I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 283: Chapter 21: End of the Season (Part 2)

Ancelotti moved Chen Zhong back to the position of central defender.

Ever since the Derby della Madonnina, whenever the team was on the verge of collapse, Ancelotti would choose to move Chen Zhong back to central defense to ensure the team’s unbeaten run.

And in the end, Milan successfully held onto the score, preventing Udinese from completing a comeback.

After defeating Udinese, Milan successfully advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, with their opponent being Hamburg. Facing the formidable Milan, no one thought they would fall at Hamburg’s feet.

Serie A Round 32

Milan once again claimed a 5:1 victory against Turin, while Inter Milan secured another draw against Juventus, bringing the point gap between the two teams to a subtle 6 points.

As long as Milan doesn’t make mistakes in the next 4 rounds.

Then Milan will clinch the Serie A title with two rounds to spare.

In Serie A Round 33, Milan won 3:0 against Palermo, while their rival Inter Milan lost narrowly by 1 goal to Naples, and Juventus was once again held to a draw.

In Serie A Round 34, Milan beat Catania 2:0, Inter Milan won their match, while Juventus once again ended up with another draw.

In the UEFA Europa League matches, Milan secured the victory with a 5:0 win in the first leg of the semi-final, virtually stepping one foot into the final. The only question left is whether they will face Miner or Dynamo Kyiv in the final.

The Italian media have already started envisioning Milan’s conquest of the UEFA Europa League.

In Serie A Round 35, Inter Milan drew 2:2 with Chievo. Milan faced Juventus in this round, and as long as they avoided defeat, they would successfully secure the championship.

Ancelotti played it safe, setting up a three-defender formation. In this match, Chen Zhong acted as the central defender, but the team lost 0:1 to Juventus.

In the second leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final, Milan made large-scale rotations, allowing Hamburg to score three consecutive goals in the first half. In the second half, Ancelotti brought on Chen Zhong, fixing him at the central defender position.

The final score settled at 4:0, and this match brought criticism from fans against Ancelotti.

In the recent two rounds, if it weren’t for Chen Zhong’s heroic efforts, serving as Milan’s solid shield and helping secure the scoreline, Milan would have long lost its advantageous position.

And through this beating by Hamburg, Ancelotti also started to adjust his mindset.

In League Round 36, Milan defeated Udinese 2:1, securing the league championship. On that day, a grand celebration was held in Milan City, and the next day, a championship ceremony took place, with Chen Zhong celebrating the season’s victory with Milan’s players on the bus.

In the last two league rounds, Milan appeared to be in a relaxed state, seemingly indifferent, ending the season smoothly with one win and one loss.

In the UEFA Europa League final, facing Miner, Milan drew 1:1 in regular time, eventually taking the game to a penalty shootout.

Chen Zhong took the fifth penalty and coolly scored, successfully eliminating Miner and helping Milan win the UEFA Europa League championship.

This was also Chen Zhong’s fourth championship in his career. At the age of 17, he already possessed the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga championship, UEFA Europa League championship, and the Serie A championship.

Some fans even counted the Railway Cup as a championship for Chen Zhong.

On a personal level, Chen Zhong was named the MVP of the UEFA Europa League final, Serie A’s Best Signing, once again won the FIFPro Best Young Player, and with his miraculous half-season performance transforming Milan, he was named in the Serie A Team of the Year (Central Defender).

At this point, Florentino officially announced his candidacy for the presidency of Real Madrid and paid the deposit.

Since he was the only candidate to pay the deposit, he would automatically become the president of Real Madrid on the election day unless someone else paid the deposit.

Before the media, this highly favored candidate, with no rivals, said to the media: ”I’m back!”

”I will participate in the Real Madrid presidential election, and...”

Florentino paused here, recalling how in his last election he promised the fans to bring Barcelona’s Luis Figo and gained support.

This time, however, he had an even better card...

”I will bring the world’s top stars to restore Real Madrid to its glory.”

”I will also bring our precious gem, Chen, back from Italy.”

”He will become the future leader of the team, carrying the banner of Real Madrid’s new era.”

This season, Chen Zhong played 13 times in the Serie A, scoring 7 goals and providing 5 assists, and appeared 5 times in the UEFA Europa League, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists. Although the statistics aren’t ”eye-catching,” his influence on Milan and his responsibility and performance in critical matches were remarkable.

Most importantly, Chen Zhong was still under 18 years old, yet he displayed such abilities.

How can this not fill the fans with great expectations?

This time may be the happiest for Real Madrid fans, with Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed to join, and the immensely talented Benzema, who led Lyon to four league titles, is rumored to be associated with Real Madrid.

More extraordinary is...

Having previously rejected Manchester City and Real Madrid, Kaka...

Reportedly, the Milan Club has already initiated Kaka’s transfer talks, but now it’s stuck at the issue of Chen Zhong.

Although Ancelotti has amicably terminated his contract with Milan, Milan acknowledges Chen Zhong’s contributions to the club. They know that Real Madrid would never be willing to sell Chen Zhong, yet they hope to rent Chen Zhong for another 1-2 seasons.

This would allow them ample time to find their midfield ”future.”

After assuming office, Florentino decisively rejected Milan Club’s ”unreasonable” request.

Currently, the only confirmed signing is Cristiano Ronaldo, whom Florentino doesn’t consider his own since it was Calderon who finalized the deal with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Moreover, for Florentino, who has experienced some ”hardships” in the past.

Such a star, still so young, might be difficult to manage.

Besides, Florentino has always had a ”youth training dream”; he prefers a ”Zidane + Pavin” policy of youth training plus superstars.

Florentino returned to his office.

Calderon’s personal belongings had long been cleared.

The entire Real Madrid was undergoing significant transformations. Sitting in the chair with his eyes closed, Florentino couldn’t help but review it all over again, even though he had conceived the future numerous times.

”Barcelona!”

”Guardiola...”

”Messi, the Six Crown King...” Florentino muttered, truly not expecting to face such a ”monster” upon this tenure!

In the summer of 2008, Rijkaard left, and the former King of Camp Nou, Guardiola, took over.

To ease locker room tensions, Barcelona let go of the core of the Dream Team II, Ronaldinho and Deco, promoting the then-21-year-old Messi as the new core.

Focusing on the youth academy was always a hallmark of Guardiola. At La Masia Youth Academy, he promoted young talents like Busquets, Pedro, and recalled Pique, who was not thriving at Manchester United, while consolidating Iniesta’s main position.

In the 2008/09 season, under Guardiola’s leadership, Barcelona won the league championship, Champions League, and King’s Cup, achieving the ”Triple Crown.”

If it were still the Galaxy Battleship era of Real Madrid, Florentino would naturally be fearless.

But under Calderon’s management, Real Madrid now could be described as ”a hundred pieces to be fixed.”

The new season...

Can Chen Zhong, like Messi, become the new core of Real Madrid?

Florentino hoped he could be, but he couldn’t help but make additional preparations, as he never placed all his expectations on one person.

(End of Volume)