I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 872: Chapter 86: The Show Begins

”Keep your head up and observe more!”

In this match, Manchester United’s midfield is tough but lacks flexibility, forcing Carrick to repeatedly send direct passes. Sometimes Ferguson wonders, what if Chen Zhong were a Manchester United player?

Maybe two out of those three passes would penetrate the opponent’s defense?

No, maybe just one; perhaps all it takes is one chance, and they could lead the opponent!

The pity is, Chen Zhong wears the Real Madrid jersey!

On the stands, Mourinho laughs while shaking his head. He knew Manchester United would play like this, as he had specifically practiced the team’s defense tactics against Manchester United’s direct passes before the match, which Real Madrid is well familiar with.

”Real Madrid’s attack!”

”Continuous short pass coordination!”

”Park Ji-sung!”

”Directly knocked to the ground!”

Chen Zhong takes the ball, Park Ji-sung moves forward trying to intercept. Known as the ”Iron Lung,” this South Korean player can run tirelessly on the pitch, with great fighting spirit. However, this doesn’t change his physical disadvantage.

The stalemate between them did not last long; Park Ji-sung falls awkwardly to the ground. In such physical confrontations during play, it is hard for him to maintain balance.

Manchester United players swiftly surround him.

Chen Zhong dribbles the ball forward, shakes off Park Ji-sung beside him, and then uses all his strength, striking the ball hard.

The ball rockets towards the goal like a cannonball, as Real Madrid fans in the stands express their delight. Chen Zhong’s heavy cannon shot is of high quality; he’s one of the world’s strongest shooters.

Meanwhile, Manchester United fans crane their necks, waiting for the outcome.

They don’t know whether they will concede a goal. After all, it’s Chen Zhong who’s shooting, even if 20 meters away, his long shot strength is well-known.

Manchester United players pose in various ways to block the ball but can’t even touch its tail.

Van der Sar leaps sideways, trying to stop it, but doesn’t make contact.

It’s over!

Van der Sar thinks.

However, the next moment, a muffled sound pulls him back from hell to heaven!

”Manchester United’s crossbar is still shaking!”

”Chen Zhong’s shot was of extremely high quality!”

”If just slightly adjusted, it would have been a perfect goal!”

Some Real Madrid fans sigh, while Manchester United fans breathe a long sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Mourinho mutters to himself on the stands, unknown what he’s speaking about, as Ferguson looks at Park Ji-sung.

Park Ji-sung did prove useful; if not for his interference, maybe Chen Zhong’s shot would have been more precise!

”Manchester United’s quick counterattack!”

”Quick release by Van der Sar!”

”Oh my!”

As people were lamenting that shot, Van der Sar regains his composure first. He doesn’t stay put but takes the ball and then kicks it far towards the front!

This is a standard Manchester United counterattack!

The ball traverses most of the field, and Manchester United players dart towards Real Madrid’s goal like bullets!

”It’s okay!”

”There’s Alonso!”

”Alonso?????”

”Rooney!!!”

The commentator’s voice suddenly gets higher pitched; this ball Alonso could have easily resolved, but unexpectedly, the Spanish midfielder misjudges it.

Perhaps because the struggles have been too intense, leading Alonso to misjudge his body’s timing. His jump isn’t high enough; he doesn’t touch the ball.

During this moment, Rooney, who’s hovering nearby, swiftly seizes the chance, rapidly breaking through Real Madrid’s entire defense, chasing after the ball!

Gasps arise from the stands, with Real Madrid and Manchester United fans having their emotions flipped!

Real Madrid fans worriedly watch Rooney sprint, while booing, trying to disturb this Manchester United star, while Manchester United fans cheer for Rooney, hoping he would score this critical goal!

Ferguson stands at the sidelines, his whole body leaning forward, while Mourinho can’t sit still; if possible, he would personally step in to tackle Rooney!

Even though he greatly admires Rooney, the little tank.

”This is a huge mistake!”

”Alonso failed to intercept!”

”A great opportunity for Manchester United!”

”Casillas chooses to leave the goal and come out!”

Casillas steps up at this moment, choosing not to wait for a verdict by the goalpost but proactively attacks, rushing towards the ball. Rooney, fearless, charges as well. Eventually, Casillas races out of the penalty area, completing a clearance with a big kick, as Rooney knocks Casillas over.

Real Madrid fans in the stands boo, while Mourinho almost wants to storm onto the pitch, eager to tell the fourth official that Rooney showed his studs.

Yet, the fourth official and the referee remain unmoved, while Casillas quickly gets up and returns to the penalty area, as Real Madrid’s defense resets.

Ferguson watches this scene and shakes his head helplessly.

Meanwhile, he focuses more on acquiring De Gea.

The team truly needs a good goalkeeper, especially as Van der Sar will leave at the end of this season.

In the stands, Real Madrid fans chant ”Saint Casillas”; during the semifinals and finals, Casillas’ miraculous saves have repeatedly rescued the team.

If not for Casillas, maybe they would have been sent home in the semifinals.

During this period, the pressure Manchester United has put on Real Madrid is undoubtedly immense, forcing Real Madrid’s defense to suffocate. Shortly, Cavaleiro’s mistake almost caused Real Madrid fans collective breathlessness.

Facing Manchester United’s relentless pressing attack, facing Rooney’s charge, Cavaleiro’s back-pass to the goalkeeper almost turns into a shot.

If not for Casillas’ rapid reaction, an own goal might have occurred.

Casillas, stomping the ball, roars, encouraging his teammates to focus, and while roaring, suddenly kicks the ball toward Chen Zhong, initiating a quick counterattack!

”Real Madrid’s attack!”

”Continuous coordination between Chen Zhong and Kaka!”

”Beautiful!”

”Kaka one-on-one!”

”Shot!”

Kaka’s shot is blocked by Valdes. This time, Real Madrid’s counterattack was very swift, almost breaking Barcelona’s goal.

”Corner kick!”

”Alonso takes the corner kick!”

”The corner is taken! Chen Zhong and Evra battle in the penalty area like two enraged bulls!” The commentator’s voice suddenly raises: ”Evra’s right hand clearly touches the ball! That should be a penalty!”

The air at Wembley Stadium instantly freezes.

Slow-motion replay clearly shows, when Alonso’s corner flew towards the small penalty area, Evra, while contending with Chen Zhong, fully extends his right arm, the ball striking firmly against it.

Chen Zhong immediately turns to the referee in protest, gesturing clear handball motions with his hands.

”Penalty, penalty!” On the stands, Mourinho nearly flips over the railings, shouting angrily toward the fourth official, veins bulging on his face.

Although he didn’t see the whole scene, since Chen Zhong claims a penalty, it surely is one!

Ferguson nervously chews his gum, his eyes locked on the referee.

Yet, the referee motions to continue the match! That decision pours cold water over oil, causing an instant uproar throughout the stadium.

Real Madrid players collectively surround the referee to discuss, while Casillas races from the penalty area to midfield in protest.

The broadcast captures Chen Zhong furiously roaring at the referee, a rare sight.

Experts later decipher Chen Zhong’s lip movement, hinting that he was saying, ”This is the damn Champions League final!”

”Can’t you see it’s a damn handball?”

This controversial ruling ignites Real Madrid’s fury.

After the match resumed, Chen Zhong charges like an enraged lion in midfield.

Within three minutes, he roughs down Park Ji-sung and Carrick consecutively, which leads the referee to issue Chen Zhong a yellow card for such aggressive fouls.