CHAPTER 130: CHAPTER 41: CLASH OF TWO GIANTS

No one can replace him in the team’s tactical role.

He will be a key player in enhancing the team’s upper limit.

...

On December 6th, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have a league match to play, and after Real Madrid plays away against Athletic Bilbao, they will face Lazio at home for a crucial Champions League group stage match.

After defeating Santander Athletic, there are few in the media criticizing Schuster’s failures or commenting that he would be dismissed.

After all, from every perspective, Schuster’s coaching performance this season can be deemed successful.

This season, Real Madrid’s scoring numbers are the best in the past 16 seasons.

Most importantly, under Schuster’s leadership, Real Madrid has broken free from the shackles of the Capello era, making the matches more enjoyable despite minor defensive flaws. However, in the last league round, many fans saw hope.

Recently, Spanish media have been discussing Real Madrid’s style.

According to Spanish media, the team’s style often depends on their midfield.

Barcelona’s style is determined by Xavi, Iniesta, and Deco, while Arsenal’s style is dictated by Fabregas and Flamini, and Milan’s style by Kaka and Pirlo.

But at Real Madrid, since the start of the season, there has been no fixed midfield leader, so a consistent style has been absent.

At the beginning, Gago, Sneijder, and Guti took turns playing, sometimes playing together, but it was hard to say who had absolute command.

Yet, four months into Schuster’s tenure at Real Madrid, Chen Zhong’s midfield performance seems to be the team’s answer.

Online, opinions on this topic are divided into conservative and progressive camps.

Progressives argue that Chen Zhong, if not the current midfield leader, is at least the future one.

Conservatives believe the progressives are too conservative, as Chen Zhong’s performance in these matches has already sufficiently proven his domination capabilities in midfield.

Before the match against Athletic Bilbao, Schuster announced the match lineup in the locker room.

The team formation returned to the 442 setup.

Forwards: Van Nistelrooy, Raul

Midfield: Robinho, Chen Zhong, Baptista, Sneijder

Defense: Torres, Cannavaro, Pepe, Ramos

Goalkeeper: Casillas

Substitutes: Robben, Gago, Guti, Dudek, Marcelo, Drenthe, Saviola

This large lineup somewhat surprised external predictions. Many thought that Guti, who finished suspension for this match, would make the starting lineup, as Schuster himself often emphasized the team’s reliance on Guti during interviews, yet Guti was placed on the bench according to the announced lineup.

Athletic Bilbao’s new coach is Joaquin Caparros Camino. This Spanish coach began his tenure at Athletic Bilbao in early July this year, with a focus on stability.

During the pre-match press conference, he expressed concerns about Guti’s return when facing journalists.

...

San Mames Stadium

A Spain’s famous Devil’s Home Ground, where Athletic Bilbao’s fans fervently shouted, making the atmosphere onsite somewhat intense.

Upon seeing Real Madrid’s starting lineup, Caparros couldn’t help but furrow his brow into a frowning shape.

"Is Chen starting?"

"Schuster’s lineup this time is truly surprising."

"If Guti were starting, it would be good. We’d then know how to defend against Real Madrid."

At the beginning of the season, Guti attracted the entire La Liga, but being frail and comparatively aggressive, other teams soon identified Guti’s weakness.

Restricting Guti means limiting Real Madrid’s midfield, choking Real Madrid’s throat.

However, Caparros wouldn’t be overly worried, as this is their home ground, and they just recently defeated Valencia in the league.

"Live coverage of the 15th round of La Liga is currently being broadcast for you."

"Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid."

"Players wearing red and white stripes with black shorts are Athletic Bilbao, while those wearing white jerseys are Real Madrid."

"In this match, Real Madrid’s starting lineup has undergone some adjustments."

"Baptista and Chen Zhong pair up to be the team’s double midfielders; among the two, Baptista’s position is closer to Raul and Van Nistelrooy."

"Chen Zhong is responsible for protecting the team’s defensive line, and this adjustment strengthens Real Madrid’s midfield confrontation."

"Baptista can provide significant offensive assistance for the team, and Chen Zhong’s defense is also outstanding. His positioning, tackles, and interception abilities this season have surprised many."

"In the last match, Schuster used Chen Zhong and Baptista’s pairing, and judging from the match, it was quite effective."

"Apart from midfield adjustments, Torres’ appearance is also a major change."

"Compared to Marcelo’s offensive assistance, Torres’ role in attack is far smaller than his defensive impact."

"Real Madrid in this match has allowed Marcelo as a substitute, mostly due to defensive considerations."

At San Mames Stadium, organized noise from Athletic Bilbao’s fans emerged on the stands, as Spain’s famous Devil’s Home Ground, their fervor would somewhat create psychological pressure on the players on the field.

During the first ten minutes of the match, Athletic Bilbao controlled the game, launching three threatening attacks in the 3rd, 5th, and 6th minutes.

"Hehe," Schuster sneered, "Every team playing against us seems to gamble with an opening wave."

"But this time, they’re miscalculating."

"Chen’s performance is very eye-catching," Francisco nodded, "In these three minutes, he resolved two threatening offenses from the opponent."

Apart from Athletic Bilbao’s long shot in the 3rd minute, where Chen Zhong didn’t contribute, Chen Zhong blocked and tackled Athletic Bilbao’s offenses in the 5th and 6th minutes.

Now, throughout San Mames Stadium, the booing is often loudest when Chen Zhong has the ball.

"Athletic Bilbao’s cross."

"Cannavaro heads back."

"The power was slightly weaker."

"Fernando Llorente!"

With golden hair, a large physique, Llorente, 1.94 meters in height, pushed Pepe aside, charging toward the ball’s landing point with an unstoppable momentum.

Casillas wanted to rush out initially.

But he caught another figure out of the corner of his eye.

Chen!

It’s Chen Zhong!

Two large and powerful players collided in the penalty area, neither backing down nor fearing.

Solid shoulders crashed together, they exerted strength leaning at an angle, instantly appearing evenly matched.

On the stands, Athletic Bilbao fans were somewhat confused.

"Is this Chen?"

"He can actually match strength with the new Ursus?"

"This absolutely can’t be true, Llorente holds absolute power among the new generation!"

Among Athletic Bilbao fans’ discussions, referring to the new Ursus with absolute power, Llorente ultimately fell behind the black-haired, yellow-skinned number 22 Chen Zhong.

In the contest with Llorente, Chen Zhong first touched the ball, poking it toward Casillas.

"Hoo~," Llorente exhaled heavily, he deeply glanced at Chen Zhong, said nothing, and ran off.

Pepe, who just suffered a hard loss in the physical contest with Llorente, came over, saying, "Chen, he seems to have targeted you."

"Leave it to me."