I Am Scouted by Real Madrid

Anfield Stadium

The halftime whistle gave Liverpool a chance to catch their breath. They didn’t expect Real Madrid, under the leadership of Chen Zhong, to display such performance and determination.

The tunnel to the Anfield locker room seemed to swallow all unnecessary sounds, leaving only suffocating heaviness, or perhaps the presence of Chen Zhong.

The faces of Liverpool players were filled with bitterness and anxiety. A 2-0 lead vanished within 45 minutes, and the opponent was the regal Real Madrid, famed for their "Champions League DNA," along with Chen Zhong, who dominated fate in numerous critical moments.

The Asian man with 9 Ballon d’Ors to his name.

He is practically the "chosen one," the god of football descended.

Of course, some also lament that it might be Real Madrid’s powerful capacity to forge Ballon d’Or winners, but regardless, Chen Zhong remains a challenging and respected opponent.

During the halftime break, Slot certainly realized this, thinking that his pre-match preparation for Chen Zhong was insufficient, and if it had been enough, they wouldn’t have conceded so many goals.

Why is it like this!

Slot’s tactics board was full of red arrows and exclamation marks.

He looked at the Liverpool players and said, "Forget the first half!" The Dutch coach’s voice was a bit hoarse but extremely resolute.

"They rely on experience and that person’s brilliance! But stamina! Remember their stamina! Chen Zhong’s running distance in the first half was among the top three of the entire team, he’s 35 years old! The second half is our chance! Step up the pace! Hit them hard! Especially the area between Chen Zhong and Camavinga! Use speed to wear them out!" He slammed the tactics board vigorously, his gaze sweeping over every player.

"We only need one goal to turn the situation around! Anfield is our fortress, listen to the voice outside, they’re waiting for a hero! Be that hero!"

Slot once led them to victory over Real Madrid, a feat even Klopp hadn’t achieved, so Liverpool players had trust in Slot, responding loudly to him, their eyes full of fighting spirit.

On the other side, the atmosphere in Real Madrid’s locker room was solemn yet filled with burning determination.

Alonso affirmed their first-half performance, especially the defensive resilience and lethal counterattack efficiency.

"Well done! But our mission isn’t over yet! This is Anfield; they won’t surrender!" He looked at Chen Zhong, sitting quietly in the corner, the team’s doctor massaging his calf muscles. "Chen, how are you feeling?"

Chen Zhong looked up, his body that once allowed him to rampage in youth now starting to rebel. Those injuries he paid no heed to back then are now making their presence felt.

Even so, Chen Zhong’s eyes remained as sharp as ever.

"I can hold on. But in the second half, they will surely hit us hard, especially on the flanks and midfield." His voice was steady, with a practiced calm that saw through everything.

"We need to control the rhythm," he said while glancing at the players, "Watch out for Van Dijk, he has a yellow card, that’s something we can use! Chen, set-pieces are still your domain."

This was also one of Alonso’s aces, though Chen Zhong is often associated with heavy cannon shots, a strong body, sounding like a brute, in reality, his passing rivals Beckham, De Bruyne, Pirlo, and he’s quite adept at free kicks.

He may look fierce like Zhang Fei, but in truth, he can "embroider flowers."

Both teams returned to the field, with the crowd of supporters from both sides cheering loudly, and on the pitch, Liverpool clearly wasn’t resigned to ending it this way. From the start, they played as if wound up, with faster passing, more active running, and a greater intensity in physical challenges than in the first half.

Mac Allister, Elliott were intensely pressing in midfield, with Frimpong tirelessly attacking Real Madrid’s flank.

Chen Zhong immediately felt the pressure. Liverpool players evidently followed Slot’s tactics, purposefully guiding the ball into his zone and wearing him down with relentless sprinting.

After a successful interception, Chen Zhong just passed the ball to Camavinga beside him, when Soboslo sprang forward like a cheetah, forcing Camavinga to hastily pass back, nearly intercepted by Gakpo speeding in.

If not for Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Courtois’s quick reaction, catching the ball precariously.

The Liverpool fans in the stands smiled at this sight, satisfied with what they saw.

"Liverpool’s pace is picking up! This is the familiar press of Anfield!" exclaimed the commentator, "They are continuously hitting Real Madrid’s defense, clearly trying to overturn the score."

"Real Madrid’s midfield is finding it hard to withstand during this period."

Real Madrid’s midfield was momentarily overwhelmed.

Alonso on the sideline watched anxiously; if not for Chen Zhong, Real Madrid’s midfield might already have collapsed. Chen Zhong had to frequently fall back to the top of the penalty arc to help defend, using his experience and physique to position himself, defusing threats time and again, maintaining the balance.

In the 55th minute, Frimpong forcibly overtaking on the right, his speed Liverpool’s sharpest spear, brought the ball forward and ultimately delivered a sweeping low cross into the goalmouth.

Gakpo let it slip at the near post, the player following up at the far post struggled to shoot under Rudiger’s interference, the ball brushed past the far post and flew out the byline! Courtois broke into a cold sweat.