I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 458 - 79: No Man’s Land (Part 2)

At Real Madrid’s home ground, although the "home whistle" is not a glorious thing from the perspective of fair play, this kind of thing has basically become "customary," and even the commentators think that he might directly give a direct free kick, and at this position, Real Madrid has the ability to score from a direct free kick.

The main difference between a direct free kick and an indirect free kick is that one can be shot directly at the goal, while the other needs to be passed to a teammate.

"No card issued?"

"Nor any verbal warning."

"And even gave the ball possession to Barcelona?"

"This is Real Madrid’s home ground, this is Bernabeu!"

"This..."

"Of course, every referee has their own standards."

"Maybe in his view, Pique just unconsciously raised his arm."

"In theory, defensive players should try to keep their arms close to their body in such situations, of course, he has his refereeing standards."

The commentator seemed to stop short of speaking, knowing that during this time, Catalonian media had been saying that the Spanish Football Association greatly favors Real Madrid, with many decisions in the league being more favorable to Real Madrid.

But in this penalty decision, Barcelona obviously benefited more.

The Real Madrid fans in the stands expressed their displeasure with boos, and some more radical ones were even cursing loudly on the sidelines.

Pellegrini, who is usually more composed, couldn’t help protesting to the fourth official on the sidelines, while Chen Zhong immediately ran to the main referee Mejuto Gonzalez.

He didn’t shout with face flushed red and neck thick, but logically argued: "He raised his arm, not keeping it close to his body."

"Not giving a card is fine, that’s within standards, but such an intentional foul."

"The ball possession should be ours."

Mejuto Gonzalez listened to Chen Zhong’s clear analysis, not for the first time in his refereeing career, but it’s relatively rare, as those players usually just emotionally shout, which is annoying.

Who likes being shouted at!

So he could only explain: "I can’t make a third different ruling."

"I understand."

"Continue with the match." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

In the stands, some Real Madrid fans were already shouting "black whistle," and Chen Zhong noticed the referee’s somewhat panicked expression, forming his own judgment inside.

It wasn’t a black whistle, it was probably because the match had just started, and issuing cards was more cautious — this is a stricter referee when it comes to issuing cards, simply put, the margin for calls is quite large.

Chen Zhong gave a deep look to Mejuto Gonzalez, this matched the notes in his "little black book," which recorded in detail all the referees’ call margins he had encountered.

"Alright, calm down!"

Chen Zhong turned around, looked at the players who were eagerly awaiting the outcome, and said: "Stay focused on the game, there’s a long way to go."

Cristiano Ronaldo’s face was still written with displeasure, he glanced at Chen Zhong, walking towards the main referee trying to appeal, but Chen Zhong stopped C. Ronaldo, saying: "I passed it a bit late, we really were offside."

Passing it late was naturally an excuse; actually, it was because Pique had been teammates with C. Ronaldo before and was quite familiar with him, and Guardiola evidently did thorough research on Real Madrid, planning to "trap with offsides," in such situations, with bad luck, it’s normal to be called offside eight or nine times in a match.

"Hold your fire." Chen Zhong patted C. Ronaldo’s shoulder, clearly he was only 18, and C. Ronaldo a few years older, yet C. Ronaldo seemed more like a kid: "Then find an opportunity on the field to get it back, definitely don’t rush."

Cristiano Ronaldo glanced at Chen Zhong, and gave a sullen hum in agreement.

Barcelona kicked off the ball, but an enraged Real Madrid quickly intercepted it.

A vacant Messi watched as Chen Zhong "cut in," frowning; in this match, Messi’s position was a shadow striker, and Guardiola hoped he could find opportunities between Real Madrid’s midfield and back line, then directly break into Real Madrid’s penalty area.

But from the match’s beginning, the effect didn’t seem great.

Just when Guardiola was thinking this, the exclamations from the stands brought his attention back to the pitch.

"Cristiano Ronaldo!"

"C. Ronaldo!"

"Dribbles past two!"

"Maxwell steps up to defend!"

"Still wants to go through!"

"Ball through legs!"

Cristiano Ronaldo clearly became fierce, with his breakthrough technique showing none of his initial "fanciness," simply doing stepovers and breakthrough moves or "soup making," employing body and speed, like a sharp sword piercing Barcelona’s heart.

Dribbling past two opponents, facing Maxwell, C. Ronaldo, filled with excitement, stepped over the ball twice before nudging it forward for a ball-through-leg move.

Maxwell didn’t stop the ball, and the ball went through, the man was also unstoppable.

Just as Maxwell’s heart was in panic, Pique stepped up, and timely filled the position, making an interception and clearing the ball.

The ball went out of bounds, C. Ronaldo collided with Pique, both falling into a heap.

The camera focused on the two friends, showing C. Ronaldo standing up with a face full of displeasure, while Pique was playfully patting C. Ronaldo, his broad smile showing his lips couldn’t stay together.

Seemingly saying, brother, I’ve seen through you.

As soon as you raise your hips, I know what you’re going to do.

C. Ronaldo, stop patting me, there’s no brotherhood on the field, you’re so annoying.

This scene made some Real Madrid fans express their displeasure, they could understand the personal connection with Pique, and the team even included national teammates!

But in a national derby, wasn’t it still a matter of "life or death"?

Especially for you, C. Ronaldo, what’s with the almost laughing expression?

This is a national derby!

Barcelona finally survived the onslaught from Real Madrid, by the 15th minute, Messi pulled back to receive the ball and then passed it to Xavi.

People at that time hadn’t realized the impending threat.

Until Xavi passed the ball to Messi.

Until Messi quickly launched after receiving the ball.

At this moment, Chen Zhong realized the fame of "La Pulga" was well-deserved, he positionally blocked first, and when he turned to intercept Messi a second time, Messi had already dribbled past him at waist level.

Small legs’ frequency is completely different from long legs’ frequency.

And small players’ center of gravity differs from tall players’.

Chen Zhong had both a shocked and regretful Σ(っ°Д°;)っ feeling!

Regretting he should have slide-tackled immediately.

Realizing Σ(っ°Д°;)っ from once playing center back, Chen Zhong knew very well what Messi, with his ultra-fast footwork, meant in this era of tall center backs.

It means when playing rock-paper-scissors, the opponent always throws later than you.

Facing such small players, if you cannot seize the ball at first, aside from fouling, you could only wait for them to sneak through your legs, or even fake you, leaving you on the ground, during a rhythm change.

After all, you have "high latency."

While he, can always take action after you.

Messi’s speed was fast, but his fast was different from C. Ronaldo’s.

The surrounding Real Madrid players obviously didn’t expect Chen Zhong to be passed like this, catching them off guard.

They quickly began encircling Messi, but Messi’s speed wasn’t constant, always managing to break out a second before being surrounded, making his way all the way to Real Madrid’s penalty area.

At this moment, Messi seemed like he was entering an uninhabited land.

His biggest mental hurdle, Chen Zhong, was removed at the first moment.

And at this moment, either a hero or a sinner appeared.

Just as Messi was about to perform a solo dribble, Albiol made a decisive sliding tackle from the side, stopping Messi’s advance.

Messi fell.

Inside the penalty area!