I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 518: Chapter 14: In Control (Part 2)

”Thank you.” Ronald looked at Chen Zhong and said, ”But you need to be careful, the youth team has another monster.”

”His name is Paul Pogba!”

”He has always been clamoring to defeat you.”

In 2007, Chen Zhong joined the first team and secured stable playing time, seemingly sending a message to the outside world: at Real Madrid, as long as you are good enough, you can claim a place.

Paul Pogba joined Real Madrid’s youth training between 2007 and 2008.

Some believe that this black player from France has a chance to become a world-class midfielder, like Zidane, while others think his temperament and character will prevent him from surpassing Chen Zhong in his future achievements.

Paul Pogba, however, doesn’t mind, repeatedly stunning the audience on the field, and this year he has already entered the team’s scouting list, likely to join Real Madrid’s first team, or be loaned out to other teams to gain playing time.

In the early hours of September 16, Beijing time, UEFA Champions League group stage’s first match day, Real Madrid faced Ajax Team at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

If there was any suspense at the start of this match,

then with the news that Ajax’s best striker Luis Suárez was unable to participate due to accumulated yellow cards, Ajax’s fate was sealed.

The starting line-ups for both sides are as follows:

Real Madrid: 4231

Goalkeeper: Casillas

Defenders: Alvaro, Cavaleiro, Pepe, Marcelo

Defensive Midfielders: Khedira, Alonso

Midfielders: Di Maria, Chen Zhong, Cristiano Ronaldo

Forward: Higuain

Substitutes: Adan, Benzema, Kaka, Granero, Negredo, Canales, Albiol.

Ajax: 442

Goalkeeper: Stekelenburg

Defenders: Anita, Alderweireld, Oyel Van der Wiel

Midfielders: Emmanuelson, De Jong, Eno, De Zewu

Forwards: Suleimani, Hamdawi

Substitutes: Verhoywen, Eriksen, Blind, Lingren, Tainio, Oleg, Yozzuun

Players from both teams gradually entered the field, and Real Madrid successfully controlled the pace from the start.

Ajax’s new coach clearly hasn’t fully integrated the team, and he could only stand at the sidelines watching the game completely controlled by Real Madrid.

However, Ajax players obviously wouldn’t concede easily; after all, many consider Ajax merely a springboard for their careers, and the Champions League is the best showcase for their talent.

But even so, in the 27th minute of the match, Chen Zhong completed a steal in midfield, then gave a lobbed pass assisting Higuain in scoring the opening goal.

Mourinho didn’t abandon the Argentine, opting to start Higuain in this match, and Higuain repaid the coach’s trust with a goal.

After scoring, Real Madrid played even more calmly.

Ajax was completely mastered by Real Madrid.

In the 31st minute, Alonso’s corner kick from the central area was headed by Ajax defender Anita, and the ball then fell and bounced off Higuain’s right thigh into the net, completing Higuain’s second goal, making him very excited.

However, UEFA later credited the goal to Anita.

Ajax’s new coach, watching this scene, couldn’t help but lament: ”This is simply a group of experienced adults bullying naive kids!”

”Even if they win, it’s not a glorious victory.”

His lament had no effect; by the 73rd minute, Real Madrid scored their third goal, which came from Chen Zhong.

In the scramble outside the penalty area, he forced his way past Ajax’s defenders, then launched a heavy cannon shot into the Ajax net.

3-0

Real Madrid fans in the stands were unstinting in their applause, seemingly everything heading in a positive direction.

But Mourinho wasn’t too pleased.

He turned to Francisco and asked, ”Did you notice how many shots we’ve taken?”

”20 shots?” Francisco started to get excited but then realized, looking at Mourinho: ”We might have over 30 shots this match.”

Real Madrid completely controlled the game.

Chen Zhong could leisurely control the ball in midfield and deliver it to attacking players’ feet, Real Madrid’s offense was smooth but hardly produced goals.

”That’s the problem.”

Mourinho turned his gaze back to the pitch; just moments ago, an impatient Cristiano Ronaldo sent the ball soaring with a powerful shot while Chen Zhong ran over to say something to him.

”Cristiano!”

”You need to be more patient.” Chen Zhong comforted the somewhat ”aggrieved” Portuguese, saying, ”We have completely mastered the pace this match, I will create scoring opportunities for you.”

”Am I not patient enough?” Cristiano Ronaldo pointed at Higuain, exclaiming, ”How many chances have I created for him, but him? Always occupying... my space, he should be drawing defenders away, not just standing there asking for the ball!”

”He wants to complete a hat-trick.”

(At this point, they still did not know FIFA ultimately did not record the goal under Higuain’s name.)

”That’s normal, we should help him.”

”We will win.”

Cristiano Ronaldo nodded perfunctorily, then watched Chen Zhong’s departing back with a determined gaze.

You don’t understand me, you simply don’t understand me.

Even if the team can win,

if I don’t score, I feel unhappy.

I want to score goals.

I want more attention!

Eventually, the score settled at 3-0

Real Madrid set a record for 35 shots in a single match, as fans in the stands cheered, Higuain was grinning widely ran to thank the fans.

And every punch Chen Zhong threw drew cheers from the entire audience.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo felt somewhat glum; the reasons are complex but simple.

The Portuguese at this moment was annoyed for two reasons.

One was in the final moments of the match; Chen Zhong’s precise through ball helped him avoid the offside trap, but in his final action, he shot the ball directly at the goalkeeper.

He regretted missing such an opportunity.

The other was similar to this point: no goals.

Although Real Madrid won by three goals, without scoring himself, he couldn’t feel happy.

During the post-match interview, Ajax’s coach repeated his view, believing it was an unfair match, attempting to reverse the outcome of the control the team faced during the match afterward.

Unfortunately, he faced Mourinho.

And Mourinho, he would show through action.

Bro, you’ve chosen the wrong opponent.

Mourinho laughed exaggeratedly upon hearing the reporter’s translation, saying: ”Actually, this is just a match between children because most of Real Madrid’s players are young kids.”

”If you exclude Casillas and Cavaleiro, Alonso could be considered the king of these kids.”

Real Madrid’s coach Mourinho’s opinion clearly differed from Ajax’s coach.

Some people wanted to mention Chen Zhong’s name, but then suddenly remembered Chen Zhong hasn’t yet turned 19, saying he is a young player seems to be no problem.

Even though he has received Ballon d’Or nominations, a popular contender for the award,

yet he truly is a young player.

Effortlessly controlling opponents in the Champions League group matches and achieving successive victories in the league,

for a moment, people’s expectations for Real Madrid’s new season were full of anticipation.