I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 726: Chapter 19: Backbone

The initially impatient Cristiano Ronaldo quickly calmed down after hearing Chen Zhong’s reassurance. After hugging Chen Zhong, they high-fived and returned to their positions.

Now Real Madrid held the initiative, constantly threatening Sevilla’s goal, only lacking a bit of luck.

”Real Madrid is playing very patiently.”

”From here we can clearly feel Chen Zhong’s impact on the team.”

”When Chen Zhong is on the pitch, Real Madrid seems to have a backbone.”

”Performing exceptionally well on both offense and defense.”

Sevilla is not an unknown small team. By the 20th minute, they finally got a decent opportunity.

It was an opportunity fought for by the veteran Kanoute.

He used a header to pass the ball to the new player Rakitic, who then, at the edge of the penalty area, volleyed with his left foot.

The shot was very decisive, but unfortunately, it was not within the frame of the goal.

Real Madrid quickly responded, and by the 31st minute of the match, they directly threatened Sevilla’s goal again.

It was a continuous collaboration between Benzema and Chen Zhong, with Chen Zhong eventually bringing the ball into the penalty area, then threading it to the advancing Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese took a shot from 8 yards out, but unfortunately, it was blocked by the goalkeeper.

This left Real Madrid fans in the stands somewhat disappointed, even causing Cristiano Ronaldo to show anxiety once more.

This also led to the last 15 minutes of the first half being fiercely contested by both sides.

Cristiano Ronaldo repeatedly fell into offside traps due to impatience.

”The first half is over.”

”The first half ended with both teams at 0-0.”

”C. Ronaldo fell into the offside trap again.”

”Real Madrid got several good opportunities in the first half.”

”But, unfortunately, they were a bit unlucky.”

When Real Madrid’s players entered the locker room, the discontent from the fans in the stands was clearly audible.

They were unhappy with Benzema’s almost open-goal miss and Cristiano Ronaldo’s failures in front of the goal...

Compared to Real Madrid, the atmosphere on Sevilla’s side was much better.

Mansano was very satisfied with the team’s performance in the first half; they had held the score.

There were reports saying that Sevilla had been practicing penalties actively lately, intending to drag Real Madrid into a penalty shootout to decide the winner; this news was not false.

But it wasn’t entirely correct, either.

Mansano actually made two preparations: one was to see if they could steal a goal and end the match during regular time under the premise of strong defense, and the other was the penalty shootout.

”Well done!”

”That’s the way!”

”In the second half, we must continue to leverage our advantages! Focus on defense!” Having coached many medium and small clubs, Mansano’s hallmark was ”raising the floor of the team,” allowing these clubs to shine in their unique way.

On the other side, Mourinho also analyzed Sevilla’s tactical strategy in the locker room.

Standing by the whiteboard, he mainly gave orders to Chen Zhong, issuing commands to him.

”Chen, when we are in this position,” Mourinho swiped on the whiteboard and said, ”I can completely imagine, when you have the ball here, they will come here to help defend against you. I need you to pass the ball to this position...”

”Also! When a teammate has the ball, Chen, you can run back and forth, finally getting to this spot.”

”Lastly, I want you all to know who you are fighting for!”

Since coaching Real Madrid, Mourinho’s tactical abilities had convinced the players, most notably in this season’s match against Barcelona, where he predicted pre-game where Iniesta would send a through ball, and the players intercepted just as Mourinho had proposed.

In subsequent games, Mourinho used tactical adjustments time and again to earn the players’ trust.

Not to mention, this time he had them cooperating with Chen Zhong.

The halftime break quickly passed with both teams’ players returning to the field.

”Real Madrid’s attack.”

”Chen Zhong with the ball.”

”Pass...”

”Kaka!”

”Shot from the right!”

”But unfortunately, it was blocked.”

Mourinho furrowed his brow on the sidelines. His setup at halftime was executed accurately, with Chen Zhong successfully passing the ball to Kaka’s feet, but Sevilla’s penalty area was too crowded.

Mansano, seeing Kaka complete the shot, stood on the sidelines loudly calling out his players’ names, indicating for them to increase their aggression.

Sevilla needed to disrupt the game’s rhythm and slow it down.

In the ensuing game, Sevilla repeatedly broke Real Madrid’s rhythm through fouls. Chen Zhong, seeing Sevilla’s aggressive pressing, did not become anxious but actively slowed the pace. He directed teammates’ movements, using repeated passing to exhaust Sevilla’s players.

Pogba, watching from the stands, initially did not understand but quickly grasped Chen Zhong’s well-intentioned strategy after seeing Real Madrid continually ”walking” Sevilla’s players and gradually shedding their own agitation.