Chapter 473: Chapter 87: Wrecking You Like an Amateur!

This issue has caused a lot of public opinion, and Pellegrini’s remarks have dissatisfied quite a number of Asian fans, with some players who have played in Asia even speaking out about their experiences.

They believe that Asian players have not received the respect they deserve in Europe, even if they perform at a thigh-level within the team, but they still get blamed by teammates for mistakes others have made.

This issue was later reflected in a South Korean player with the surname Son, and it completely sparked intense conflict, but that is a story for another time.

The main problem now is that Pellegrini’s inappropriate remarks have triggered a chain reaction, especially among the club’s senior management, who believe Pellegrini should be more cautious with his words and actions in front of cameras.

In the 32nd round of the league, Real Madrid was tied 1:1 with Almeria in the first half, and no one knows how many Barcelona players were full of hope that Almeria could maintain this score till the end.

Unfortunately, the final score remained at 1:3, with Real Madrid delivering two heavy blows to Almeria in the second half.

Meanwhile, Barcelona also easily defeated their opponents in this match.

Real Madrid will next host Valencia at home and then head to Munich, Germany for the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals.

After the match with Almeria, the players within the Real Madrid team clearly showed signs of fatigue, as this was not just two matches a week but three.

Chen Zhong himself was also feeling a bit overwhelmed, but Pellegrini seemed unwilling to adjust the team’s formation.

A day before the match with Valencia, in the office of Real Madrid, Pellegrini had a private conversation with Chen Zhong, looking at Chen Zhong and frankly saying: “Chen, in the next match, I will still have you start, and then in the first leg against Bayern Munich, I will give you plenty of time to rest.”

Pellegrini’s intentions were very clear, hoping the team could push through to defeat Valencia, and then play more conservatively in Munich, ultimately resolving the battle at the Bernabeu.

His goal is to score away goals, accept defeat, or ideally, secure a draw.

Chen Zhong didn’t have much opinion on this matter, as he wasn’t one to show off, and in the national derby against Barcelona, he had expended too much energy and still hasn’t fully recovered.

That night, Mata also called Chen Zhong.

Mata had already become a key player for Valencia, with their team having a top scorer in Villa, and also having Silva alongside him, referred to as the “Twin Stars.”

Besides that, Joaquin and Alba were either veteran players with strength or potential new stars.

This whole situation used to be relatively harmonious until Valencia’s star player, Villa, was interviewed and said: “Chen’s number of goals? Yes, it is indeed a lot, but the whole team serves him alone, while we are more like a complete unit.”

“And most of his goals are scored against average teams; I think they lack gold content.”

Villa was obviously lying through his teeth, and his remarks were directly provoking Chen Zhong, almost explicitly saying that Chen Zhong’s goal tally was inflated against weaker teams.

Chen Zhong has crushed the top strikers in various leagues this season with his goals, getting praised by some while naturally displeasing others, among whom the fact that he scored too many goals against weaker teams has been mentioned repeatedly.

Villa was clearly one of those who were displeased, even openly declaring: “I will definitely not join Real Madrid, because I cannot sacrifice my goal tally.”

These remarks sparked considerable fan discussion, and as Real Madrid’s number 9, Negredo stood up at this point, having scored 9 goals for Real Madrid this season, and said: “I don’t know why he came to such a conclusion.”

“Maybe it’s because they always lose when they meet us?”

“Sorry, I always like to speak frankly.”

The war of words between the two teams did not last long, as the match was not far apart, and soon it was match day.

Outside the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, many fans held banners mocking Villa, with some even saying: “You really shouldn’t come to Real Madrid; your height should fit Barcelona instead.”

Such comments made Villa, who was on the bus, angry.

The match began.

The fans in the stands could clearly sense how outstanding Cristiano Ronaldo’s form was in this match. In the sixth minute, C. Ronaldo used a sharp side breakthrough, forcing Valencia’s player to commit a foul in front of the penalty area.

The referee didn’t hesitate to show Albelda a yellow card and gave Real Madrid a free kick opportunity, a scene that made Valencia’s fans jeer, feeling they were treated unfairly.

C. Ronaldo wanted to take the free kick, but Villa came over mockingly shouting at Chen Zhong: “You take the free kick! You take this free kick!”

“You should give it to him,” Villa said, looking at C. Ronaldo: “Won’t you give him the free kick?”

After looking at Chen Zhong for his opinion, Cristiano Ronaldo unhesitatingly turned away from the penalty point and ran to the area near the wall, a scene that surprised the commentators.

“C. Ronaldo stood in front of the free kick; it looks like he’s going to take this free kick.”

“Villa is provoking Chen Zhong, seemingly saying for Chen Zhong to take the free kick.”

“C. Ronaldo gave up the free kick, and Chen Zhong stood at the penalty point.”

Chen Zhong stood over the ball, took a deep breath, and the camera gave him a close-up, clearly showing his determined expression.

He moved, swung his leg, and struck the ball, even reminiscent of Beckham at that moment.

The ball initially shot up rapidly, then dropped down swiftly.

But Valencia’s goalkeeper had clearly studied Chen Zhong, Cesar managed to block the ball with both hands.

“Chen Zhong’s free kick was blocked by Sassel.”

“Marcelo received the ball.”

“Crossed it to C. Ronaldo!”

“C. Ronaldo received the ball and crossed again!”

The ball, blocked out, didn’t fly too far, and Marcelo controlled it underfoot and then found C. Ronaldo, who sent in a cross again, with Negredo drawing everyone’s attention along the ball’s path.

However, he cleverly let the ball pass through.

And there, Chen Zhong leaped high, a powerful header smashed the ball into the goal.

“Goal number 38!!!”

“This is Chen Zhong’s 38th goal in the league!”

“Negredo’s clever pass, Chen Zhong soared high.”

“A forceful header completed the goal.”

“Real Madrid has taken the lead!”

Valencia was falling behind, but they were not willing to end the match like this. In the 3rd minute, Mata received the ball on the left, freed himself from the opponent’s entanglement, and delivered a precise cross to Villa. Villa tried to seize the point, but Pepe directly pushed Villa aside and cleared the ball with a kick.

Villa looked at the grinning Pepe and felt a chill run through his body.

“Very unfortunate!”

“If it were Chen Zhong.”

“He would definitely be able to snatch the ball and complete the shot!”

As a Chinese, the commentary was quite neutral.

Indeed, if it were Chen Zhong instead of Villa, Chen Zhong would have been able to gain the upper hand in the physical duel with Pepe and easily finish the goal.

This is also why many people say that Chen Zhong may be best suited for the center forward position.

In this match, Real Madrid’s fighting spirit appeared very high.

In the 7th minute, Real Madrid gained another attacking opportunity. Chen Zhong, facing Valencia players’ encirclement, passed the ball back to Alonso. Criticized in the previous match for having little impact on the team’s offense, Alonso delivered a good pass.

The ball precisely found C. Ronaldo, but unfortunately, C. Ronaldo’s recent luck in scoring was not great. Facing Cesar, his shot in the penalty area was directly caught by the opponent.

In the 9th minute, Marcelo passed the ball from the left, Chen Zhong won the header battle, and headed it to Negredo. Negredo, at the edge of the penalty area, executed a beautiful volley, successfully drilling into the corner of the goal.

Real Madrid took the lead with two goals in just 9 minutes.

This scene caused many Barcelona fans closely following the match to turn off the TV in disappointment.

It also prompted many Valencia fans to wash up and get ready for bed.

Valencia, conceding two consecutive goals, seemed a bit anxious. In the subsequent match, Valencia players’ aggressiveness noticeably increased, but after several harsh encounters with Chen Zhong and Pepe, they gradually calmed down.

Perhaps due to their lead, Real Madrid played increasingly calmly in the subsequent match.

In the 13th minute, Chen Zhong got the ball in midfield, and after a slight hesitation, passed it to Marcelo on the flank. Marcelo attempted a long shot from the left, but unfortunately, Cesar caught the ball.

During this period, Real Madrid’s left flank was very active.

In the 20th minute, Real Madrid obtained a great opportunity. Chen Zhong delivered a long pass from midfield, accurately finding the advancing C. Ronaldo. C. Ronaldo broke into the penalty area and chose the baseline, passing back from near the left baseline, and unmarked Kaka opted for a push shot from 15 yards.

In that moment, the entire stadium fell silent, but Kaka’s push shot glanced off the post and flew out.

Kaka regretfully looked up at the sky and couldn’t help but pat his thigh, seemingly saying, “What are you doing, old buddy?”

Being out for three months after surgery has made it difficult for Kaka to find his form.

In the 22nd minute, Real Madrid launched another attack. Alvaro advanced from the back and delivered a heavy pass, and C. Ronaldo hit a direct shot without stopping the ball in front of the penalty area.

Facing Real Madrid’s continuous attacks, Valencia’s goalkeeper Cesar clearly felt powerless.

3-0

Real Madrid essentially secured the victory.

In the subsequent match, Real Madrid completely controlled the game. In the 30th minute, Negredo and Chen Zhong executed a one-two combination, and Chen Zhong, after receiving the ball, blasted a powerful shot facing the goalkeeper.

The ball directly smashed into the net.

4-0

Real Madrid scored again.

Chen Zhong achieved a brace, bringing his goal tally to 39, just one shy of his 40th goal!

“The ball is in!”

“It’s Chen Zhong again!”

“A beautiful one-two combination.”

“A powerful shot against the goalkeeper, leaving him helpless.”

After Chen Zhong scored, he intentionally ran past Villa, seemingly responding to Villa’s pre-match remarks, as if to say, “Yes!”

I score against weak opponents.

You see, do you look like the dish I’m thrashing!?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep