I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 705: Chapter 9: Level Up 2

Compared to the ”tragic” Atletico Madrid fans, Real Madrid fans seemed much more relaxed. Although their numbers were smaller, they gathered in groups, creating quite a presence.

”CCTV, CCTV!”

”We are now live broadcasting the second leg of the King’s Cup Quarterfinals.”

”Atletico Madrid is set to take on the visiting Real Madrid at Estadio Vicente Calderón.”

”After winning the first leg 4-1 against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid holds an advantage of three goals.”

”Thus, in this match, both the players and fans of Real Madrid appear quite relaxed.”

”Singing and dancing.”

”After all, Real Madrid won the first leg 4-1.”

”Moreover, the last time they lost at Calderon was in 1999.”

”In this game, Real Madrid made some lineup adjustments, as Mourinho seems to have some ideas!”

”Kaka and Benzema are both on the bench.”

”Ronaldo continues to play as the center forward.”

”The left winger position is taken by Marcelo, and the right winger by Di Maria.”

”While Kaka and Benzema are seated on the bench.”

In this match, Real Madrid adopted a standard formation, a 4213.

The camera focused on Mourinho at the side of the pitch, who wore a composed smile. The surprising move was Marcelo playing as the left winger.

In fact, during Schuster’s time, Marcelo’s position was already moved forward.

Now, with Real Madrid lacking center forwards, Benzema can’t be relied upon, Negredo doesn’t quite fit Mourinho’s current tactical system, and Cristiano Ronaldo acts as a center forward alongside Chen Zhong, somewhat forming a dual-forward setup.

In such circumstances, Marcelo’s crossing can prove remarkably effective at times.

This is also partly to save Marcelo, as Real Madrid is almost certain to bring in a left-back in the summer transfer window.

Marcelo moving forward to find a place for himself is beneficial to his career.

”The match has officially started.”

”Atletico Madrid launched an aggressive attack!”

”Alvaro!”

In this match, Real Madrid chose Alvaro as the left back. His defensive ability is stronger than Marcelo’s.

From the moment the whistle blew, Diego Simeone stood at the sideline, maintaining a combat-ready stance, and the spirit displayed by the players on the field sparked a glimmer of hope in Atletico Madrid fans’ hearts.

Atletico Madrid, hoping to overturn the game at home, actively launched attacks right from the start.

This kind of Atletico Madrid is very rare, and it also reveals Diego Simeone’s ambition.

In the 5th minute, Real Madrid almost received a yellow card first, demonstrating the immense pressure Atletico Madrid placed on them during this time.

Alvaro spread his arms wide with an innocent expression, while former Real Madrid player Reyes quietly adjusted the ball’s position and delivered a curved shot, attempting to breach Real Madrid’s goal.

Unfortunately, Casillas’s save turned Reyes’s shot to nothing.

After witnessing Atletico Madrid’s aggressive offense, Mourinho also instructed Real Madrid to shrink their formation to solidify the defense while Chen Zhong started to fall back.

This also reverted to Mourinho’s comfort zone, using defense and counterattacks to cope with Atletico Madrid’s all-out assault.

”After 20 minutes.”

”It will be our time.” Mourinho stood at the sideline with puffed-up chest, confident in the defense he trained.

Moreover, with Atletico Madrid playing like this, the players’ stamina is expected to decline substantially after 20 minutes, which will be Real Madrid’s opportunity.

What, worried about conceding a goal?

With a three-goal lead, what’s to fear?

The match seemed to have become slightly dull, with Atletico Madrid exemplifying much fuss but little effect.

After Reyes’s free-kick shot in the opening, it wasn’t until the 14th minute that Atletico Madrid got another chance to score, gifted by a mistake from Real Madrid.

Whether it was because Casillas and his wife stayed up too late, he directly kicked the ball into Reyes’s body while trying to clear it. If Reyes hadn’t been equally surprised by Casillas’s generosity, or if Casillas hadn’t redeemed himself with a desperate save, the ball might have been lost.

Subsequently, Reyes seemed regretful for missing the opportunity, becoming even more actively involved in movement during the game.

In this match, Atletico Madrid clearly viewed Reyes as a key player for breaking through.

In the 20th minute, Alvaro fouled Reyes again, earning a yellow card as Reyes, limping, appeared.

After this foul, Reyes lost some of his edge and limped as he ran.

While Diego Simeone yelled concerns about Reyes from the sideline.

Real Madrid, having reached the scheduled time and commenced a counterattack, caught Atletico Madrid off guard.

”Atletico Madrid takes possession!”

”Khedira intercepts.”

”Passes to Chen Zhong.”

”Chen Zhong delivers it to Alonso.”

”Alonso distributes the ball to the right.”

”In the 23rd minute, Real Madrid launched a sharp counterattack!”

”Ramos takes the ball!”

At Estadio Vicente Calderón, gasps filled the stands from Atletico Madrid fans, while Ramos on the pitch charged forward like a a sharp sword once he gained possession!

Ramos, yes, Ramos.

He reached the edge of the penalty area, faced with defenders rushing to cover him, directly swung a cross.

Cristiano Ronaldo made a very timely forward run, diving in an attempt to score with a header from eight yards out.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t connect with the ball.

He simply fell to the ground along with a defender.

The ball neatly bypassed the Portuguese’s head.

Before Ronaldo could complain, he saw Chen Zhong nearby effortlessly dink the ball into the net with his left foot.

0-1

Real Madrid took the lead.

Cristiano Ronaldo glanced at the smiling Ramos, then at Chen Zhong, a look of realization on his face.

Clearly, when you can’t comfortably receive the ball or shoot, that ball isn’t meant for you.

”Great pass!” Chen Zhong smiled and gave Ramos a thumbs-up, and Ramos smiled back, waiting beside him as they ran towards the corner flag together.

At the corner flag, Chen Zhong lept up high, performing his signature celebration.

Meanwhile, the Real Madrid fans in the stands chanted loudly: ”Chen!”

The syllable ”Chen” was gradually becoming a new trend.

While there was jubilation on Real Madrid’s side, Atletico Madrid suffered another blow.

In this match, Reyes had been active and threatening in the offense. But while tracking back defensively, possibly with too much force, during Real Madrid’s celebration, he sat on the ground clutching his leg in pain, signaling for a substitution with his right hand held high.

This meant that in this match, the focus for Atletico Madrid, unexpectedly, was sidelined.

Even the most optimistic Atletico Madrid fans felt a gloom settle in their hearts.

Diego Simeone screamed twice into the sky on the sidelines, then turned to look at the man on the bench acclaimed for his ”incredible beauty.”

Diego Costa stood at the sideline, subbing in for Reyes.

Hopefully, he could bring Atletico Madrid newfound change and hope!