However, an awkward situation arose when he stood up to go out. Except for a few players, like C. Ronaldo, who half stood up and then sat back down, no one else showed signs of moving.

"Oh..."

"It's okay, you might not understand well."

"Every time we go out, we have to shout a slogan!" Chen Zhong snapped out of his thoughts and, seeing Pellegrini's awkwardness, smoothed things over.

Then he walked to the center, and the other Real Madrid players also moved to the center.

Chen Zhong was the first to extend his hand, followed by the other players one by one.

Pellegrini wanted to join, but was blocked outside the circle formed by the players, then he just heard "Hala Madrid!!!"

After shouting three times in a row, the players dispersed and walked out of the locker room.

Pellegrini watched this scene, frowning into a furrowed shape like the character 川.

When it comes to transfer issues, the club doesn't care about his opinion. In the locker room, the players trust Chen Zhong more than him. The only power he seems to have is tactics.

But during matches, his tactics weren't fully implemented either.

Who is the real head coach of this team?

It seems he needs to talk with Francisco.

Wasn't he sent by the club to assist him?

The players headed to the field, and Francisco, appointed by the club as supporting staff, walked to Chen Zhong's side and whispered, "Chen, are you dissatisfied with Pellegrini!?"

"Do you need me to report this to the higher-ups?"

Wait, aren't you supposed to assist Pellegrini?

"No." Chen Zhong looked at Francisco with a smile and said, "I just got distracted for a moment, I didn't expect this either."

Chen Zhong and Francisco were familiar with each other, and their relationship was good. Back when Schuster went to watch Chen Zhong play in the Youth Champions League, it was Francisco who accompanied him.

He's one of us.

"Understood!" Francisco nodded, indicating that he understood Chen Zhong's meaning. He already knew that Chen Zhong wasn't the type to stir up trouble in the locker room.

In fact, Francisco possessed a certain level of tactical knowledge. During Schuster's era, he had made several suggestions that were adopted.

He found Pellegrini's approach of seeking a 'big daddy' rather typical of what Chen Zhong often described as "looking for a donkey while riding a donkey." Rather than developing a focal point in the front line to make the offense more threatening.

Why can't you be smarter and make Chen Zhong a focal point directly?

Just because you didn't play that way before?

You like to give the front line freedom, looking for a "self-contained system"?

Francisco was still venting on this side when Pellegrini came looking for him. He called Francisco to the side and said, "What did you just say to Chen?"

"I told him to respect the head coach." Francisco patted his own belly and said sincerely, "He said it was just an accident."

Pellegrini looked at Francisco's sincere and harmless face and had the urge to pat him a couple of times to feel his softness but stopped himself, thinking it impolite.

"Hmm." Pellegrini coolly nodded, feeling once again that he was the king of the locker room. After a moment, thinking his attitude might be inappropriate, he added, "Thanks for your hard work."

Then, with a pleasant stride, he stepped onto the field.

In the second half, neither team made any substitutions. Deportivo La Coruña, contrary to their usual style, did not go through the center in their attacks but switched to the flanks.

They created several dangerous situations.

This excited the fans of Deportivo La Coruña in the stands, while the fans of Real Madrid were left puzzled.

"What's going on?"

"Why did both teams change so much during the halftime?"

"Where's Chen? Where's Chen gone? How come he barely moves in the midfield?"

...

Chen Zhong now seemed like France's old Maginot Line. This defense was extremely strong, but when opponents bypassed it, it was rendered useless.

The coach of Deportivo La Coruña, Lodina, looked pleasantly surprised.

Let me see what's going on.

The Chen Zhong whom we couldn't restrict, you restricted him yourself?

A player like Chen Zhong, you let him warm the bench. You... you jerk, you...

The changing situation on the field puzzled Pellegrini somewhat, but he didn't think too much about it. After all, the 4-2-2-2 formation is inherently weak on the flanks, and this was just the opponent exploiting a weakness.

The key point was that Chen Zhong remained in the center, perfectly implementing his orders to protect Real Madrid's central area, which was excellent.

In terms of defense, it was like this. The offense of Real Madrid wasn't bad either.

Once the ball was taken, it only took two or three touches to reach the front, and C. Ronaldo's liking for Pellegrini grew significantly at this point.

Because with Chen Zhong inserting less forward, the front-line attack players inevitably had to be "closer," and combined with C. Ronaldo beginning to integrate more, he started passing proactively.

For a time, the offense of Real Madrid's front was vibrant.

"Real Madrid's counterattack."

"Very fast speed."

"Kaka passes, C. Ronaldo!"

"A powerful shot."

"The ball missed the goal."

C. Ronaldo bit his teeth in frustration, finally finding some sensation reminiscent of his Manchester United days, that sense of unlimited shooting freedom and permission to make mistakes.

"What are you doing?" Negredo looked at the self-satisfied C. Ronaldo, full of confusion.

If Chen Zhong were there, he definitely would have passed, leaving him to decide whether to shoot or pass again.

But what's this Portuguese doing?

From this distance, a direct shot?

Are you...

Isn't this wild shooting?

C. Ronaldo seemed completely unaware of this problem. He had become the terminator of Real Madrid's offense; whenever the ball arrived at his feet, it was usually an adjustment or no adjustment, followed by a long shot.

The anger level of the other players kept rising rapidly.

Yet C. Ronaldo hadn't realized it at all, but his temperament was also getting more impatient, demanding the ball more frequently.

Perhaps, deep inside C. Ronaldo's heart, he hadn't noticed his teammates' moods, as the team was leading by 3 goals; he thought there was no harm in trying long shots.

Of course, somewhere deep inside, he probably held some thoughts of competing with Chen Zhong.

Chen Zhong scored two heavy cannon shots, so he wanted to score as well and even better ones.

However, this required the whole team to serve him.

And each of his wild shots meant a lost possession, giving Deportivo La Coruña a chance to reorganize their offense.

"Should we make some adjustments?"

"Yes, yes, we should!" Pellegrini nodded after hearing Francisco's words and said, "Let Chen come off and bring Granero on."

Francisco widened his eyes at Pellegrini, looking utterly incredulous.

Come on, brother, can't you be a bit smarter?

Can't you tell the major from the minor players?

Francisco's inner turmoil went unnoticed by Pellegrini, as his decision wasn't targeting Chen Zhong, but due to Deportivo La Coruña's increasing aggression and Chen Zhong having been injured in the first half; it was out of concern for this under-18 player.

Maybe deep inside Pellegrini's mind, he still trusted those renowned players with honors more.

For instance, C. Ronaldo, Kaka, Pirlo...

When the electronic board on the sideline was raised, indicating Chen Zhong being replaced by Granero, a gasp of surprise echoed throughout Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Granero stood at the sideline, feeling somewhat anxious.

He did want to play, but what he wanted was a combination of Negredo, Granero, and Chen Zhong as a trio!

What was this?

Meanwhile, C. Ronaldo on the sideline was struggling to suppress a smile.

With Chen Zhong off the field, doesn't that make me the boss in the game?

"Do well," Chen Zhong came off decisively; he hadn't felt comfortable playing in the second half, like being tied down in one spot, feeling uneasy: "I'll be watching you from here!"

"Really stupid," Granero cursed under his breath and then ran onto the field.

On the other side, Pellegrini walked over with a smile and handed Chen Zhong water, then patiently explained, "We've basically won this match."

"It's a long season ahead, you have to take care of your body."

"Let the team doctor examine you later."

Chen Zhong nodded with a smile, displaying a united front in front of the cameras.

This somewhat put the minds of the concerned Real Madrid fans at ease.

If Chen Zhong and the coach had a conflict on the sidelines, the fans wouldn't hesitate to start railing.

Who?

Who to criticize?

Be smart... brethren.

Who do you think to berate?

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