I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 425: Chapter 63: Focus Showdown! (Part 2)

”Or having a player with characteristics like Chen Zhong would be great!”

Pellegrini muttered to himself. Although at the beginning of the season, he was somewhat lacking in utilizing Chen Zhong, now, even if he didn’t want to admit it, he had to acknowledge that Chen Zhong’s presence ensured Real Madrid’s fighting spirit and the stability of the locker room.

If it weren’t for ”Master Chen” being there, who knows how many would claim to be king and emperor!

Pellegrini didn’t pay much attention to Villarreal, as this season, under Valverde’s coaching, Villarreal had been languishing in the middle and lower positions of the league, even close to the relegation zone at one point.

Although there was some improvement as the winter window approached, the new coach hadn’t been in charge for long, and his qualifications were quite shallow. Villarreal’s position was one of neither desire nor demand, and they were playing at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, their home ground.

Pellegrini didn’t pay too much attention to the Yellow Submarine.

The matchday arrived quickly.

The match between Real Madrid at home against Villarreal was considered the highlight of this round of the league.

Fans from both teams were extremely enthusiastic about this match.

”This is the 2009-2010 season, the 23rd round of a highlight battle in La Liga!”

”Real Madrid at home against Villarreal.”

”Atletico Madrid defeated Barcelona, giving Real Madrid an advantage in the competition for the top spot with Barcelona.”

”And this match had already attracted a lot of attention from fans before it even started.”

”After all, Villarreal is known as the Yellow Submarine, and they are always able to easily sink some luxurious battleships.”

”Quite a number of Barcelona fans were holding great hopes for this match before it started.”

”Players from both teams are now entering the field.”

”Real Madrid used a 442 formation in this match.”

”Negredo and Higuain formed the double center forward, while Cristiano Ronaldo, Chen Zhong, Baptista, and Granero made up the midfield. Marcelo, Pepe, Albiol, Ramos composed the defense, and the goalkeeper was still Casillas.”

”This formation feels a bit like during Schuster’s era. The combination of Chen Zhong and Baptista leaves us wondering if they can still be as in sync as they were back then.”

”Villarreal also put out a 442 formation, with Rossi, Cazorla, Depuyra, Musacchio, among other key players all on the field. With no other distractions from other competitions, Villarreal’s strength focused on the league is indeed worrisome.”

Juan Carlos Garrido, the young coach who retired not long ago, had an honest-looking face akin to an honest man. He stood at the sideline with a far-sighted gaze, his eyes skimming over several key players, clearly having high expectations for them.

The longest gaze was on Musacchio, the young player he personally promoted.

Mateo Musacchio emerged from the seasoned Argentine club River Plate. At the age of 9, he joined the River Plate Youth Academy, making his first-team debut at just 16 years old during the 2006-07 season.

That season, he appeared in a total of 4 matches.

Though the team won the championship in 2008, Musacchio did not get the chance to play.

On August 31, 2009, Musacchio signed a 5-year contract with La Liga’s Villarreal Team and transferred to Villarreal B team.

On February 13, 2010, he made his La Liga debut as a substitute in a match against Athletic Bilbao.

The interim coach of Villarreal, Garrido, had great trust in this Argentine lad because Musacchio brought him his first league victory. He believed that this new-generation central defender could bring him good luck.

Now, Musacchio has firmly established himself as a main player, being the core of Garrido’s team.

Wearing Villarreal’s yellow jersey, he looked at Real Madrid players in white robes, his eyes filled with complexity. He originally had a chance to join Real Madrid Youth Team, which is Castilla!

In 2007, when Chen Zhong became famous, it became the Holy Land in the eyes of many young people.

After all, who wouldn’t want to be born in Rome?

However, Chen Zhong being loaned out, coupled with the club’s turmoil, made many young players hesitate, with Musacchio being one of them, ultimately choosing Villarreal.

Does he regret this choice?

He’s not quite sure himself. After all, here he can play, unlike those ”rising stars” who can only while away their time on the bench.

But...

That’s Real Madrid!

”In the history of Real Madrid, 10 home matches against Villarreal resulted in 7 wins and 3 draws, remaining unbeaten.”

”The league historical encounters between both sides tally to 21, with Real Madrid having 13 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses, holding the upper hand.”

”In this match, Alonso was rotated, with Benzema on the substitute bench awaiting his turn.”

”Notably, this match marks Ramos’s 200th appearance representing Real Madrid.”

”Facing the La Liga giant Real Madrid in this match, Villarreal’s new coach still chose to trust the young Musacchio to hold the defense.”

”I don’t think it’s a good choice.”

In the stands, Real Madrid fans were loudly singing the team anthem, not taking Villarreal seriously. They have Chen Zhong, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ramos, Casillas!

This season, they spent 300 million Euros, on the right path towards glory.

They are not worried about winning or losing; they just want to know how many they can win in this match, and how beautifully they’ll win!

Villarreal gained the kickoff right, immediately launching a quick attack, trying to steal one when Real Madrid’s attention was not fully focused!

The ball came to Cazorla’s feet, and Cazorla was not as reckless as the first time he met Chen Zhong.

After all, the teams might be the same, but they’re not comparable anymore.

He quickly passed the ball to Rossi in the middle, and Rossi was still the same as the first time Chen Zhong met him, looking at Cristiano Ronaldo with eyes full of burning determination before the match began.

At that time, he and C. Ronaldo were both Manchester United players.

Although it wasn’t reported, and no one, including himself, spoke publicly in that manner, in his heart, if C. Ronaldo wasn’t there, perhaps Lord Ferguson would have made him ”C. Ronaldo” instead!

Rossi got the ball and quickly ”stabbed” towards Real Madrid’s penalty area, wanting to transform into a short dagger and tear through Real Madrid’s defense to give Villarreal the leading goal.

This scene emitted ”joyful” laughter from the stands full of Real Madrid supporters, while also leaving Chen Zhong somewhat amused!

It’s been a while since any player dared to directly pass through his defensive region. After all, even a passing dog would have to endure a couple of cuffs in Chen Zhong’s territory, let alone a person?

”Rossi holds the ball!”

”Wants to fancy it!”

”But Chen Zhong’s tackle is very decisive.”

”Rossi, both man and ball, tumbles to the ground.”

Rossi lay on the ground, looking at Chen Zhong, eyes seemingly recalling the initial fear he felt when first dominated by Chen Zhong. Similarly, Chen Zhong glanced at Rossi, walking over to extend his hand, helping the fallen Rossi to his feet, while smiling and saying, ”Continue!”

The bright white teeth looked especially bright under the sunlight.

”Come on, continue.”

”See if you can get past me!”

This blow made the once highly motivated Rossi suddenly ”deflated,” and Rossi’s ”deflation” made Villarreal’s offensive falter, finding it difficult to threaten Real Madrid’s goal ever again.

On the other hand, Real Madrid started to gradually find their rhythm within ten minutes, slowly beginning to control the pace of the match.

By now, Villarreal was entirely being led by the nose by Real Madrid.

Some Real Madrid fans were so excited that their faces turned slightly red; they had sniffed the scent of danger.

It’s the scent of slaughter!

Yes, that’s right, confirming the scent, it’s a slaughter!