I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 763: Chapter 35: He Is a Leader

Benzema was once called ”Benzema Cat” and ”Benzema Rabbit” by Mourinho, but now he is gradually revealing his fangs.

Mourinho is not a person who stubbornly sticks to his views, although he prefers Adebayor’s style, and although he thinks Adebayor fits better with the team’s attacking system.

However, Benzema’s recent outstanding performances have led him to decide to give the Frenchman more playing time.

Spain’s ”World Newspaper” believes that French players always become Real Madrid’s mascots, and Benzema could very well be such a mascot. At Lyon’s Gerland Stadium, Benzema scored within 43 seconds of coming onto the field, prompting the usually gentle Florentino to disregard French etiquette and stand to celebrate Benzema’s goal in the VIP box on the podium.

With French players in the lineup, Real Madrid always seems to find good fortune.

Among Real Madrid Club’s legendary figures are French players like Kopa and Zidane, while Karembeu and Anelka, though not called legends, helped Real Madrid win the Champions League in 1998 and 2000 respectively.

Of course, Anelka left more negative impressions at Real Madrid, and Benzema was once considered a possible replica of Anelka, as both are reticent and seem somewhat lazy.

However, despite some personality similarities to Anelka, Benzema has not done anything to violate discipline—Anelka was even fined by Real Madrid for his violations.

Though the process of integrating into Real Madrid was tough, Benzema is now gradually adapting to the Real Madrid dressing room.

Those who know Benzema say that Benzema is a player that needs to be nurtured with love in order to perform well; one must be loving towards him and also seize the right moments to motivate him.

At one point, Mourinho was frustrated that Benzema couldn’t fight on the field like Higuain, but now the Portuguese coach has found a way to instruct Benzema, and the Frenchman has responded positively.

Zidane also played an important role in helping Benzema find his form; Zidane, a hero of Real Madrid’s ninth Champions League win, hopes Benzema can continue the tradition of French players bringing good fortune to Real Madrid.

In the next match against Santander Athletic, Real Madrid made a bold lineup change, with Mourinho utilizing the 4-4-2 formation.

Adebayor and Benzema formed a double center forward pairing.

Di Maria, Callejon, Alonso, and Granero formed the midfield.

Marcelo, Cavaleiro, Pepe, and Ramos formed the defense line.

The goalkeeper remained Casillas.

Following the match against Malaga, Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a thigh injury requiring ten days of rest, which resulted in Kaka and Chen Zhong being rotated.

Simultaneously, Mourinho gave opportunities to young talents, Granero and Callejon, while Parejo, Carvajal, Nacho, and Morata, among other young players, sat on the bench.

At Sports City, many young players referred to this game as a ”trial match,” meaning that if they could get through it, they might secure more playing opportunities.

Although Chen Zhong did not travel with the team on this away game, he still made an appearance in front of them to offer reassurance.

In fact, Santander Athletic did not cause too much trouble for Real Madrid.

In the 5th minute of the game, Real Madrid almost scored.

It was Granero’s cross from the right side; this player, known as the ”pirate” in the youth team, sent in a precise long pass to Benzema, and if Benzema hadn’t fumbled the close shot, the team could have secured the victory early.

Thereafter, Adebayor seemed to understand the principle of reciprocation; when he received a through ball from Di Maria, he too shot outside the box to tell Benzema, ”Don’t worry, if you don’t score, I won’t either!”

Without Chen Zhong, Real Madrid could claim the initiative in the match but lacked some composure, and the team only scored in the 25th minute.

It came from Alonso’s through pass.

This Spanish midfielder, often overshadowed by Chen Zhong’s brilliance, couldn’t show his passing prowess, but in this match, he could fully exhibit his organizing talent.

Granero cooperated multiple times with Benzema and Adebayor, breaking into the left side of the penalty area. Facing the defense, he didn’t act recklessly but crossed the ball to Adebayor.

This time, Adebayor seized the opportunity and directly scored in front of an empty goal.

0:1

After scoring the first goal, Real Madrid pressed on, quickly extending the lead in the 30th minute of the match—it came from Alonso’s interception and Granero’s through pass, with Benzema facing the charging goalkeeper, executing a relaxed chip to score.

0:2

By this point, Real Madrid’s victory was almost settled.

Real Madrid entered halftime with a 2-goal lead, and in the second half, they widened the gap again in the 75th minute.

After Di Maria received the ball, he showcased his dribbling skills, feinted past Korsa, and slanted a pass to the unguarded Benzema, who, from 14 yards out on the left side of the penalty area, curved the ball into the far corner.

This was his 4th goal in the last 4 league matches.

His goals for Real Madrid this season increased from 10 to 11.

The in-form Benzema also received applause from Mourinho.

He ran to the corner flag area and did a passionate sliding knee celebration—something he rarely does. It was evident how much pressure Adebayor’s arrival had put on him, and Adebayor’s goal had weighed on his mind.

Pressure is often two-directional; after Benzema scored again, Adebayor was clearly agitated.

In the final moments of the match, Di Maria won a penalty, and Adebayor took it, but it was saved by the opponent’s goalkeeper.

The final score was set at 0:3

It can be predicted that Adebayor’s missed penalty will put him at a disadvantage in the competition and result in a considerable media storm.

However!

Adebayor’s luck is good!

...

The football media won’t easily conclude whether Messi or Chen Zhong is better, but from some reports, it is evident that many journalists are enchanted by Messi’s football style, including Casillas’ girlfriend, Kaponeiro.

”Messi and Chen are both top players, but their characteristics are completely different.”

”The Chinese player has outstanding strength, but Messi is as nimble as a water snake. The Argentine’s agility and speed are something that Chen Zhong might lack.”

”These two players have different physical and tactical characteristics, but they are both excellent,” Kaponeiro reported.

Casillas’ girlfriend Kaponeiro, who once caused controversy by disparaging Cristiano Ronaldo, avoided contentious topics this time when evaluating Messi and Chen, and instead praised both from two different angles, avoiding direct comparison.

However, regarding the Portuguese, Kaponeiro still did not speak kindly, saying, ”People always compared them in the past, but now everyone feels that Chen is the one who can be compared with Messi.”

”Cristiano is too selfish; he disrupts the harmony in the locker room.”

This debate quickly sparked fan discussions, and while Kaponeiro praised Chen Zhong, stating that he and Messi are on equal standing, her comments about the Portuguese attracted everyone’s attention.

It must be noted that Cristiano Ronaldo is currently Real Madrid’s top scorer!

And as the public opinion continued to intensify, Chen Zhong stood out.