Chapter 163: Chapter 56: It’s All Up to You, Chen! (Part 2)

Muscle strain, right, muscle strain!

“What caused his injury?”

“Muscle strain!?” Schuster’s face darkened after getting the answer from the team doctor, like a volcano about to erupt. If they lose the match or fail to win, causing him to miss achieving the 44-year-old feat of “conquering the four devil’s home grounds,” Schuster would surely make a big scene.

He can’t allow the club to continue indulging Disalvo.

Absolutely!

“Boss, do we need to make some adjustments?” Francisco’s inquiry suddenly snapped Schuster out of his anger.

Just after Pepe left the field, Atletico Madrid got a decent opportunity where Aguero made a nice shot from the left side of the penalty area while Chen Zhong tangled with Fernando, who still managed to flick the ball to Aguero amid Chen Zhong’s interference.

“Let Chen move back a little.”

“Also, have them build a defense around Chen.”

Schuster once looked down on Julen Lopetegui, thinking it disgraceful and weak to waste Chen Zhong’s physicality as a center-back, use him to stabilize the defense, and build a defensive system around him to defend Bojan.

But now, Schuster had to admit it worked.

“After Pepe left the field.”

“Schuster made adjustments to the team.”

“We can clearly feel that Chen Zhong has become the key player for this Real Madrid team.”

“He has become the connection point between the front and back fields, the heart shield in defense, the tower in organization, the launching point in attack.”

“Atletico Madrid’s attack.”

“Chen Zhong collided with Aguero beside him and intercepted the ball in advance.”

“The ball was passed to Marcelo.”

“Real Madrid’s counterattack.”

Real Madrid began to build a defensive system around Chen Zhong, forcing Atletico Madrid to pass through Chen Zhong’s defensive zone, and when the ball was intercepted, Real Madrid started their counterattack through Chen Zhong.

Aguirre gritted his teeth, feeling an invisible little figure roaring inside him.

A moment ago… You think I can’t deal with a 16-year-old kid?

The next moment… o(*￣︶￣*)o You really know how to see people.

Chen Zhong passed the ball to anyone, and anyone then passed the ball back to Chen Zhong. Though his dribbling skills might not be outstanding, and his passing skills seem ordinary, his ball control, physical ability, excellent vision, and overall view are truly extraordinary.

He always manages to pass the ball safely.

Marcelo utilized Chen Zhong as a wall, passing in a 2-on-1 manner to bypass an Atletico Madrid player, then made a direct pass to Van Nistelrooy.

Van Nistelrooy’s path for cutting inside was blocked, only forced to head towards the wing.

Chen Zhong and Baptista were tightly marked in the middle, and Van Nistelrooy sent a cross from the right to the far point.

Robinho found a narrow path in Atletico Madrid’s defense, rising unmarked to head the goal.

The hearts of Atletico Madrid’s fans were in their throats.

However, Robinho’s heading skills were evidently lacking, and his close-range header flew wide.

“Oh Robinho, Robinho!”

“Real Madrid missed a golden opportunity.”

“Robinho should practice his heading skills more.”

Schuster also seemed incredulous; if the team had a two-goal lead, the remainder of the match would be much easier.

Although Aguirre didn’t say it directly, the match’s momentum showed that Real Madrid’s goal clearly disrupted Atletico Madrid’s pre-match arrangements.

The match reached the 20th minute as Atletico Madrid launched another attack, Maxi Rodriguez slipped through Baptista’s side, but Chen Zhong promptly filled the position from the side, squeezing Rodriguez off.

Then there was a series of “bang, bang, bang.”

Real Madrid, centered around Chen Zhong, passed and controlled the ball rhythmically, then advanced forward.

If not for Van Nistelrooy’s slightly off execution on the final shot, Real Madrid might have secured victory with two goals.

“Can’t waste opportunities like this!”

“Van Nistelrooy’s scoring efficiency this season is still decent, but his ability to seize opportunities.”

“Has indeed decreased quite a bit; perhaps Negredo’s arrival can fill this gap.”

“Negredo, who plays for Almeria, demonstrated his prowess as a forward.”

“His scoring efficiency this season is quite good.”

After experiencing brief disarray, Atletico Madrid slowly regained their rhythm, as Aguero passed the ball to Fernando just as Chen Zhong approached.

Fernando got the ball but didn’t pass it back to Aguero, who was entirely subdued by Chen Zhong in this match. He chose to force his way past the obstacle Sergado.

Sergado realized it but felt his body couldn’t keep up, only barely tailing Fernando.

“Fernando forcing a breakthrough.”

“Sergado, oh!”

“Left side of the box.”

“Fernando!”

“Shooting!”

Fernando’s peripheral vision glanced at Aguero, but Chen Zhong seemed to know Fernando’s thoughts, firmly restricting Aguero. Seeing the distance closing in, Fernando could only grit his teeth and take a direct shot.

But such a shot evidently underestimated Casillas.

The young Casillas reacted quickly, punching the ball away.

Everything about Casillas is good; he just likes to punch the ball.

Raul Garcia moved swiftly toward the ball’s landing point, while Aguero kept a tight watch on Chen Zhong, his restless hands itching for action. As soon as Chen Zhong moved away, he would immediately ask for the ball.

But Chen Zhong remained unfazed.

Raul Garcia could only finish with a long shot outside the penalty area.

Ramos blocked the shot with his body, and the ball bounced out again; Aguero quickly started, aiming to catch Chen Zhong off guard.

But Chen Zhong seemed to have eyes on the back of his head, moving preemptively to pin down Aguero; no matter how hard Aguero pushed, squeezed, or maneuvered, he couldn’t bypass Chen Zhong, ultimately watching helplessly as Chen Zhong claimed the ball.

By the 30th minute, Atletico Madrid changed tactics again, as Sisco got the ball, found space, and passed to Aguero, only to turn around in his shooting zone and see Chen Zhong’s face. The next moment, the ball was promptly tackled away.

Atletico Madrid’s vaunted double striker this season now only had Fernando left to pose any threat.

The defensive strategy built around Chen Zhong rendered Real Madrid’s backline impregnable, the crucial aspect being that the toughest challenge, Chen Zhong kept for himself.

All Real Madrid needed to do was steer the “enemy” toward Chen Zhong’s direction.

Real Madrid wasn’t constantly under pressure and also had several decent opportunities during this process, but both Van Nistelrooy and Robinho clearly were not in form this match.

By the 37th minute, both missed one golden opportunity.

Van Nistelrooy failed to meet Robinho’s cross outside the small box, an opportunity everyone thought he could effortlessly convert but instead took an unexpected third option, surprising everyone.

Then there was Robinho; Van Nistelrooy missed a perfect pass from him, costing him an assist. His apparent displeasure was visible.

Following quickly, Van Nistelrooy passed during a rapid counterattack to Robinho, who facing the shooting space granted by Atletico Madrid, completely mishit the ball!

This string of events left Schuster exhausted on the sidelines.

Luckily, Chen Zhong’s performance remained steady, resembling a wall blocking the goal, providing a strong sense of security.

If Real Madrid wins this match, Chen Zhong deserves much credit, as the team’s win, too, comes from the collective effort.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep