I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 544: Chapter 27: Three Axes? (Part 2)

In the players’ tunnel, the players of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid lined up on either side.

Marcelo glanced at Atletico Madrid’s players, focusing mainly on Aguero, then walked over to Chen Zhong’s side and tugged at Chen Zhong’s sleeve, saying: ”Chen!”

”Do you feel like they’re a bit different in this match?”

”Different?”

Chen Zhong looked back at Marcelo, then turned to the Atletico Madrid lineup. He was no longer the young and inexperienced player he was three years ago.

This was his fourth season in professional play and his third complete season with Real Madrid.

He had defeated Atletico Madrid several times already.

What could be different?

However, after observing the expressions on the Atletico Madrid players’ faces, Chen Zhong did notice something peculiar.

It seemed that the previous Atletico Madrid coach had become too familiar with the players.

So the Atletico Madrid players exhibited a sense of relaxation.

Of course, in the game, they would still ”give their all,” but because they were too familiar with the coach, they lacked a sense of urgency, appearing somewhat lazy overall.

But now, Chen Zhong saw discipline and morale in them.

Especially when he made eye contact with Aguero, he didn’t see any evasiveness but rather a sense of fighting spirit.

Atletico Madrid’s coach, Diego Simeone, seemed to have something about him!

At least, since he took over Atletico Madrid, the players’ laziness had significantly reduced.

”CCTV, CCTV.”

”We are now broadcasting live the focus match of the 10th round of the 2010/11 La Liga season.”

”The match will take place at 04:00 Beijing time on November 8th, and 21:00 local time in Spain on the 7th.”

”In the last 17 local derby matches between the two, Real Madrid remained unbeaten with 11 wins and 6 draws, and Atletico Madrid’s last league derby win was a 3-1 away victory in March 1999.”

”The two teams have faced each other 146 times in league history, with Real Madrid holding the upper hand with 79 wins, 32 draws, and 35 losses, including 49 wins, 12 draws, and 12 losses at home. Real Madrid continues to maintain their winning starting lineup in the league.”

”On Atletico Madrid’s side, key central defenders Pereira and Goding have returned from injury, with the front line still consisting of Fernando and Aguero.”

”Before the match, Mourinho described this match as just an ordinary game, which made Atletico Madrid’s fans feel underestimated, and Atletico Madrid’s new coach Diego Simeone also responded.”

”Okay, the camera is on the players, Cristiano Ronaldo, our old acquaintance.”

”In his Manchester United days, fans fondly called him ’Little Ronaldo, Flower Luo,’ but now everyone refers to him uniformly as C. Ronaldo.”

”Recently, he has been in hot form, even completing his first career four-goal haul.”

”Then there’s Kaka, this Brazilian star has many fans at home, and after undergoing surgery last season, his body is gradually returning to peak condition, but his overall play style seems less sharp.”

”In team attacks, he often plays more of a supporting role.”

”Finally, there’s Chen Zhong, who is closely followed by domestic fans. He is a popular candidate for this year’s Ballon d’Or, having won quadruple Golden Boots in Europe, La Liga, the Champions League, and the King’s Cup last season, helping the team win the league and King’s Cup titles.”

”He is now Real Madrid’s number 10, the team captain, and is referred to as the ’Light of Asia’ in Asia.”

”From the camera, we can feel that the moment this team icon appears, the cheers from the entire stadium, even beyond the camera, can be felt with great enthusiasm.”

Players from both teams exchanged flags and took sides, while in the stands, the Real Madrid fans chanted ”Chen” to express their support for Chen Zhong.

Recently, there have been some negative comments around Chen Zhong, and they are using this way to tell everyone that Chen is their icon.

Cristiano Ronaldo listened to the cheers in the stadium, his expression somewhat complicated, but soon his gaze became firm again.

If the fans don’t treat him with the same standard as Chen Zhong, it can only mean one thing.

It means he hasn’t scored enough goals.

Cristiano Ronaldo had already figured it out.

Messi’s dribbling is world-renowned, Chen Zhong’s strength and versatility are world-renowned, if he wants to overtake them, he can only work on his ”finishing ability.”

He wants to score!

Score lots and lots of goals.

Become the ultimate terminator on the pitch.

”Atletico Madrid has the kickoff.”

”Do you remember when Chen Zhong first participated in the Derby de Madrid?”

”That time, Atletico Madrid quickly scored a goal, but Chen Zhong was not yet on the pitch.”

”He came on after conceding a goal, and many people thought Atletico Madrid could win that match.”

”But Chen Zhong’s outstanding performance in defense caused them to narrowly miss out on victory.”

”Okay, the match has officially started.”

Diego Simeone stood on the sidelines with his arms crossed, looking cool, but his gaze also showed real anxiety. Although he appeared strong in front of the camera, he had never coached in a top league like La Liga.

Facing Real Madrid, he inevitably felt a bit apprehensive.

The ball quickly shifted to the wing.

Real Madrid’s middle had Chen Zhong sitting in, although Chen Zhong wouldn’t focus on defense anymore, the recent Champions League group stage encounter with Milan told everyone.

Although Chen Zhong is not a defensive midfielder anymore.

But, if you want to challenge Real Madrid head-on in midfield, Chen Zhong just needs to make a slight move to show them who’s the boss.

Although Diego Simeone didn’t speak highly of Chen Zhong, as a former midfielder, how could he ignore such a midfield monster as Chen Zhong?

The ball quickly shifted to the wing.

It seemed like keeping it at their feet for even a moment would burn them.

Reyes on the wing took the ball, and this side was guarded by Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo.

The Portuguese is not a player enthusiastic about defense, which prevented Mourinho from replicating his tactics from Inter Milan and required more support from Kaka to maintain midfield depth.

And Marcelo?

Recently, Mourinho declared that Marcelo is the world’s best left-back. He is an excellent left-back, but Marcelo’s issues remain clear.

That compared to his offensive ability, Marcelo’s defensive ability is truly unbearable to look at.

Diego Simeone watched Reyes, and sure enough, he quickly dribbled down the wing, reaching Real Madrid’s dangerous area. If they can score a goal in this early attack, the chances of winning the match would greatly increase.

Atletico Madrid’s tactics were later humorously called by fans ”three axes.”

Mourinho stood on the sidelines, keenly sensing the threat. Atletico Madrid was too lively at the beginning, and their 442 formation, coupled with the indescribable style the players displayed on the pitch, made Mourinho slightly uneasy.

”Francisco.”

”Have they always had this style?” Although Mourinho asked Francisco, his eyes already held the answer.

”Atletico Madrid’s attack.”

”Reyes has the ball on the wing.”

”Passed to Fernando.”

”Drawing the defenders’ attention.”

”Another shot!”

”Smooth attack.”

”Into the penalty area!”