I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 552: Chapter 31: Didn’t Fall on His Heart

This experienced veteran has a high success rate in such situations when drawing a penalty.

Chen Zhong didn’t recklessly stretch out his leg but instead pressed his body against Fernando from the side.

This move made it uncomfortable for Fernando to receive the ball, while also leaving space for the next action. Fernando bit his lip, his gaze determined, and after a slight adjustment, he completed a shot under Chen Zhong’s interference.

He knew very well that this was his only chance.

If he adjusted any more, he might lose possession of the ball.

But how could such a shot test Casillas?

Diego Simeone looked regretful on the sidelines, while Mourinho, unusually, gave the Argentine a rare appreciative glance.

Under strengthened defense, naturally, there would be less input on the offensive end. Instead of using rigid routines, it’s more effective to attack like this by taking chances.

”This was Atletico Madrid’s most threatening shot in the first half.”

”Chen Zhong, it’s Chen Zhong again.”

”He noticed the danger early and neutralized it.”

”He can always foresee the team’s defensive loopholes.”

”I’ve lost count of how many times he’s covered the defense.”

Fans in the stands of Real Madrid shouted Chen Zhong’s name. Real Madrid’s defense was famously bad, but it improved gradually after Chen Zhong emerged.

This season, with Mourinho coaching the team, it has become the most solid defensive team with the fewest goals conceded in La Liga.

”Real Madrid’s attack.”

”A continuous pass in the middle.”

”One-touch passing.”

”Atletico Madrid’s aggressive play has instead created gaps.”

”Chen Zhong controls the ball.”

”Passed to Kaka.”

”Kaka returns it to Chen Zhong.”

”Thiago!”

”Pass again.”

Real Madrid, having taken a one-goal lead, played more calmly as they began to control possession in the middle, using passes to stretch Atletico Madrid’s formation.

The one-two combination of Chen Zhong and Kaka exposed Atletico Madrid’s gaps.

Attracting Thiago forward, Chen Zhong’s precise through pass found the forward-running Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese’s timing was excellent.

And Chen Zhong’s pass was very appropriate.

Their tacit cooperation allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to receive Chen Zhong’s pass just as he passed through Atletico Madrid’s defense.

Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo about to break into Atletico Madrid’s penalty box.

”Good!”

Diego Simeone shouted loudly, slapping his thigh hard, while in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, there were boos everywhere.

Just as Cristiano Ronaldo was about to break into Atletico Madrid’s penalty area, he was tripped up by Godin outside the box.

The referee blew his whistle and awarded a free kick.

But he did not card Godin.

This scene left countless Real Madrid fans feeling dissatisfied.

”Red card!”

”This should be a red card.”

”This was a golden opportunity!”

And Mourinho also loudly protested, shouting loudly on the sidelines and angrily questioning the referee’s decision.

This made the fourth official have to warn Mourinho to watch his language.

”Godin’s tactical foul.”

”C. Ronaldo fell outside the penalty area.”

”Awarded a free kick.”

”No card given.”

”It’s clear that Real Madrid fans are very dissatisfied with this decision.”

”Mourinho was warned by the fourth official.”

”C. Ronaldo is complaining to the referee.”

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that there was an element of gambling in his fall. On one hand, he thought he ought to enter the penalty area; on the other hand, he figured such a great opportunity being ruined might even earn Atletico Madrid a red card.

Who would have thought the referee’s decision would be so strict?

”This was a definite chance!” Cristiano Ronaldo shouted loudly at the referee with a flushed face: ”He should get a card, even a red card.”

The Portuguese bent over, raising both hands, appearing very agitated.

But the referee sternly warned Cristiano Ronaldo.

”I have my own standards for making decisions.”

”Please stay calm.”

”Shut up!”

The referee pointed at Cristiano Ronaldo with one hand, while his other hand reached for his pocket, making it clear that if the Portuguese didn’t calm down, he might receive a card.

”Cristiano!” Chen Zhong quickly came over to embrace the Portuguese, and once embraced by Chen Zhong, the Portuguese quickly calmed down and stopped arguing further.

The referee glanced at Chen Zhong, and amidst the deafening boos at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, ultimately did not issue a card.

He only warned again, ”Chen, I hope not to be questioned again, my decisions are not to be questioned.”

”I will.” Chen Zhong nodded in agreement with the referee’s words, but retorted, ”But I hope your decisions will better align with public standards.”

The referee glanced at Chen Zhong, obviously aware that his decision was a bit too lenient.

After the referee left, Cristiano Ronaldo quietly murmured, ”That should’ve been a card!”

Atletico Madrid’s defense is very tough and also employs underhanded tactics to the extreme, making their main center-back Godin receiving a yellow card before the first half was over advantageous to the team’s overall strategy.

In football, what frustrates people the most is a defensive player with a yellow card hanging over them.

This makes their actions more cautious; a slip in judgment could result in two yellows turning into a red and them being sent off, which has significant ”strategic value.”

Getting an opposing main center-back a yellow card before the first half ends is akin to seizing a strategic military point early in a battle.

”Maybe because you didn’t fall in the way that pleased him,” Chen Zhong was internally dissatisfied with the referee’s decision, but couldn’t let this affect his teammates, so he lightened the mood with a joke. Seeing Cristiano Ronaldo’s baffled expression, Chen Zhong added, ”Meaning your fall posture, maybe he just didn’t like it.”

As they chatted, the two stood over the ball, and this free kick could threaten Atletico Madrid’s goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo stood eagerly over the ball, wanting to take the free kick himself, but Atletico Madrid’s goalkeeper, David De Gea, clearly had different ideas.

He ran over specifically, shouting loudly, ”Let Chen take it!”

”Chen take it!”

This scene was caught by the cameras and displayed on the big screen, causing discontent among Real Madrid fans.

”Chen Zhong calmed C. Ronaldo down.”

”Both are standing over the ball.”

”It looks like C. Ronaldo will take this free kick.”

”When playing for Manchester United, C. Ronaldo was the team’s free kick taker.”

”Wait, De Gea’s coming out.”

”He’s pointing at Chen Zhong, nodding and shouting.”

”Seems like he wants Chen to take the shot.”

”De Gea is playing mind games!”

”Will they let Chen take it?”

”Actually, this position suits C. Ronaldo better.”

”It’s already his comfort zone.”

De Gea’s taunting voice made Chen Zhong frown slightly, and after seeing Chen Zhong frown, Cristiano Ronaldo hesitated, then whispered, ”Chen, why don’t you take it?”

”We’ve spent so many nights together.”

”I know, from this position, you can do it.”

”Okay!” Chen Zhong agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Cristiano Ronaldo showed a pained expression, then asked, ”Do you want me to fake a move for you?”

”No need.” Chen Zhong waved it off, focusing intently on De Gea.

De Gea was enjoying his little disruption on Real Madrid’s mindset, feeling quite pleased!

But the result was seeing Cristiano Ronaldo stand aside.

Chen Zhong stood in front of the ball.

No way?

Chen Zhong taking a free kick?

(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Are you messing with me?