I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 265: Chapter 12: Boldly Inserting Forward (Part 2)

At Real Madrid, Chen Zhong had played as a center forward, and his physical presence and football IQ were quite impressive.

Currently, it’s hard for Pato to find opportunities to break Genoa’s defense with offside traps. What if Chen Zhong were to move up front and act as a supporting center forward? How effective would that be?

Ancelotti was intrigued.

But he wouldn’t make changes easily at this moment; he planned to make arrangements during halftime.

As the first half ended, the score remained 0-0 for both teams. As the players entered the dressing room, Ancelotti was already eagerly standing before the whiteboard to set up new tactics.

”Second half.”

”Chen, I need you to advance your position to here.”

As Ancelotti spoke, it seemed like his eyes were sparkling. Ancelotti had always favored the 442 formation, and the dual forward strategy had always been his deeply ingrained obsession.

Although in 2006 the 442 strategy fell from grace because of Barcelona, in Ancelotti’s mind, the 442 remained his dream lineup.

The players turned their attention to the tactics board. On it, Chen Zhong moved to Pato’s position, becoming the team’s center forward, while Pato moved back to Seedorf’s position, and Seedorf further back, to Chen Zhong’s position.

In the subsequent explanation, Ancelotti instructed the team to switch to a 442 setup in defense, while pushing Chen Zhong to the very front in attack.

In this tactic, Chen Zhong was practically the star player blessed by many, while Seedorf became an auxiliary next to Pirlo, a facilitator.

Beckham was more involved in defense, while Kaka and Pato served as wings for Chen Zhong, with one acting as a wingman and the other cutting in behind him to deliver passes at any time.

Ancelotti’s remarks stirred some buzz in the dressing room. Even Shevchenko couldn’t help but glance at Ancelotti, but the current Shevchenko was no longer the nuclear bomb he used to be; now he was at most a firecracker, having lost Ancelotti’s trust.

Chen Zhong listened earnestly to Ancelotti’s explanation, and Ancelotti didn’t assign many tasks to Chen Zhong.

Although Ancelotti had greater expectations for Chen Zhong’s position, he only had one requirement for Chen Zhong in this match: make bold forward runs.

After all, Chen Zhong is still young; asking him to learn from veterans to pull back to create space, make reverse forward runs, and quickly respond for second ball opportunities, seeking shooting chances, may be too soon.

Resorting to strategies such as pulling back, controlling the field, organizing, and spreading wide, Ancelotti remained skeptical towards the 17-year-old Chen Zhong.

Although doing these multiple times could distract the defensive line’s focus, creating opportunities when their attention lapses, and thus scoring.

But if lacking experience, it could easily backfire.

It’s fine as it is now.

In Serie A, dribbling and breaking through are not particularly necessary for a forward here. After all, there are many defensive players and they can easily disrupt crosses, through balls, or flank passes.

A direct poaching, using physicality to win chances, is the killer move against dense defense.

A tall center forward, with good poaching awareness, at the right time, can stretch out a leg for a deflected shot or make a header when the goalkeeper isn’t quick enough, which can lead to goals.

There wasn’t much time for halftime; Ancelotti briefly explained his tactical demands, and on the way to the field, he continued discussing other aspects in detail with Chen Zhong.

The match at San Siro Stadium, Genoa clearly approached with a mindset of taking any points they could get.

And Milan, seeking the championship throne, needed to aim for the full 3 points. Though Chen Zhong might not understand or achieve this just yet, Ancelotti slightly mentioned his expectations.

”Halftime is over.”

”The players of both teams returned to the field.”

”Genoa starts with the ball.”

”Hmm?”

”Chen Zhong seems to have advanced to the center forward position.”

”Beckham intercepts the ball, passing to Seedorf.”

”Seedorf’s ball control skills are quite impressive; it’s generally hard to lose the ball once it’s in his possession.”

”Then passing to Pirlo.”

”A direct long ball!”

Genoa tried to see if there’s a chance to snatch a goal early on, but Milan’s defensive awareness remained strong, the ball was intercepted in midfield, and after some maneuvering, Pirlo sent a long pass forward.

In the first half, Milan rarely executed long passes because Genoa’s low defense position made such passes practically gifts.

After all, Milan’s forward was Pato, and behind Pato were Kaka and Seedorf; Genoa knew these players’ traits and pressed space tightly.

But now it’s different.

Milan has a high point in the front.

Chen Zhong!

The ball heads toward Genoa’s rear, like a heavy hammer pounding on the nail embedded in Genoa’s chest, watching as Genoa bleeds profusely.

Chen Zhong shoved against the Genoa defender beside him, observing the ball’s landing and his teammates’ movements, forcefully squeezing the defending player backwards, controlling the ball on his chest, then tapping it sideways.

Kaka had reached his top speed, sprinting towards the rolling ball from the side. If he takes it then accelerates, it could be a one-on-one chance piercing through Genoa.

However, Genoa’s defender was very decisive, directly pulling Kaka from the side, finally bringing Kaka down just at the edge of the penalty area.

”What a great opportunity!”

”A tactical foul by Genoa.”

”The ball can pass, but not the player.”

”That’s an appropriate choice.”

”Milan’s Free Kick.”

”Milan shows a different offensive in the second half.”

”Chen Zhong provides support for the team in the offensive end.”

In the first half, Genoa posed no threat to Milan’s goal, but in the second half, Milan unsettled Genoa a bit.

Pirlo and Beckham stood before the ball, after briefly discussing, Pirlo ran forward, passing over the ball, then Beckham followed.

”Bang!”

Most thought Beckham’s Free Kick would target the far corner, but unexpectedly, Beckham aimed at the near corner.

The ball brushed past the goalkeeper’s fingertips, hit the inside of the post, and flew into the net.

1:0

In the stands, Milan’s fans loudly shouted Beckham’s name.

And Beckham, seeing the goal, leapt high with excitement; what Beckham was likely thinking at this moment was...

”National Team!”

”Set!”

Capello, watching Beckham’s performance from the stands, also applauded approvingly.

Compared to others focused on Beckham, Ancelotti’s eyes mainly stayed on Chen Zhong, with a trace of joy in his gaze.

Initially, he thought Chen Zhong’s biggest contribution would be defensively.

But now, he thought Chen Zhong might be most helpful offensively.

Not that Chen Zhong is better than Pato, Inzaghi, Shevchenko, but he undeniably diversified Milan’s attacking strategy.

In the future, if a match reaches the 70s minute, and the team struggles to break the deadlock, pushing Chen Zhong’s position upfront would be... delightful, wouldn’t it?

After Milan took the lead, Ancelotti made tactical adjustments again, reverting the formation back to the original 4321, Pato returned to the forward position, Seedorf moved back to the attacking midfielder location, and Chen Zhong returned to the Defensive Midfielder position.

This scene also disgruntled many Genoa fans.

What’s the deal, scoring and then...

Turning sloppy like this?

Disregarding Genoa fans’ boos, Ancelotti remained unperturbed, and facts proved him right too.

If not for Chen Zhong’s several key positioning, blocking, and interceptions on the defensive end, Milan would inevitably have lost one or even two goals.

No way they would secure 3 points, even 1 would be tough.

The final score ended at 1:0