Chapter 532 - 21: Iconic Moment! (Part 2)
"Real Madrid’s free kick."
"Chen Zhong and C. Ronaldo stand in front of the ball, both capable of taking free kicks."
"The two seem to be discussing something as they stand over the ball."
The position of this free kick is favorable, and both Chen Zhong and Cristiano Ronaldo obviously have ideas. The Portuguese glanced at Chen Zhong, took the initiative to approach, and said, "Chen."
"Hmm?" Chen Zhong turned to look at C. Ronaldo. The two train together every night and are familiar with each other’s abilities. Chen Zhong looked at C. Ronaldo’s proud demeanor, smiled secretly in his heart, and said, "You take it, this position suits you best. I’ll cover for you later."
Cristiano Ronaldo’s eyes lit up when he heard Chen Zhong’s words, and the two assumed almost identical postures.
They revealed the solid muscles of their thighs, placed their hands by their sides, took a deep breath, and stepped back step by step, looking like they were both seriously considering taking this free kick.
"Both players are standing in front of the free kick."
"They both revealed the muscles on their thighs."
"Both have resolute expressions."
"Whether in action or demeanor."
"The two are surprisingly consistent."
"It seems the rumors that they train together every night might be true."
"C. Ronaldo and Chen Zhong are both obsessively disciplined players, which is a crucial reason for their success."
Cristiano Ronaldo glanced at Chen Zhong from the corner of his eye, watching Chen Zhong’s identical movements and focused expression, feeling a bit anxious inside.
Could he be tricking me and choose to take a shot himself?
After all, he earned this free kick himself; taking it himself doesn’t seem unreasonable.
But would Chen deceive me?
The Portuguese suppressed his emotions. Chen Zhong ran toward the ball, then took a leap, stepping over it.
Milan’s wall was deceived by Chen Zhong’s feint, and they all jumped.
Cristiano Ronaldo started two breaths slower than Chen Zhong and just saw the Milan wall jump, creating gaps where there were none.
He powered his foot into the ball, which spun and turned into a white streak heading towards the goal.
The free kick passed through the gap between Ibrahimovic and Seedorf in the wall and dropped towards the right side of the goal.
"The ball is in, in, in, in!"
"Cristiano Ronaldo!"
"Scores a beautiful free kick."
"His coordination with Chen Zhong is seamless."
"Chen Zhong made a breach in Milan’s wall."
"C. Ronaldo seized the opportunity and found the gap between Ibrahimovic and Seedorf."
"Let’s review that play."
"Their cooperation is very skilled."
"Basically, just as Chen Zhong stepped over the ball, C. Ronaldo kicked it."
"2:0"
"Real Madrid scores again."
"This free kick cooperation between the duo will be deeply imprinted in the fans’ memories."
Allegri held his head in frustration. Milan has conceded two goals, both scored by the Ballon d’Or winner, arguably the most dominant player of that year. Such a player was one Real Madrid had two of, and there was a high chance they could have a third.
Is this Real Madrid?
Quite terrifying indeed!
Mourinho’s face was once again smiling; he had never fought such an affluent battle.
Didier Drogba is good, but he never won the Ballon d’Or, and now in Real Madrid, both sides are Ballon d’Or winners, with a potential Ballon d’Or in midfield, and a genius striker up front to choose from.
This lineup even makes Mourinho want to play offensive football.
After the goal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s smile was much more sincere, as he never played for Milan and naturally had no reason not to celebrate.
He ran toward the corner flag, and Real Madrid fans, who had been holding back, shouted the slogan C. Ronaldo had inadvertently called out last time: "Siu~"
This moment brought immense satisfaction to C. Ronaldo’s mind and body.
"The match continues."
"Milan kicks off again."
"Chen Zhong intercepts from the center with a slide tackle."
"The ball goes to C. Ronaldo."
Milan was a bit flustered. Real Madrid capitalized, with Chen Zhong intercepting with a slide tackle and quickly passing to Cristiano Ronaldo on the flank.
Gattuso tried to retaliate from the side, but the Portuguese reacted quickly, with a sudden stop and acceleration to shake off Gattuso.
He rapidly broke into the penalty area from the left, his peripheral vision still checking on his teammates in the middle.
At this moment, Negredo, Chen Zhong, and Kaka were all advancing towards Milan’s penalty area.
"A change of rhythm."
"Shakes off Gattuso."
"Cuts into the penalty area."
"C. Ronaldo!"
"A low cross."
Real Madrid fans in the stands craned their necks, their gazes full of admiration for the Portuguese, while Milan fans tightened with anxiety.
From their perspective, it seemed like Real Madrid players filled Milan’s penalty area, with vulnerabilities everywhere.
Bonera was the first to sense danger. When Cristiano Ronaldo’s low cross reached the front of the goal, he quickly adjusted his position, and in front of him was Chen Zhong, who had once played for Milan and helped them win a league title and UEFA Europa League!
Chen Zhong!
It’s him again!
Nobody could stop him.
Determination flashed in Bonera’s eyes; he placed his hands behind his back, leaned his upper body backward, and extended one foot forward, while Milan teammates started closing in on Chen Zhong from both sides.
Chen Zhong remained calm, first holding off the interference from Milan players and then calculating the ball’s landing spot.
He then spread his arms wide to enlarge his "defensive area." In the penalty box, facing the ball, he didn’t opt for a stop but executed a resolute and crisp volley.
"Boom!"
A very thorough contact.
The ball soared and rocketed towards Milan’s goal, while Bonera straightened his body.
The ball struck Bonera’s shoulder, causing a deflection straight upwards.
A strike intended to be a powerful volley turned into a slow lob at that moment.
The chaotic situation in the box distracted the players, and the substitute goalkeeper Amelia wasn’t adequately prepared.
The ball dipped into the upper left corner of the goal.
Just the opposite of where he was headed.
3:0
Real Madrid scores again.
Real Madrid fans in the stands erupted in excited cheers, while Milan fans were left in disbelief.
"It’s in!"
"The ball is in!"
"Just a minute or two later."
"Real Madrid scores again."
"C. Ronaldo’s breakthrough on the wing followed by a low cross to the center."
"Chen Zhong, nearly carrying a Milan player, calmly executed a precise shot."
"We must mention Bonera here."
"The goalkeeper had actually positioned himself properly."
"Without that deflection, there’s a high chance he could have saved it."
The commentator’s analysis was a sentiment shared by some Milan fans. Bonera was no longer the man who initially dazzled them; in recent seasons, fans often criticized Bonera for his blunders.
This match happened because of Thiago Silva’s injury, which allowed Bonera to start.
With Bonera compromising both goals, many fans channeled their anger towards him.
Either way, Bonera was associated with those damned "divine striker" mistakes.
