I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 369 - 38: Blazing Hot (6K - )

Busquets hadn’t heard anyone talk to him like this for a while.

Back in Barcelona’s youth training, despite his lack of speed, he used to play as a winger. Later, he was appreciated by Guardiola to play midfield and, with Messi’s support, he became a key player in the team.

If it weren’t for Chen Zhong, undoubtedly, he would have been Barcelona’s most suitable defensive midfielder.

Although he’s not fast, slow in tracking back, mediocre at intercepting on the wing, average with high balls, average at turning...

But his quick ability to wash the ball, ability to release the ball, and central interception ability, as well as his praised football intelligence, Chen Zhong can perform better than him.

Chen Zhong has superior physical qualities, more aggressive coverage ability, better ball protection and ball-washing ability, combined with decent short and long passing ability, completely covering Busquets’ strengths, without possessing his weaknesses.

Plus, there’s Guardiola who often praises Chen Zhong in the team, on the training ground.

This makes Busquets feel like he’s always living in the shadow of Chen Zhong...

"Fine, fine, fine!" Busquets glanced at the approaching referee, then pointed at Chen Zhong, like a bullied wife, saying: "Just you wait."

"Waiting!"

"Hurry up!"

The referee came over and heard Chen Zhong’s words, then verbally warned him, hoping he’d watch his behavior. Chen Zhong cast a sidelong glance at the referee, nodding to indicate he understood.

This match, everything Real Madrid encountered made Chen Zhong feel infuriated.

"The match continues."

"Barcelona’s attack."

"Exquisite small-area cooperation."

"Passed to Messi."

"Continuous passing."

"Whoa!"

Keita had just received the ball when he felt his hair stand on end. Next, the ball was tackled away, and he was knocked down.

The Barcelona fans in the stands voiced their discontent.

"What a savage!"

"That’s a foul! Absolutely a foul!"

"Damn it, send him off, send him off!"

...

Compared to these angry Barcelona fans, Diego Simeone watching the match on TV was vigorously slapping his thigh and loudly cheering.

He is currently the head coach of San Lorenzo, one of the "traditional five giants" in the A-League. In Diego Simeone’s mind, this is just a temporary stopover; his future is bound to shine in Europe’s mainstream leagues.

During this period, he was always confused about future tactics, but seeing Chen Zhong making tackles in succession, disrupting the Cosmic Team’s attacking rhythm, "iron defense" suddenly came to his mind.

"The defensive intensity in the La Liga is just too low."

"If I could coach in the La Liga, I’d up their defensive intensity by several levels."

Diego Simeone vowed silently, while his eyes gleamed at Chen Zhong.

Having a strong midfielder like Chen Zhong in his team would indeed be a delightful thing!

Diego Simeone’s fantasies couldn’t affect the match’s course. After intercepting the ball, Chen Zhong didn’t dwell on it too much; after drawing Barcelona players’ attention, he passed it to Marcelo on the flank.

Marcelo directly sent the ball through while Chen Zhong, wanting to charge forward, noticed Busquets deliberately crashing into him, showed no inclination of yielding, and went straight into him.

Busquets fell on the ground, clutching his shoulder with a face of pain, while Chen Zhong staggered a few steps, then sprinted towards Barcelona’s penalty area with all his might.

After getting to the baseline, Marcelo first sought Chen Zhong’s presence, but Chen Zhong was still near the midfield circle, having just knocked over Busquets. Seeing Barcelona’s central defense not yet in place, Marcelo didn’t hesitate.

Passed the ball to Kaka, who cut inside to the far end in the penalty area.

In Barcelona’s "five-a-side" team play, Pique and Puyol generally take up the position of a sweeper, as Puyol first rushed to Kaka. Kaka, with his peripheral vision, noticed C. Ronaldo running forward.

A brilliant horizontal pass delivered the ball to C. Ronaldo, also avoiding Puyol’s pressing.

"Real Madrid’s counterattack!"

"Very quick."

"Marcelo."

"Kaka!"

"Horizontal pass!"

"Cristiano Ronaldo!"

"Shoots!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

C. Ronaldo somewhat "anxiously" occupied the position where Chen Zhong should have appeared, and the ball gracefully arrived at his feet. Without hesitation, he took a shot from the left side of the penalty area!

"Bang!"

The ball had decent force, and the angle was good.

But Valdes denied C. Ronaldo’s goal, with a foot deflection, sending the ball out past the goal line.

"Ah!"

"What a pity that shot was!"

"Almost scored."

"Valdes’ downward speed is very fast."

"Let’s see this corner kick."

Real Madrid earned a corner kick opportunity. Chen Zhong, Baptista, Pepe, Albiol and others each occupied a "high point" in Barcelona’s penalty area. Though Barcelona had many players in the area, apart from Pique, there wasn’t anyone over 190 cm, and physically, Real Madrid players seemed more robust.

Alonso stood at the corner flag.

He raised his right arm high, giving the players in the penalty area a signal.

The players swiftly began adjusting, and Chen Zhong was evidently a key focus.