Chapter 207: Chapter 76: Steadying the Team in Adversity

The team is falling behind, life-and-death crisis, isn’t this the “hero moment” I have been dreaming of?

“Soldado!”

“Here!” Soldado heard Chen Zhong’s call, and jogged over: “What’s up, Chen.”

“Listen.”

“I know you’re excited right now.”

“But I hope you, unless absolutely certain, pass the ball more to the sides.”

Guti, the on-field captain, was protesting against Rome’s “extra-long” celebration, while Chen Zhong took the opportunity to boost the players’ morale and give some instructions.

He saw Soldado’s excited expression.

And as a lone wolf, Soldado showed everyone through his performance in the warm-up matches.

Once the ball reaches my feet, as long as there’s a chance, I will shoot.

Because I want to be the team’s hero.

Just like the Manchester United Director.

During this time, Chen Zhong also learned about some other compatriots who went abroad, while the Manchester United Director, despite rare playtime, only thought about scoring goals, without any cooperation, which further compressed his playtime.

Soldado, in some ways, is similar to the Manchester United Director.

“Alright.” Soldado agreed under Chen Zhong’s gaze, his initially overheated mind cooling down considerably.

Although Chen Zhong is younger than him, his performance on the field, along with his personal conduct off the field.

At least people from Castilla still acknowledge him more.

After solving Soldado’s problem, Chen Zhong quickly grabbed Marcelo for a brief chat, just as Marcelo had Schuster’s task to relay.

“Chen.”

“Marcelo.”

“Chen, you go first…”

Marcelo closed his mouth, feeling troubled after hearing Chen Zhong’s arrangement: “I’m afraid this won’t work.”

“The boss wants you to push forward.”

“What?” Chen Zhong looked at Marcelo in surprise: “Me push forward?”

“Yes.”

“The boss’s idea is, losing one is losing, losing two is losing, might as well fight hard!”

“As long as we score one goal, we’re the ones qualifying in the end.”

“And, Chen, I won’t be too reckless, I’ve improved.”

The two wanted to say more, but the Roma Team finished celebrating and returned to their positions, leaving Chen Zhong to rush back to his position.

He looked at Marcelo, who signaled him reassuringly, then turned to Schuster on the sideline, who only made a forward motion.

“Rome’s celebration time was too long.”

“Guti’s protest had an effect.”

“Many are unhappy with Raul being substituted out.”

“Next, it’s likely they want to exploit the wings, with Baptista cutting in.”

“Pepe is being a bit too rash.”

“However, the recent attack was clearly pre-rehearsed by Rome.”

“Vucinic is their trump card.”

With a goal, Rome now holds the initiative, allowing them to comfortably play defensively.

Spalletti’s expression relaxed significantly; he had planned pre-game to use Totti to draw attention, then send up Vucinic, using a tempo change to find a chance and seize it.

Against Rome’s united defense, Real Madrid sought to immediately equalize.

Chen Zhong controlled the ball midfield, passing it to Guti on the wing; Guti, as expected, made a surgical knife pass leading to a highly threatening attack.

Robinho made a run from behind, then delivered a powerful shot aiming at breaking Rome’s goal.

Unfortunately, Rome’s defense was extremely swift, and the penalty area was heavily guarded.

The ball rebounded off the defender’s shoulder and bounced away.

However, Chen Zhong seized the second drop of the ball, and when he appeared, Rome’s players were all startled.

The first thought in their minds was!

Why is he here?

After all, every counterattack in this match by Rome had been quite threatening; if Chen Zhong is here, who will defend against their counterattacks?

Chen Zhong redirected the ball with a header, sending it to the far post.

Soldado took the ball, flicked it with his right foot.

The ball curved in an arc, flying past the goalkeeper into the net.

“1:1”

“Total score 3:3!”

“Soldado!”

“He appeared at the most critical place.”

“Then made a flick shot.”

“Scored a vital goal!”

“And, of course, Chen Zhong’s sudden advance, securing the second drop and redirecting, was also crucial.”

After scoring, Soldado ran towards the corner flag and celebrated with a flying kick, while Schuster on the sidelines fiercely waved his fist then narrowed his eyes.

“Stop him!”

“Stop him!”

Hearing Schuster’s call, Guti immediately stopped Chen Zhong who was running with the ball to the center circle, saying: “Chen!”

“Don’t rush!”

“Don’t rush!”

“Now the ones needing to rush aren’t us, it’s Rome!”

The total score between the two teams is now 3:3.

But Real Madrid has 2 away goals, holding the advantage, the ones needing to rush should be Rome.

Moreover, Real Madrid now has only 10 men, as they’ve lost one to a red card.

Apparently, Schuster isn’t magnanimous, after this goal, he made no signs of continuing the offense but fully withdrew to defense.

The team’s formation changed to 4-2-2-1.

Chen Zhong and Baptista became double defensive midfielders, Robinho, and Guti became double attacking midfielders, Soldado became the sole forward.

The main focus was on a defensive counterattack.

You Rome want to play defensive counterattack?

I’ll do the same now, let’s see how you’ll handle it?

“There’s not much time left for Rome.”

“Just 5 more minutes.”

“Real Madrid will successfully advance to the next round.”

Rome grew increasingly anxious, while Schuster watched delightedly on the sidelines.

Initially, I wanted to engage in attack with you, but you refused, using defensive counterattack tactics to annoy me, now…

Ultimately, the score was fixed at 1:1.

Total score 3:3.

Real Madrid advanced to the next round with the advantage of 2 away goals, once again entering the Champions League quarterfinals, lifting a certain degree the burden of being stuck in the last 16.

After the match, conflicts arose between Rome fans and Real Madrid fans, and online both teams’ fans engaged in fiery exchanges.

Rome fans claimed Real Madrid’s victory was not dignified, resorting to playing ugly, opportunistic football at the end, and called Schuster a small-minded person who looks down on Capello but imitates him.

Real Madrid fans laughed upon hearing Rome fans’ remarks.

“So, Rome played attacking football this time?”

“10 men playing, leading but still required to fully attack back and then get eliminated by you?”

“No, I just don’t get it, if you’re so aggressive, why didn’t you play attacking football in these two rounds? At least learn from Arsenal! Die standing upright.”

Rome fans complained, and Pascal wasn’t faring any better either.

If they had successfully qualified, Pascal’s conservative tactics in two rounds wouldn’t become a blemish but rather something praiseworthy.

But the problem is Rome did not qualify.

Thus, once answering to Italy, Pascal got attacked by some Rome fans, accusing him of losing both the game and face.

Schuster was watching the show!

Then, soon Calderon backstabbed Schuster.

Robinho’s form grew increasingly hot, and the team began discussing contract renewal with Robinho, who Schuster now considered vital and no longer found him lacking as at the season’s start.

Yet at this time, news broke of Cristiano Ronaldo meeting Calderon privately, allegedly reaching some sort of secret agreement.

Following the news’ release, Robinho was already in a bad mood.

But soon after, Cristiano Ronaldo’s subsequent interview comments further ignited Robinho’s bomb.

The young dribbler is unhappy.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep