I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 690 - 2: Tough Guy! (Part 2)

He didn’t attempt a physical confrontation with Chen Zhong.Instead, he kept his legs together and slid in with a veteran’s loving tackle towards the young player he envied.

Chen Zhong jumped to avoid Juan Fran’s slide tackle, and the ball rolled to Fran’s feet. This once-famed La Liga Golden Boot and Uruguayan striker took no hesitation in passing the ball to Reyes on the other side.

The former Real Madrid champion evaded Ramos’s interception, then dribbled the ball inward a few steps before slotting a straight pass to Aguero, who was cutting in from the sideline.

Aguero’s reputation is well-deserved, particularly his awareness for forward runs is spot-on.

He immediately moved into the danger zone, and having learned from earlier, he didn’t pause to control the ball but passed it on with one direct kick.

Chen Zhong retracted his sliding motion, his pupils slightly widening as he shouted, "Watch out, Pepe!"

Ramos was still near Reyes, and player movement is never faster than passing the football. By the time the ball reached Aguero’s feet, and he made a through ball behind Pepe, Fran slanted from the gap between Pepe and Ramos, chasing the ball.

What was even more dispiriting was that Casillas had already left the small penalty area.

Casillas tried his best to limit Fran’s shooting angle, and Fran didn’t shoot easily until the angle was incredibly tight, then made a small angle instep flick.

Casillas misjudged the direction. Although he extended his leg midway, attempting to replicate his miracle against Robben, he failed.

The ball bypassed Casillas’s restless leg and sank into the net.

Atletico Madrid broke the deadlock first at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

In that moment, Diego Simeone was ecstatic, and the Atletico Madrid fans in the stands raised their hands high, cheering loudly!

Having completed the goal, Fran was also extremely excited. He ran towards the corner flag, grasped the bottom of his shirt, wanting to take it off, but after a moment’s hesitation, he let it go.

After all, ever since he took off his shirt without putting it back on and continued the match shirtless, removing the shirt had been restricted.

Casillas watched Fran celebrating, his hands on his hips, his expression indescribable.

Pepe looked towards Ramos, filled with unsaid words, while Mourinho watched this unfold from the sidelines, shaking his head, and commented to Francisco beside him, "Diego Simeone’s attack cannot be a regular feature, it’s too reliant on luck."

The 442 formation is a tactic balanced between offense and defense, but Diego Simeone’s 442 has no so-called balance, only defending till the end.

Their defense, as per Mourinho, was commendable, but their attack made him feel somewhat "mediocre" or "monotonous."

"Ball, ball!" Chen Zhong shouted at Casillas, and his voice slowly brought the other Real Madrid players back to their senses. Chen Zhong didn’t yell or blame anyone but reminded them all with his request for the ball.

Frustration?

Frustration, my ass!

It’s only been a few minutes, although it’s a bit embarrassing that Atletico Madrid broke through our goal.

But, fight back!

For some reason, just looking at Chen Zhong filled their hearts with motivation, as if there was some invisible aura on Chen Zhong encouraging them.

While Atletico Madrid was still celebrating, Real Madrid had already put the ball in the center circle, waiting to kick off.

"Atletico Madrid scored?"

"0:1"

"This..."

Atletico Madrid was no longer the Atletico Madrid of the past. Ugly or iron-blooded was the label of Atletico Madrid’s defense, and for their offense, there was only one phrase: unbearable to watch.

Under Diego Simeone’s coaching, although Atletico Madrid had a different spirit and morale, their matches had too many 0:1 or 1:0 scores.

Excessive draws were also the most direct reason Atletico Madrid fell short of the championship.

Besides, many voices from outside had given Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone considerable pressure, but this coach from Argentina would still forsake offense for defense under any circumstance.

Before this match, Real Madrid didn’t take Atletico Madrid’s offense seriously, even questioning whether they could score any goals altogether.

After all, Atletico Madrid’s offense mostly relied on crosses from the wings and competing for second balls to secure attacking chances. In a match, it was rare to see them change their tactics significantly.

Of course, in smaller aspects, there were some developments. For instance, although Atletico Madrid’s ball control wasn’t great, their small area coordination was excellent, particularly in a few passes on the wing that could break through opposition defenses, creating excellent attacking opportunities.

This was also one of the reasons Chen Zhong had to retract and tackle Aguero just now.

Just now, failing to keep the ball after intercepting it was primarily due to Atletico Madrid’s "robust" defense. They piled up many players in the midfield, even at the cost of sacrificing their offensive talents and possibilities.

Typically, when they intercepted the ball, they’d have a defensive midfielder or what’s more of a defensive midfielder distribute it — just like Raul Garcia did just now.

After his successful interception in the midfield, he immediately passed the ball to the frontline players.

This also highlighted their third small strategy: the wing breakthrough player. It was Diego Simeone’s backup plan, attempted usually when the team couldn’t open the scoring or was trailing, and Reyes showed this well just now.

Lastly, it was Aguero and Fran carrying the ball at the beginning.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid needed a "main leg" or a central figure for their offense. Such a central figure needed good vision, strong dribbling, calmness, and the ability to energize the front line.

But due to the heavy defensive duties, such players were hard to find; at least Aguero could only fulfill part of Diego Simeone’s requirements, and the same went for Fran.

In attack, they always showed "talent," but in defense, they seemed to lack something.

As Chen Zhong pondered, he also reviewed the just-conceded goal, thinking he shouldn’t have focused so much on Aguero after taking the ball and should have refrained from making those extra steps.

Real Madrid’s attack requires a connection point.

And he is Real Madrid’s playmaking core; when he retreats to defend, there’s no one to pass the ball to immediately after gaining possession.

Atletico Madrid’s quick pressing would in an instant cut off most of the passing routes.

Conversely, he should stay in the front line, waiting in open space for a ball, contributing more to the team.

To take the recent example, even if Aguero had the ball, he’d have to find ways to penetrate through Alonso, Khedira, Cavaleiro, Pepe, and other defensive players, which was quite difficult given Atletico Madrid’s attacking methods.

And at that moment, if Real Madrid intercepted the ball, they wouldn’t need a second thought, just immediately pass it to him.

"Real Madrid’s attack."

"The ball goes to Chen Zhong."

"Chen Zhong and his teammates engage in continuous one-twos."

"Marcelo surges forward down the wing."

"Passed to C. Ronaldo."

"C. Ronaldo and Marcelo execute a one-two."

"Ball delivered to the middle."

"Benzema gets the ball, shoots immediately."

"It’s over the bar!"

The Real Madrid fans in the stands sigh with regret, and Diego Simeone shouts loudly. It’s clear that after Atletico Madrid scored, their desire to attack greatly diminished, their defense’s willpower strengthened, whereas some Real Madrid players seemed to have differences in their determined resolve.

For example, Benzema...

Benzema turned his head, noticing Chen Zhong in the open spot, he couldn’t help but lower his head. He could have passed the ball to Chen Zhong but thought it was a good opportunity.

"Rikam."

"Here." Benzema raised his head: "I’m here."

Chen Zhong patted Benzema’s shoulder, not saying anything, which oddly relaxed Benzema.

"I’m just a supporting role."

Benzema muttered to himself, "I’m just a supporting role."

"I..."

"Am a supporting role?"

Once dubbed the "White Ronaldo," Benzema still had those two hearts.

One is discontent, the other is greed.