Chen Zhong watched Pellegrini gesticulating in front of the tactics board. He said seriously, "We need to do a good job defending in front of the penalty area, and also pay attention to our actions, don't make them too big to avoid unnecessary fouls."
When Pellegrini mentioned not making actions too big to avoid unnecessary fouls, he especially glanced at Albiol, given that in the first half, Albiol had several actions that could have warranted a card.
"And also, Chen." Pellegrini looked at Chen Zhong and said, "I need you to keep an eye on Messi, we can't let him easily get the ball in our half and then charge all the way to our penalty area."
"Can you do it?"
Pellegrini looked at Chen Zhong, and the other players also turned their eyes to Chen Zhong.
Pellegrini's tactical intention was obvious: first stabilize the defense, then completely restrict Messi, and finally seek the opportunity to break through Barcelona's goal.
From a certain perspective, his tactic wasn't wrong.
