I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Chapter 743 - 26: Lyon’s High Morale! (Part 2)

In the 2004-05 season, Juventus once again dashed the dreams of the "Galaxy Battleship," and in the 2005-06 season, Henry’s Arsenal knocked Real Madrid out of the competition.In the 2006-07 season, their old rival Bayern Munich blocked Real Madrid’s path. A season later, Schuster, having Chen Zhong in his ranks, made some headway in the Champions League, but after Chen Zhong moved to the Apennine Peninsula, Schuster’s Real Madrid quickly fell.

This is why, when facing Lyon this time, reporters wanted Chen Zhong to make a statement...

After all, according to Marca, for the match against Lyon, Mourinho will employ a three-defensive midfielder formation, with Chen Zhong, Alonso, and Khedira guarding the midfield, adding toughness to Real Madrid’s center and providing protection for the backline consisting of Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, and Alvaro.

To ensure stability, on the backline, Marcelo, whose offensive ability surpasses his defensive capability, is likely to be sacrificed, replaced by the defensively steady Alvaro.

Adebayor will appear in Real Madrid’s number 9 position, with the Togolese’s appearance order prioritized over Benzema. Mourinho hopes Adebayor can use his impact to destroy Lyon’s defense.

The Champions League has always been a hurdle for Adebayor to overcome.

In the 2003-2004 Champions League season, Monaco reached the final, but Adebayor, after nine appearances, failed to score. Deschamps left him out of the final, and the team lost 0-3 to Porto.

In the 2005-06 season, Adebayor joined Arsenal in the winter. The Gunners were defeated 1-2 by Barcelona in that season’s Champions League final, and Adebayor missed out due to eligibility.

Many reports are believed by fans, but the notion that Chen Zhong would become a defensive midfielder is met with skepticism; not just Real Madrid fans but even Lyon fans doubt this information.

Meanwhile, when Mourinho realized this news had leaked, he glanced at Casillas without expressing anything. Many knew about this matter, but most lacked reason and means to leak it; only Casillas and his partner had the motive.

As for Lyon, Marca also provided an analysis.

This season, Lyon has added Gourcuff, capable of displaying technical finesse.

Gourcuff is skilled, operating the ball with his feet as if with hands.

This season, he has scored 2 goals and provided 4 assists, which may not seem dazzling, but his key passes number as many as 48.

Argentinian center forward Lisandro Lopez will be unable to play due to injury, but former French international Gomis is in decent form, scoring 3 goals in the last five rounds.

When reporters asked Chen Zhong his views on the match, he was already activating special training for the Heavy Cannon trait; completing two heavy shots in this game would raise it to Level 2.

Facing the camera, he said, "This Real Madrid is the strongest I’ve seen; we can defeat any opponent and claim any honor."

After Chen Zhong’s speech, Real Madrid’s starting lineup was announced.

It wasn’t the three-defender formation speculated beforehand but rather an incisive 4231, or one could say 4213, formation.

Adebayor

Cristiano Ronaldo, Chen Zhong, Kaka

Alonso, Khedira

Alvaro, Carvalho, Pepe, Ramos

Casillas

On the bench, Real Madrid had Adan, Di Maria, Benzema, Parejo, Granero, Marcelo, Albiol, and others.

In this match, Real Madrid played with almost the full main squad, only making slight adjustments in places, such as not using the offensively strong but defensively weak Marcelo as left-back, opting for the more defensively adept Alvaro.

Before the game officially began, Mourinho analyzed Lyon’s formation, highlighting three players: French forward Gomis, Gourcuff, and finally Pjanic.

Pjanic is a talented midfielder, attracting attention from many clubs. If he appears at the right moment, he could be a decisive factor.

The players of both teams gradually took to the field, and Lyon had the opening kick.

After the kickoff, they cautiously controlled the ball, searching for opportunities, while Real Madrid’s interceptions in midfield were very aggressive. In the match’s first ten minutes, neither team achieved much.

Real Madrid, after all, was playing away, with a day less rest than the opponent, so Mourinho’s tactical strategy was relatively conservative.

After realizing Real Madrid wouldn’t easily take the bait, Lyon began to attack proactively.

In the 10th minute, Gourcuff took the ball on the left and advanced; Lyon’s left is Real Madrid’s right. Ramos, not initially familiar with this player, suffered greatly and had to resort to a sliding tackle from the side.

Gourcuff fell and smoothly rolled over a few times.

The German referee Stark, officiating this match, showed the first yellow card, making it the fourth yellow card Ramos received in four Champions League games this season.

Ramos muttered about the yellow card, evidently feeling it was unfair, and on the sidelines, Mourinho frowned as Ramos’s pace seemed a bit slow.

But in the center, as a central defender, his height was somewhat lacking.

"Lyon gets a free kick!"

"This foul was a bit too rash."

"Gourcuff will take the free kick..."

"He opts for a cross!"

Real Madrid’s wall, under Casillas’s command, shifted, and Chen Zhong also joined the wall.

When Gourcuff attempted to hang the ball into the middle with the free kick, Chen Zhong jumped high and headed the ball out.

Unfortunately, the second landing spot was still played by a Lyon player, who once again chipped the ball into the box.

Lyon’s captain Chris opted for a bicycle kick right in front of the goal.

"Boom!"

The ball bounced right off the ground, then changed direction.

It was a difficult ball to handle, but Casillas reacted extremely fast.

With one hand, he slapped the ball away.

Lyon’s players again contested for the ball, and it was almost like a scripted scenario from a soccer video game!

The player who got the ball directly chose a through pass, sending it to the French forward Gomis, who was cunningly positioned!

This savvy French forward was in his comfort zone, his eyes locked on the top right corner of the goal, precisely when he intended to curl in a shot just like he had so many times before...

A Real Madrid player from the side decisively slid in and intercepted the ball.

"Gomis!"

"He takes a shot!"

"Chen Zhong!"

"A very decisive sliding tackle!"

"Intercepts the ball!"

In their home stadium, Lyon’s morale was high, as each player spared no effort in running, trying to gain an advantage through active positioning...

Mourinho frowned on the sidelines; he didn’t want to see Lyon controlling the game.

"The match has progressed for 24 minutes!"

"But Real Madrid hasn’t taken a single shot!"

"That is a very rare occurrence this season!"

"Lyon’s cross from the right!"

"Gourcuff!"

"Alonso clears in the air!"

"The ball didn’t fly too far."

"Again!"

"Gourcuff!"

"Gomis, low shot with the left foot!"

"Casillas’s miraculous save!"

Lyon’s continuous attacks made Real Madrid scramble, and if not for Casillas’s miraculous save in the last minute, Lyon might have taken the lead.

After Casillas picked up the ball, he quickly locked his gaze on a figure in the distance.

It was Chen Zhong.

He raised his right hand, sprinting forward sideways.

And that undeniably gave a signal!

A signal for a quick attack!