I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 715: Chapter 14: Chen Unleashed

The Sevilla players suffered a setback in this exchange, allowing Chen Zhong to complete a rare nutmeg.

And when they tried to stop Chen Zhong, who already had a positional advantage, he was like an unstoppable bull.

The Sevilla players quickly retreated defensively, but their speed was clearly not as fast as the passing!

Chen Zhong passed the ball, and Cristiano Ronaldo picked it up and flicked it!

Kaka burst out from the side, shaking off the defenders around him.

At that moment, many Manchester United players watching the game remembered that wind-chasing youth, remembering the Brazilian Golden Boy who played tricks on Manchester United’s defense.

”Beautiful teamwork!”

”C. Ronaldo!”

”Flicked to Kaka.”

”Kaka’s starting speed is extremely fast!”

”Sparks between three Ballon d’Or winners!”

”One-on-one!”

”Penetrating the penalty area!”

No one can stop Kaka once he starts!

The Sevilla fans already clasped their hands together in prayer, begging for God’s mercy.

However, God did not show mercy, but Palop completed redemption!

This not-so-tall goalkeeper saw through Kaka’s intentions with a leg split, intercepting the ball!

”Beautiful save!”

”Palop!”

”This genius goalkeeper, famous in Sevilla, kept the goal unscathed!”

Andres Palop Cervera, born on October 22, 1973, in Valencia, Spain, is a Spanish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Sevilla.

Palop started from Valencia B team, but spent most of his career in the shadow of two great goalkeepers—Sobisarita and Canizares, who hold the top two records for goalkeeper appearances for Valencia.

In 1994, Palop began to shine with the B team, and Sobisarita transferred to Valencia the same year. For a full four years, Palop never had a chance to establish himself in the first team, even being loaned to Villarreal in the second division for the 1997/98 season.

In 1998, Sobisarita retired, and Palop thought his opportunity had come. Unexpectedly, Canizares transferred from Real Madrid, beginning a monopoly on the goalkeeper position, and until his transfer to Sevilla in 2005, Palop only represented Valencia in 43 league matches.

At Sevilla, Palop found a stage to showcase his talents, just like his compatriot Xavi Navarro, who also found no place in Valencia but became Sevilla’s spiritual leader.

Sevilla fans in the stands were chanting Palop’s name; he was their hero, as he had carved out his own little niche in Sevilla long ago.

In the 2007 UEFA Cup, Palop soared, with Hampton Park Stadium cheering for him three times as he saved three out of four penalty kicks from the Spanish players. Sevilla’s Door God was undoubtedly the most valuable player in the finals.

”Penalty kicks are like a lottery, and our luck was better this time.” Palop’s understated remark after the match was memorable, with the Spanish media rallying around him: ”This is Palop’s UEFA Cup!”

Sevilla defended their title to the end, with Palop achieving seven clean sheets out of twelve matches, playing an outstanding role.

In the round of 16 away against Shakhtar Donetsk, it was Palop who saved the day in the 4th minute of stoppage time with a header, rescuing the defending champions. In the finals, he initiated a counterattack with a throw, assisting Adriano to open the scoring for Sevilla, and he did not disappoint in the penalty shootout, proving himself potentially even better than Canizares.

In the 2001 Champions Cup final against Bayern, Canizares saved just one penalty, losing to Kahn, who saved three. This time, the victor was Palop, who also saved three penalties.

This was the result of hard work. Sevilla coach Ramos revealed after the match, ”Before the penalties, I intended to tell him about the opposing players’ tendencies, but it proved completely unnecessary. He won us the UEFA Cup.”

Palop celebrated heartily, his modest physique stretching out as he eyed the three Ballon d’Or winners sharply, seemingly saying that even if their shoots were rocket missiles, he would still thwart them.

Injury came earlier than a goal.

Just the 10th minute, and a Sevilla player was already injured.

Caceres was preparing on the sidelines, and Sergio Sanchez, in defense, attempted from the side to knock Chen Zhong down, but the result was unexpected.

Chen Zhong merely stumbled, while Sergio Sanchez couldn’t continue the match on the ground.

”Are we substituting?”

”Yes, a substitution is needed!”

”Sanchez can’t carry on.”

On the sidelines, Mourinho couldn’t suppress a laugh while, on the other side, Mansano had entirely different feelings, as the indomitable coach clearly realized the gap.

In the time that followed, they focused the team more on defense, thus acknowledging their standing.

Sevilla stabilized their defense and passed the ball horizontally more often to exhaust Real Madrid’s stamina, making the scene appear unsightly.

The game reached 30 minutes, and there hadn’t been a decent shot, making countless fans find it unbelievable.

Before the match, the banter between the teams seemed like they were going to knock each other’s heads off, but now?

Actually, there were chances for counterattack!

But Cristiano Ronaldo’s impatience led him repeatedly into Sevilla’s offside traps, bringing a slight grin to Benzema’s lips on the sidelines.

See!

Sometimes, it’s really easy to fall into the offside trap.

The first half ended, and Real Madrid’s most threatening shot was Chen Zhong’s heavy cannon from outside the penalty area, which hit the crossbar—a little lower, and it would’ve been a beautiful goal.

This shot also gave the Sevilla players a fright and a sigh of relief.

The 0-0 score was clearly unsatisfying for Real Madrid’s players, but for Sevilla’s players, it was somewhat acceptable.

This was evident from the stern expressions of the Real Madrid players upon exiting and the joyful and relaxed faces of the Sevilla players.

And before entering the locker room, every Real Madrid player had to endure provocations from the Sevilla fans.

They shouted all sorts of things, made unfriendly gestures, and although Qu Yuan from Real Madrid was displeased, there was nothing he could do.

In the locker room, Mourinho adjusted the team’s tactics.

Though possessing an advantage in his rivalry with Valdano, his goal remained unfulfilled; he needed continuous victories to make the club compromise.

However, Sevilla clearly wouldn’t let him have his way.

The second half began, and Zokora and Alexis consecutively fouled Cristiano Ronaldo, both receiving yellow card warnings.

Kaka was repeatedly knocked to the ground.

Only Chen Zhong was undisturbed.

Clearly, his impact in the first half, reducing Sevilla by one player, had them intimidated.

”Chen Zhong!”

”A direct slide tackle!”

”Romaric!”

”This is undoubtedly bad news for Sevilla!”

Mansano stood by the field, his face dark.

Just now, Sevilla snatched the ball using successive slide tackles, and as Romaric took possession, Chen Zhong was distant yet executed a slide tackle.

Romaric was sent flying, with the ball sliding out of bounds.

These were insignificant; Sevilla anticipated retaliation with their large maneuvers.

But Romaric, lying on the ground, couldn’t continue the match.

This was the second one.

Just 50 minutes into the match!

This was something Mansano couldn’t accept, nor could the Sevilla fans accept.

As Chen Zhong walked to the sidelines and looked down at the suffering Romaric on the ground, nearby Sevilla fans hurled water bottles at him!

They couldn’t hit Chen Zhong, but seeing him scramble would suffice!

Yet Chen Zhong didn’t fulfill their wish.

Raising his right hand, he caught the bottle firmly.

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