Chapter 652: Chapter 79: Do We Really Need a Center Forward? (Part 2)

"CCTV, CCTV."

"Now broadcasting for everyone is the 17th round of La Liga."

"Getafe at home against Real Madrid."

"In this match, Chen Zhong is once again starting."

"..."

The commentary detailed the personnel situation of both teams. Getafe was at full strength, but facing the stars of Real Madrid, they had no better strategy but to adopt a destructive tactic.

"Real Madrid’s attack."

"Chen Zhong takes the ball."

"Passed to the flank!"

"C. Ronaldo!"

"Cuts inside after taking the ball!"

"Double-teamed by Getafe."

"Falls inside the penalty area!"

"Look at the referee!"

"No penalty!"

"No penalty, the referee indicates he saw it clearly."

"C. Ronaldo looks a bit unhappy."

This was Real Madrid’s first attack of the match. Chen Zhong’s passing and control skills were becoming increasingly skillful; he first pulled on Getafe’s positions, then found the Portuguese with a direct through ball.

The Portuguese had a chance to break into Getafe’s penalty area, but after a slight increase in intensity from the Getafe players, he fell in a "cloud-like" manner inside Getafe’s penalty area.

To be fair, Getafe certainly made contact with Cristiano Ronaldo, but whether it was enough to make him fall is a big question.

At least if it were Chen Zhong instead of Cristiano Ronaldo there, Chen Zhong would likely have pushed the surrounding players aside to directly break into the penalty area and complete the shot.

This might also be why some fans prefer Chen Zhong over Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese’s protests did not catch people’s attention, prompting Getafe players to start scrutinizing the referee, wondering if the officiating in this match might be relatively lenient?

Getafe evidently lacked a top-tier midfield, and within just a minute, their attempt at central penetration fell apart.

Chen Zhong intercepted the ball in the middle and dispossessed it.

Feigned a pass to Cristiano Ronaldo but actually passed it to Di Maria.

After taking the ball, Di Maria was nearly clear on goal, but Getafe players committed a tactical foul in the backfield, interrupting this threatening attack from Real Madrid.

"Very unfortunate!"

"If he had gotten past, it would have been a clear one-on-one!"

"C. Ronaldo steps up to take this free kick!"

"Chooses to shoot directly!"

"Too high!"

Mourinho looked somewhat displeased on the sideline, believing that the foul on Di Maria should have warranted a yellow card, but the referee didn’t give one.

"Damn it," Mourinho muttered while looking at Francisco, "Officiating like this will tear this match apart."

The smooth running of a match is closely tied to the referee’s level of officiating.

Real Madrid firmly controlled the pace of the game, with several attacks being thwarted due to Getafe’s fouls, but the referee was reluctant to show even a single yellow card.

This season, many teams have realized one thing.

It’s not just against Barcelona that you must be tough; you also need to be tough against Real Madrid.

Especially with Atletico Madrid under Simeone becoming increasingly "proper," the dirty or iron-willed Atletico Madrid has also become a reference point for them.

Some even say that Simeone’s Atletico Madrid might cause a defensive upgrade throughout La Liga, raising the level of physical confrontation across the league.

"Real Madrid’s attack."

"They have firmly controlled possession in this period."

"Continuous short passing combinations."

"Chen Zhong holds the ball with his back outside the penalty area."

"Pass again!"

Real Madrid’s ball control was increasingly patient.

Chen Zhong took the ball outside the penalty area, forcibly turned, first feigned a shot to deceive Getafe’s defenders, then sent a direct through ball to the advancing Di Maria.

Di Maria’s acceleration was very quick, always giving a sense of lightness.

The Argentine was also very excited; as a left-footed player cutting in from the right side of the penalty area to face the goalkeeper, there was no doubt about his threat.

A chip shot with a charming arc.

The goalkeeper made a save attempt but had no way to stop it.

The ball hit the net, and Mourinho laughed heartily on the sideline.

0:1

Real Madrid took the lead on the road.

Di Maria appeared very excited, and behind him, Real Madrid players were closely following.

"The ball is in!"

"Chen Zhong’s assist, Di Maria’s goal."

"Don’t look at Chen Zhong being so tall and strong, but his footwork is becoming more and more refined."

"Wide vision, strong body, and precise passing."

"In this position, he is simply omnipotent, always able to deliver the ball comfortably to his teammates’ feet."

"Who still remembers, or believes, that Chen Zhong’s passing was initially all based on luck?"

"Of course, Di Maria also has excellent skills; this chip, this arc, is simply perfect."

After this goal, Real Madrid played even more unhurriedly, while Getafe seemed to have become a bit anxious.

And the referee seemed to be awakened, finally starting to issue cards in the subsequent match.

The first yellow card appeared around 20 minutes into the match when Cristiano Ronaldo, receiving a pass from Chen Zhong, was interrupted by a tactical foul, and the referee gave Boateng a yellow card without hesitation.