Chapter 272
This match against Atletico Madrid was not easy at all.
Real Madrid's midfield is indeed capable enough to control and organize the attack, but at the same time, what they lack is the midfield's isolation defense, which is something that offensive midfielders like Kaka or James cannot bring.
Their midfield defense was almost non-existent, and all the pressure was put on their backs, forcing the already precarious defense line to endure an even more disastrous test.
In the first half of the game, Atletico Madrid scored the first goal with a header. Less than ten minutes into the second half, Griezmann once again broke through Navas' goal with a close shot from a corner kick.
"Atletico Madrid leads Real Madrid 2-0!"
"Atletico Madrid's new signing Griezmann expanded the score advantage with a powerful shot in front of the penalty area! Real Madrid fell into a very passive and backward situation!"
Zidane made a substitution, replacing James with the newly purchased German midfielder, and also made tactical adjustments.
Kroos was used to German football, which is completely different in Spain. However, Kroos quickly adapted himself to the league and style of play here, and his appearance made the situation on the field a little less passive.
Real Madrid got a free kick opportunity in the frontcourt in the 80th minute of the game, and Cristiano walked to the penalty spot.
"Real Madrid's performance away from home is a disaster. The first leg is likely to end with a scoreless draw!"
"Let's take a look at this free kick first! It's taken by Cristiano Ronaldo!"
Zidane stood on the sidelines, watching the field calmly, and didn't seem to be worried about the current results at all.
Or perhaps he had already anticipated the final outcome of the game.
Griezmann and others formed a human wall, and right in front of them was Cristiano, who was already standing ready.
"Ronaldo again."
“He’s definitely going to hit the ball high.”
"Stand close together, don't leave any gaps."
"Push him out!"
Griezmann heard his teammates forming a human wall and calling out loudly, looking nervous and serious.
He swallowed his saliva. He knew how difficult Cristiano's free kicks were. He became nervous because of the atmosphere.
With the referee's whistle, Cristiano looked towards the goal, took a run-up - and shot!
The ball just as the Atletico Madrid players said, suddenly jumped up in a high arc in front of their eyes. Griezmann jumped almost instinctively, and then watched the ball fly over the heads of all of them.
He could even feel the static electricity of the ball whizzing past his head, giving him goose bumps.
When the ball brushed past their heads, Griezmann immediately turned around and looked at the goal behind him, and then saw Courtois almost kneeling down and was almost thrown out by the huge force of the ball.
The ball rolled quietly into the net.
This was accompanied by a sudden burst of cheers from the field.
"Real Madrid has pulled one back! Ronaldo scores a goal from a free kick!" the commentator yelled, "Real Madrid has less than ten minutes left! Can they score another goal in these short ten minutes to tie the score?!"
Griezmann looked at the ball that went into the net, and his heart began to beat faster, as if the blood was rushing to his limbs. He couldn't help but get nervous.
They were facing Cristiano Ronaldo, and in the last ten minutes, there was still too much time left for that man. That man was always so good at equalizing or overtaking the game, so they had to be fully alert to defend against him.
"Atletico Madrid has clearly tightened their defense! Ronaldo is being closely watched!"
Zidane stood on the sidelines with a slight frown on his face. Just one goal was enough to make Atletico Madrid's defense more aggressive. Cristiano, Benzema and Bale were all almost closely guarded.
Especially Cristiano.
He saw the opposing center back kick out without hesitation, and Cristiano made a sudden stop and then went around with the ball. His reaction speed was astonishing and his body agility was astonishing.
This is a gift from God. Zidane thought to himself that God had gifted this boy with unparalleled talent and body, and the boy had made this gift great through his own hard work and perseverance.
The thought flashed through his mind, and the next second, he heard the sudden and urgent timeout whistle on the court.
Zidane immediately looked at the field and saw that Cristiano had fallen to the ground. He held his thigh and twisted it several times in pain before he could catch his breath.
Zidane immediately became tense upon seeing this. He observed Cristiano's expression and called the team doctor to come forward quickly.
Kaka quickly ran to Cristiano's side. He bent down and put his knees behind Cristiano so that Cristiano could lean on his calves to breathe. He looked at the team doctor nervously: "How is he?"
"It's not a big problem," the team doctor replied and gave Cristiano some medicine.
Cristiano stood up with the help of his lover's wrist. He gritted his teeth. The pain on his thigh caused by the studded shoes had become numb and dull due to the spray.
He looked at the referee and asked Kaka: "What are you talking about? No card?"
Kaka looked over when he heard it. The sight of Cristiano falling and flying almost made his heart stop for a moment. He just ran over subconsciously, completely forgetting what was happening on the referee's side.
Zidane called Kaka on the sidelines, he had something to say to Kaka - Kaka was one of the calmest players on the field, perhaps including the German. Toni Kroos was also very emotionally stable, but Kaka was the one with more say in the team. He called Kaka and asked Kaka to convey his instructions later.
Kaka had no choice but to let go of Cristiano and strode to the sidelines.
Ramos, Kroos and Pepe all asked the referee for an explanation, while the player who kicked Cristiano loudly defended himself.
Cristiano walked over and angrily dived into the crowd. He put his hands behind his back with experience to prevent his arms from waving around in the excitement and giving himself an extra card. Who knows what the referee would think? Then, he excitedly muttered and joined in the quarrel——
"It's obvious! Everyone knows it!"
"Didn't you see it?!"
The referee ignored him, and the player who had just kicked him heard Cristiano's words and pushed him angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about!"
Cristiano was pushed back two steps, and immediately tried to move forward, but Ramos quickly grabbed him and pulled him behind him, while the Atletico player opposite him rushed forward and raised his hand again.
"If you dare touch him again!" The new captain of Real Madrid was like an enraged lion. Ramos pointed at the tip of the man's nose, his eyes full of coldness that did not allow for jokes, and he issued a low warning.
The referee quickly inserted himself in between the few people, and the teammates on both sides also quickly separated the few people whose tension suddenly escalated.
Griezmann pulled his teammates away and quickly glanced at Cristiano.
The captain of Real Madrid turned to Cristiano, put his hands on both sides of the Portuguese, and looked down at the injury on the opponent's thigh as if checking it, as if he was nervous about an investment of 100 million yuan.
Kaka quickly received the new instructions from the coach and ran back to the field. After a brief communication with his teammates, he returned to Cristiano's side.
"That guy..." Kaka frowned.
"Sese stopped him. To be honest, if he dares to do that again, I will give him a lesson." Cristiano frowned viciously.
"How are you going to make him look bad? Are you going to scare him to death with that fierce kitten-like expression of yours?" Ramos said when he heard it.
Cristiano: "...Sergio, you better shut up."
Kaka held back his laughter and gently nudged Cristiano, urging his lover not to argue with their captain who occasionally had a seizure.
"On the Real Madrid side, Kaka returned to the team with the coach's instructions and conveyed them to the captain and the top players in the team. You can see Ronaldo and Ramos with serious expressions, discussing something. Hopefully this will play a crucial role in the little remaining game time!" The commentator spoke while looking at the picture on the screen.
The game continued and the Atletico player who committed the offense received a yellow card, while Cristiano and Ramos received verbal warnings from the referee.
However, there was too little time left for Real Madrid. With a whistle, the score of the game finally settled at 2-1, and Real Madrid failed to equalize the score as they wished.
Cristiano returned to the locker room after a brief thank you from the team. The 2-1 result in the first leg away game, especially against Atletico Madrid, was enough to make the players depressed and angry.
Zidane also came to the locker room, but he didn't say much. He had also played for Real Madrid and knew what losing to their arch-rivals derby meant and what serious situation they would face next.
But no matter what, the current result is actually much better than he expected. He thought they would be shutout, but now, at least they still have a ball.
He gave a brief speech in the locker room to comfort and encourage his soldiers, and even gave all the players half a day off, allowing them to do some physical recovery training the next day.
The intensity of La Liga games is obvious to all, and he knows that his main players need rest.
After he announced this, he left.
Not long after Zidane left, an uninvited guest arrived in Real Madrid's locker room.
——Griezmann strode towards them.
The Frenchman wearing the red, white and blue sheets jersey probably didn't realize what he was doing. He just wanted to exchange jerseys with Cristiano. To be honest, he had this idea a long time ago, but he never found the right opportunity. Either his teammates got there first, or he lost so badly that he never thought about changing his jersey.
But today was a good opportunity, he scored his first goal, his performance today was remarkable, he was very eager to exchange jerseys with Cristiano...
Then the next second - he hadn't even had time to walk into the locker room, just outside the door - he was thrown out by angry Real Madrid players.
"Are you here to provoke me?"
"Are you here to show off?"
"You are not welcome here!"
Griezmann felt like a little chicken. Before he could come to his senses, he was thrown out. He didn't even see where Cristiano was!
His Atletico teammates kindly picked him up and shook their heads, exclaiming that their new players were so young, brave and adorable: "You actually went to their locker room when we were winning? Wow, you are born to be in Atletico Madrid! Well done! Look how angry those arrogant guys are!"
Griezmann choked slightly. Perhaps, this was not what he meant? He just wants to exchange jerseys with Cristiano!
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