Chapter 558: Chapter 34: Who Do You Think You Are? (Part 2)

Chen Zhong engaged in physical confrontations with Diego Costa time and again, leaving Diego Costa helpless and even showing a hint of fear in his eyes when looking at Chen Zhong.

He could not understand why Chen Zhong was so “rogue,” both in insults and in his sneaky actions, everything seemed so masterly.

In fact, apart from cursing, Diego Costa also knew those sneaky tricks, but the problem was, Chen Zhong’s physique was stronger than Diego Costa’s!

When Chen Zhong noticed Diego Costa starting to dodge him, he couldn’t help but smile.

Just like how many media outlets now portray Messi as a good kid, in reality, Messi was quite mischievous in the youth team, with his own little temper, and would even spit at times showing irrational behavior, there’s no need to overly beautify or vilify him.

In the youth team, Chen Zhong often bullied those geniuses he encountered.

He excelled at using words to provoke his opponents, getting the main players to confront him.

For instance, Barcelona’s Bojan (Bojan: Using me as an example again?) once clashed with Chen Zhong in a match.

Since moving forward in position, Chen Zhong did those things less often.

But just as people gradually forgot that when Cristiano Ronaldo first started, he was the “bicycle boy,” now many people began to forget that when Chen Zhong debuted, he was the fiery man who slid all through the match!

“Chen Zhong snatched the ball.”

“A long pass to Cristiano Ronaldo.”

“Atletico Madrid is caught in a dilemma now.”

“Although using rough fouls can make Real Madrid’s attack less smooth.”

“Possessing Chen Zhong, Real Madrid inevitably gains an advantage in such brutal confrontations.”

Diego Simeone stood on the sideline with a grave expression, Atletico Madrid’s style now is to use all their strength over the regular 90 minutes to strive for victory.

Now, with the match nearing 70 minutes, Real Madrid’s tough midfield leaves Atletico Madrid players drained, if this continues, on one side, the team doesn’t seize much advantage, on the other side, the players’ stamina indeed can’t keep up.

Cristiano Ronaldo gained control of the ball.

If it were in the past, Thiago would have already teamed up with his teammates to start a double or triple team against him.

But after long exchanges, Atletico Madrid players were evidently unable to keep up.

Ultimately, Thiago gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and chose to tactically foul Cristiano Ronaldo to the ground when the young Portuguese was going past him.

“The referee blew the whistle!”

“Finally willing to issue a yellow card.”

“In this match, Simeone tried using a double defensive midfielder setup with Thiago and the young Mario Suarez, to block Real Madrid’s ball distribution.”

“But obviously, that tactic failed. Real Madrid is unstoppable, Atletico Madrid’s tactic quickly failed, and for most of the remaining time, Atletico Madrid players could only run around fruitlessly.”

“Because Mourinho possesses a team as steady as a rock, this team can swiftly lightningly crush any opponent, while never forgetting their defensive duties.”

“Real Madrid’s commitment to disrupting is as intense and enthusiastic as their commitment to attacking, which essentially seals off the opponent’s chance of equalizing.”

“Especially in the second half.”

“Real Madrid intentionally withdrew a few steps, giving the ball to Atletico Madrid, inviting them to join in the attack, so as to have greater space for counterattacks.”

“In fact, if not for the referee’s lenient officiating and the hard-driven Atletico Madrid players.”

“Real Madrid would have almost scored through counterattacks not long after the second half began.”

“Now, the most dangerous time for Atletico Madrid is exactly when they have the ball.”

“It looks like Atletico Madrid possesses the ball, but their control is entirely different from when Mourinho’s team has possession because every Real Madrid attack means a threat while Atletico Madrid is always busy for nothing and gains nothing.”

“Real Madrid believes they are invincible, and perhaps Atletico Madrid also believes that Real Madrid is invincible.”

“They are still fighting fiercely now, primarily because of Diego Simeone’s shouting on the sidelines, providing them with courage and motivation, of course, there’s also the referee’s lenient officiating.”

“But now everything is different.”

Diego Simeone’s expression changed.

No doubt, whether it’s individual or collective strength, Real Madrid is superior to Atletico Madrid, he can only stir the waters, turn a well-played match into chaos, and then win amidst the chaos.

But now, the source of chaos.

The referee of this match, seems finally unable to endure, started showing yellow cards to control the pace of the game.

Which without a doubt, is a disaster for Atletico Madrid.

“Let Raul Garcia take the field.”

Diego Simeone already saw Tiago’s exhaustion and had no choice but to use his second substitution, bringing in Raul Garcia Escudero.

This is a player he greatly appreciates, though he doesn’t shine brightly in any particular area, his abilities are quite balanced in all aspects.

Raul Garcia once played for Osasuna, and Osasuna is regarded as an unconventional team in La Liga due to their aggressive style, and Raul Garcia inherited the team’s robust character, while his experience as a striker makes him agile and smart, he also has good scoring ability as a defensive midfielder.

Osasuna’s former coach Aguirre once compared him with Zidane, while the media praised him as Spain’s Redondo.

At that time, many clubs sought him, but he ultimately chose to stay at Osasuna to gain ample match experience, which indirectly proves this player’s calmness, a very important quality for Diego Simeone.

As far as a midfielder goes, perhaps the only thing Raul Garcia lacks is experience.

Diego Simeone has long regarded this player as one of the candidates for future absolute core players.

“Atletico Madrid has used their second substitution of the match.”

“Raul Garcia.”

“Praised as another Zidane when he played for Osasuna.”

“Once hailed by the media as the new Redondo.”

“His presence on the field has seemingly revived Atletico Madrid’s midfield.”

After Raul Garcia came on, Atletico Madrid got several opportunities.

Reyes finally received a pass from midfield, and Aguero, after Chen Zhong was distracted by Diego Costa, got a chance to shoot.

Unfortunately, the ball went wide.

In the 79th minute of the match, Real Madrid used up two substitution slots in succession.

Cristiano Ronaldo, whose shirt was dirty, was replaced by Higuain, and Negredo was replaced by Benzema.

In the 86th minute, during an aerial duel with Chen Zhong, Diego Costa attempted to elbow Chen Zhong, but Chen Zhong jumped higher, pinning Diego Costa’s elbow with his body, rendering it powerless, yet Diego Costa’s eye socket was hit squarely by Chen Zhong.

Not far away, Cavaleiro saw this scene and couldn’t help but shiver.

“These two play really dirty,” he muttered, after glancing at Chen Zhong, recalling his earlier remarks about Chen Zhong, he couldn’t help but think, “He wouldn’t hold a grudge, would he? If I were in his place, then…”

Seeing Diego Costa’s bleeding eye socket, Cavaleiro couldn’t help but shudder.

Diego Costa was placed on the sideline for a brief treatment before returning to the field, and at that moment, Diego Simeone also recognized the situation and stopped struggling.

However, his eyes still contained a trace of unwillingness.

“Next time!”

“Next time I definitely…”

ps: I vaguely remember a match where Cavaleiro was elbowed by Costa, leading to bleeding and leaving the field, indeed Costa plays dirty…

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