Chapter 566 - 38: What!? This Can’t Be! (Part 2)
However, overall, more veteran fans still tend to believe it was offside.
But, the linesman did not raise the flag.
The fans, spectators, and players watched this "cunning" 37-year-old man, a miraculous first touch, then a second touch to maneuver, and the third touch poking the ball just as Casillas charged forward.
The ball leisurely slipped past Casillas’s armpit.
Then rolled into the net.
In that instant, the entire stadium erupted after a brief moment of silence!
"Milan! Milan!"
"Mourinho, you’re an XXX!"
"Inzaghi! 70 goals! Inzaghi! Number one!"
The Milan fans in the stands shouted frantically, and in that moment, it seemed as if an earthquake shook the San Siro Stadium; the entire stadium was vibrating.
Milan’s supporters celebrated wildly; they had so much to cheer about.
And Casillas, who was the first to react, still got beaten by Inzaghi’s seemingly harmless shot, immediately raised his hands with a flushed face and shouted.
"Offside! That was offside!"
He shouted loudly, as at least from Casillas’s vantage point just now, he saw Inzaghi in an offside position.
Even Pepe and Ramos raised their hands in protest.
Chen Zhong, as the team’s captain, was the first to run to the referee to protest.
This young captain, with his hands behind, insisted: "Referee, I just saw it, Inzaghi was in an offside position."
"When they passed, I saw clearly that Inzaghi’s upper body and legs were already offside."
"This is not a valid goal."
As Chen Zhong spoke halfway, he saw the excited Ramos and Pepe charging over, each pulling the other to prevent them from getting booked for aggressive language.
After patiently listening to Chen Zhong, the referee shook his head and said, "I didn’t see him offside."
"And the linesman didn’t signal anything."
While Real Madrid was communicating with the referee, Inzaghi was already running to the sidelines and raising the number 70 jersey presented by his teammates to display.
This was a commemorative jersey prepared by the club especially for him to showcase at this moment.
Meanwhile, fans watching the match on TV could clearly see the replay.
In slow motion, Inzaghi was indeed in an offside position; the referee had made an error in judgment.
"Real Madrid players surrounded the referee."
"They appear quite restrained."
"The referee still insists on his decision."
"It’s rumored someone is pushing for the use of VCR to assist during matches."
"To reduce the referee’s misjudgement errors."
In football, there’s a saying: "Misjudgment is also part of the game." Some hope to prevent this aspect by using replays to lessen wrongful calls.
In other words, during matches, besides the referee and linesman, video referees are also needed.
They can alert the referee during disputes to avoid misjudgment.
Of course, this implementation would take time, but it already has considerable support.
What’s foreseeable is that if this technology is applied in football matches, though it might slightly affect the flow of the game, it could indeed reduce misjudgments.
At least incidents like Maradona’s Hand of God would not happen again.
That’s both pros and cons!
Allegri on the sidelines is grinning ear to ear; the team leads by two goals, while on the other side, Ajax is still trailing by one goal to Ousel. In this case, as long as they win this game, they can secure second place to advance.
While on the sidelines, Mourinho’s expression reveals a stern look.
"Gonzalo Higuain." Mourinho turns to Francisco and says, "Have Benzema warm up; I hope this match, this kitten can show me something that impresses me."
Mourinho is not pleased with Higuain’s performance in this match.
This Argentine’s attacking desire is too strong; as one of the players with the longest service time within Real Madrid, Mourinho knows very well that he is increasingly eager to prove himself and gain the main player’s position.
In this match, if Chen Zhong does not retreat, the team’s formation could even resemble a 4-2-4 due to Higuain.
Is it because...
The 700th goal?
Mourinho’s eyes glimmer with sharpness.
He keenly notices that Di Maria seems to be indifferent to defense in this match and instead seems inclined to help Higuain score.
This feeling is evident from the positioning.
On the other side, Chen Zhong has clearly realized the problem; understanding that arguing with the referee is futile, he both calms the players down and looks towards the sidelines, also wanting to see if Mourinho has any instructions.
And upon seeing Benzema warming up alone on the sidelines in less than 20 minutes, he already realizes the "problem."
He walks over to Higuain and says, "Wake up, you need to do what you’re supposed to do."
"I will score," Higuain says to Chen Zhong with a determined look, "I just haven’t found a good enough opportunity yet, plus that guy didn’t pass the ball to me."
In this match, Chen Zhong has retreated significantly; Higuain can be said to be enjoying the center position alone, not like Negredo, who endlessly plays the supporting role but is more inclined to slip behind the defenders.
At the same time, that guy he mentioned should refer to Cristiano Ronaldo, who had a few opportunities to possess the ball.
"You know what I want you to do," Chen Zhong says coldly, "Like in training."
"700 goals!" Higuain stubbornly looks at Chen Zhong, "You want me to assist that guy?"
Within Real Madrid, the firing rights are officially first Chen Zhong, second Cristiano Ronaldo.
But in fact, from early in the season until now, Cristiano Ronaldo has had the most goals and shots, followed by Chen Zhong.
Higuain had a conflict with Cristiano Ronaldo at the beginning of the season; though not outwardly visible, Higuain has always wanted to outdo Ronaldo.
"I!"
"What?"
"I want this 700th goal," Chen Zhong looks at Higuain, then turns to Di Maria, before returning to his position.
And these words leave Higuain standing speechless.
It’s been the 4th season of acquaintance for these two; Higuain has always wanted to make his relationship with Chen Zhong very close, but there are too many people around Chen Zhong, and he can never take precedence.
Gradually, he gave up the idea.
Moreover, Chen Zhong is somewhat...
Like a patriarch.
Although his age ranks among the youngest within the team, he always manages things evenly, neither favoring nor leaning.
And during matches, when it comes to passing, when selflessness is required, he always distributes the ball, even conceding penalties or free-kicks.
Gradually, those like Higuain stopped competing with Chen Zhong and turned more to vying for attention.
Higuain always feels that if he becomes the team’s main center forward, Chen Zhong will always look for him on the pitch, and those penalty kicks will be conceded to him, and under Chen Zhong’s help, he would eventually become the Ballon d’Or.
Even in this match, when vying for the 700 goals, he never saw Chen Zhong as a competitor.
Because he and the Portuguese want to use this to leave a mark in Real Madrid’s history, but Chen Zhong doesn’t need to; he is already destined to leave his name.
Yet, right now...
He wants to compete.
To compete for this 700th goal.
On the other end, Chen Zhong also finally realizes something.
That is, some things.
Only when he holds them are they without dispute.
Just like this moment now.
That inevitably historical 700th goal.
It’s like in the imperial court when the Crown Prince hasn’t been decided; people want the Emperor to appoint the heir, and now this 700th goal is the Crown Prince, and Chen Zhong is the legitimate heir.
If the legitimate heir doesn’t "make it," others would break their heads for that heir position.
But if the legitimate heir succeeds.
Others, no matter how many thoughts they have, can only hold back and wait.
Wait for the "Crown Prince" to fall from grace and show their abilities.
Milan fans in the stands are still cheering, while Real Madrid players gradually undergo a change.
Portuguese, Argentine, Brazilian, Spanish...
No matter how many thoughts they have, they must calm down.
Because.
He wants that 700th goal.
