Chapter 791: Chapter 49: The Devil’s Schedule (Part 2)
On February 14 this year, Ronaldo announced his retirement, and this time, at the invitation of Real Madrid chairman Florentino, he will go to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to bid farewell to the Real Madrid fans.
In an interview with Diario AS, Ronaldo said, "It feels wonderful, I miss the days in Madrid, at the Bernabeu."
"Florentino asked me if I would be willing to accept such an honor, and I’m happy to accept."
"Here, I had the happiest memories, and this is the team where I scored the most goals in my career (104 goals)."
"Real Madrid holds a special meaning for me."
Real Madrid fans are picky, even for Ronaldo, who was known as the alien when he played for Real Madrid, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
Ronaldo recalled the joy and pain of his time at Real Madrid, emotionally stating, "I have beautiful memories: Sundays at the Bernabeu, the fans, we won the league championship..."
"I also remember the pain, like losing to Juventus in the Champions League semifinals, that season we played very well."
In Ronaldo’s career, he never won the Champions League, but he has no regrets.
"Yes, I couldn’t win the Champions League, but my entire career has been perfect, I can’t complain about anything."
Regarding the current Real Madrid team, Ronaldo expressed his opinions on Mourinho, Chen Zhong, Kaka, Benzema, and others.
If healthy, would he choose to join Mourinho’s Real Madrid or Guardiola’s Barcelona? For Ronaldo, this question required little thought.
Ronaldo answered, "Without a doubt, I would choose Mourinho’s Real Madrid."
"Although both are great, I prefer joining Mourinho’s team, it’s just a pity that my era has passed."
Ronaldo also reminisced about working with Mourinho at Barcelona: "I once worked with Mourinho at Barcelona, at that time there were four Portuguese-speaking people in the team, and we were very close to him. I don’t know what he experienced later, but Mourinho has already shown great leadership ability,"
Regarding Chen Zhong, Ronaldo stated, "I’m very surprised by his performance, he is now one of the top players in the world." Speaking of which, Ronaldo claimed, "In fact, under his leadership, Real Madrid is in the best state."
Regarding Kaka, Ronaldo commented, "His physical condition is good now, but he lacks some fighting spirit," and firmly believed "Kaka will prove why he is a superstar signing, why he is one of the best players in the world, he will regain his fighting spirit."
Ronaldo also praised Benzema for "becoming more consistent after Higuain’s injury and scoring crucial goals," and told Benzema, "Good luck, because Real Madrid strikers must score a lot of goals."
Ronaldo also expressed "hopes that Real Madrid wins the Triple Crown," but he didn’t make any predictions, just expressed hope.
At the same time, he also mentioned why he said that, because "before the national derby, nothing can be said."
At 00:00 on April 3 Beijing time, this not-too-important La Liga match was specially scheduled at a time convenient for Chinese viewers to watch.
In China, various media outlets also heavily promoted this match, after all, Cristiano Ronaldo was not playing due to national events, Benzema, Marcelo, and Kaka were also absent.
Real Madrid set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation
Adebayor
Granero, Chen Zhong, Di Maria
Parejo, Khedira
Alvaro, Cavaleiro, Albiol, Ramos
Casillas
Notably, on the bench was the newly recovered Higuain.
Compared to Real Madrid’s star-studded lineup, Sporting Gijon’s lineup appeared much more modest.
The match began, Real Madrid got an attacking opportunity, and after Chen Zhong took the ball, he passed it to Di Maria, who attempted to break through, but was immediately taken down by the opposing defensive player.
Real Madrid fans in the stands raised their hands and voiced their displeasure.
But the referee only issued a verbal warning and did not show a card, which led Mourinho to protest towards the referee, but the referee didn’t care much.
"It’s an indirect free kick."
"Granero will take it."
"Players from both teams are in the penalty area."
"At this distance, if Chen Zhong were to directly take the shot, there would still be a high chance of scoring."
"It’s just a pity it’s an indirect free kick."
An indirect free kick cannot be taken directly to goal, it must be passed to a teammate first. Granero stood over the ball, took a deep breath, and kicked the ball toward the center. Chen Zhong was surrounded by multiple Sporting Gijon players, but the ball was not for Chen Zhong, it was for Albiol.
Albiol headed the ball, and it landed at Cavaleiro’s feet.
Cavaleiro completed the shot from close range.
The goalkeeper did not react at all.
The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium was in jubilation, just as Cavaleiro was about to celebrate, the referee blew the whistle, indicating it was an offside goal.
This made the Real Madrid fans in the stands quite dissatisfied.
Mourinho was also cursing.
Chen Zhong was about to comfort his teammates but then turned around to see Canelo directly collapsing to the ground.
He lay on the ground in pain, then clenched his right fist, pounding the ground desperately, looking very distressed.
"What’s going on?"
"Canelo has fallen to the ground."
"The referee has stopped the game."
"Players from both teams gathered around."
Chen Zhong looked at Canelo lying on the ground, baffled, and when the referee came over, he explained that he hadn’t touched him, but the referee said he saw clearly.
Canelo, during the previous defensive process, tried to play tricks, and as a result, when falling, he was squeezed.
When he was focused, he didn’t notice it, but when he relaxed, the pain surged like a tide.
The Sporting Gijon team doctor indicated after a simple check that he couldn’t continue.
Subsequently, Canelo was taken off on a stretcher, and Jose Angel was brought on as a substitute.
"It’s only three or four minutes."
"Sporting Gijon has already used their first substitution."
"Let’s look at the replay of the last scene."
"Why target Chen Zhong?"
Sporting Gijon’s overall strength was initially inferior to Real Madrid’s, and Real Madrid firmly controlled the game’s tempo, launching wave after wave of attacks like a tide under Chen Zhong’s leadership.
In the 6th minute, Granero’s shot from the arc of the penalty area missed.
After the 9th minute, Khedira passed, and Di Maria cut into the left side of the penalty area and shot to the far corner wide, Adebayor slightly late in pouncing.
After these two offensives, Sporting Gijon recognized reality and began to get grounded, setting up a bus in front of the goal, causing Real Madrid’s attacks to be dissolved time after time.
The wall of players Sporting Gijon set up in front of the goal kept Real Madrid from breaking through until the 30th minute.
Mourinho stood on the sidelines unhurriedly, as always having the team prioritize defense. Against such a staunch defensive formation, positional play generally requires players to attempt long shots, free kicks, or breakthrough plays to try breaking the deadlock.
As long as a goal is scored, everything becomes simple.
"Real Madrid’s attack, the match has reached the 40th minute."
"Chen Zhong with the ball."
"During this time, Chen Zhong has made quite a few passing errors."
Chen Zhong had repeatedly attempted to break through the opponent’s defense with through balls, but each time was intercepted by the opponent’s players. Seeing that passing on the ground wasn’t working, Chen Zhong’s eyes flickered with thought.
This time, Chen Zhong did not hastily pass the ball but carried the ball laterally, seemingly searching for a shooting angle.
Sporting Gijon was on high alert, their eyes following Chen Zhong’s movements as he moved.
And just as Chen Zhong moved to the side of the large penalty area, he suddenly kicked, choosing a lofted ball cross.
Adebayor launched himself for a diving header at the far end.
This was the team’s best chance in the first half, but Adebayor’s header was off target.
When the halftime whistle blew, Mourinho fell into contemplation, the problem was now apparent, Real Madrid’s finishing was an issue.
He looked at Chen Zhong, and a plan began to form in his mind.
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