Chapter 622: Chapter 66: Chen and Benzecat
"Real Madrid has achieved a perfect winning record at home this season."
"In this match, they obviously hope to continue that achievement."
"The players of both teams are entering the field one after another. We can hear the cheers from the Real Madrid fans in the stands, clearly showing their satisfaction with the team’s performance in beating Barcelona in the national derby!"
"The camera turns to Mata, and we can see him engaging in a friendly conversation with Chen Zhong."
"It’s said that back in Castilla, Chen Zhong, Mata, and Negredo had a good relationship."
"In this match, each fights for their own team and relies on their own skills."
In this game, Real Madrid still employs the 4-2-1-3 formation:
Benzema
Kaka, Chen Zhong, C. Ronaldo
Alonso, Khedira
Marcelo, Albiol, Pepe, Alvaro
Casillas
In this match, Mourinho made some unique arrangements, changing the positions of Kaka and the Portuguese players. In attack, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Chen Zhong advance to become three center forwards.
Kaka is then lurking behind them.
Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo are the center forwards, while Kaka and Chen Zhong serve as attacking midfielders.
Meanwhile, Valencia sets up with a 4-2-3-1 formation in this match.
Soldado
Mata, Tino Costa, Joaquin
Albelda, Maduro
Alba, Ricardo Costa, Stankovic, Bruno
Guaita
After a series of procedures, Valencia won the kickoff.
With the sound of the whistle, the match officially begins.
Valencia feels quite ambitious in the opening stage. Emery stands on the sidelines, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes. This rising new coach stands elegantly in a suit, his gaze following Mata.
"Valencia kicks off."
"Mata with the ball."
"Not fast, very patient."
"Switch to the flanks."
"Cross."
"Joaquin!"
Joaquin’s positioning is meticulously calculated. He jumps from the side as if performing a diving stunt, resolutely heading the ball towards Soldado nearby.
This man, dubbed by Real Madrid fans as the "worst number 9 in history," found himself surrounded by defenders but still managed to shoot.
Casillas slightly crouches and dives to the side.
"Head flick."
"Soldado."
"A long shot from the left side of the area."
"Going for the far corner!"
"Casillas!"
"A perfect save!"
Casillas gets into the game very quickly. Soldado’s shot, both in timing and angle, was quite appropriate. If it weren’t for a world-class goalkeeper like Casillas, it would have likely been a goal.
Casillas collects the ball and sprints forward, throwing the ball to Alonso, who immediately opts for a long pass, finding Cristiano Ronaldo on the flank.
This scene surprised many regular Real Madrid fans.
After all, usually, the ball is first given to Chen Zhong for distribution, but now...
The fans have a wide view and clearly see the ball flying toward Cristiano Ronaldo on the left, while Benzema is pulling Valencia’s players apart, and Chen Zhong is decisively pushing forward.
Jordi Alba is matched against Cristiano Ronaldo in this game.
This young player, who joined the La Masia training camp in 1998, is now with Valencia but still internally feels he’s a Barcelona man.
Real Madrid just defeated Barcelona in the recent national derby, and Jordi Alba is full of frustration, watching Cristiano Ronaldo with the ball.
Jordi Alba rushes from the side and directly knocks Cristiano Ronaldo over.
"Wow~"
"That hit."
"Really unnecessary!"
"The referee blows the whistle."
"A card, perhaps?"
"Directly pulls out a yellow card!"
"This tactical foul wasn’t needed at all."
"Even if C. Ronaldo got past, there are other players."
"Just three to four minutes into the game, Alba gets a yellow card."
"Emery must be unhappy."
In the stands, Real Madrid fans express their discontent with boos. Jordi Alba wants to appeal to the referee, but the referee doesn’t listen and even warns Alba with a glance.
On the sidelines, Mourinho raises an eyebrow, looking at Emery with a smile in his eyes.
Isn’t this your player, little brother?
Three minutes in and he gets a yellow card?
And a defender at that?
A tactical foul at this time?
Was it necessary?
Emery also grins and winces, looking at Jordi Alba in confusion, wondering why this promising young player would do such a thing.
For Emery, the game’s opening isn’t going smoothly.
He wanted to surprise with a quick attack, hoping for a goal but didn’t get it. Soon after, the defense suffered a yellow card...
It’s simply a blood loss!
On the other side, Mata also folds his arms, looking at Jordi Alba, not knowing what to say. Sensing Chen Zhong’s gaze, Mata turns to Chen Zhong and makes a discreet gesture asking for mercy.
