I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 435 - 68: Enter the Backbone!

When Puyol scored the own goal, the camera even captured him lying on the grass for a long time, looking dejected and annoyed, truly a reflection of his sense of responsibility. No one would despise Puyol for this own goal; only he knew the bitterness in his heart.

By this time, the people of Madrid had already started celebrating their "steady" hold on the throne at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, no, throughout the whole of Madrid, and more than one person was discussing the team’s hopes for not just a double crown, but even a Triple Crown.

The hopes of the Barcelona fans ultimately fell short, with the final score fixed at 2:2.

On the streets of Chamartin and at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the entire city of Madrid was filled with cheers as fans turned off their radios, waving their arms and shouting loudly.

And as Sevilla and Real Madrid’s players entered the field.

The big screen at Bernabeu even displayed the 2:2 draw for Barcelona.

This scene caused the entire stands to erupt in cheers, even disorienting the players who were preparing to enter the field.

Many older fans were even teary-eyed, knowing that 108 years ago, on March 6, Real Madrid laid their first cornerstone. Back then, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium didn’t exist, and their team’s name hadn’t been granted the royal title yet... Today, 108 years later, this team needed to find their lost honor, now was the perfect moment to prove—they are the real rulers of Spain.

They had never craved success more than now, especially when Barcelona became the "Sextuple", known as the Cosmic Team, and was even considered stronger in the mouths of new fans.

If they could outperform Barcelona in all competitions this season, it would be great as well.

Real Madrid fans watched the players on the field with anticipation, hoping for a resounding victory like in the previous games, to fulfill all their expectations.

They sang loudly in the stands, where joyous sounds echoed everywhere.

Everyone believed they would have a bright future.

However, things do not always go well, and at the start of the match, at the bustling Bernabeu, an incredible scene unfolded.

This match featured Alonso and Parejo in central midfield, with Alonso playing Chen Zhong’s position.

At first, people were saying, "Chen doesn’t look so untouchable."

"At least Alonso can play his position."

"And he’s doing quite well!"

But soon, Alonso made a mistake to remind them that conclusions shouldn’t be drawn easily.

This world-class midfielder scored a "beautiful" goal within less than 10 minutes, but it was into his own team’s goal.

When they saw Alonso’s own goal, Real Madrid fans in the stands were dumbfounded because, in the second minute of the match, they witnessed the team launch a fairly threatening attack.

Higuain, who started the match, was very active, completing a decent shot in the box; if not for the goalkeeper’s heroic display, they nearly had a dream start.

But now...

Alonso scored an own goal?

"10th minute of the match."

"Sevilla takes the lead thanks to Alonso’s own goal."

"The camera focuses on this Spanish midfielder, we can see his expression is not very good."

"In this match, he’s playing Chen Zhong’s position, evidently he’s a bit uncomfortable with this role, a bit disorganized."

Chen Zhong’s position isn’t one that just anyone can play; from stamina and speed, Alonso and Chen Zhong aren’t very different, Alonso might even be better in some aspects.

However, in terms of defensive positioning and anticipation, Alonso has a bit of a gap.

A good positioning and anticipation can save several steps in defense; some defense doesn’t require back-and-forth sprints, but instead requires standing in position ahead of time.

Though Alonso has some defensive positioning and anticipation, clearly he isn’t as adept as Chen Zhong.

Sevilla’s goal also excited the previously disheartened Barcelona fans, who spread the news excitedly; many Barcelona fans were awakened by phone calls in the night.

What?

Real Madrid was trailing in 10 minutes?

And it was an own goal?

Barcelona fans were very familiar with this plot because, half an hour earlier, Puyol had just shown them, through action, what it meant to be in poor form in the just-ended league match.

On the sidelines, Pellegrini had a subtle expression, while Chen Zhong stood up from the bench and headed to the sidelines.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, and others saw Chen Zhong getting up and followed him to the sidelines. Pellegrini felt the pressure, couldn’t help but bite his fingernails—an indication of nervousness from a psychological standpoint.

Sevilla’s offensive on the flanks was very incisive; it was their combination at the flanks that eventually led to Alonso’s own goal.

Of course, the own goal wasn’t important; the important thing now was Chen Zhong standing next to Pellegrini, which made Pellegrini feel the pressure, something that simply wouldn’t happen at the beginning of the season.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid fans in the stands became excited when they saw Chen Zhong walking to the sidelines. They loudly chanted that slogan!

Hala Madrid!

Hala Madrid!!

Hala Madrid!!!

Again and again, and this overwhelming sound made the Real Madrid players on the field excited as well.

Strong fighting spirit is sometimes a good thing, but sometimes it isn’t.

Sevilla continued their flank attacks, but this time, the excited Real Madrid players withstood their offensive!

"27th minute of the match!"

"A front free kick opportunity for Sevilla!"

"Their coordination on the flanks is very skillful."

"Parejo intervened with a foul to break their attack."

This was Parejo’s first league start of the season; this match was very important for him, but from his performance so far, he seemed to fall short of expectations.

The Real Madrid fans tried to cheer and boost morale with their chants, but this time the mistake came from their ’San Casillas’.

Casillas wasn’t quite focused; facing Dragutinovic’s free kick from the front, he misjudged the situation, and in the end, the ball entered the goal after hitting the ground.

This scene instantly quieted the once-boiling stadium, an inexplicable sense of powerlessness spread across the Bernabeu stands.

Bernabeu seemed like it was paused, and previously "lively" noises dimmed, at this time, some Real Madrid fans even had near-masochistic thoughts in their minds, thinking about how many seasons they had collapsed in the latter half.

Could it be, this time we’ll miss the opportunity and be overtaken in the latter part?

The camera focused on the sidelines with Pellegrini, who, looking from outside, doesn’t seem like a "bad guy" but showed extraordinary decisiveness, using a substitution in less than thirty minutes into the match.

The Bernabeu’s announcement exploded.

Chen!

"A substitution at this moment?"

"Chen Zhong!?"

"Has Pellegrini finally realized?"

"Only a Real Madrid with Chen Zhong is Real Madrid."

"Perhaps both fans and players had long been accustomed to Chen Zhong’s presence and shouts on the field." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"His presence isn’t just because of his abilities, but also the mental strength he provides to the players."

"This substitution might be the wisest decision this manager made all season."

Originally, Sevilla’s coach, Jimenez, had a radiant face on the sidelines, occasionally interacting with distant away fans with fist pumps.

But upon hearing the Bernabeu’s broadcast explode.

Seeing Chen Zhong eager to come on after warming up on the sidelines.

The radiance swiftly disappeared from Jimenez’s face, the smile shifted from him to the faces of Real Madrid fans.

What?

minutes into the match, the coach used a substitution!

And it’s Chen Zhong?

That’s really...

Chen Zhong!