I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 725: Chapter 18: Looking Up to Him (Part 2)

Benzema

Cristiano Ronaldo, Chen Zhong, Kaka

Alonso, Khedira

Alvaro, Cavaleiro, Albiol, Ramos

Casillas

Benzema starting in this match was unexpected for many fans. In the pre-match predictions, people leaned towards Adebayor starting and Benzema on the bench.

Additionally, seeing Marcelo and Pepe on the bench in the defense was unexpected for many.

However, people’s main focus was still on Benzema.

For forwards like Benzema, people often use the number of goals as a measure of their form.

And Benzema’s goal count clearly wasn’t up to the mark.

Also, his reserved personality wasn’t very popular.

But perhaps due to Adebayor joining, Benzema has become more active recently, more willing to voice his opinions during interviews.

Recently, Benzema openly stated in an interview that his style sometimes puts him at a disadvantage in scoring; he sacrifices too much.

When interviewed by ”Marca,” he also said, ”Perhaps I should think more about myself, score more goals.”

Moreover, Benzema expressed his views on Adebayor joining, not considering him a competitor, but looking at it from another angle, saying he didn’t see the club signing Adebayor as a warning: ”His arrival won’t take my spot.”

Is Benzema the forward Real Madrid needs?

In recent matches, this Frenchman has started to show his strength. Meanwhile, he also began reflecting on his style of play, realizing that to succeed at Real Madrid, he needs to give up some things.

”Marca” believes a big proof of Benzema’s improvement is that, although the team lost in Pamplona, no one blamed him as they used to when the team lost.

Now, Benzema seems ”fresher” than before, more decisive than Di Maria, but he also knows that unless he scores, it’s hard to truly prove his value.

”Perhaps I should think more about myself, more about scoring goals. Of course, I’ll also continue to provide passes for my teammates to score. I know playing in my position means I must score, but I insist on passing.”

Benzema had a tough week.

First, Adebayor joined the team, then a teammate posted on social media that ”Benzema should step up,” followed by coach Mourinho agreeing with the sentiment.

But Benzema wasn’t discouraged. Club higher-ups, like Valdano, kept encouraging him to stay motivated and keep striving.

”I know it’s normal to face some criticism at a club like Real Madrid. Yes, they might have gone a bit too far, but I’ve been tough since I was young. I know I can succeed at Real Madrid; it all depends on me.”

Benzema reiterated his view on Adebayor: ”I feel the club didn’t bring in another forward to compete directly with me. I believe a club like Real Madrid can’t just have one forward. Besides, I can perfectly cooperate with Adebayor.”

Sevilla, on the other hand, used a 442 formation, with Kanoute and Fabiano as the forwards, but new faces appeared in the midfield, such as Rakitic.

”Now, we are live streaming the second leg of the Spanish King’s Cup semifinals.”

”Real Madrid is facing Sevilla at home.”

”This match is crucial for both teams.”

”Sevilla has won the kickoff, and the match has officially started!”

Sevilla is clearly aware of their weight, and Mansano’s strategy is very simple: first, ensure strong defense, then look for opportunities.

There are rumors that Sevilla has been practicing penalties all along.

They are attempting to drag Real Madrid into a penalty shootout to decide who advances to the finals.

Compared to Sevilla, Real Madrid played quite proactively. With Chen Zhong on the field, they played confidently, gradually controlling the pace of the match.

Perhaps due to the lesson of two players getting injured and forced to leave the field in the first leg, Sevilla played more cautiously this match.

Meanwhile, in the stands, young players like Paul Pogba were watching this match, and Pogba’s eyes were fixed on Chen Zhong. He found himself comparing to Chen Zhong, watching intently, and suddenly furrowing his brows.

”If it were me...”

Paul Pogba muttered, as the ball reached Chen Zhong’s feet at this moment. If it were him, he would attempt to carry the ball forward and see if he could take a long shot from outside the penalty box.

To Paul Pogba, this seemed like a good opportunity.

However, on the field, Chen Zhong made a completely different choice.

”Chen Zhong has the ball!”

”Attracting Sevilla’s players.”

”Passed to the flanks.”

”Alvaro!”

”Is it Alvaro?”

”Pushed the ball forward.”

”C. Ronaldo!”

A simple direct little combination, just a few passes, created space for the players to gallop.

Every player knew what they needed to do.

To the average person, this scene might not have much impact, but for Paul Pogba, there was a lot to learn here.

”He never even glanced over there.”

”And his positioning.”

Yes, throughout, Chen Zhong never looked over there, and it seemed like they had rehearsed this a thousand times.

Without looking, he directly passed to Alvaro, and as Alvaro turned, he slid the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Portuguese sprinted forward, finally passing it to the middle.

Then Chen Zhong flicked the ball again.

Cristiano Ronaldo controlled the ball with his chest, moved inside, and then took a direct shot.

If it hadn’t been slightly off target, that would have been a beautiful goal.

”This team...” Paul Pogba, the proud French midfield genius, began to sweat on his forehead. This team wasn’t led by Chen Zhong, but was playing around Chen Zhong, it was...

Paul Pogba didn’t know how to describe what was in front of him. He didn’t know if Chen Zhong understood the team, or if the team understood Chen Zhong.

All he knew was that this team could fully understand and execute Chen Zhong’s intentions, as if they were a single unit, a team controlled by a player.

Real Madrid firmly grasped the situation on the field.

Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to be in good form.

But he was lacking a bit of luck.

In the 5th minute, Real Madrid came back again, Chen Zhong got the ball, passed it to Kaka, who on the right flank, after a slight adjustment, took a powerful shot from outside the penalty box that rebounded off the near post.

Benzema received a gift, but this French center forward, from 10 yards out, facing an empty goal, wildly kicked the ball off target.

This scene immediately generated an incredulous noise from the Real Madrid fans in the stands.

Mourinho also looked on with a dark face, raising his head to ponder life’s questions.

Sevilla’s spectators experienced a rollercoaster of emotions.

Disaster struck, Real Madrid succeeded in breaking their offside trap, they were in on goal!

Great, but it’s Benzema going in alone!

Meanwhile, on the bench, Adebayor’s face showed a smile, but he quickly realized the inappropriateness of his reaction and swiftly suppressed it.

Benzema stood in front of the goal, a bit bewildered.

Amidst the overwhelming boos, he hung his head, seemingly ashamed to face anyone.

But soon, under Chen Zhong’s call, he refocused on the game.

”Real Madrid’s attack.”

”They’ve just missed a golden opportunity.”

”This won’t do! Benzema!”

”Wow! What a pass!”

Real Madrid’s offensive was relentless, wave after wave.

Merely two or three minutes later, they brought the ball into Sevilla’s danger zone again.

Chen Zhong released the ball with one touch, Benzema cleverly deflected it, sliding it to Kaka, who without stopping, returned it directly to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese lashed a powerful shot, once again missing the near corner of the goal.

He grimaced, looked up at the sky, and let out a roar of frustration.

”Don’t be impatient,” Chen Zhong ran to Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, patting his shoulder, said: ”Stay calm, brother.”