I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 950: Chapter 33: Champions League Final! Begin! (2)

Unable to turn the body, let alone pass forward.

As for passing sideways to Chen Zhong, that seems to be a good choice. Mbappe didn’t hesitate; seeing the defense pressure mounting, he passed the ball back to Chen Zhong.

Guardiola watched this scene, feeling inexplicably nostalgic.

After all, when he first got to know Chen Zhong, it was Chen Zhong’s ball washing and guarding ability that won his heart.

After Chen Zhong received the ball, he too faced the defense from Manchester City players.

However, his ability to guard the ball is exceptional. Even in the face of the opponent’s aggressive pressing, continuing ball control wasn’t too difficult for him, and his broad vision allowed him to easily transfer the ball, with other Real Madrid players surrounding him.

Chen Zhong withdrew his gaze from Mbappe, noting that Manchester City’s defense against Mbappe was very tight. What about Vinicius then?

He thought of the Brazilian youngster who lost the Ballon d’Or, wondering if he has learned restraint, to hold his tongue against unnecessary acts.

At that time, São Caetano’s defense against Chen Zhong was not aggressive, just average, and as a result, Chen Zhong scored a goal.

At this thought, he flicked his ankle and passed the ball to Vinicius, who had already raised his arm.

Just as he passed the ball, he saw Manchester City’s Rodri approaching Vinicius from behind.

Chen Zhong widened his eyes — he really didn’t expect Manchester City’s defense against Vinicius would be tight too!

This indicated their defense against Vinicius was also very stringent.

Things are looking bad now. If Vinicius continues to wait in place, the ball will certainly be intercepted!

No time to remind Vinicius, Chen Zhong made immediate preparations for defense. He had already begun to adjust his steps, imagining in his mind what to do should Vinicius lose the ball.

Manchester City fans, seeing this scene, were overjoyed. A thought floated in their minds — if the ball is intercepted, then can they launch an attack?

Yes, their minds were filled with this very simple thought.

Intercept Vinicius’s ball, then Manchester City launches an attack and scores.

Vinicius did feel the pressure from behind.

However, he is a Brazilian player, and during this time under Chen Zhong’s guidance, he has gradually dimmed his glow somewhat. Perhaps, in Chen Zhong’s eyes, it’s not enough, but he has indeed matured.

Here comes Rodri.

The man who snatched his Ballon d’Or.

Vinicius has long wanted to teach Rodri a lesson; he studied Rodri carefully.

Rodri’s strong body and precise judgment are what he fears the most.

So this time, it seems the Brazilian winger has really ”learned a lesson.”

He did not insist on controlling the ball in place trying to turn around, nor did he blindly seek a personal breakthrough.

At the instant Chen Zhong passed the ball, Vinicius had already sharply noticed Rodri’s movement.

His body was like a drawn bow, smoothly controlling the ball Chen Zhong passed forward with his left foot — instead of stopping it dead, he let it roll away half a step from his body, while he shot off like an arrow towards the baseline!

This was an extremely clever and decisive choice.

Rodri dashed in vain! He originally anticipated Vinicius would stop the ball, turn, or guard it, and had already extended his foot to reach the ball’s position. But Vinicius used speed and anticipation to deal with it, directly leaving him behind. A burst of delighted exclamations erupted from the Real Madrid stands at Wembley Stadium.

”Beautiful! Vinicius! Shook off Rodri!” Chinese reporters in their section simultaneously shouted, fingers rapidly tapping keys to send brief messages.

This scene surprised many fans as well. After entering the new season, Vinicius’s shine seemed overshadowed by Mbappe, momentarily sinking into silence. Yet now, this Brazilian winger has apparently regained some magic.

Chen Zhong witnessed the scene, his taut nerves suddenly relaxed, immediately turning into an offensive signal.

He halted his intended retreat, instead pushing forward, with his arm raised high pointing to the vacancies along Manchester City’s box edge.

His goal was clear, like a nail driven into the opponent’s heart.

After Vinicius shook off Rodri, the space opened up wide.

He hesitated not a bit, observed while he curled a beautiful arc with the inner side of his right foot!

The ball swirled with intense inward spin, accurately sailing over Ake’s head, flying towards the danger zone between Manchester City’s small box line and penalty spot!

There, a white figure moved in like a phantom!

”Vinicius’s dribble past!”

”Decisively crossed!”

”Over Ake’s head!”

”Flying towards Manchester City’s box!”

”It is...”

”Chen Zhong!”

Chen Zhong! Again, it’s Chen Zhong, and when needed, he always appears at that crucial spot!

Despite the ravages of time, this veteran’s instincts and experience in front of the goal remain top-notch.

He anticipated Vinicius’s passing route and, after its completion, promptly adjusted his plan. Ruben Dias’s focus wasn’t on him, but by the time he snapped back, Chen Zhong had already gained distance.

The Portuguese center-back could only witness Chen Zhong, the legend often recounted by his old captain Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Guardiola.

Unfolding legend before his eyes!

”Bang!”

A muffled sound! Chen Zhong stretched his body, striking the ball in mid-air!

This kind of action has been performed many times in his career, each capable of thrilling fans, and it seems this time will be no exception.

The entire Wembley seemed to hold its breath at this moment.

Guardiola at the sidelines leaned forward, hands unconsciously clenched into fists, eyes glued to the ball’s trajectory.

In his mouth, praying it wouldn’t lead to the unfavorable conclusion he dreaded!

”Dong——!!!”

A crisp yet heart-wrenching sound resonated through the field! The ball slammed like a missile at the intersection of the crossbar and post, fiercely bouncing back onto the field!

”Ah——!!!” Real Madrid fans’ sighs combined into a tremendous wave of disbelief and regret.

Manchester City fans’ hearts nearly jumped into their throats, soon erupting into cheers of relief after surviving a scare.

Alisson reacted swiftly, immediately pressing the rebounded ball tightly beneath him, preventing any goalmouth chaos.

Seeing the ball snatched by Alisson, Chen Zhong shook his hand forcefully, his face full of regret, but a hint of admiration flickered in his eyes.

He approached the equally frustrated Mbappe and Vinicius, who initially intended to rush forward for a rebound shot, yet one was too far, and the other was simply too late.

Chen Zhong vigorously slapped their backs: ”Good play! Keep it up! More chances will come!”

Vinicius’s choices and passes this time proved his judgment correct. Manchester City’s defenses tightly guarded both flanks, yet Real Madrid still had the capability to break open the defense line.

On the sidelines, Guardiola’s tense body slightly relaxed, but his brows furrowed deeper. He saw Real Madrid’s sharp attack this time, especially Vinicius’s decisive maneuver against Rodri.

He turned to his assistant, quickly instructing something.

Alonso then clapped his hands by the field, though it was not a goal, but the attacking routine executed posed significant threats, enough to sound a warning to Manchester City’s defense.

Involuntarily, he glanced again at the gloomy sky above London, the rain seemingly thicker than before.

Fans who had just found their seats missed the ”probing” of the initial three minutes but witnessed this thrilling post shot right on time! They stood stunned, forgetting to sit, with only one thought left in their minds: this finale might not settle from the beginning.

Thinking about it, things seem to have become quite interesting.