Chapter 557 - 34: Who Do You Think You Are?
Diego Costa’s mindset started to crumble a bit; Chen Zhong’s simple taunt easily broke him.
"I need to focus."
"He fears me."
"That’s why he uses such remarks to disturb my thoughts."
The handsome Diego kept muttering to himself, trying to numb himself with such statements, refocusing his scattered thoughts back into the match. He believed Chen Zhong was using verbal attacks as he didn’t want a direct confrontation.
But soon, he realized something was off.
Because the "coward" he judged was now actively engaging in physical confrontations.
"Haha!" Diego Costa laughed, observing Chen Zhong eager to welcome the young man to the harsh World of Football through actions.
Others might go easy on you because you’re a "kid."
Me!
Diego Costa won’t!
Yes, there are always those who disbelieve, attributing others’ success to luck, thinking they could achieve the same.
They are simply unwilling to recognize others’ excellence.
"Real Madrid’s attack."
"Marcelo dribbles down the side."
"Costa is actively moving towards Chen Zhong."
"Chen Zhong raises his hand."
"Signaling for the ball."
Diego Costa, upon entering the field, had already taken down Kaka, then fought Pepe, and now he wanted to reclaim dominance from Chen Zhong.
His approach was mere "intimidation," meaning, kid, see me coming, stay quiet, and I’ll go easy.
Yet, Chen Zhong looked at Diego Costa and decisively raised his hand, asking Marcelo for the ball.
Diego viewed this as an insult.
People can’t tolerate being provoked by someone younger; they think, you little thing, what do you know?
Diego Costa angrily approached Chen Zhong, his hands restlessly trying to touch Chen Zhong, maybe pinching, maybe squeezing, maybe scratching...
Who knows?
However, at the moment of Diego’s approach, Chen Zhong swiftly started, and Diego felt his stomach take a heavy hit.
Diego Costa first was shocked, then held his stomach and fell to the ground, he had received an elbow strike from Chen Zhong!
An elbow strike!
He elbowed me!
Diego Costa tried seeking the help of the referee, but the referee, lenient in this match, didn’t even look at Diego Costa.
"Chen Zhong receives the ball and turns."
"Diego Costa is down on the ground."
"The two must have had physical contact."
"Chen Zhong passes the ball to Kaka."
"Kaka’s escape skills are extremely strong."
"Directly charging into Atletico Madrid’s penalty box."
"Shoots."
At this moment, Chen Zhong showed his maturity. When Diego Costa loudly accused Chen Zhong of foul play, seeking referee support, some young players might hesitate and glance at the referee.
But not Chen Zhong.
Ignoring the hesitant Atletico Madrid players, he made a precise pass to Kaka.
And now, because of Diego Costa, Atletico Madrid players’ negligence made it hard to stop Kaka.
Kaka chose a curving shot from outside the penalty area.
When he played for Milan, he often scored from this position.
But Filipe Luís heroically blocked with a flying leap, deflecting Kaka’s shot.
The Brazilian-Italian full-back had crossed paths with Chen Zhong while playing for Deportivo La Coruña, drawing attention with his talent.
Diego Simeone, after taking over the team, valued this player considerably.
His inherent "rascal" talent combined with discipline and kindness was evident when he attacked others using personal matters but felt ashamed afterwards.
Filipe Luís’s eyes flashed with ruthlessness, although he blocked Kaka’s shot, he looked at Chen Zhong.
Simultaneously loudly urging Diego Costa to pull himself together.
Noticing this, Diego Simeone also smiled with satisfaction, not counting on Atletico Madrid providing the funds for a luxury squad, he demanded every player to play fiercely, becoming warriors fighting from start to finish.
Although he just took over Atletico Madrid, he set the tone.
A tone contrasting the previous laziness.
"Filipe’s block."
"It must be said, Atletico Madrid under Simeone has changed significantly."
"Even trailing by two goals."
"They still possess strong fighting spirit."
"We can hear the Atletico Madrid fans shouting by the sidelines."
"Clearly, they’re not so focused on winning or losing now."
"They value the team’s desire to win and determination to fight."
"Which is more important than anything."
The game gradually reached an impasse, with both teams starting to violate opposing offensive players, Diego Costa played as left midfielder, actively defending and assisting midfield control during play.