I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 858: Chapter 80: Intolerable Embarrassment (Part 2)

Possibly due to the pre-match public opinion, possibly because of the notoriety of receiving three red cards in the last four matches, the referee did not issue a second yellow card.

”Barcelona seems quite dissatisfied with this ruling!”

”They hope to see the referee issue a yellow card.”

”Cavaleiro already has a yellow card on him.”

”The referee definitely showed leniency.”

”This ruling is sure to spark controversy and discussion after the match.”

This ruling somewhat disrupted the rhythm of both teams.

The match continued, and Chen Zhong intensified his marking on Messi, even receiving a yellow card himself.

This was a rare sight, as Chen Zhong seldom picks up cards in a match.

This time, when Messi tried to use his old tricks again, Chen Zhong couldn’t help but resort to using hands and feet.

When Messi fell to the ground, he looked at Chen Zhong with a somewhat aggrieved expression, as if to say, ”Come on, brother, you too?”

”Chen Zhong received a yellow card!”

”Messi is very active in this match.”

”Chen Zhong is under a lot of pressure on the defensive end.”

In the hotel, Mourinho was somewhat silent; he suddenly felt that making Chen Zhong play as a Defensive Midfielder seemed like a wrong move.

Chen Zhong can somewhat contain Messi in the Defensive Midfielder position, but players like Messi, after being targeted several times, Barcelona is sure to figure out a counter.

If Chen Zhong were in the front, he would certainly pose more threats than in the defense.

Messi was silent for a time, but quickly, Xavi’s surgical knife-like pass brought Messi back to life.

Facing Alonso’s block, Messi at the top of the arc swung his leg in place.

The elevator ball from the inside of his left foot curved straight into the top right corner of the goal!

Barcelona fans on the stands let out a gasp of surprise, even Guardiola looked full of anticipation.

Could it be, a goal is coming?

Just as everyone was thinking this, Casillas displayed extraordinary reflexes, his body almost parallel to the crossbar in mid-air, barely getting his fingertips on the ball to change its trajectory.

Ultimately, this ball, seen by many as destined for the net, was once again blocked by Casillas!

The broadcast camera faithfully recorded the images of Messi looking up in regret and Casillas roaring with triumph.

Guardiola held his head in disbelief at Casillas’ face; his state was excellent in this match.

”Barcelona gradually took control of the rhythm of the game!”

”Real Madrid hardly had any decent offensive in the first half.”

”Alves, on the right side!”

”Beautiful!”

The cross from Alves on the right was like precision-guided, Messi’s chest control momentarily caught Alonso off guard, with a deft fake that made Albiol shift his center of gravity.

In a tight space, he created an opening; this exquisite performance made fans of both teams on the stands gasp in awe.

But Messi didn’t relax; he knew that man would soon arrive.

Before Chen Zhong could get there, Messi hurriedly pushed the ball towards the goal.

Chen Zhong reached out his leg, getting a touch on Messi’s left-foot push that sent the shot grazing past the post and out of bounds.

Fans of both teams on the stands inhaled sharply; everyone knew, if not for Chen Zhong’s block, Real Madrid might have already conceded.

Barcelona has begun to hold onto the rhythm of the game.

Near the center circle arc, Barcelona launched another attack, with Messi suddenly stepping forward to intercept Albiol’s turn ball, sending a defense-splitting ground pass before the ball even landed.

Villa understood the move and successfully broke the offside trap, his shot aiming for the far corner from the left side of the box was destined to score!

If not for Casillas again transforming into the Wall of Sighs, extending his arm to its extreme during a lateral dive, nudging the ball out with his fingertips.

Real Madrid would’ve been scored against by Barcelona this time.

Within a short span, Real Madrid’s captain completed three saves and punched the turf with a roar: ”Stay focused!””Don’t lose your attention again!””Damn it!”

Casillas absolutely had reason to be angry, as it had been a long time since he faced such a test.

Chen Zhong also looked helplessly at Kalanca on the sidelines, but Kalanca gave no instructions.

This made Chen Zhong feel quite unsettled inside.

In this 12-minute continuous high-pressure attack, Barcelona perfectly combined Tiki-Taka’s suffocating ball control with lightning counterattacks, with Messi achieving 6 breakthroughs out of 5 attempts, highlighting Real Madrid’s midfield barrier’s complete collapse.

If not for Casillas’ performance as if possessed, stopping three miraculous saves, the Galaxy Battleship might have already breached its gates.

Guardiola kept gesturing downwards on the sidelines, signaling his players to maintain the rhythm; but Real Madrid without Mourinho could only endure passively.

Maybe waiting for a flash of inspiration from some player.

”The match has reached the 35th minute!”

”The first half of the match is about to end!”

”But Real Madrid has only had one shot!”

The commentator’s voice was full of disbelief; such a scenario was quite rare for Real Madrid.

Barcelona launched another attack, Villa on the left rib met Marcelo’s block, using a backheel to flick the ball to the onrushing Pedro in a split second.

”The Sword” from 25 yards out took a direct shot without adjusting, the ball slicing through the Camp Nou rain-soaked night like a cannonball, yet spinning violently at the last second to graze the left post and fly out!

The broadcast captured Casillas’ stiffened back—this door god didn’t even make a move to save.

Barcelona’s playing with increasing confidence.

This wasn’t good news for Real Madrid.

Pedro didn’t care too much about this mistake, soon enough, Barcelona returned with full force.

Messi and Villa staged a ”two-man spin” on the left side of the box, with Huluwa deftly playing the ball back for Messi to angrily shoot towards the top left corner.

Chen Zhong simply didn’t have time to defend; it had been too long since he played in a defensive role, making him appear a bit rusty.

He could only place his hope on Casillas.

At this moment, Casillas, as if foreseeing the future, moved early, punching the ball out of bounds while fully stretched.

The Camp Nou big screen immediately replayed the save, showing a reaction time of just 0.28 seconds, comparable to the neural reflex speed of a tennis player returning serve.

Chen Zhong quickly found the second point and passed the ball to Alonso, who, after shaking off Xavi’s entanglement in midfield, delivered a 40-yard ground pass; Cristiano Ronaldo sprinted at a hundred meters speed on the right, sending a low cross before Alves could block.

Di Maria sneakily darted towards the goal, but saw Valdes pouncing on the ball like a hungry tiger.

This was Real Madrid’s second threatening attack all match, yet it didn’t even lead to a shot.

Di Maria held his head in regret, clearly displeased with himself for missing such an opportunity.

In the final moments of the first half, a dramatic scene unfolded: Barcelona fell into the offside trap 3 times in a row, with Messi’s attempt missing by just half a body.

The first half ended, the 0-0 scoreline taking both teams into halftime.

According to technical statistics, Barcelona dominated with 76% possession, supported by Iniesta’s 7 key passes, with a 91% pass success rate.

In contrast, Real Madrid set an embarrassing record with just 1 shot in the first half of a historic derby match, and a team pass success rate of only 68%, with Higuain’s touches (9 times) surprisingly fewer than goalkeeper Casillas (11 times).

This was absolutely intolerable for Real Madrid.

As Real Madrid players dejectedly headed to the locker room, Francisco appeared with a tablet.

He looked at the players and said, ”It’s the boss’s instructions!”

Real Madrid needed to make changes, and Mourinho had thought of a way, passing on his instructions.