I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 638: Chapter 74: Absolutely Awful

”The match is over.”

”After experiencing such a game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, I wonder what kind of mood Mourinho is in.”

”But it certainly can’t be a good one.”

This was a league match held at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, against Sevilla.

Before the game started, no one really paid much attention to this match because recently, Real Madrid had been unstoppable.

In this match, Mourinho used the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Benzema starting.

Sevilla actually had some interesting ideas for this match.

Just 2 minutes into the game, Fabiano passed the ball, and Sevilla’s player Konko took a shot from a tight angle on the left side of the penalty area, almost breaking through Casillas’ defense.

If it were just this, the match wouldn’t have been that memorable for Real Madrid.

However, everything that followed was bound to leave a lasting impression on the fans.

”Real Madrid’s attack.”

”Benzema!”

”Caught offside again.”

”At this point, I’ve lost count of how many times Benzema has fallen into Sevilla’s offside trap.”

Mourinho looked grim on the sidelines; he had picked Benzema to start, but this ”designated” player had not repaid Mourinho’s trust, repeatedly getting caught in Sevilla’s offside trap.

Time and again, letting Real Madrid’s offensive efforts come to nothing.

Yet Mourinho remained calm; after all, for him, Benzema’s poor performance could be seen as a blessing in disguise.

Maybe the club’s top brass would finally see reason and agree to bring in a center forward he needs before the winter transfer window closes.

Besides, wasn’t there Chen Zhong?

In this match, as long as Chen Zhong plays at his usual level, it would be hard for the team to lose.

The Real Madrid fans in the stands thought so too. Although Benzema’s repeated offsides made them angry, seeing Chen Zhong on the pitch gave them some reassurance.

Chen Zhong didn’t disappoint them, continuing his consistently stable performance on the field.

”Chen Zhong!”

”Intercepts from the backfield.”

”Real Madrid on the counterattack.”

”14th minute of the match.”

”A precise through pass.”

”Beautiful!”

After Sevilla’s ball was intercepted, Real Madrid operated like a well-oiled machine.

After taking the ball, Chen Zhong shook off the Sevilla players surrounding him.

Delivered a precise through pass.

Kaka’s timing to start was just right.

After receiving the ball, Kaka saw Sevilla’s players returning to their positions and unselfishly passed the ball back to the advancing Chen Zhong.

”Sevilla’s defense is retreating very quickly.”

”Passed back to Chen Zhong.”

”Directly knocks over the nearby defender.”

”Stumbled a bit, passing again!”

”Benzema!”

After receiving the ball, facing the approaching Sevilla defenders, Chen Zhong turned his side to withstand the assault. Although slightly off-balance, he didn’t fall and maintained firm control of the ball.

Chen Zhong understood the surrounding situation perfectly.

Without hesitation, he sent the ball forward.

Benzema received the ball, facing the goalkeeper, with Palop abandoning the goal and charging forward. Facing Palop’s approach, Benzema dribbled to the right to evade the opponent but had lost the shooting angle.

”Holds the ball on the right side.”

”The goalkeeper comes out.”

”Benzema!”

”Evades the goalkeeper.”

”But there’s no shooting angle!”

”Pass the ball!”

”Oh no!”

This was originally a perfect opportunity.

Benzema could’ve added a bit of force, allowing Kaka to get the ball, or slightly more for Chen Zhong who had already moved forward.

But Benzema didn’t pass to Kaka, nor to Chen Zhong; instead, he aimed for the far side at Cristiano Ronaldo, and his pass went wrong, landing directly at a defender’s feet.

This missed golden opportunity immediately diminished Benzema’s just shown brilliance.

”Just pass the ball early.”

”Dribble, dribble, for what showoff!”

”Damn it!”

Some fans couldn’t help but curse seeing this scene. According to Real Madrid’s tactics, when the goalkeeper abandons his post, Benzema could use the back heel to pass to Chen Zhong moving forward, or lay it off to Cristiano Ronaldo, or even cross to Kaka.

But Benzema insisted on dribbling past the goalkeeper, driven to the right baseline, losing the shooting angle before passing.

Passing, fine, passing to Kaka or Chen Zhong would’ve been good, but instead, he sought the far side at Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wasn’t that just unnecessary trouble?

Cristiano Ronaldo also gave Benzema a helpless look, but considering Benzema was clearly looking for him, he sent over a thumbs up for this match.

Benzema saw it, slightly smiled, then lowered his head.

The players were still in a good mood, but Mourinho on the sidelines had completely turned sour; in his eyes, Benzema was simply wasting chances.

”He’s like a troublemaker.” Mourinho muttered, turning to Francisco and said.

The match continued, this attack clearly made Sevilla a bit flustered, and Real Madrid quickly regained another opportunity, which was thanks to a mid-field steal by Chen Zhong.

When a 50/50 ball appeared, Chen Zhong’s powerful physique allowed him to down the opponent and secure the ball simultaneously.