Chapter 660: Chapter 82: Chen, Center Forward?

Real Madrid in this match presented a combination of Benzema, Callejon, Özil, Granero up front.

Missing Chen Zhong, and lacking a key figure to hold the fort, Real Madrid in this match seemed soulless.

Perhaps the 8-0 victory in the first leg against Levante made Benzema unable to muster much enthusiasm to play this match. After all, win or lose, the result seemed unaffected, and Benzema also showed no signs of wanting to prove himself.

Lazily running on the field, he seemed somewhat self-indulgent.

Ultimately, this French center forward finished the approximately 75-minute match with zero shots.

On the sidelines, Mourinho looked at Benzema, his eyes clearly showing discontent.

This was a match that even a pure youth team could have passed.

Mourinho let Benzema play, clearly wanting him to take up a leading role and show his abilities.

But Benzema seemingly didn’t understand Mourinho’s good intentions, and could even be said not to have played well at all in this match.

Of course, from another perspective, strictly speaking, Benzema in this match still had some screen time; there were moments, and they were quite explosive, but unrelated to offense or defense, instead involving disputes with the opposing player Nano.

The two first exchanged a few inexplicable words verbally, and then Benzema waved his hand casually making a backhand move, which Nano seized by covering his face falling to the ground. The referee gave Benzema a yellow card, and all of Levante seemed very displeased.

Whether Nano was acting, or how much malice Benzema had, is irrelevant here.

Having played nearly an hour, if such a scene was all Benzema could be known for, it was clear Benzema’s performance was a failure.

Moreover, it also contained some information.

That is, now does Benzema look honest and simple in the locker room, perhaps because there are too many "big brothers" in the team?

Of course, this match cannot be entirely blamed on Benzema.

Because most of the time, Benzema is a substitute, and in many of his substitute appearances, Benzema’s preferred passing paths have all been changed with people, and the level has dropped a lot. Even if Benzema wants to fight for a spot, others don’t have the level to get the ball to him even if he wants to pass.

Özil couldn’t charge into the penalty area like Chen Zhong either.

Many times in the match, Benzema ran into the center of the penalty area, but the ball just couldn’t be delivered to his control range, Benzema sent the ball to the center of the penalty area, but Özil also couldn’t make a rear insertion like Chen Zhong.

Quite a few fans couldn’t help discussing, "Sometimes seeing Chen can always fight for a spot, I thought it was easier for the midfield insertion to fight for a position, now seeing Özil like this..."

Of course, teammates not being supportive is one aspect; truly wanting to be a powerful assassin, one’s own ball control can resolve some problems and can also create opportunities for teammates.

Even Chen Zhong sometimes chooses to dribble and protect the ball, slowing down the pace, waiting for teammates’ positioning, or taking the ball himself.

However, in this match Benzema played too relaxed, as if it was a pre-season unimportant warm-up, without any strong rushes after receiving the ball, at most distributing the ball to other teammates, like Granero, letting him search for the shooting feeling. Throughout the match, Benzema successfully made passes to Granero twice and once to Callejon; however, both of them indeed lacking ability, Granero shot all into the opposing defenders, while Callejon’s one shot went straight to the stands.

This match also made many Real Madrid fans begin to ponder.

If only simplifying to make plays around the penalty area, without the ability to make strong rushes or shots, then the significance of such a center forward on the pitch isn’t substantial.

Even though losing 0-7 to Levante still secures advancement, such uncommitted play, and lazy forwards - do they truly deserve to wear that iconic white jersey?

Undoubtedly, this was a lousy match, Mourinho didn’t even let Chen Zhong play.

Although he knew Chen Zhong playing would certainly change the outcome, unfortunately, Levante didn’t have the qualification to make Chen Zhong move.

If they had scored 6 goals, probably they’d have had the qualification to see Chen Zhong warm up and then play.

But alas, even as the match ended, they only scored two goals.

Perhaps it was because Levante was so poor that even when Benzema was substituted, he was quite cheerful.

Seeing Benzema like this, Mourinho was a bit speechless, he looked at Francisco with a look of wanting to speak but holding back: "Do you think it’s possible..."

Mourinho briefly outlined a guess, is Benzema expressing his dissatisfaction!

After all, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka are on vacation, and Chen Zhong didn’t play, most of the starters didn’t basically take the field, but he did.

So does he feel undervalued?

Of course, this is merely Mourinho’s speculation!

After the match, this failure didn’t cause much of a stir, and many people mentioned Chen Zhong on the bench. In China, there was even news with a title like "Second Leg, Hat-trick by Chen Zhong" gaining a lot of heat.

In fact, Chen Zhong didn’t play at all in this match; he just wore a hat while on the bench...

Of course, although he didn’t play, Chen Zhong still occupied a lot of coverage in major newspapers, and opinions generally believed Chen Zhong’s appearance could reverse the match result.

The only reason he didn’t play was because the game situation didn’t reach that point.

Marca expressed great regret that Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t play, as this Portuguese player just needs space, and he transforms into an unstoppable rocket. At Getafe’s stadium, the most common scene is the Portuguese player dribbling the ball, like a small rocket, charging into Levante’s defensive area.

Of course, they also have to thank Mourinho; in this match, not letting Chen Zhong substitute, we’ve seen too many matches where multiple players hold and pull Chen Zhong’s clothes, kick his legs, trying in every way to bring him down.

Yet for Chen Zhong, all these opponent tactics are ineffective.

This young genius, known as a monster during his youth team days, is highly likely to surpass Ronaldo soon, becoming the youngest Ballon d’Or winner.

Of course, even if he doesn’t win this year, it doesn’t matter, given in another year or two, he still has a chance to surpass Ronaldo.

But from the current situation, besides Iniesta, no one else can threaten him.

Diario AS editor Alfredo saw Marca saying this, and opted for a different approach, expressing that for such insignificant second-leg matches against Levante, Mourinho didn’t utilize Morata, proving he indeed doesn’t fancy this B team youngster.

Simultaneously, Mourinho using Benzema also doesn’t mean he favors Benzema; quite the opposite, it’s thinking Benzema insignificant, because if Benzema were truly indispensable, then Mourinho should have let Benzema rest like he did with Chen Zhong, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, to ensure he can energetically appear in more important matches.

Mourinho on one hand complains about having only one forward available, on the other not letting the sole forward rest, indicating he is prepared not to use Benzema in other matches.

And in this match, in what was Chen Zhong’s usual position, Mourinho tried multiple players.

If not intending to play without a forward, then it’s very possible Mourinho would opt to assign Chen Zhong, who previously served as a deputized center forward, this prolific scoring midfielder, to act as the center forward.

Moreover, the Ballon d’Or is about to enter the final voting phase, and at this juncture, Chen Zhong will fill the regret once left by Raul...