I Am Scouted by Real Madrid-Chapter 246 - 3: Targeting

What?

Do you think I can’t do without you?

Last season, due to Chen Zhong’s outstanding performance, some media said: "Schuster can’t do without Chen." "Without Chen, Schuster doesn’t know how to play." and so on.

At that time, Schuster didn’t care about these comments.

But when one person can’t stand another, everything seems intolerable.

The time quickly came to match day, and Chen Zhong watched the game from the stands.

Deportivo La Coruña was in great form this match, breaking through Real Madrid’s goal in just 85 seconds.

They pierced through Real Madrid’s central defense with a straight pass from midfield. The ball reached Alvarez’s feet, who broke into the right side of the penalty area and delivered a low pass. Former Valencia striker Mista easily pushed the ball into the net from six yards out.

At the moment of conceding the goal, Schuster’s face turned black, while in the stands, the visiting Real Madrid fans expressed their dissatisfaction with white handkerchiefs and boos.

"Deportivo La Coruña scored first."

"If Chen were on the field, he would have blocked the opponent’s through ball."

"Protect the team’s defensive line."

"Wouldn’t let Deportivo La Coruña easily break through with a single through pass."

"Schuster didn’t use his usual combination of Chen Zhong and any midfielder in this match, which surprised many."

"1:0"

"Deportivo La Coruña took the lead at their home ground."

This was just the beginning, and people originally thought Real Madrid would quickly equalize, given that they retained the championship last season and, although they lost players like Baptista, the overall framework remained intact with some enhancements.

Although there was criticism about the investments in the transfer market, many Real Madrid fans believed that the team had the strength to defend the league title and didn’t need too many replacements.

Bringing up youth training and producing another Chen Zhong was also a good option.

In the 41st minute of the match, Deportivo La Coruña scored again, Guerrero delivered a long pass from the wing, and Lopo leaped higher than Drenthe and completed a header to score.

This Dutch player rarely got opportunities last season due to poor performance and occasional injuries, and in this match where he could prove himself, he didn’t deliver convincing performances. Whether in attack or defense, he seemed invisible.

2:0

Deportivo La Coruña fans sang heartily in the stands, while some Real Madrid fans started chanting Chen’s name.

In the second half, Schuster replaced Drenthe with Marcelo, and this move had an immediate effect.

In the 73rd minute, recently substituted Marcelo completed a brilliant breakthrough on the flank, crossing accurately to find Van Nistelrooy.

After some time of recuperation, Van Nistelrooy was in great form.

He controlled the ball with his chest, used a standard shielding motion to protect the ball, then turned and swung his leg.

The ball shot out like a rabbit, diving into the net!

Van Nistelrooy was extremely excited after scoring.

He ran towards the corner flag to celebrate.

However, what he saw were the double "boos" from both Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña fans!

"You xxx!"

"We’re still behind!"

"What are you thinking? Are we ahead? Stop wasting time!"

"If it were Chen, he wouldn’t waste time celebrating if the team was behind, he would have gone to retrieve the ball already."

"What’s in Schuster’s head, why not let Chen play, can Diara compare to Chen? Yes, he’s a bit older, but Chen, Chen, he’s much stronger."

...

Van Nistelrooy, who was initially thrilled, felt down when even his own fans were dissatisfied with him. Although he wasn’t the first to be scolded by his own fans for such things, it’s still uncomfortable to endure.

In the subsequent match, Van Nistelrooy lost his form completely, missing two chances consecutively.

And Real Madrid almost conceded again, saved at least twice by the goalpost.

The final score was frozen at 2:1

Real Madrid lost their opener to Deportivo La Coruña.

Seeing this result, Schuster started to miss Chen Zhong. Just as he was contemplating letting Chen Zhong play in the next match, those reporters came to stir up trouble again.

The reporters were actually just asking normal questions, trying to find some news.

But who told Schuster to be in such a stubborn state?

"How do you feel now after losing the match due to Chen’s absence?"

"Many fans were chanting Chen’s name in the stands, will you let Chen start in the next match?"

"How do you evaluate today’s match, is Chen’s absence a major reason for the team’s central defense lacking?"

...

Chen, Chen, Chen, everyone was asking about Chen.

Schuster hadn’t felt at ease for these past few months, with everyone and everything opposing him!

Please, he helped the team defend the league title, broke multiple records, and even replicated a feat Real Madrid accomplished 44 years ago: "conquered the four devil’s home grounds."

He, Schuster, is now qualified to demand more support.

He, Schuster, is strong!

Capable of leading Real Madrid to a new peak.

If only the club would support him, if only no one picked faults with him, if only damn Calderon would wholeheartedly support him, why is everything so difficult?

"Indeed, Chen did many incredible things last season."

"But you need to remember, it was I who brought him from Castilla to the first team."

"Losing the match, I think it’s normal, after all, the team will both win and lose, there’s nothing too concerning, as for why Chen didn’t start this match."

Schuster paused here, then faced the reporters and said emphatically, "That’s because Chen hasn’t met the team’s requirements; he’s only 16, oh, sorry, perhaps about to turn 17."

"However, for a player of his age, perhaps learning more from his seniors is what he needs to do more."

...

Schuster’s speech caused a huge uproar. The reporters originally just wanted to find a topic, to see if there was any news they could break to make a living.

In the end, Schuster turned it into a big deal.

To ordinary reporters, it was a big deal, but to Real Madrid players, fans, and even the executives, it was an uproarious blunder.

What did you say?

What did you say in front of the reporters?

Did you say that our most outstanding youth player in recent years, the monster from Castilla, the darlings of Bernabeu, Raul’s successor, the future leader?

In other teams, but very rare in Real Madrid, the "Crown Prince."

Is just an average Joe like other players???

Calderon spat out his coffee while watching TV.

Last season, Calderon was scolded by "youth supporters" for selling young players.

Calderon brandished the banner of Chen Zhong, this season emphasizing the youth training, calming the hearts of the fans.

In the end...

Lost the first match of the season, it’s fine.

After all, football is round.

But, the club’s hailed super genius.

Especially after Robinho’s departure, the genius meant to be developed into a superstar, comparable to Meroka.

You dare to...

Say this?

Isn’t it a bit too much?

Schuster’s comments even shocked Florentino, who was calmly fishing.

He chatted with Zidane and other Real Madrid staffers a lot, but in the end, it could be simply understood as him praising Schuster, lauding Schuster as "a talent!"

Schuster was strung up and criticized by various forces for his statements.

But would Schuster admit it?

No, he wouldn’t!

He directly announced the roster for the next match against Numancia.

And in this roster, once again, Chen Zhong’s name was missing.

Yes!

Not even as a starter or as a substitute, not present in the roster at all.