Chapter 925 - 22: Competing with Me in Body?
Under Tah’s interference, Chen Zhong completed a textbook-style header!
Neuer’s pupils dilated in front of the goal because he realized that Chen Zhong’s header was not a shot, but a pass.
Neuer, who pioneered the goalkeeper playing style, quickly adjusted his position, made an extreme side dive, and used his fingertips to deflect Mbappe’s shot.
Upon seeing this, Mbappe, as a top striker, did not resent the blocked shot but quickly stepped forward to attempt a steal.
Tah, witnessing this scene on the sideline, wanted to intervene, but the roles of offense and defense swapped, and Chen Zhong blocked Tah’s path, the two collided, neither yielding.
Tah could only watch helplessly as Mbappe completed the follow-up shot.
Despite Neuer’s brilliance, facing such a close-range shot was a challenge even beyond him.
0:1
Total score 3:1
Real Madrid recaptured a goal.
The Real Madrid fans on the stands were ecstatic, feeling that scoring at this point meant there was still a chance, while Bayern Munich fans grew anxious, clearly not expecting to concede a goal within 20 minutes.
They could accept the team conceding a goal but not conceding too quickly!
The Real Madrid fans in the stands were boiling over!
White scarves surged like waves, young fans filmed videos with their phones, shouting loudly: "See? We still have hope!"
In a corner of the away team’s stands, several Chinese students wearing Chen Zhong’s number 23 jersey draped a national flag over their shoulders, shouting in Chinese, "Go Chen Zhong!"
Kompany loosened his tie, and the tactical board creaked under his grip.
Meanwhile, Alonso was kneeling on one knee, hands clasped on his chest, seemingly in prayer, clearly under significant pressure.
When the head referee confirmed the goal was valid, Chen Zhong held back the eager Mbappe from celebrating, making a shocking gesture to the crowd.
He did not join the celebration but instead ran straight into the goal, scooped out the ball, and said to Mbappe, "At least three more, this is only the first; we have no time to waste."
Mbappe swallowed hard upon hearing this and nodded obediently.
At Real Madrid, Chen Zhong was undeniably the leader; regardless of external views, the current locker room was firmly controlled by Chen Zhong. Only after he leaves might factions like the French or English arise, leading to scheming, backstabbing. With Chen Zhong around, everyone must behave.
"Real Madrid recaptured a goal!"
"There’s plenty of time left."
"If they keep up this scoring rate, the match outcome might not be certain."
As the match continued, Bayern Munich players focused more intently on defense, cutting off Chen Zhong’s connection with the midfield for quite a while, forcing him to drop back to help the team control possession.
Alonso furrowed his brows.
Kompany smiled, pleased with how things were unfolding; Chen Zhong’s threat and pressure in the front were indeed quite significant.
Better to keep him in midfield.
However, Kompany’s optimism didn’t last long.
"21st minute of the match!"
"Chen Zhong with the ball!"
"In midfield!"
"Vinicius!"
"Beautiful!"
In the 21st minute, Chen Zhong took possession in midfield, facing Bayern Munich players, executing a beautiful Marseille Turn while creating further danger.
Near the midline, he delivered a surgical knife-like direct pass to Vinicius, the Brazilian broke into the penalty area, causing Bayern Munich fans on the stands to break out in a cold sweat.
Unfortunately, Vinicius didn’t maintain his footing and was knocked down in the penalty area.
The Real Madrid fans on the stands became instantly agitated, with Vinicius immediately seeking a penalty from the head referee. Scoring a penalty in the 21st minute and then netting another could greatly alter the match dynamics.
However, the head referee signaled for the match to continue.
The Allianz Arena erupted in piercing boos, the broadcast switched to the stands — Real Madrid’s president Florentino’s face was visibly displeased with the decision.
Vinicius, continuously pursuing the referee with complaints, ended up receiving a yellow card.
"Vinicius fell in the penalty area!"
"But the head referee refused to award a penalty!"
"This decision incited displeasure among fans."
Bayern Munich narrowly escaped trouble; Kompany wiped the sweat from his forehead, starting to adjust the team’s tactics.
In the ensuing period, it was evident that Tah’s defensive strategy changed noticeably.
Seemingly realizing he couldn’t completely restrict Chen Zhong as expected, particularly during set-pieces, the 1.95-meter giant no longer marked tightly, opting instead to discreetly tug at Chen Zhong’s jersey hem with his left hand.
His aim wasn’t to prevent Chen Zhong from heading the ball but to make it uncomfortable for him, employing some dirty tricks.
Such tactics were all too familiar to Chen Zhong throughout his career; he looked at Tah and remarked, "I really wish you could be smarter, I’m sick of these tricks."
Some forget that, initially, Chen Zhong played as a center-back; no one knows better than him how to mess with someone’s mindset.
"Chen Zhong with the ball in midfield!" the commentator suddenly raised the volume, "He’s like a precise computer scanning the field!"