I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 525: Chapter 18: Wearing the Hat

Rose Garden Stadium

The Malaga fans are ready to cheer.

Cheering for the goalkeeper’s heroic save.

The Real Madrid fans are frustrated and cursing.

Upset about the blocked shot.

At this moment, in the most dangerous place, appeared the person they trust the most.

Chen Zhong, wearing the number 10 jersey, like a god descending, faced the rebounded ball and gently poked it with his foot.

”Chen Zhong!”

”Appeared in the place where he was needed the most!”

”A deft poke shot!”

”The ball went into the net!”

”2:0”

”He has scored a brace!”

”Broken through Malaga’s goal for the second time!”

”At this time, Pellegrini must be missing last season a lot.”

After scoring, Chen Zhong’s face lit up with a happy smile, he pointed towards Cristiano Ronaldo, then beckoned him over to celebrate together.

After a moment of simple hesitation, the Portuguese player ran towards Chen Zhong, the two hugged shoulders, ran to the corner flag, then leapt into the air, making similar yet different gestures.

The Real Madrid fans in the stands wore relaxed and pleasant smiles, as they knew the team had secured the victory.

Mourinho had an expression of ”I don’t care,” pacing up and down the sidelines, seemingly saying, do you think Pellegrini is better than me? Now I’m hitting him while he’s down.

The Malaga coach Pellegrini stood on the sidelines with a blank expression, witnessing everything. He’s quite a veteran in La Liga. Since last season, when rumors about Mourinho started to emerge at Real Madrid, he had started paying attention to the Portuguese.

He was very familiar with Mourinho’s tactics, having envisioned confronting Mourinho in the finals after Mourinho knocked out Barcelona to reach the final.

He carefully studied every game Mourinho coached at Real Madrid, modifying Malaga’s original 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2 formation.

He even specially assigned Fernando and Midilliga to man-mark Chen Zhong, but Chen Zhong thwarted his plans, not only scoring two goals but also embarrassing Pellegrini at the Rose Garden Stadium.

He’s not someone who can’t accept failure, but before the first half ended, with less than 15 minutes into the game, the team conceded two consecutive goals, which was really hard for him to accept!

Moreover, Pellegrini believed that in this match, Malaga had the chance to earn a draw. After all, since the start of this season, Mourinho’s tactics, from both statistical and visual perspectives, have indeed declined compared to last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been somewhat off-target, missing two clear scoring opportunities in this match alone.

And Kaka, although his overall performance hasn’t declined compared to his time at Milan, this Brazilian star seems to have become more laid-back, lacking the competitive spirit, more like taking on a ”supporting” role.

In Real Madrid, he didn’t possess the threat and aura like at Milan, but no one would underestimate him, and he can firmly keep those who attempt to replace him on the bench.

For example, Argentine genius player Di Maria.

Pellegrini glanced at Real Madrid’s bench. He had always anticipated something happening between Mourinho and Chen Zhong, but Chen Zhong seemed to receive nothing but trust from Mourinho.

In fact, Pellegrini’s judgment was correct because not long after, an anonymous football insider revealed on Twitter a technical analysis report submitted by Mourinho to manager Valdano shortly after joining Real Madrid.

The report evaluated Real Madrid players on seven aspects, including technical skills, tactical execution, and professional conduct. Surprisingly, Mourinho gave Chen Zhong seven A+ ratings, ranking him first on the team. The second had three players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, and Kaka, with five A+ and two A grades.

After this report came out, it completely dashed the hopes of those expecting internal strife in the Real Madrid dressing room.

Especially those instigating, saying Chen Zhong isn’t Florentino’s direct appointment but a player scouted by former president Calderon, were left disappointed.

As the new season began, Chen Zhong, as a popular candidate for the Ballon d’Or, embarked on a new season’s adventure at Real Madrid, and Malaga would contribute to his Ballon d’Or journey.

”Real Madrid’s attack.”

”The ball is passed to Chen Zhong again.”

”Malaga has no means to limit Chen Zhong.”

”Real Madrid controls the ball in the middle.”

”Passed to Chen Zhong again.”

”Here it comes again!”

”Very relaxed.”

”This familiar scene!”

In the 07-08 season, the beautiful pass-and-control style appeared again, something Schuster once implemented at Real Madrid, with passes coordinated between any player and Chen Zhong.

People watched as the ball was passed back and forth between Chen Zhong and the other players.

With each pass teasing the Malaga players.

The Malaga players had thought of intercepting the ball, but what players are they, compared to what players Real Madrid has.