I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 269: Chapter 14: New Warship Under Construction_2

”On the defensive line, Maldini is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards, and Senderos has taken his place.”

”Lazio also fielded their strongest lineup, with Megni, Pandev, and Sarate forming a formidable attacking trio.”

”Lazio got the kick-off opportunity.”

”Let’s watch this exciting match together.”

The Lazio fans in the stands cheered loudly for the home team. Before the match, some Milan fans launched a ’psychological attack’ on them, discussing and mocking Lazio’s recent role as ’point donors’ in the league.

This made some Lazio fans feel angry.

Obviously, Lazio did not want to be passive at home in this match, as they launched a fierce offensive right from the start of the game.

This scene is rare throughout the entire Serie A league.

This is not the usual rhythm of Italian football.

The first on-target shot of the match came quickly, in fact, as early as the 2nd minute.

Lazio pressed hard, targeting the weak areas of Milan’s defense, specifically on Beckham’s side, creating a breakthrough. There was a noticeable lapse in coordination between Beckham and Pirlo.

Sarate found an opportunity, received a pass from his teammate through their gap, and attempted to penetrate Milan’s penalty area, but Chen Zhong’s timely coverage was very effective.

”Lazio’s attack.”

”Continuous passing.”

”Sarate.”

”Cutting in from the flank.”

”Chen Zhong closed in.”

”No good passing lanes.”

”Decides to go for it himself.”

As the whistle blew, Chen Zhong had already sensed the danger early on, and the ’sluggishness’ of Milan made Chen Zhong realize things were looking bad. During his previous season at Real Madrid, he witnessed first-hand the consequences caused by his team’s ’slow start.’

He immediately began to retreat and cover, and his judgment was correct, allowing him to block Sarate’s path further forward immediately, while also gaining the chance to press in at the first opportunity.

Sarate barely found a gap, only to find himself surrounded by three players. Consequently, he had to hastily end the attack with a long shot, which was easily caught by the goalkeeper, who was already well-positioned.

Florentino watched this match on TV as well, and when he saw Chen Zhong ’trap’ Sarate, he smiled with satisfaction, saying, ”We need a player like Chen, full of fighting spirit on the field.”

”He would motivate players. If Real Madrid had him now, the locker room wouldn’t be the way it is now.”

”Such jokes wouldn’t be spreading outside either.”

Although Florentino had not yet officially become Real Madrid’s president, it doesn’t mean he wasn’t concerned about the current state of Real Madrid.

Raul and Guti were unable to rally the entire locker room, and the locker room had already quietly split into several small groups.

Recently, a ’rumor’ about staff finding a stun baton in Sneijder’s locker was also a subject of amusement for fans to joke about.

If Chen Zhong were still at Real Madrid, such things wouldn’t have happened at all.

Italy’s defensive system remains solid, and although Lazio was proactive, they failed to create any decent chances in nearly 10 minutes. After losing possession, they always prioritized stabilizing their formation to prevent counterattacks, causing the overall match tempo to appear somewhat draggy.

Even some fans who felt happy about Lazio’s proactive attack were now like a frosted eggplant, wilting.

Milan only got a chance after those 10 minutes.

It came from a contest for a high ball in midfield by Chen Zhong, which landed at Beckham’s feet. Beckham passed the ball to Kaka. Facing Lazio’s defense on the left flank, Kaka chose not to break through.

After all, in those ten minutes, he had tried a few times without any successful outcome.

So he passed the ball to Jankulovsky on the side.

Jankulovsky dribbled the ball along the flank, and at that moment, Milan surged forward like a wave crashing onto Lazio’s beach.

Jankulovsky lofted the ball into the penalty area.

”Jankulovsky.”

”Is he going inward?”

”Down the line, good.”

”Pass!”

”Chen Zhong bursts forward from the back row!”

”When did he get to that position?”

Ancelotti stood on the sideline, smiling, as Chen Zhong advanced from the back row, playing the role of a center forward. The player passing the ball would also see Chen Zhong as the primary passing target.

This was a pre-match practiced tactic, and now was the moment for validation.

Lazio’s players were distracted by Kaka, Seedorf, Pato, and others, purchasing time for the delayed-run of Chen Zhong’s ’needle in cotton’ that was about to strike Lazio hard.

The ball flew over everyone’s heads.

Chen Zhong charged into the penalty area with unstoppable momentum, leaping high.

”Bang!”

A stylish flick of his head, the ball made full contact with his head.

The ball bounced off the ground and directly sailed past Muslera’s reach, smashing into the net!

”Chen Zhong!”

”Beautiful!!!”

”Beautiful!!!!”

”This is his first goal of the season!”

”It’s his first goal for Milan!”

”In the 11th minute of the match, Chen Zhong burst from the crowd, leapt high, and his powerful header pierced through the goalkeeper’s defense.”

”Someone noticed his move, but there was simply no one who could stop him.”

”He chose his timing very cleverly, and his advance was very decisive. Clearly, this had been practiced in training.”

”He finally shines on the field again, and our light of Asia is back!”

The Lazio fans in the stands collectively booed, evidently unable to believe their team had conceded so early to Milan. Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Ancelotti was pumping his fists, clearly very satisfied with this tactical attempt.

He was not only happy about Chen Zhong’s goal but also because Chen Zhong’s advance meant Milan’s offensive approach would become richer, making their offense harder to defend against.

After scoring, Chen Zhong pointed towards Jankulovsky and ran to the corner flag, performing his signature celebration, showing off his number 25 jersey and name.

And on Milan’s stands, people finally began to chant his name.

”CHEN!”

”China’s Chen!”

”Stay! You can stay in Milan.”

Lazio was obviously not willing to be defeated by Milan just like that; they strengthened their defense in the following time, and under Lazio’s ’desperation,’ Milan seemed caught off guard.

”Lazio’s attack!”

”Finally penetrated Milan’s midfield.”

”But Chen Zhong hasn’t been completely shaken off.”

”Ledesma received the ball.”

”Long shot!”

”Missed!”

”Very unfortunate!”

”Hmm? Ancelotti is calling out to Chen Zhong, as if he wants to say something to him.”

Milan scoring a goal appeared to be completely unexpected; in the ten minutes following the goal, Lazio was the better-performing side. Ancelotti attempted to make changes, but after thinking for a moment, he realized the only variable seemed to be Chen Zhong.

Chen Zhong!

Chen Zhong!

”Chen!”

”You can’t continue like this!”

”What?” Chen Zhong looked at Ancelotti, confused and not understanding what Ancelotti meant by his remarks. If it weren’t for his coverage work in the back, Milan might have already been equalized.

”You need to move forward!”

”You need to put pressure on them.”

”You also need to disrupt their rhythm!” Ancelotti rambled, and with limited time to communicate with Chen Zhong, he finally pointed at the opponent’s player and said in simple English, ”Chen, that one, tackle him!”

Tackle...

Tackle him!?