Chapter 779: Chapter 43: Who Says Chen Is a Brute? (Part 2)
In a way, there is a hidden bond between Chen Zhong and Benzema, and that bond is Florentino.
Benzema is Florentino’s personal signing and gamble. With Benzema’s breakout, Florentino also becomes frantic.
No matter what, Florentino needs Benzema to prove that his judgment is correct.
Although before Benzema, he had used Chen Zhong, the top salary, and the captaincy to prove his foresight.
Originally, Mourinho was quite happy, but as he was smiling, his brows suddenly furrowed. He listened intently to the voices of the fans in the stands. Mourinho was clearly displeased with the behavior of the Atletico Madrid fans.
Mourinho had once praised the Atletico Madrid fans for their performance in the King’s Cup.
But now, he criticized the Atletico Madrid fans for verbally abusing Cristiano Ronaldo and shouting racist slogans at Marcelo.
"I still have to say that the Calderon Stadium is fantastic, and the atmosphere inside is something we all love." Mourinho said to Francisco, tilting his head: "But obviously, insulting players is not right."
As Mourinho spoke, he walked towards the fourth official. During this process, some Atletico Madrid fans even hurled death curses at Cristiano Ronaldo and called Marcelo a "monkey."
"Can’t you see? These things are tarnishing a rather good stadium," Mourinho protested to the fourth official: "At the end of the day, players and their families should be respected."
While Mourinho was communicating with the fourth official, Diego Simeone frowned. From the start of the match, Mourinho had been constantly reminding the Real Madrid players on the sidelines to focus more on not conceding goals: "Watch out! Don’t let the opponent take advantage of the gaps in our back!" Mourinho’s voice of reminders was as loud as torrential rain hitting a tin roof.
At San Siro, Gerland, Riazor, and Calderon, Mourinho kept shouting from the sidelines: "Watch your backs!"
Against every opponent, the Portuguese coach would shout this way, constantly keeping his players alert, whether they were defending against Ronaldinho, Portillo, or Guadardo.
Under such a tactical strategy, Khedira’s role became very important. Despite Khedira’s mediocre footwork, average vision, and weak scoring ability, his tenacity and spirit of sacrifice were exactly what was needed.
Diego Simeone picked up his notebook and jotted down notes, his eyes full of frustration.
In the match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, Mourinho had initially relied on Khedira and Parejo to guard Alonso. The German defensive midfielder Khedira performed excellently. Combined with the presence of Chen Zhong, the gap in the midfield between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid became especially obvious. The three defensive midfielder tactic completely overwhelmed the "Rojiblancos."
Diego Simeone was now in a predicament. The team struggled to hold on defensively, and offensively, it was difficult to achieve anything against Mourinho’s three defensive midfielders.
Real Madrid’s first goal was a testament to the strength of their midfield. Alonso passed from midfield, and Chen Zhong, positioned further forward, instantly assessed the situation.
After a Marseille Turn, everyone thought he would, as usual, charge to the edge of the penalty area and then unleash a heavy cannon towards the goal, which was evident from the positioning of the Atletico Madrid players who intended to block Chen Zhong’s shot. However, Chen Zhong quickly flicked his left foot, and what seemed like a casual touch accurately found Benzema!
At that moment, Chen Zhong displayed his flair.
"Who says! Chen..." Diego Simeone muttered as he observed the situation on the field: "Is a brute!"
Minute by minute, Atletico Madrid strengthened their defense. Another 10 minutes passed, and neither team scored.
Atletico Madrid, only by the 21st minute, managed to threaten Real Madrid’s goal.
Reyes!
Yes, it’s Reyes again!
The hero who once helped Real Madrid to a championship.
His pass gave Aguero a chance. The agile Argentine shot low to the bottom left corner from 20 yards, trying to breach Real Madrid’s goal, but Casillas reacted swiftly, pushing the ball out over the baseline.
The Atletico Madrid fans in the stands became more agitated, cursing incessantly.
Yet no one attacked Chen Zhong.
Or rather, very few attacked Chen Zhong.
Then Reyes took a corner, and Chen Zhong, who had returned to the penalty area, leapt high to clear the ball.
"Atletico Madrid seems to be intensifying their offense."
"The first 20 minutes dominated by Real Madrid are over."
"Now Atletico Madrid is trying to level the score."
Diego Simeone’s eyes were filled with a hint of expectation, and Reyes began to become active again.
Only two or three minutes passed, and Reyes again created havoc on the flank. The biggest threat from Atletico Madrid in this match was created on the wing.
Aguero wanted to repeat his trick, but the Real Madrid defense had long listed him as a key target.
The ball was intercepted as soon as it reached Aguero’s feet.
Subsequently, this seemed to become the main theme of Atletico Madrid’s offense.
Reyes had the ball, attacked from the wing, and then Atletico Madrid attempted to face the goal directly.
But it was either collected by Casillas or intercepted by defenders or midfielders.
Reyes passed, Aguero penetrated the left side of the penalty area and his shot-pass was blocked by Casillas. Thiago’s attempt from the edge of the box was blocked, and Fran’s cross from the right was cleared by Real Madrid players.
This scene, again and again, wore down Atletico Madrid players’ patience.
"Focus!" The shouts of Chen Zhong and Mourinho from the sidelines echoed each other. During this period, they kept reminding the players to stabilize their defense, to stabilize their defense.
And time gradually favored Real Madrid.
Yes!
On the pitch, it’s humans playing, and Atletico Madrid’s way of playing is destined not to last...
At least not without sufficient physical reserves.
At least for now, Atletico Madrid...
They cannot last for long.
The initiative returned to Real Madrid.
It was another attack by Atletico Madrid, but this time, they seemed a bit impatient.
Aguero raised his hand for the ball early, and Fran and Reyes had already moved to the wings, leaving only the agile Aguero in the middle. Diego Simeone could only hope that this talented Argentine compatriot could help him!
Score a damn goal!
Just like Real Madrid’s Chen Zhong, who always manages to help the team in critical moments!
Haven’t you always compared yourself to Chen Zhong?
Diego Simeone’s inner voice was something Aguero obviously couldn’t hear. Instead, he even became the starting point for Real Madrid’s counterattack!
"The 30th minute of the match!"
"An attack by Atletico Madrid."
"Aguero raises his hand for the ball!"
"Reyes on the wing, passes across to the center!"
"Aguero!"
"No, Chen Zhong!"
Nobody knew when Chen Zhong had returned.
But Aguero once again experienced that unstoppable force.
Compared to Aguero’s panic, Diego Simeone briefly wore a rare smile.
So Chen Zhong retreated?
Good retreat! Good retreat indeed!
But in the next second, Diego Simeone’s expression changed.
What did he see?
After intercepting the ball, Chen Zhong moved without the slightest hesitation with a long pass—no, a surgical knife-like precision through ball.
What word is more fitting to describe it?
An arrow that pierces the sky, commanding thousands of troops to meet.