I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 85 - 7: Defensive Midfielder

Chapter 85: Chapter 7: Defensive Midfielder
Nowadays, the geniuses can live so comfortably, thanks in no small part to Van Basten; Schuster comes from that era, but times have changed.
Compared to the simple and crude tactics of the past, modern football’s tactical innovations are happening ever faster. In this match, after suffering consecutive setbacks, Lazio has clearly made targeted adjustments.
"That little old man is really capable." The little old man in Schuster’s mouth is Lazio’s current manager, Delio Rossi, known as De Rossi or Rossi, who got caught up in the Calciopoli scandal last year.
"You’re now watching live coverage of a Group C match in the 07-08 Champions League group stage."
"On the left in blue jerseys is Lazio, and on the right in white jerseys is Real Madrid."
"The current score on the field is 3:1, with Lazio taking the lead thanks to Pandev’s hat-trick."
"Of course, I think everyone is more focused on the domestic controversial genius player Chen Zhong, who once again got the chance to start in this match."
"At his age, being able to continuously start for Real Madrid has led a group of fans in his home country to view him as a once-in-a-century talent, although many others think Chen Zhong’s performance will be a flash in the pan."
"However, regardless, being able to see a compatriot in such a top-tier event like the Champions League is undoubtedly something to be happy about."
"With the sound of the whistle, the second half has officially begun."
Rossi, with his half-black, half-white balding hair, stood on the sidelines, impeccably dressed, looking like a hard-to-get-along-with old man. He anticipated Real Madrid would play offensively in the second half, so he chose a more conservative approach.
As the whistle blew, Real Madrid launched their attack quickly, trying to claw back a goal in the opening phase. Guti received a pass at the back position, with four routes in front of him. Facing the belated press from Lazio players, Guti had long planned his next move in his genius brain.
The white headband tied tightly around his golden hair, his eyes were on Van Nistelrooy, and his body was also facing Van Nistelrooy’s back, but when he passed the ball, it went to Raul’s feet.
Lazio was somewhat caught off guard by this sudden moment, swiftly closing in on Raul. However, Raul calmly selected a "golden spot" to pass the ball to Van Nistelrooy, facing the pressure from Lazio players.
Like the newly budding lotus, the dragonfly perched on its tip ahead of time.
Players and the ball meshed perfectly at that instant. When Van Nistelrooy got the ball, it was just the moment he emerged from the crowd.
A Lazio player raised his arm, signaling that Van Nistelrooy was offside, but to Van Nistelrooy, as long as the whistle hasn’t blown and the linesman hasn’t raised the flag, all other noise is nonsense.
The Merengue in the stands couldn’t help but stand up, their expressions focused on Van Nistelrooy, and Van Nistelrooy, facing the goalkeeper, didn’t disappoint the fans’ expectations. A cool shot hit the goalpost and rebounded into the net.
"3:2"
"Beautiful!"
"Beautiful!!"
"Real Madrid has started their counterattack."
"Within just 2 minutes of the second half, they quickly scored a beautiful goal."
"Van Nistelrooy would absolutely not miss this opportunity!"
"He seized the chance to regain a goal for Real Madrid."
Having scored the goal, Van Nistelrooy ran to the corner flag to celebrate wildly, while Schuster first smiled happily at the sidelines but then frowned and said, "If it was Chen now, he would have grabbed the ball and rushed to the center circle impatiently waiting for the kickoff."
Francisco, hearing Schuster’s words, didn’t know how to respond for a moment. It’s normal for players to celebrate after scoring, but the team is still trailing, so neither behavior seems wrong.
Rossi stood at the sideline, his already scant hair quietly fell, realizing his strategic mistake quickly. Against a team like Real Madrid, he couldn’t relax just because they were in the lead, as the opponent clearly wouldn’t accept defeat quietly.
His relaxation and conservatism only gave the opponent a broader stage for development.
Rossi immediately changed his strategy, asking Lazio’s players to return to their first-half stance. A one-goal lead is often the least stable in football. However, Diara’s crazy dog-style pressing in the backfield made Lazio unable to move, and even Chen Zhong, who performed "brilliantly" in the first half, stayed honestly in his position.
To outsiders, his actions might seem ordinary, but only players on the field understand how discomforting Chen Zhong’s positioning is, as he would always stand at key passing or breakthrough lines. To truly threaten the goal, one must close in and battle Chen Zhong, something everyone wants to avoid.
"Lazio’s midfield lost the ball."
"Diara’s pressing and Chen Zhong’s slide tackle created a wondrous chemical reaction."
"I really don’t know how to describe the scene in front of me."
Diara quickly approached Rocky. Rocky, in this situation, could only try to get past Chen Zhong; only then could he face the goal directly, score, and become the team’s hero.
I’m capable; I’m fine.
Perhaps this was how Rocky internally cheered himself on, as he was one of Lazio’s famed twin guns alongside Pandev!
However, Chen Zhong decisively executed a resolute sliding tackle, making Rocky confront the reality and recognize himself. As he fell on the ground, Real Madrid bounced back like a spring, swiftly launching a counterattack.
Chen Zhong delivered a long pass from the backfield to Sneijder, who was cutting forward on the flank. Sneijder, without stopping the ball, volleyed a lob to the center, reaching Van Nistelrooy.
Chen Zhong knew Van Nistelrooy’s back-to-goal technique well; watching Van Nistelrooy easily chest the ball down and turn to direct a through ball to Raul.
Lazio’s goalkeeper confidently charged out, trying to snatch the ball before Raul could take it.
Raul, oh Raul, whether he stopped the ball or shot directly, was highly likely to be seized by Lazio’s goalkeeper. However, with daring skills, Raul side-stepped and deftly flicked the ball with his toe.
Raul fell to the ground, the referee put the whistle in his mouth but never blew it because the ball had accurately sunk into the goal, crossing the goal line.
"Raul!"
"A cool and composed chip shot!"
"The ball’s in!"
"3:3"
"Real Madrid has equalized the score."
"After being reversed by two goals in the first half."
"Real Madrid in the second half took just 7 minutes to score two consecutive goals."
Schuster fist pumped repeatedly at the sidelines, his face flushed, his golden hair waving with his movements. Rossi’s face was grim, though he said nothing, his face visibly reddening, his anger value clearly reaching its peak.
In the subsequent match, both teams had some chances but neither penetrated the opponent’s goal. The match ultimately ended with a weak shot from substitute Saviola, Real Madrid, Lazio, and Olympiacos all collecting 3 points, with Real Madrid temporarily topping the group due to goal difference.