Francisco led the coaching staff as the referees.
Schuster brought a chair and sat on the sidelines, looking leisurely as if watching a good show.
This made Francisco a bit frustrated, and he didn't quite understand Schuster's intention behind doing this.
It's essential to know that there's still a big strength gap between the two teams. Team A's forwards, Van Nistelrooy, Raul, are players who are mainstays if nothing goes wrong. The wingers, Robinho and Sneijder, are also initially set to be starters. As for the midfield, Guti, whom Schuster favored and wanted to reuse, is paired with a defensive Diara. In the backline, Schuster exerted his preferences to the extreme with Heinze, Pepe, Cannavaro, and Ramos—all players he favored, and without any suspense, Casillas was used as goalkeeper.
And Team B?
Although there are some players Schuster is watching, overall it's just a "penalty station."
The forward is the unappreciated Soldado and Higuain, who just transferred and needs to build trust. The wingers are Robben, who had been thriving at Chelsea, and Saviola, who Schuster disliked. In the midfield are Baptista, just returned from loan and only playing midfield in training matches, and the undesired Gago.
The defense is even more bleak with Drenthe and Chen Zhong, not worth mentioning, and Miguel Torres, who was praised as "excellent in both offense and defense" under Capello but viewed by Schuster as mere dead wood, only left with a "defense okay" comment, at center back as a "won't lose anything by trying" approach. Sergado is considered old by Schuster; if he were younger, he'd be the right-back for Team A.
Goalkeeper Dudek, just a substitute.
As the match began, Chen Zhong felt a sense of unease, with various factors like the faster pace of the senior team, unfamiliar tactics, and lack of teamwork all contributing to his discomfort.
But there are also benefits.
Chen Zhong glanced at Van Nistelrooy not far away, recalling how in the youth team, as a defensive player, he liked to provoke and taunt opponents, hoping they'd clash with him, like a game with taunts, making him the focal point for breakthroughs.
This tactic was effective and was used in the recently concluded finals against Barcelona Youth's Bojan. Chen Zhong used it; otherwise, if Bojan avoided him, it would be difficult for Chen Zhong to contain him completely.
Van Nistelrooy kept roaming near him, seemingly wanting to duel with Chen Zhong, man to man. To this, Chen Zhong only thought, you're not young, yet still naïve.
"No, something's wrong!" As the overall defense shifted back, Chen Zhong felt unease rising in his heart, eyes directed at A team's ball-handler, that once Castilla's genius player Jose Mari Gutierrez Hernandez, or "Guti" for short.
For a while, some coaches thought Chen Zhong resembled Guti, who was also a versatile player able to play forward, attacking midfielder, central midfielder, and defensive midfielder. But since Chen Zhong reached a height of 190 cm, he gradually became likened to Gullit.
Guti was no longer a youth with high spirits. From being full of youthful vigor to now appearing slightly world-weary, the experiences remained unknown to outsiders.
The white binding band tied his long hair, and in that moment, his eyes seemed not limited to the present; Chen Zhong and Guti's eyes appeared to meet for a second, yet perhaps didn't.
Is he looking at me?
Chen Zhong was slightly puzzled but quickly became vigilant.
Where is Van Nistelrooy?
Following his confusion, Guti on the right of the penalty arc sent a long pass with one foot; the ball traced an arc toward the box. Van Nistelrooy's eyes were sharp, a slight upward curve at the corner of his mouth; he focused on the goal, envisioning the posture and path of a volley.
At this moment, a figure appeared from the side, a strong hand already feeling around him. Although Van Nistelrooy didn't see who, his understanding of the surroundings made him sure that only one person could be so close at that moment!
That is...
Chen Zhong!
"Good kid!" Van Nistelrooy didn't panic; he turned facing Chen Zhong, bent his knees slightly, and leaned his upper body back to counter Chen Zhong's impact.
Chen Zhong's gaze was sharp, immediately applying body strength to Van Nistelrooy, yet it only made the small penalty box king's body wobble slightly.
Then he watched as he finished a chest trap, with slight ball ups and downs showing how solid this Netherlands center forward's skills were.
Feeling Van Nistelrooy's body, Chen Zhong quickly judged that his opponent intended to turn from his left side, blocking the direction with his right hand and extending his left foot outward. As long as Van Nistelrooy turned that way, the ball would be delivered straight to Chen Zhong's foot.
"Bang!"
Chen Zhong lowered his head, eyes almost bursting; Van Nistelrooy didn't adjust or do extra moves like turning with the ball. The ball fell from his chest to the ground, and using his shoulder against Chen Zhong's chest, the Netherlands center forward twisted his waist.
And directly took a low shot, slipping right through under Chen Zhong's raised foot.
Behind him, Dudek, Poland's legendary goalkeeper, clearly didn't anticipate this move from Van Nistelrooy. He had been guarding against a far corner shot after Van Nistelrooy's turn, but was caught off guard by a near corner volley, leaving him stunned as he watched the ball hit the net.
Van Nistelrooy let out a loud roar of joy. Although he didn't boast in front of Chen Zhong, his celebration and cheers were the most tangible taunts.
On the sidelines, Schuster nodded repeatedly, with a slightly raised corner of his mouth displaying his good mood; his favored main center forward's state was exemplary, certainly a pleasing thing.
"He seems very excited!" Francisco spoke next to Schuster: "His form today is excellent. If retained, we can achieve much this season."
"It is quite impressive," Schuster nodded in agreement, feeling even better.
As for Chen Zhong?
Nobody mentioned it, and no one cared he was bypassed. After all, he's a defensive player, just a 16-year-old at that, being bypassed by Van Nistelrooy is quite normal!
"Don't worry, kid." Torres patted Chen Zhong's shoulder to comfort him, even goalkeeper Dudek came over and patted his back.
They all saw the contest between Van Nistelrooy and Chen Zhong, whose performance lived up to the genius label.
In the blink of an eye, keeping pace with Van Nistelrooy was already commendable for 16-year-old Chen Zhong.
Moreover, standing before him was the "small penalty box king" Ruud van Nistelrooy, who could stop Skrtel's long shots, a man mastering the art of back-play.
Ferguson once remarked, "He'll score two out of three stops," referring to today's world football's foremost in ball control and shot-stopping skills, arguably the best.
Chen Zhong is a very calm player, with a composure stat reaching 93, meaning in whatever situation, he seldom panics, often making rational judgments within his understanding.
"What if I try to intercept the ball earlier?" Such rampant thoughts quickly sprouted in his mind, wrapping around it endlessly.
Chen Zhong was a thoughtful person, watching as both teams swapped roles in attack and defense, seeing Van Nistelrooy about to return, and noticing Guti on the far end maneuvering past a pressing Baptista with a nudge.
In that instant, their eyes seemed to meet once more.
Chen Zhong felt like Guti seemed to be smiling.
Why is he smiling?
Chen Zhong was unsure, but at that moment, he made his own choice—going towards Van Nistelrooy, shifting into a position intercepting Guti's pass to him.
I can react to it!
Chen Zhong focused completely, attempting to "break" the link between the two men. Under his watchful eyes, Guti leaned slightly, slapped the ball with the outside of his right foot!
Danger! Danger!
It was an elegant arc; Chen Zhong had realized the danger as the ball left his foot, instantly turning around and abandoning the interception idea.
The ball soared over Chen Zhong, landing just right in front of Van Nistelrooy.
Then...
"Bang"