I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 433: Chapter 67: A New Chapter Begins (Welcome...) (Part 2)

Many fans no longer care who is at the top of the league’s scoring chart; they’re more concerned about whether Chen Zhong can break the single-season scoring record in La Liga.

The single-season record in La Liga is 38 goals, and it has been achieved by two La Liga Golden Boot winners.

The popularity of this topic even made Florentino unable to resist asking Pellegrini, hoping Pellegrini would give Chen Zhong more opportunities to shoot in the upcoming tactics.

Now facing Florentino, Pellegrini appears very calm. He accepts Florentino’s request, which is reflected in the tactical training.

Recently, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a bit gloomy, but he quickly adjusted his mindset. He is just slightly behind in the competition; as long as he continues to improve, sooner or later, everything Chen Zhong has will belong to him!

In the 25th round of La Liga, Real Madrid will face the challenge of Sevilla at home.

This match is also seen by many as a preview of the King’s Cup final.

Sevilla’s strength is something that cannot be underestimated, and their coach is Jimenez.

He previously coached Sevilla’s second team for 7 years, nurturing many players, and this season is leading Sevilla to perform excellently in the league, with many outstanding players on their team.

Alvaro Negredo and Sevilla have some connections too; if Negredo hadn’t returned to Valencia, he would have likely joined Sevilla last season after performing well at Almeria.

After Negredo returned to Real Madrid, Sevilla’s frontline was led by Chen Zhong’s old acquaintance, Frederic Kanoute. Their first encounter was at the Super Cup three years ago.

Back then, in his first official match for Real Madrid, Chen Zhong changed the course of the match with a fearless header, simultaneously breaking Kanoute’s curse of scoring goals in the final and his team winning the championship.

In subsequent encounters with Sevilla, Chen Zhong always had accomplishments, which also led many Sevilla fans to consider Chen Zhong an ”enemy.”

This man, who defeated Côte d’Ivoire’s Drogba and Ghana’s Essien, became the first Malian elected as Africa’s Mr. Football since 1970 when Salif Keita won the inaugural title. Now he is Sevilla’s absolute starter, also gaining the upper hand in the competition with another forward, Luis Fabiano.

This Brazilian ”bad boy” was once regarded as the ”Sao Paulo Twin Stars” alongside Kaka when they played for Sao Paulo, having multiple opportunities to join prestigious clubs throughout his career.

Real Madrid once nearly signed this bad boy, with Schuster wanting him to replace the injured Van Nistelrooy in 2008.

However, at that time, Fabiano’s ownership was quite complicated, and Fabiano wanted to meet Kaka in Milan, so the deal was eventually shelved.

When Chen Zhong joined Milan, he heard Kaka’s evaluation of Fabiano, saying, ”I know how to cooperate with him, and he knows when to make a run forward.”

”Chen, I hope we can also have such tacit understanding.”

”Maybe, I can introduce you guys.”

Kaka and Fabiano had once planned to reunite in the Serie A, but fate played tricks on them, and they never truly reunited; however, their phone calls have never stopped, with Fabiano being the first to stand up and support Kaka during crises.

Although due to injuries, Fabiano no longer has the ferocity he had when he first joined Sevilla, his strength remains undeniable.

Besides Kanoute and Fabiano, Sevilla has many other strong players.

Sevilla’s emergence has renewed hope for Barcelona fans, who are eager to see Sevilla thwart Real Madrid in the league.

For this match, no doubt many Barcelona fans will temporarily become ”Sevilla” fans, cheering and rooting for Sevilla.

In the pre-match interview, Sevilla shows great importance for the match, appearing quite serious, with head coach Jimenez saying to reporters: ”This is just a league match and cannot determine the King’s Cup champion.

”Even if we win this match, it doesn’t mean we automatically win the King’s Cup.”

”Similarly, even if we lose at the Bernabeu, it doesn’t mean we will lose in the King’s Cup final two months later.”

Compared to head coach Jimenez’s subtlety, Kanoute is more straightforward, saying to the camera: ”I have had championship trophies taken away by Chen once.”

”I won’t let that happen again.”

Fabiano completely avoids discussing the match, instead bringing up his ”missing” friend Kaka, saying: ”I just want to know whether my old friend Kaka can play against Real Madrid.”

”I’ve kept in touch with him over the phone, and I know his injury is almost healed.”

”I look forward to the opportunity to compete alongside him.”

Some fans unfamiliar with Fabiano and Kaka’s relationship complain that Fabiano may not start or even play, while knowledgeable fans understand that Fabiano is standing up for Kaka.

The match between Real Madrid and Sevilla is on March 7, 2010. In nearly three months, Callejon and Granero have gradually secured their spots on the right flank.

It’s normal for Fabiano to be worried about his friend.

Real Madrid responds, with Pellegrini stating to the camera: ”He’s partially correct; this match result doesn’t decide the King’s Cup champion.”

”However, I hope he acknowledges one thing: this is the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The last team that tried causing trouble here faced an unpleasant score.”

”Regarding Kaka’s issue, we have a dedicated team evaluating. He might play in this match or might not; it’s not for us to decide but requires the team to tell me he’s ready.”

”This readiness may be today or tomorrow; who knows?”

Pellegrini actually knows Kaka’s physical condition, but Real Madrid’s tactics differ with or without Kaka. Since Sevilla brought it up, a smoke screen shouldn’t be missed.

With more than half the season gone, Pellegrini’s mindset has improved.

After all, the team is doing well on all fronts. After playing Sevilla at home against Lyon, likely facing Bordeaux next. If not Bordeaux, Olympiacos won’t matter, since the team already thrashed the group stage opponent.

Advance to the semi-finals comfortably, then win two more matches.

Hehe.

I have the potential to be a championship-winning coach.

Secure the league and King’s Cup, then capture the Champions League title.

If Real Madrid prefers to heed my advice more often, staying there might not be impossible!

In Pellegrini’s pleasant fantasies, time quickly moves to matchday, after which the team will play the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 at home.

The opponent is the former nemesis Lyon.