I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 338 - 25: Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam Dunk! (Part 2)
Maybe Pellegrini doesn’t have the framework and dominance of a coach of a top club, but he is definitely a master tactician. During the halftime break, he told the players not to attack with a single rhythm and point, as it would be easily targeted. They needed to change it up.
Milan must have discussed during halftime to be wary of Real Madrid’s wing crosses and to be careful of Chen Zhong’s headers from the back. Players like Higuain and Negredo were just support.
However, after the second half began, they realized...
There was no damn support; they were all main forces! All outputs!
In the 50th minute, Marcelo sent a cross from the wing into the penalty area, precisely finding Kaka. At the edge of the penalty arc, Kaka attempted a curling shot, but unfortunately, it hit the crossbar.
Soon, Real Madrid launched another attack. Marcelo dribbled past opponents on the wing continuously, like a fervent little Teddy, described as invincible.
Then another straight pass was sent to Kaka’s feet.
Kaka, after receiving the ball, swerved past the "aging" Nesta on the left side of the penalty area and tried a beautiful small-angle shot to break Milan’s goal.
Dida was very focused, and after being hit three times in succession in the first half, he saved Milan’s goal from another attempt successfully.
Just when Milan’s attention was focused on the Kaka and Marcelo combo, in the 54th minute, after Marcelo passed the ball to Kaka, Kaka, facing the pressing Milan players, made a cross pass to Negredo. Without stopping, Negredo pushed the ball forward.
Higuain successfully beat the offside trap and got a face-to-face opportunity with the goalkeeper.
In an instant, the entire stadium erupted, and everyone’s eyes were on Higuain.
Under this kind of spotlight, Higuain messed up big time. He rushed the shot, and it didn’t even touch inside the goal frame, going directly out, grazing the goalpost.
Higuain’s face flushed red, clearly annoyed. He should’ve been calmer.
Chen Zhong looked at the frustrated Higuain, walked up, and hugged him tightly, saying, "It’s okay, a minor issue, pay attention next time."
Negredo also intended to comfort Higuain, but after seeing Chen Zhong doing so, he looked discontented.
Is this fair?
In this match, haven’t I missed any shots?
Why don’t you comfort me? Is it because I’m not worthy?
"Damn it!" Leonardo paced back and forth on the sidelines, realizing a terrifying fact, that Real Madrid’s attack hadn’t any focus.
Their attacks entirely depend on what they see.
What does it mean to depend on sight?
It means wherever you slack off, they would main attack that side.
If you concentrate on the middle, then the side of Marcelo and Kaka becomes the main attack; if you focus on Chen Zhong and prepare for Kaka, then Negredo and Higuain could push forward.
Even more frustrating is that Pato has been silent in this match.
Baptista, Pepe, Ramos, and Chen Zhong all gave Pato lots of "attention." Initially, Pato tried to keep his neck stiff, with a "Go ahead and kill me if you can" attitude.
But now, his stance completely changed to "Stay away from me."
"Milan made the first substitution adjustment."
"Inzaghi is waiting on the sidelines."
"Oh, substituting Pato?"
When Pato saw himself being substituted, he felt conflicting emotions: relief on one hand, unwillingness on the other.
He realized he wasn’t the person to save the situation, similar to last season against Inter Milan; facing their defense, he could only choose to pass back.
Who knows what kind of "online abuse" he might face this time.
Pato occasionally glanced at Chen Zhong out of the corner of his eye, but Chen Zhong didn’t even look at him. Perhaps only he saw Chen Zhong as an opponent while Chen Zhong never regarded him as a concern!
How...
Funny!
After Inzaghi came on the field, Leonardo realized he had made a foolish move because Milan’s biggest issue was in the midfield.
Just as Milan’s old teammates know Kaka’s strengths and weaknesses, how could Real Madrid players not know Guti and Raul?
Unlike Pato though...
Guti kept fighting, like an unyielding warrior.
Facing Real Madrid’s solid defense, Milan never found their rightful pace, always adjusting, adjusting, and adjusting.
It was at this moment, on the field, Real Madrid’s players exchanged a peculiar look with each other.
Now Milan has completely transformed to their shape.
Whatever "posture" Real Madrid wants, Milan would try to use that "posture" to cater to them. In fact, Milan’s strength isn’t weak, it’s just unfortunate that their preparatory efforts before the match were in the wrong direction.
"72nd minute of the match."
"Real Madrid controlling the ball in the middle."
"Chen Zhong takes the ball."
"Passes to the wing."
"Kaka pushes forward with the ball."
When Chen Zhong took the ball in the middle, Milan didn’t rush towards him recklessly as before.
Their three midfielders, Seedorf, Guti, and Ambrosini—among them, Ambrosini was the strongest physically, but every time Ambrosini stepped up and found no gain, ending up hurting himself, they changed their tactics to apply "pressure."
