I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 542: Chapter 26: Challenging the Throne_2

Really hope Mourinho can slip up!

And after this interview, the general consensus is that the current Atletico Madrid is no match for Real Madrid.

Real Madrid is still an insurmountable obstacle for them, and this trend seems likely to continue until the end of the century.

At present, some even believe that Atletico Madrid beating Real Madrid is less likely than Esteban (a Spanish TV host) winning an Oscar.

In the pre-match column, journalist Alcaide from the World Newspaper wrote that for the ”Sheet Army,” the more tragic aspect is not the result itself but their helplessness against reality.

Many people have publicly said, ”If Atletico Madrid can take three points at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, it would be a miracle.”

”I believe Atletico Madrid just needs to try their best, as long as they don’t get heavily defeated by Real Madrid, it’s already a success.”

However, such statements were met with opposition from some Atletico Madrid fans, who argue that if they accept such a notion, Atletico Madrid will always be second in Madrid City, and they will never regain their former glory.

Many have already considered Atletico Madrid as perennial second place, akin to Manchester United and Manchester City in the Premier League, where Manchester City is just a noisy neighbor.

But Atletico Madrid fans have always hoped that the team can truly rise and stand tall.

Even Barcelona’s media, when analyzing this local derby, are not optimistic about Atletico Madrid defeating Real Madrid.

After all, Atletico Madrid’s new coach Diego Simeone is an unknown figure, and they don’t understand why Atletico Madrid hired such a manager.

From coach to players, Real Madrid is completely superior to Atletico Madrid. They believe that with two Ballon d’Or winners and another potential winner, Real Madrid can easily tear through Atletico Madrid’s defense.

Moreover, it has been reported that Atletico Madrid’s center-backs Goding and Pereira might miss the match, although even if these two players were to play, it probably wouldn’t change the fate of losing.

However, their absence erases all possibilities.

Under Mourinho, Real Madrid plays with ease, speeding up or slowing down as they wish.

But what about Atletico Madrid?

Before Diego Simeone’s appointment, they became increasingly lazy, with none of the flair of being the third behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spanish football like 30 years ago.

They even dropped to the second division 10 years ago.

Sports City

”Chen.”

”Have you read the newspaper?”

”I don’t know what the media has been saying lately.”

Chen Zhong did not answer his teammate’s question, as it wasn’t the first time recently someone discussed the issue with him, including Granero, Callejon, and Nacho.

Mainly friends from the Castilla faction.

As for Marcelo, Pepe, and others, they remained silent.

While Spanish players like Casillas and Ramos seemed to enjoy watching the show from the sidelines.

”Cristiano Ronaldo playing at the front?” Chen Zhong held a newspaper that first discussed Ronaldo’s recent performances, and then stated that Real Madrid should believe that if Ronaldo plays at the front, he will deliver astonishing performances.

The article even argued:

Modern football matches are essentially battles for space, and the football itself is the target of this war.

When we talk about the king in the box, C. Ronaldo is the fastest contender.

It also quoted a comment by Mourinho regarding Cristiano Ronaldo: ”We believe, if Ronaldo plays as a center forward, he would also be the world’s best. He has great heading ability, can shoot with both feet, and his shooting technique is comprehensive.”

But they didn’t write what Mourinho said afterward:

”However, I have my own tactical arrangements.”

”And Chen is a very important core for us, he keeps Real Madrid threatening and competitive.”

”If Cristiano Ronaldo is the fastest contender, then Chen Zhong is the strongest contender, a powerful contender with many qualities.”

This statement did not quell the external debate, as if someone was stirring the pot, trying to create a conflict between the Portuguese and the Chinese.

They wanted to see the Real Madrid locker room in chaos.

Chen Zhong looked at another newspaper from Germany’s Der Spiegel, known for their precision, which started with:

Research shows that Cristiano Ronaldo’s top speed during matches reaches 9.3 meters per second.

With such incredible speed and agile reactions, C. Ronaldo has become a master at finding attacking spaces, always reaching the ball first and delivering lethal blows.

They also analyzed Cristiano Ronaldo’s past at Manchester United, arguing that CR7 has been training himself on launching late runs since playing under Ferguson.

In fact, many of his goals at Manchester United were achieved through quick breakaways.

They even quoted a saying of Cristiano Ronaldo: ”The first step is very important when accelerating.”

This was revealed by the Portuguese during an advertising event.

He even received guidance from the sprinting legend Bolt, and the advice from the world’s fastest man benefited him greatly.

Chen Zhong also recalled C. Ronaldo’s unique posture when sprinting on the field.

His stride frequency was fast, landing on his toes, with his arms swinging in a straight line close to his body.

This running style resembles a gymnast vaulting in competition.

Last season, Cristiano Ronaldo was sidelined from the top scorer race due to injury, which provided Chen Zhong the opportunity to ”accumulate stats,” but this season, his numbers resemble those of a center forward rather than a winger.

As newly joined Ricardo Carvalho put it: ”He is gradually changing his playing style, now he is always watching the opponent’s goal, he is becoming perfect.”

”Maybe Chen should focus more on the midfield.”

”That way, our midfield can become more threatening.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has gradually earned the trust of some players through his goal-scoring, while some more ”conservative” players do not approve of Chen Zhong’s ”false center forward” approach from the backline.

They recognize Chen Zhong’s abilities, but feel that the matter of being a center forward and scoring should be left to the forwards.

Last season’s way of letting Chen Zhong play was a forced move, but now there is already a ”terminator” up front, so a second one isn’t needed.

Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo also demonstrated the skills of point-scoring in the penalty area, preferring to evade defenders compared to Chen Zhong’s style of pushing through center-backs directly.

Whenever an opportunity arises, he steps back or moves to the side to shake off the defenders’ marking.

A week ago against Santander Athletic, he scored his personal third goal through such a method.

And his first goal was scored using the traditional sudden acceleration technique.

Precisely because of C. Ronaldo’s outstanding performance, Chen Zhong has repeatedly heard feedback about some people harboring ”rebellious intentions.”

Their mantra is: ”I have nothing against Chen.”

”But if Chen could focus more on midfield organization and defense.”

”Maybe the team would be better.”

Not only that, but there are rumors that the club is planning to bring in several players from Mendes, many of whom are Portuguese.

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Madrid

In the office of Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone looked at the report in his hand and focused on Cristiano Ronaldo.

He has been the coach of Atletico Madrid for a while, and he has identified the team’s problem.

That is, the team is currently full of cowards.

He is also astonished by the weak defensive strength throughout La Liga.

In Simeone’s eyes, this is unimaginable.

”I need to instill a spirit of iron in the team.”

”I need them to fight at all costs!”

Simeone’s eyes seemed to burn with flames, and in the future, his team would give the whole La Liga a sense of ”savagery.” Later, some said that Simeone’s coaching at Atletico Madrid increased the whole La Liga’s defensive toughness by several notches.

”Cristiano?”

”Ha...”