I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 794: Chapter 51: Champions League Quarterfinals

In the match against Sporting Gijon, Real Madrid fans were actually not very satisfied with the team’s performance, after all, Sporting Gijon was fighting for relegation.

They didn’t have much tactical planning and used retracted defense to counter Real Madrid’s direct attacks.

Sporting Gijon had only 5 shots in the match, with only 1 hitting the target, but that shot turned into a goal.

In the 79th minute, Quivas passed the ball, Casas crossed from the left side of the penalty area, and Quivas shot from 15 yards, hitting the inside of the left post and into the net.

Though there was an element of luck in this goal, it can’t be denied that after Chen Zhong left the field, Oezil couldn’t replace Chen Zhong’s role, and he was not rational enough, making Real Madrid’s attack loud yet ineffectual.

This conceded goal was even caused single-handedly by Oezil.

This further worsened Oezil’s already low status within the team.

Since February 2002, Mourinho has not lost a league home game, meaning it’s been over 9 years.

Mourinho’s unbeaten home record is one major reason Real Madrid signed him. The Real Madrid hierarchy once stated, ”A coach who hasn’t lost a home game in 9 years must have his remarkable qualities.”

Many people were expecting Mourinho to fail, but he always manages to disappoint them with his actions.

However, Diego Torres believes that, despite Mourinho’s outstanding record, his players have never excelled in organized football.

Real Madrid’s performance is completely unexpected; he has such an all-powerful player like Chen Zhong.

Mourinho has his football principles, yet the match against Sporting Gijon also exposed his shortcomings in this regard. After Chen Zhong left the field, his team lacked the needed delicacy and variability.

Against the retracted defending, resolute Sporting Gijon, Real Madrid faced enormous problems.

An observable phenomenon is that often against mid-to-lower La Liga teams, Real Madrid encounters difficult problems, such as facing determined defenses from Levante, Osasuna, Deportivo La Coruna, Almeria, Real Madrid couldn’t resolve matches, and many were solved relying on Chen Zhong’s personal abilities.

Real Madrid seems to never emphasize attacking organization enough.

Mourinho believes that with defensive players and front-field terminators, games can always be settled in the opponent’s penalty area.

He trusts in his players’ abilities to solve problems when facing the opponent’s goal.

Real Madrid places their hope on the inspiration of front-field players and luck during attacks.

To avoid risks during transition, Mourinho instructed Di Maria to receive the ball on the wing, then after taking the ball, cross to Adebayor.

As for Granero, after Chen Zhong went off, he attempted to link various lines but was too far from teammates, making it impossible to join the team’s ball distribution tasks, nor coordinate with wing players.

Granero and his teammates are not lacking in spirit but lack ways to solve problems.

More importantly, Oezil wants too much to prove himself.

Real Madrid now lacks a man who stands up to assume heavy responsibilities when Chen Zhong is absent.

After losing the goal, Real Madrid became anxious and uneasy, and in the remaining 10 minutes, only increased their attack speed, while Sporting Gijon united to retain the draw.

For this match, Mourinho’s primary tactical thought was to solidify defense, but the result was not satisfactory.

Mourinho’s ”muscle” tactics did not work this time, even though Real Madrid often gained possession, lacking giants in the front field couldn’t deliver stable endings.

Many critiqued Cristiano Ronaldo for occupying too many shooting opportunities, but when Chen Zhong isn’t upfront, there lacks a person willing to take responsibility.

For long periods in the match, Real Madrid staged a solo act but couldn’t produce content.

Real Madrid’s start in April could not be worse; the first match, seemingly the easiest, brought Real Madrid a terrible result.

Real Madrid next has to play away against Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, Sevilla, and Villarreal, none of these teams are easy to deal with.

The World Newspaper from Spain believes the match against Sporting Gijon will become the turning point for Real Madrid’s strategic adjustments. With a relatively stable league situation, Real Madrid and Mourinho must stabilize in the Champions Cup and King’s Cup, which also have favorable factors, such as Real Madrid’s stars’ super individual abilities and Mourinho’s strategic acumen in knockout matches.

Many people agree that Chen Zhong’s form is crucial to Real Madrid.

Marca predicts that the league battle between Real Madrid and Barcelona on April 16 at Bernabeu has lost some of its importance. Whether Guardiola or Mourinho will likely preserve players’ physical strength for the upcoming King’s Cup final.

Regardless, the future is undecided; injuries, referee decisions, luck, and other issues might affect the championship allocation for both teams. Real Madrid could win Triple Crown honors while Barcelona also has the hope of becoming double champions.