"Chen!"
In the away team dressing room, Mourinho suppressed a laugh and approached with a serious expression.
God knows how long he’d waited for this opportunity, the desire to coach young players pulsing in his heart during countless sleepless nights.
But Chen Zhong! Though young, his behavior and on-field presence had always been impeccable.
Today, however.
He finally found an opportunity for "guidance".
"Boss." Chen Zhong ca over, looked at Mourinho, and took the initiative to speak: "I’ve noticed their midfield gaps, so I need Di Maria to be more active when moving on the field."
"Di Maria?" Mourinho was taken aback at first, then recalled Chen Zhong’s passing routes from the first half, and after a few acknowledgnts, pointed at Chen Zhong and instantly understood.
In this match, Cristiano Ronaldo was playing forward, Kaka was on the left, Di Maria on the right, while Chen Zhong and Granero were in midfield.
Due to Cristiano Ronaldo’s personality and Kaka’s assignnts in this match, Di Maria often retreated for defense, resulting in Chen Zhong passing mostly to him as a connecting point.
But if Di Maria’s positioning was more aggressive, further forward.
When Chen Zhong passed to Di Maria, Di Maria could create an inverted triangle effect, adding more flexibility to Real Madrid’s attacking style.
Importantly, Kaka on the left could also gain more opportunities.
Upon understanding Chen Zhong’s ideas, Mourinho also realized why Chen Zhong frequently used his weak foot in the first half, and made adjustnts during halfti.
Granero was substituted out, Alonso was brought in.
The team’s midfield then beca:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Kaka, Chen Zhong, Di Maria
Khedira, Alonso.
Granero felt a bit dejected hearing about his substitution but soon rallied, took his spot quietly, and followed the players out, aware he hadn’t done much in the first half.
"The second half begins."
"Real Madrid was the first to make a substitution adjustnt."
"Mourinho replaced Granero with Alonso."
"Their formation changed to the 4231 often used."
"Chen Zhong’s position was further forward."
"In the attacking midfielder role, Chen Zhong is undoubtedly top-tier."
"His ball control, shielding, and long shot capabilities are impressive."
"This will pose a formidable threat to Alria’s defense."
Real Madrid’s adjustnts took imdiate effect, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s mobility as the center forward creating difficulties for Alria, and Kaka and Di Maria’s presence on the wings adding to their woes.
Of course, their biggest headache was Chen Zhong.
This young Real Madrid captain, newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner, rely standing there exerted imnse pressure on them.
Soon, Real Madrid crafted several promising shooting opportunities, including Marcelo’s long shot after cutting in from the left.
Unfortunately, it missed the near corner.
"Real Madrid’s attack."
"To Ramos."
"Ramos passes to Di Maria."
"Di Maria with the ball."
"Chen Zhong!"
"Creates an angle!"
"Takes the shot!"
Real Madrid’s pressure on Alria was suffocating, as Di Maria received the ball on the wing and made an inverted triangle pass to Chen Zhong, who then shrugged off the defender in front, found an angle, and unleashed a heavy cannon shot outside the penalty area.
"Boom!"
The ball shot up, incredibly fast.
Diego Alves was highly focused, adjusting his position swiftly, then placed his hands forward in an attempt to deflect the ball.
However, when the ball contacted his hands, it was not deflected, instead, it bounced and lodged into the upper net.
0:1
Real Madrid was the first to score on their away ground.
And it was Chen Zhong who scored!
"The ball is in the net, net, net, net!"
"Chen Zhong’s signature heavy cannon strike has given Real Madrid the lead."
"Alves was well-positioned, but against Chen Zhong’s heavy cannon, he couldn’t reverse the situation."
"The ball rebounded from his save attempt into the goal."
"0:1"
"Real Madrid takes the lead."
After scoring, Chen Zhong first felt joy, then regret, and finally a bit of annoyance; the scene left the surrounding Alria players uncomfortable.
What’s going on, what’s the big idea?
After scoring, you’re acting like this!
Looking down on us or what?
Actually, Chen Zhong wasn’t targeting Alria, nor looking down on them. He initially planned a weak foot shot, but executed it with his favored right foot.
In retrospect, this choice proved correct.
If it had been with the left foot, perhaps Diego Alves could have made the save!
The match continued, Chen Zhong raised both arms, called out teammates’ nas, and with exuberance, ran and bounced along. This display also left Real Madrid players a bit puzzled.
What’s happening, captain?
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