I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 857: Chapter 80: Intolerable Embarrassment

Camp Nou, in this match, Barcelona is truly enjoying the home advantage.

Even when the weather is not in their favor, as the rain lessens, things gradually become better for Barcelona.

The coach is on the sidelines, with the main players all recovered, compared to Real Madrid whose head coach cannot be present and many key players are unable to play, Barcelona’s chances of winning are obviously greater.

”Barcelona is gradually taking control of the match.”

”The first half is already halfway through.”

”Let’s see what they choose!”

”Barcelona’s attack!”

”Messi!”

‌Amid the deafening cheers at Camp Nou, Barcelona’s core Messi suddenly started like a cheetah, intercepting the ball from Marcelo with precise anticipation.

Marcelo was taken aback, clearly not expecting Messi’s sudden assault, but Marcelo didn’t just stand there in a daze; he fiercely tangled with Messi, pushing him towards the area near the baseline.

Marcelo’s tenacity was somewhat beyond Messi’s expectations; he could only kick the ball onto Marcelo, helping Barcelona gain a corner kick opportunity.

”The ball is out of bounds.”

”Barcelona’s corner kick opportunity!”

”Xavi to take the corner kick!”

Guardiola shouted loudly on the sidelines, in this match, Real Madrid’s defense is lacking players like Ramos, Pepe, and Khedira. Although Chen Zhong moved to the defensive midfielder position, Real Madrid’s defensive strength is undoubtedly weakened.

In fact, Real Madrid’s defense was indeed somewhat chaotic. If Chen Zhong wasn’t shouting to keep the players alert, who knows what might have happened.

The corner kick taken by Xavi drew an arc in the air, Real Madrid’s center-back Albiol looked like a headless fly during defense, exposing fatal flaws that allowed the unmarked Busquets to swiftly move forward from the penalty spot, completing a textbook lion’s head flick at the six-yard box.

”Attention!” Chen Zhong shouted loudly, clearly not understanding why Albiol missed marking so obviously. He could only watch as Busquets completed a decisive header at goal, sending the ball toward the near corner!

In a flash, Casillas sprang sideways like a spring, this ”Saint” named goalkeeper by Real Madrid fans tipped the ball away, the Bernabeu guardian stopped the cheers of Barcelona fans with this world-class save.

Of course, it’s not over yet, as people marveled at this miraculous save, Chen Zhong was already moving to clear the ball.

The danger wasn’t over, the ball was still in the penalty area, but evidently, Chen Zhong’s reaction was faster, clearing the ball before Messi could reach it.

After clearing the ball, Chen Zhong glanced towards Kalanca.

In this match, Guardiola kept making minor adjustments, but Kalanca made no moves. In a football match, once the whistle blows, the coach’s influence diminishes.

The main focus is on the players’ performance and pre-match preparation.

But the coach’s diminishing influence doesn’t mean it’s nonexistent.

At least in this match, Barcelona’s minor adjustments, Guardiola’s sideline commands, genuinely brought Barcelona ever closer to victory.

The explosive atmosphere between the two teams intensified, yet their core players performed ever more brilliantly.

”Barcelona’s ball control opportunity!”

”Messi again receives the ball.”

”Messi’s range of movement during this period is very wide!”

”Messi’s surprise attack, Chen Zhong.”

Watching the match from the hotel, Guardiola looked a bit anxious, realizing something important in this match, that even if Pepe wasn’t suspended, him playing as a defensive midfielder would still find it hard to restrict Messi.

After getting the ball, Messi initiated quickly, and once he started, even Chen Zhong found it hard to restrict him. Watching the swiftly approaching Messi, Chen Zhong first thought was to use his body, but Messi’s quick feet and agile directional change fooled Chen Zhong.

No one can stop Messi advancing at high speed unless you commit a foul.

At this moment, Chen Zhong deeply understood these words.

However, Chen Zhong wasn’t without influence on Messi either. Messi’s detour made it impossible for him to pierce Real Madrid’s heart like a sharp sword, and it gave Cavaleiro time to prepare.

Seeing Messi get past Chen Zhong, Cavaleiro decisively used a scissors move, taking Messi down to the ground.

Instantly, the entire Camp Nou was filled with angry boos from Barcelona fans.

”Yellow card, yellow card!”

”Send him off!”

”That’s definitely a yellow card!”

Cavaleiro already had a yellow card, and watching Messi writhing in pain on the ground, Barcelona players collectively pressured the referee.

If they can get Cavaleiro sent off with a red card in this match, Barcelona will take control of the match!

The referee was now facing a decision, it wasn’t clear what he was thinking, he summoned Cavaleiro to him, giving a verbal warning.

During this period, the fans in the stands at Camp Nou clearly realized something, starting to chant loudly: ”Red card, red card!”

Guardiola also nervously watched the referee, while Mourinho in the hotel also appeared tense.