I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 198: Chapter 72: Heartbroken and Falling Apart

In Real Madrid’s announced starting lineup, Chen Zhong’s name was not present, but it was in the full roster.

Some fans could understand that Real Madrid wanted to conserve strength for the upcoming second round of the Champions League round of 16, but more fans began to worry about Real Madrid’s prospects in this match.

”Van Nistelrooy is not playing, Guti is not playing, Chen is not playing either.”

”Can Soldado replace Van Nistelrooy?”

”Can Gago substitute for Chen?”

Not only did the fans have opinions about Real Madrid’s lineup, but even the commentators from major TV stations expressed: ”Diara lacks organizational ability; he can’t bridge the defense and midfield like Chen, nor does he have Guti’s vision in passing.”

”Real Madrid’s midfield doesn’t have a player who can stabilize the ball.”

”They need a player like Chen.”

Real Madrid’s 4-4-2 starting lineup for this match:

Raul, Soldado

Robben, Gago, Diara, Drenthe

Torres, Heinze, Cannavaro, Ramos

Casillas

This starting lineup has caused a lot of controversy.

Heinze’s performance as a center-back has not been outstanding, but Schuster still insists on playing Heinze in this match. Then there’s the use of Drenthe, Gago, and Diara in the midfield.

Robben at least had a commendable performance after returning, but Drenthe, Diara, and Gago have mostly ended up as substitutes and marginal players this season.

Especially Drenthe, who in last year’s ”black gold” incident, he and Pepe were main targets of criticism.

Pepe at least, although still reckless and injury-prone, managed to deliver some performances on the field. But Drenthe is different, given opportunities at the start of the season, yet proved inadequate at full-back, winger, and defensive midfielder positions, even leading to rumors of departure.

A player like this, even when facing a team like Villarreal.

But at such a critical moment, can they really rise to the occasion?

Finally, there’s Soldado.

Counting this match, he had only played three times this season, with two starts.

Although wearing Real Madrid’s number 9 jersey, he was once humorously called ”the weakest number 9 in team history” by fans. In crucial matches like this, people would prefer to see Baptista leading the attack.

Of course, it’s all said and done!

Ultimately, the most important reason is that Chen Zhong is not starting, but sitting on the bench.

Some players just have this presence. When they are on the field, you feel very assured, as if all problems are non-issues. But when they’re not on the field, you feel that the team is full of problems.

...

On the bench, Chen Zhong and Pepe sat together, discussing the situation on the field incredulously.

Twenty minutes into the match, Real Madrid had yet to produce a decent shot, which puzzled everyone.

”Before the match, no one paid much attention to Villarreal.”

”But judging by the current scene, Villarreal’s overall coordination and short-pass penetration are not inferior to Real Madrid.”

”No Guti, no Sneijder, no Baptista, no Chen Zhong.”

”Real Madrid’s midfield lacks an organizer, they’ve failed to make any meaningful passes for 20 minutes.”

”The midfield and forward line are completely disconnected, unable to threaten Villarreal’s goal.”

”In contrast, Villarreal managed two wing crosses and a direct pass in the middle during this period.”

”Though they didn’t score, Villarreal is undeniably at an advantage.”

During the commentator’s brief pause, Villarreal took the lead and breached Real Madrid’s goal.

It was an opportunity from a set piece. As the ball was delivered, Villarreal defender Caceres overpowered Heinze to score.

Nearby, Ramos stared blankly at the scene.

”Ramos doesn’t seem to be in the right state!”

”Chen, don’t you know?” Marcelo came over, recently clearly in Schuster’s bad graces: ”Ramos broke up.”

Elizabeth, who had been in sync with Ramos, announced through the media that she had decided to end her relationship with him.

The 2006 Miss Spain said the breakup reason was: falling in love with Ramos at the wrong time, and after thorough consideration, decided to end this relationship.

Ramos and Elizabeth had always been nice together. The high-profile Ramos aligned perfectly with Miss Elizabeth’s taste, embodying the concept of sports and entertainment being inseparable.

Previously, there were lingering romantic moments by the seaside, at Nadal’s matches, even on the streets of Madrid.

Clearly, Ramos and Elizabeth’s breakup affected him, his attention on the field seemed unfocused, and his actions began to appear ”rough.”

Trailing on the away field made Schuster furious, and amid his fury, Raul and Soldado began to actively fall back to assist.

Robben and Drenthe on the flanks started supporting the center.

Though there wasn’t any decent attack yet, Real Madrid gradually gained midfield ball control, at least they had possession from the appearance.

”Whoa!”

”Villarreal’s foul!”

”Bossong’s stamp on Ramos earned his eighth yellow card of the season.”

”Ramos looks very angry.”

”He needs to control his emotions.”

”Due to the lack of an offensive organization core, Real Madrid’s attack repeatedly failed to pose any threat to the home team, and faced with their tight defense, midfield and forward’s passing errors were frequent.”

”The camera was constantly on the bench showing Chen Zhong.”

”Maybe Schuster should consider making some changes.”

On the electronic screen, when Chen Zhong appeared, Real Madrid fans on the stands cheered and applauded, while Villarreal fans covered this with boos.

At this moment, the tide changed on the field.

In a battle for an aerial ball, Ramos elbowed Bossong, who just ”offended” him during the contest, which was clearly noticed by the main referee.

Thus, the referee blew his whistle and showed Ramos a yellow card.

It was a normal occurrence, but Ramos seemed unable to hold back after seeing the yellow card.

His face turned red, pointing at the referee while pulled back by teammates.

He glared angrily, as if ready to attack, and loudly berated: ”You are a piece of shit, you are just a piece of shit!”

”Red card!”

”The main referee showed a red card!”

”Will this change the entire progress of the match?”

”Ramos was so reckless, what’s wrong with him?”

”With this red card, Ramos became the fourth player in Real Madrid history with the most red cards.”

”He hasn’t served the team for long!”

”Ramos seems to accumulate yellow cards frequently in the Champions League, leading to suspension.”

”Now he’s suspended in both the Champions League and league?”

Seeing this, Schuster’s face turned dark.

While Villarreal fans in the stands at Villarreal’s home ground continued to laugh.

Just 27 minutes into the match, and they had one man down, doesn’t this greatly increase the chances of winning?

During their laughter, the camera showed Chen Zhong on the bench, gearing up, while the electronic board at the sideline displayed substitution numbers.

”Real Madrid made the first substitution adjustment.”

”Chen Zhong replaced Gago.”

”This means Drenthe will move back and become a full-back.”

”Real Madrid will adopt a 4-3-2 formation, Chen Zhong solo midfield?”

”Can this work?”