Locomotive Stadium, the fans' emotions were completely ignited by Chen Zhong's shrugging gesture.
Eindhoven fans cursed Chen Zhong's actions, their minds full of question marks, not knowing how this unknown player dared to do such a thing.
This is blatant sarcasm; they first tackled a Real Madrid player and shrugged to feign innocence, and then you did exactly the same thing. What is this if not mockery?
This is practically reversing Tian Gang!
Meanwhile, Real Madrid fans were whispering among themselves, introducing the player's background.
"He's one of our youth trainees."
"A monster from Castilla."
"Good lad, he should let them know their place."
The focus of the match remained on the battles in the midfield. Real Madrid, having adapted to Eindhoven's rhythm, began to push, with Higuain on the flank completing two quality crosses. Unfortunately, it wasn't Van Nistelrooy in the box, but rather Saviola the Rabbit.
"Tsk." Schuster shook his head somewhat disappointedly. This man, once regarded as Maradona's successor, who even benched Messi in the national team, did not quite fit into his tactical system: "If Ruud van Nistelrooy were on the field, at least one goal would have been scored by now."
"He even crowded Raul's space." Francisco fanned the flames beside him: "I'm not sure if Raul could score from that position, but I know Saviola definitely can't score there."
"I'm even thinking of moving Chen to the forward line." Schuster half-joked, "I don't know why, but I'm starting to like that kid again."
There are currently four Argentines in Real Madrid's first team, which might be one of the reasons Saviola didn't hesitate to embrace Real Madrid when they offered him an olive branch.
Even disregarding Xavi's warning, "You will lose a friend."
The first half had already passed 33 minutes, and Eindhoven was not conservative against Real Madrid, but they seldom posed a threat to Real Madrid's goal in attack.
At this point, some fans began to catch the "mole," and they soon surprisingly discovered that the mole was indeed the team's new addition, Lazovic.
"Did I see wrong?"
"I think I saw Danko Lazovic somewhat afraid of that kid."
Some Eindhoven fans shared their views with those around them, yet there was still some disbelief in their words. However, with their observations, they found that true it was.
Lazovic was running around Chen Zhong, as if Chen Zhong was some kind of terrifying monster.
Currently, it's hard to say if he's a forward; he's more of a midfielder playing upfront.
Eindhoven's coach, Ronald Koeman, also noticed this, but Lazovic managed to spare a moment to explain that his position was to retreat to receive the ball, then drive into the area.
The coach believed this explanation, really did.
After all, last season with Tevez, Lazovic did just that, even momentarily leading the Eredivisie scoring chart.
But the front line can't be short of people!
So Eindhoven's coach Ronald Koeman moved Ibrahim Afellay's position forward. Afellay is a very versatile player, whether it's speed, dribbling, or vertical breakthroughs; they're all his powerful weapons.
There are even scouts from Barcelona observing him on the sidelines.
Afellay is an absolute mainstay for Eindhoven, and most of the opportunities created by the team in this match were from the second or third last passes completed by Afellay.
Coach Koeman, who once played for Barcelona in his career, has high expectations for Afellay.
The shy young man with neat short hair nodded in understanding after receiving the coach's instructions.
And soon, he got a great opportunity.
He received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, dribbled horizontally, evaded Marcelo's reckless interception, and headed toward Real Madrid's penalty box, eyeing to create a crisis. It was at this moment when Cannavaro slid in from the side, taking Afellay down outside the penalty box.
The referee put the whistle to his mouth, eyes locked on the rolling ball.
Lazovic spotted an opportunity, inserting himself from Cicinho's blind spot, racing towards the ball. Just when he was about to get to the ball, a pure white figure forcefully charged into his view.
It was Chen Zhong!
Lazovic slowed down, lowered his center of gravity, waiting for the moment Chen Zhong stopped the ball to step forward and attempt a counter snatch.
But this was in the penalty area!
He can't possibly tackle me here!
Lazovic's heart rate spiked, positioning himself in Chen Zhong's blind spot, approaching from the other side. Chen Zhong indeed didn't see him, and just as Lazovic got close, Chen Zhong plainly had no intention of stopping the ball; instead, he nudged it aside.
This move dashed Lazovic's hopes, but he still had a chance. Like a shark smelling blood, he continued to stick close, while Chen Zhong was moving in an S-pattern, bobbing his head left and right, looking back constantly. Lazovic kept dodging from Chen Zhong's view, resembling a game of hide and seek.
"Someone!" Although Chen Zhong didn't see Lazovic, because he didn't see Lazovic from any direction, he was sure the opponent was nearby. He moved towards the corner flag, scanning for a safe passing lane.
And just at this time, the referee's whistle finally blew.
Lazovic, somewhat exasperated, looked dissatisfied at the referee, about to argue. He thought the referee called him offside, and he was certain he wasn't offside.
However, when he turned around, face flushed red, ready to argue, he only saw the referee pulling out a yellow card and awarding it to Cannavaro and calling for a free kick at a very favorable spot on the right side of the penalty area.
Cannavaro accepted the penalty and after seeing Chen Zhong approach, gruffly said, "This kid is so agile, has a bit of Messi's shadow, Barcelona's genius, the little flea."
While speaking, he patted Chen Zhong's shoulder to have him line up the wall.
Several players were standing before the ball, Afellay among them. Chen Zhong focused a bit more on him. This slender young man sprinted towards the ball, swinging his leg at it.
Then he leaped over the ball.
The wall jumped slightly, somewhat disorderly.
And behind Afellay, Eindhoven's real threat unfolded.
The ball was launched from where an Eindhoven player suddenly cleared off, striking the inside of the goalpost rolling into the net, Eindhoven seized a free kick opportunity and took the lead.
The Eindhoven fans in the stands cheered heartily, and Eisetty, who scored the free kick, embraced Afellay as they ran towards the corner flag.
He surely doesn't often get the chance to score against Real Madrid with a free kick, hence his unrestrained, excited, and glaring celebration...
"Let Pepe warm up!"
"Get Ramos ready, too."
"Ruud, get Ruud warmed up as well."
Schuster clenched his fists; he simply couldn't accept the possibility of Real Madrid losing a final, even if it was just a pre-season cup final.
After conceding, Real Madrid's attacks became fierce, while Eindhoven, at Koman's behest, fell back to a defensive counterattack strategy. Saviola dropped back to midfield to retrieve the ball, facing a crowd of Eindhoven players, he lobbed a pass to Marcelo, who was making a forward run on the left.
Marcelo drove forward with the ball, advancing into Eindhoven's penalty area, and chipped a pass into the middle towards Raul, who dived to head the ball, trying to score, only for the Eindhoven goalkeeper to deflect it out the baseline.
This was a corner opportunity, with Chen Zhong standing focused outside the penalty area, tasked with contending for the second drop and preventing counterattacks outside the box.
"Chen." Someone called out Chen Zhong's name, and he turned to see Higuain, who had been performing energetically in this match, wiping sweat from his forehead as he said, "The coach wants you inside the penalty area."
Chen Zhong nodded, jogging into Eindhoven's penalty area, making the previously relaxed Eindhoven penalty area suddenly alert and tense.
Watch out, watch out!
Real Madrid has activated Chen Zhong, a 190CM tall center-back!