CHAPTER 124: CHAPTER 37: A LIFE-AND-DEATH BATTLE

"Sanogo was even about to raise his hand in celebration."

"But Chen Zhong shattered his dream."

Sanogo looked deeply at Chen Zhong, feeling a bit frustrated, why is it always this annoying kid.

Meanwhile, Casillas forcefully patted Chen Zhong’s shoulder, loudly praising, "Well done, well done, if it wasn’t for you, we’d be done!"

Metzelder moved his lips looking at Chen Zhong; originally, it would have made more sense for him to be in Chen Zhong’s position. But the final outcome was that Chen Zhong detected the danger early, abandoned his original "zone," and appeared like a god at the right spot, completing a thrilling goal-line clearance. Even Metzelder had to feel admiration for Chen Zhong’s boldness.

On the sidelines, Schuster praised Chen Zhong enthusiastically, while Shaf was discussing Chen Zhong with the assistant coach, wondering if there was a way to exploit Chen Zhong’s movement.

In the stands, the fans of both teams couldn’t help but discuss Chen Zhong, with Werder Bremen fans feeling more troubled by his performance.

"Why is it Chen again?"

"Why did he appear at the goal line?"

"Isn’t he afraid that leaving his designated position will cause a goal?"

In contrast to Werder Bremen fans’ frustration, Real Madrid fans’ feelings toward Chen Zhong were more of appreciation.

"He’s always able to sense danger."

"Ten Metzelder wouldn’t compare to one Chen."

"It’s him, it’s him, it’s our little hero, Chen!"

The match continued, with both teams swiftly switching between attack and defense. In the 58th minute, Chen Zhong barged into a pressing Werder Bremen player and fed the ball to Robinho on the left in front of the penalty area.

Robinho, after receiving the ball, on the left of the penalty area made a low pass to Van Nistelrooy.

"Chen Zhong’s body is very strong."

"Passed to Robinho."

"Robinho directly passed without stopping."

"Beautiful coordination!"

"Van Nistelrooy has no defense!"

"A push shot!"

Van Nistelrooy’s sense in the penalty area is excellent; Werder Bremen tried to play offside but failed, as he faced the goalkeeper and chose to push to a far corner.

Possibly due to the cold weather in Germany, affecting Van Nistelrooy’s condition, the ball hit the post and bounced to Werder Bremen’s player.

In the penalty area, Werder Bremen’s player took the ball, quickly turned, and passed to his teammate in the big penalty area.

At that moment, a dark figure stretched out a long leg and intercepted the ball.

The entire stadium was engulfed by screams of astonishment.

Chen Zhong, it’s Chen Zhong!

A very beautiful interception!

Chen Zhong took the ball, and surrounded by Werder Bremen, including their goalkeeper, charged at him. In this moment of crisis, Chen Zhong was unfazed and backheeled the ball behind him.

Raul took the ball without hesitation and pushed it to the side.

Van Nistelrooy, facing a half-open goal, pushed the ball without stopping.

"The ball is in!"

"Beautiful!"

"Beautiful goal!"

"The biggest contributor to this goal is undoubtedly."

"Chen Zhong, who intercepted the ball and calmly passed under pressure from Werder Bremen."

"He made the correct choice in the shortest time."

"He’s like a machine without emotions."

"It’s as if he has eyes on the back of his head."

"2:2"

"Real Madrid has equalized."

"Van Nistelrooy, who was in poor form this match, finally opened his goal account."

Schuster on the sidelines was punching the air repeatedly, while Shaf squinted at Chen Zhong; he knew this kid would always bring surprises, but they definitely won’t succumb just like this.

Van Nistelrooy ran to the corner flag celebrating wildly, followed by Raul, followed by Diara, followed by Ramos, followed by Sneijder, followed by Robinho, followed by Metzelder...

While Chen Zhong turned and ran into the goal to pick up the ball, followed only by Marcelo, followed by Pepe...

The match continued, Werder Bremen kicked off, and in the center field, Jensen faced Diara’s pressing and noticed Chen Zhong approaching the wing.

He chose not to pass to the wing but made a lofty pass in the center field.

Trying to break behind Real Madrid’s players, and at this moment Ramos, Marcelo, and Pepe were positioned forward, Metzelder’s smart little brain flashed, deciding to make an attempt for offside.

However, his advance, Hunt’s forward run, and Jensen’s pass were just within inches.

"Metzelder fails to create offside!"

"Hunt single ball."

"Casillas rushes out!"

"A beautifully lobbed shot."

"The ball is in!"

"3:2"

"Werder Bremen quickly regained the lead."

"An attack strongest team in Bundesliga indeed!"

In the stands, Werder Bremen fans waved their arms, loudly shouting Hunt’s name, while Casillas pounded the turf heavily, then stood up looking slightly "warm-colored" at Metzelder.

Metzelder swallowed hard, wanting to say something but didn’t know what to say.

Schuster was utterly speechless; this match, all three goals came from Metzelder and Marcelo’s side, if not for Chen Zhong, they might have conceded four goals.

"This is Real Madrid’s third conceded goal this match."

"This goal is the result of a center-back’s offside mistake, leaving an opportunity for the opponents."

"Schuster’s setup for this match is a bit bold and aggressive."

"Facing Werder Bremen’s pursuit of fast, direct play."

"The entire defense line seemed to lack coherence, four defenders none of whom are qualified, Marcelo did some good in attack but defensively, he became Real Madrid’s biggest hole."

"Actually, Real Madrid’s tactical approach isn’t entirely wrong."

"Just in Metzelder’s position."

"If it was Chen Zhong..."

"Not saying none of three goals would’ve been conceded, but at least one or two less."

"Chen Zhong’s goal-line clearance was Real Madrid’s brightest moment in defense this match."

"However, this match, the team showed some sluggishness in attack too."

"Van Nistelrooy repeatedly missed chances."

"Robinho, Sneijder, Raul’s conditions weren’t great either."

"Diara seemed busy with who knows what in midfield."

"The best player on the team was amazingly 16-year-old Chen Zhong."

"But clearly, he can’t do it all alone."

In the remaining match, both teams maintained their fast-paced offense, yet Real Madrid’s attack seemed to be sleepwalking, Raul shot high at the top of the penalty arc, Robinho’s low shot at the arc top delivered directly to the goalkeeper’s arms, Van Nistelrooy turned and shot in the box aiming at a human.

Real Madrid had plenty of chances but always managed to squander them.

Defensively, Real Madrid showed no improvement, if it weren’t for Werder Bremen’s physical drain and Casillas’ late explosive saves, it’s hard to say how many goals more they’d concede.

During this time, Casillas single-handedly blocked Werder Bremen’s long shot, Chen Zhong blocked Rosenberg’s low shot inside the box, Rosenberg’s right-side box low shot scratched past the post, Alberto’s point-blank shot blocked by Pepe’s thigh, a rare highlight moment for the team’s defense.

Especially when Pepe blocked Alberto’s shot, at that point Sanogo took the ball at the second point, facing a mostly open goal, if not for Chen Zhong’s side tackle, nearly a sure goal would occur.

The final score settled at 3:2

Real Madrid lost the away game, not only missing early qualification, securing first place, but even facing the risk of elimination.

United Werder Bremen fought hard for their faint chance of advancing, seizing a lifeline in this crucial battle, they clinched victory.

Real Madrid also faces a life-and-death fight, next home game against cornered Lazio.