I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 933: Chapter 26: Only Myself Left

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

This match garnered a lot of fan attention, partly because of Real Madrid’s inherent popularity, and partly due to the captivating saga of Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain.

Before the game, the two teams engaged in a war of words, with Enrique once again emphasizing the benefits of Mbappe’s departure for the team. However, this time, no one thought Enrique was stubbornly pretending to be unfazed.

Paris Saint-Germain showcased their strategic reliability with their first Champions League title and a resounding five-goal victory.

In this season, they continued with this tactic, and before this match, Alonso had Real Madrid players repeatedly watch and analyze Paris Saint-Germain’s games.

Inter Milan was often singled out as a backdrop.

After last season’s Champions League final, Enrique had firmly established himself as a ”true tactical mastermind.” His technique of kicking the ball directly into the opponent’s backfield was considered brilliant by some experts.

If you don’t understand tactics or don’t watch much football, you might think this is a dull, nonsensical, and wasteful act. But this act contains Enrique’s wisdom and tactical thinking.

The ball immediately reached the opponent’s backfield; with everyone still warming up, their condition not yet settled, Paris Saint-Germain launched a tactical forward press, pushing everyone into the opponent’s half unexpectedly.

It’s like playing cards, when you’re planning to start with a small hand, the opponent surprises you with a series of unbeatable plays.

If Enrique’s tactics were only about this, it wouldn’t be much, but his attention to tactical detail is extremely thorough. His big-kick tactic isn’t just a simple replication but has been researched and optimized.

This tactic was even imitated by other teams during the FIFA Club World Cup.

But they could only copy the structure, not the essence.

Simply put, it’s Enrique’s custom-made approach; his research on Inter Milan was extraordinarily detailed. For example, Paris Saint-Germain has thoroughly studied their shooting approach against Inter Milan.

Almost all shots were targeting tight angles and narrow gaps.

And they almost all scored, consistently using the reverse offside tactic.

Many might think, ”Who wouldn’t be able to do a reverse offside? Isn’t it just reverse offside?” But Paris Saint-Germain’s reverse offside tactic was about hitting the nail on the head.

Inter Milan’s habit was leaving a withdrawn defender to try generating offside via defensive depth, but what happened? Paris Saint-Germain simply didn’t give them the chance.

The forwards flexibly maneuvered, seamlessly connecting the left, center, and right lines, exploiting Inter Milan’s blind spots.

Applying a familiar saying here, it’s like dealing a hard blow to the good leg of a limping person.

In the Champions League final, facing the offside-trapping Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain didn’t get caught offside even once; all five goals were scored from regulation positions.

Recall earlier matches where the media claimed Inter Milan’s defense was rock solid. In reality, they had plenty of vulnerabilities and fell apart under pressure. Enrique’s team distinctly demonstrated a different level, with finely tuned tactics and formidable execution.

Little Inzaghi paled in comparison—the team’s strength was also a handicap. Comparing the two teams, they’re truly on different levels.

Candidly, tactics only shine when leading the right team.

Enrique’s tactical impact was glaringly evident.

The pressure started right at the first minute, with uncompromising ball control, pressure, and coordination leaving no gaps.

Enrique achieved true tactical domination.

The tactical impact was extraordinarily prominent, and often, tactical domination during the match allowed the players to consistently exploit opponent weaknesses, which Alonso deeply understands, having been tactically ”trapped” by Kompany in the Bundesliga.

Facing a tactical master like Enrique, the young Alonso felt a bit uneasy.

Enrique is a tactical genius, a strategic mastermind on the battlefield.

However, Alonso also found the method to counter Paris Saint-Germain; to win against Paris Saint-Germain, you must seize the midfield initiative.

”Control the midfield to win the championship.” This saying has never been wrong.

If Alonso were coaching Inter Milan at that time, it’s doubtful he could’ve led the team to win, but he is leading Real Madrid; he has midfielders like Chen Zhong who, though older, can still exhibit their skill after adequate rest.

Alonso repeatedly used Inter Milan games as classic case studies for players to analyze, and during matches, Enrique’s tactical arrangements shattered opponents’ psychological defenses, becoming examples studied by many coaches.

Chen Zhong watched many times, in that game, Inter Milan’s halftime was suffocated with no chance to rebound.

Enrique’s tactical design was not merely a flamboyant performance but a strategically precise masterpiece.

Observe the scene; ball control and rhythm—all within his grasp. Honour was determined at the instant of that opening kick.

From the start, he commanded like an overall director.

You could say, he became a legend.

It wasn’t just about tactical ingenuity; it was a perfect reversal execution.