I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 264: Chapter 12: Boldly Inserting Forward

As Chen Zhong brought the ball forward, Milan fans in the stands let out sounds of surprise.

Because this wasn’t Milan’s conventional tactic, leaving them a bit puzzled.

However, Chen Zhong’s forward drive was also somewhat unexpected for Genoa. Juric quickly approached from the side, but with just one stride and a shoulder, Chen Zhong thwarted Juric’s attempt to intercept the ball.

”Oh!”

”This move!”

”It’s really interesting.”

”Can I say, Chen Zhong’s dribble here.”

”Does he have a bit of a Kaka style?”

A change in rhythm, first stopping with the ball, then one stride, and as the opposing player closed in, using his body to withstand.

Although unlike Kaka who shed his opponent with speed from the spot, Chen Zhong’s ”tank start” achieved the same effect.

Juric stumbled, reaching out with his hand and pulling Chen Zhong’s shirt out of shape, but it did not affect Chen Zhong at all. Genoa’s midfield was completely disrupted.

Christo and Bochetti tried to close the door from the left and right, while Milanito was drawn to the side by Seedorf.

As Chen Zhong ran, he continuously observed the positions of his teammates around him. He saw Pato, Kaka, and Beckham in a diagonal formation on the other side.

He decisively executed a ”arc” long pass, aiming to blindside an offside.

Pato’s leg was short, Kaka didn’t reach his position, Beckham was too slow, and despite his best effort, he did not catch the ball.

Ultimately, he could only do a little ”ballet” jump at the sideline, then looked somewhat annoyed towards Chen Zhong.

If I were a few years younger, I could’ve reached that ball.

Furthermore, if it was me passing, among these three, I could choose whoever I wanted to pass to.

If your damn ball could have a bit more precision apart from the arc, don’t go and say you learned from me, I, Beckham, can’t afford this disgrace.

Beckham muttered in his heart, but still sent Chen Zhong his first compliment of the match.

”Very unfortunate.”

”Chen Zhong’s pass bypassed the defensive players, but it also bypassed his own teammates.”

”It’s like, toying with his teammates a bit.”

”As if every teammate almost managed to touch the ball.”

Ancelotti on the sidelines also appeared regretful, saying Chen Zhong’s game intelligence and awareness were fine, just a bit lacking on the precision of passing.

The game continued, and Serie A’s slow pace left many fans yawning. Many might not understand the pace of the match.

If using the number of times they reach the opponent’s penalty area (within 35 yards) to define an attack, the currently popular Premier League does this on average about twice as often per minute as Serie A.

Serie A can be said to have the lowest average value among the five major leagues when the number is divided by time.

Note to divide the number by time, and it’s the average of all league teams in all matches.

This is also related to Serie A’s style of play, where midfield focuses mainly on ball control, with fullbacks pushing forward to complete attacks on the flanks.

In the midfield, there are often three central midfielders, with one side having a phantom winger primarily participating in central attack and defense.

Their style of play, put nicely, is orderly and methodical.

Put poorly, it’s slow, dragging.

For Serie A teams, defense is the most important, chain defense, low block defense...

Only on the premise of solid defense do they consider attacking, while attackers will cautiously consider counterattacks from the opponent. Chen Zhong feels uncomfortable playing in Milan’s formation because, throughout the game, nearly 20 minutes in, both teams have had only two or three threatening attacks.

”Milan is controlling the ball in midfield.”

”The ball is shifted to the right flank.”

”Zambrotta.”

”From back to front.”

When the ball reached Zambrotta’s feet, Genoa had already begun to contract entirely, and ultimately they could only end the attack with a simple cross.

No significant threat was posed to Genoa.

Ancelotti on the sidelines started to become somewhat anxious, his gaze inevitably fell again on Chen Zhong.

Italy’s league style belongs to first dense defense, not letting you attack, then after intercepting the ball, handing it to the front line for quick counters to push the pace.

If you can attack, attack, if not retreat to defense, won’t give you too many chances.

And the strikers used also come in categories, the first is those who are good at seizing points.

Similar to the likes of Inzaghi and Toni, comprehensive shooting skills capable of scoring from teammates’ crosses.

Players with excellent off-ball movement and keen shooting skills are more favored in Serie A.

Those with tall stature and good heading ability also have their place.

The second type is those who can assist, taller in build, able to hammer the goal with high balls when facing dense defenses, and also able to drop back to midfield for link-up play.

This is also why, in the Italian league, sometimes those veterans can surprisingly shine because, in Italy, their awareness, skill, and experience achieve incredible effects.

Currently, Milan’s front line consists of Pato, Seedorf, and Kaka.

When facing Genoa’s defense, they aren’t very effective.

In fact, breaking dense defenses has always been a challenge for teams.

With an abundance of defenses, Ancelotti needs to figure out how to make the team’s attack become more effective, and what he most needs, of course, is a player like Chen Zhong.