The ball bounced inside the goal.
That volley showcased his superb shooting skills and absolute confidence.
Van Nistelrooy let out a delighted roar, glancing at Chen Zhong as if to say, block me? I want to shoot a volley, can you stop me?
In the heart of this Dutch center forward, he might still remember the previous goal, where Chen Zhong disrupted his "joy."
He passed Chen Zhong, smiling and pointing at Guti, finding the feeling of fighting alongside Beckham again through these two plays.
He just needed to do what he did best in the box, whether stopping the ball or not, and score in his preferred, accustomed way!
In Beckham's last season at Manchester United, Van Nistelrooy scored an astonishing 44 goals, proving his worthiness as the "King of the Small Penalty Area."
Guti also walked over to high-five and embrace Van Nistelrooy, after which he looked at his "junior," Chen Zhong, who also came from Castilla, with a somewhat complicated expression.
This junior had ideas, fighting spirit, and potential, but unfortunately, he hadn't realized where he was yet.
This was Real Madrid, with the best players in the world.
Every player within sight was originally a top player in their own team, not ordinary players but stars.
His idea was indeed good, Van Nistelrooy indeed relied heavily on team cooperation; without the ball, his advantage would be null, sitting idly in the box.
But...
Football has never been a one-man sport.
Moreover, junior!
Are you underestimating me?
I have a hundred ways to pass the ball to Van Nistelrooy's feet.
Guti brushed back his hair and withdrew his gaze; perhaps Chen Zhong was a genius or a monster in the youth team, but here, he was still just a kid, not worth wasting time on.
On the sidelines, Francisco looked at Schuster and said, "Should I substitute Chen for Metzelder?"
"No, no need." Schuster frowned as if facing a dilemma.
Francisco closed his mouth; though he could usually express his opinions in communication with Schuster without much repercussion, Schuster was particularly stubborn in certain areas where speaking too much would draw rebuke.
Still, Francisco was indeed a bit worried about Chen Zhong's situation.
Such circumstances could only be described by saying, in the game, just out of the novice village, encountering a max-level boss.
That was Van Nistelrooy, one of the top center forwards in football, the La Liga Golden Boot from last season, Real Madrid's primary striker.
For Chen Zhong, who had no experience in top-flight league play, wasn't that like facing a max-level boss?
On the field, Torres hesitated but approached Chen Zhong, showing his soft-hearted nature.
"Chen." Torres looked at Chen Zhong and said, "How about I mark him?"
Chen Zhong turned to this senior who exuded an honest vibe and shook his head without hesitation.
Miguel Torres joined Real Madrid's youth training at 12, promoted not as a genius, but pushed by Capello due to a team injury crisis.
His highlight at Real Madrid was merely as a "utility player," and facing Van Nistelrooy would be even more thoroughly crushed given his "delicate" physique!
Van Nistelrooy noticed the exchange between Chen Zhong and Torres; honestly, his dissatisfaction with Chen Zhong was mostly dissipated following those two goals.
Sometimes, people just need an outlet.
Van Nistelrooy thought absent-mindedly, if that guy was a defender, calmly punishing him in training matches might stop him from acting impulsively.
He still disliked that Portuguese, but felt impulsive actions warranted reflection, so later, when facing interviews, if asked who he'd choose to take a penalty decisive to his life, he said that name...
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Another attack from Team A. Chen Zhong quickly turned to observe the movements around, confirmed positions of all threatening players, and closed in on Van Nistelrooy.
However, this time, Guti didn't look this way, elegantly passed to Raul charging in from the other side of the big box, facing the cautious Baptista.
In that moment, Chen Zhong glanced at Van Nistelrooy, the "King of the Small Penalty Area," noticed Chen Zhong's gaze, flashed a smug smile, and casually moved towards the box.
Torres struggled to follow the charging Raul, while Chen Zhong quickly moved to separate Raul and Van Nistelrooy.
If Raul passed at this moment...
Chen Zhong looked at Raul, whose eyes chased the ball, head tilted, watching it—182 cm Torres was shorter before him.
His body seemed to be slightly leaning back, just like...
Like a seal in the zoo trying to balance a ball...
He wanted to...
Van Nistelrooy watched Chen Zhong's back, Raul's posture, his smile turned to excitement; he faced Raul horizontally, indeed saw Raul's relay finger action.
The ball bounced towards Van Nistelrooy's position—his favorite pass! His legs firm like compasses on the ground, body leaned, right foot prepared.
A perfect chest trap setting up a powerful right-leg swing before touching the ground.
A shot filled with certainty, having scored many in such positions and situations!
"Bang, bang!"
Two sounds—a Van Nistelrooy shot, and Chen Zhong's block.
No one knew how he appeared in that position.
Van Nistelrooy's exhilaration vanished, his smile turned frosty. He really disliked him, and that man.
Raul's expression was shocked, as if doubting what he saw—this young junior blocked Van Nistelrooy's shot?
Guti slightly opened his mouth, scanning around to confirm all was real, clearly tricked by that kid.
A roar pulled everyone back to reality; Chen Zhong rose from the ground, face flushed red, neck veins bulging, fists clenched tightly. He pounded his chest and roared, venting all inner grievances.
He blocked Van Nistelrooy's shot, finishing after his chest trap and lightning-fast strike.
Van Nistelrooy watched the seemingly crazed Chen Zhong, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy.
How was this possible?
He was just a 16-year-old rookie.
Drip, drip, raindrops fell from the sky. Francisco put away his surprise in his eyes, ended the training match after Schuster's signal.
Van Nistelrooy felt a bit unwilling, what did rain matter, yet the coach called it off, the others headed to the sidelines, so he could only follow suit.
"You're awesome." Marcelo ran from the sidelines, knowing, as a defensive player, what he'd done was astounding. Anyone watching Van Nistelrooy play knew the rapidity of his box shots.
Now, Marcelo forgot his frustration of waiting on the sidelines, bursting with words for Chen Zhong.
Baptista, Pepe, even Robinho walked over.
Nearby Raul followed by Casillas, Soldado, Torres, Ramos, Guti, Torres joined, Raul wet-haired, kindly said to Chen Zhong, "Seems you've made new friends, good. I remembered you seem car-less; later I can take you to the dormitory."
Other Castilla players exchanged brief words with him, leaving Chen Zhong temporarily flattered.
Back in the locker room, Francisco promptly announced training was over for today, everyone could go home.
Chen Zhong eagerly wanted to return to his dormitory to check his system; today, his desire to become stronger was intensely urgent.
After dinner and a shower, lying in bed, Chen Zhong opened the system interface, first choosing to check seasonal task details, suspecting this task heavily aided his advancement.