for Schuster and promised large-scale signings in the summer transfer window.

In private conversations within the club, Schuster clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s signings, believing that the main reason for losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 was the lack of personal and powerful stars.

With Van Nistelrooy injured, there are hardly any useful players on the front line.

He desperately hopes the team can strengthen the front line position in the new season.

Calderon also promised this firmly, revealing to Schuster that he could bring Cristiano Ronaldo to him.

...

La Liga, 36th round, El Clasico

Real Madrid VS Barcelona

This match was full of anticipation before it even started, with countless fans eagerly discussing it.

Tonight, even some Atletico Madrid fans expressed: ”We are looking forward to Real Madrid beating Barcelona tonight.”

Though strange, Atletico Madrid fans perfectly explained this with one reason: ”People from Madrid and Catalonia are irreconcilable.”

El Clasico is not just a football club contest; it’s a clash between two cities, two nationalities, and two cultures. Its significance is far greater than a match.

These elements make each year’s ”century war” extremely popular.

This game, in its history, is also one of the rarely seen, or perhaps the most attractive.

After all, Real Madrid steps onto Santiago Bernabeu Stadium as a new champion, while Barcelona takes on the role of cheering for the champion.

This undoubtedly gets all of Madrid’s people’s blood boiling.

It’s not just because of Barcelona’s guard of honor; it’s more because, two years ago, at season’s end in Bernabeu, Real Madrid shamefully handed the title to Barcelona with a 0-3 defeat.

This made many Merengues hold a grudge.

Given these considerations, many fans can no longer control their triggered emotions.

On the afternoon of the match day, at the subway entrance in front of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, you could even see a few prankster fans wearing Barcelona jerseys, forming up on both sides, applauding and cheering everyone emerging from there!

Of course, this joke might suit Barcelona fans well, but many Barcelona fans probably won’t attend to watch the game.

Quickly came the evening, with fans who hadn’t entered the stadium

At 9:50 PM, fans who hadn’t entered yet were flocking to every entry, with the same word echoing from all directions: ”Pasillo,” which means corridor in Spanish.

And what these fans mean is that in this match, Barcelona players will form a champion’s passageway for Madrid.

The outcome of this match isn’t very important for Real Madrid, as they are already champions, they look forward more to seeing Barcelona ”bow in submission” at Bernabeu.

This also makes a rare scene at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, with chants of ”Pasillo” echoing throughout the stadium.

”This is the 36th round of the La Liga!”

”The match between Real Madrid and Barcelona on the scene.”

”We can hear the atmosphere at the venue is very enthusiastic, and Barcelona players have already walked out from the player tunnel.”

”They are preparing to line up to welcome the defending champion, Real Madrid!”

”The fans in the stands are very excited, this, this...”

The commentator was stammering, without translating those sentences, but some fans who understand Spanish clearly heard the fans shouting.

”Eto’o!”

”You’re just a turtle!”

”Come out and salute the champion!!!”

It’s just Real Madrid fans’ retaliation, and turtle translates to roughly scoundrel in Chinese. They loudly mocked the once ”traitor” Eto’o!

They haven’t forgotten the words Eto’o shouted in 2005.

This time, it is a powerful counterattack!

Just as Eto’o’s face, already darkened, turned even darker by several shades, the applause and cheering of the fans dispersed everything as everyone looked to see Raul leading the Real Madrid team emerging from the player tunnel.

(End of this volume)