Chapter 187

Toulouse Stadium, salute guns firing in unison.

Croatian players lay exhausted on the grass, panting heavily.

Hair and jerseys as if soaked in water.

The high-intensity match pace did not completely crush the warriors of the checkered army.

Modrić was the first to stand, he removed his headband and walked to Li Kang's front.

Media reporters from all over the world raised their cameras, flashbulbs flashing nonstop.

"31-year-old Modrić and 18-year-old Li Kang exchanged their respective jerseys."

"The handshake of two generations of midfield masters, when we look back years later, may again be a classic moment etched into football history."

"In this short time, they have experienced three clashes at club and national team levels, with victories on both sides!"

"We look forward to next season's Champions League, where the two can have an evenly matched dialogue under the premise of comparable overall strength!"

"Congratulations Spain, congratulations Li Kang, a romantic debut, he is a gift bestowed by God upon the Yin Biliya Peninsula, the rose city of France and the Garonne River together witnessed the legendary..."

He Wei was preparing to fan his emotions.

Duan Xuan quickly raised his elbow to jab, hinting with his eyes: It's just a group stage match, quickly rein it in!

Toulouse is called the "Rose City."

It does not produce roses, but because the ancient architectural complexes in the city are all red brick structures, praised by many poets: "Roses under the sun."

This red city situated between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean has a somewhat low temperature at the moment.

De Gea couldn't help but shiver, staff hurriedly draped a coat over him, quietly complaining about the stadium's heating facilities.

Saul and Koke, two Atletico Madrid youngsters, were exhausted to the point of cramping.

Veterans strolled leisurely, clapping to thank the Spanish fans who had come from afar.

The night wind lifted the red flag.

Morata leaned on Li Kang's shoulder, seriously saying: "Li, I prefer your passes."

System prompt tone sounded softly.

【Ding, achievement unlocked: European Cup debut.】

【Mission feedback: The world has begun to notice you.】

【Mission reward: Matador's ribbon.】

【Effect: Bond item upgrade tool.】

A red ribbon slowly floated down in front of Li Kang.

"What is this?"

Morata reached out and grabbed it, his whole body instantly shuddered.

【Blade Bond Upgrade: Morata's shooting accuracy increased by 2%, your explosive speed increased by 8.】

Li Kang was stunned.

He did not feel this bond's enhancement to teammates was that significant.

The increase in explosive speed far surpassed that of the red string bond with Son Heung-min.

As for Morata's shooting accuracy?

It would need to increase by another 10% to reach the level of a top-tier European striker.

Yinniesita walked over, hesitating: "Li, during the off-season, find some time to return to La Masia..."

No opportunity to continue cultivating feelings.

Because the Spanish entourage entered the field.

Children excitedly surrounded Li Kang, imitating his "Marseille turn" in the match...

Post-match press conference.

Media from all over the world eagerly raised questions.

Bosque smiled faintly, accommodating.

The old man's temperament is very gentle, even provocative questions cannot anger him.

"Li is the midfield core of our Spanish national team; as soon as he takes the field, he reverses the team's passive situation."

"Youth is an advantage, not a flaw, meaning we will enter a long peak period, in the generational transition of the Matador squad, he bears the great responsibility."

"I believe he is the best midfielder among Europe's young generation."

"There are many paths to victory; Spain will not cling to possession play."

At this time, in the eyes of the outside world, Spain had already fallen from its pedestal.

The 2013 Confederations Cup final suffered a crushing defeat to Brazil, missing the grand slam achievement by a hair.

The 2014 World Cup endured the Netherlands' massacre and Chile's oppression, exiting the group stage after two rounds.

Before this European Cup kicked off, almost no one was optimistic about the sunset Matadors.

The paper roster looked luxurious, but the old are old, the injured are injured, the young are young...

No one expected the sudden emergence of Li Kang to revitalize the entire team.

Another side.

Vida briefly replied to a few questions with very official wording, then fell silent.

Media reporters quickly shifted focus to player representative Rakitić.

This guy is a traffic hotspot.

No matter the occasion or context, the Barcelona midfielder, after chatting a few words with reporters, will start boasting about Messi.

"We will quickly adjust our state; the first-round loss will not affect Croatia's performance in the next match."

"Messi? He will surely win the championship at the Centennial Copa América."

Rakitic suddenly straightened his posture, solemn and dignified: "You ask me if Messi is the best? It's like asking whether playing football requires a football!"

Instantly, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.

The angle was tricky, the artistic conception profound.

A Spanish reporter hurriedly followed up: "Hello, I'm a reporter from Marca. Barcelona head coach Enrique once said, Li will be your best substitute at Barcelona..."

Rakitic frowned. How could this toilet paper of a newspaper, Marca, be everywhere?

He immediately interrupted: "Substitute? No such thing. Li isn't just the most talented midfielder today... he's the most talented midfielder in history!"

Pfft!

Zachic, holding his thermos, sprayed the assistant coach all over the face.

Catalonia Television was also broadcasting this scene.

Invited commentary guest Enrique, his face ashen.

Marca is too damn despicable.

The host hadn't even had time to help him find a step stool for cover.

The Barcelona head coach couldn't hold back:

"Barcelona players have made great contributions to the Spanish national team, easily securing the first victory."

"What international competitions need isn't individual ability, but experience."

"Li is still too young, lacks experience, and needs a certain number of matches to hone himself."

"If we had brought on Yinniesita earlier, the effect would have been better, the victory even easier."

"Li only scored a free kick; the difficulty of scoring from that position is very low."

"Turkey's overall strength is more balanced. Li is very likely to be restricted like in the Champions League. Young players in major tournaments should focus on training. For Spain to achieve good results, they still need to rely on veterans like Busquets and Yinniesita."

The mouth is forever the hardest organ in the human body.

The national team bus.

Yinniesita happened to be sitting next to Li Kang.

He was just about to exchange pleasantries.

Busquets suddenly handed over his phone.

The screen displayed a Catalan news item: "Enrique: Li Kang is still far behind Yinniesita; Spain's victory depends on Barcelona players."

What a bunch of pig teammates?

I'm trying hard to win Li's affection, why can't Enrique just shut up?

Li Kang smiled, he didn't care about all this nonsense.

Holding a small handicraft in his hand, he took a photo and sent it to Claudia.

The two rarely exchange messages.

They only agreed to meet again after the European Cup ends.

After all, the national team squad is so strong, there's no need to specially recharge.

That night.

One after another, news about the European Cup topped the online hot search list.

Yes.

It's the hot search ranking list.

Back in 2012, when the internet wasn't highly developed, Balotelli was famous worldwide.

As for the heat in 2016, there's no need to say more.

"European Red Devils lose to Blue Army, Belgium 0:2 Italy!"

"Lukaku's one-on-one saved, Chinese Super League new signing scores winner!"

"Conte overexcited, nosebleed won't stop."

-【Chinese Super League new signing? Confirmed! Is Pelle really coming to the Chinese Super League?】

-【Young Buffon's fourth European Cup...】

-【The most bland generation of Italians in star flavor, four years ago still had Pirlo and Balotelli...】

-【Belgium too weak? In the game, I used this formation to slaughter the opposition every match!】

-【Conte is awesome, the three-center-back system perfectly fits Chiellini, Barzagli, and Bonucci.】

Not long after.

The hot search list quietly changed...

"Zidane stunned! European superstar performs divine-level Marseille turn."

"Toulouse witnesses supergod free kick!"

"The Magic Flute's headband flutters, fateful clash of evenly matched rivals."

"Turning the tide? Strategizing! Discussing Li Kang's core significance in the Spanish lineup!"

"Rakitic: I really want to become Li's substitute."

Li Kang completely blew up.

Ordinary people who don't usually watch football were attracted by his divine performance on the green field.

Even exciting moments from club matches were dug out.

-【So elegant... Green Field Noble Youth!】

-【Although I'm not interested in football, he's really too strong.】

-【There's always a hero in twilight, always a youth setting out.】

-【One turn, and it's midsummer.】

-【Invincible Little Mute!】

-【Why didn't Messi and Neymar come to participate in the European Cup?】

The next morning.

Re Island, France, Spanish base.

Miniano held the tactical board, puzzled and asked: "Boss, are we going to make major rotations for our second-round match against Turkey? Should we send on substitute players?"

Bosque nodded and shook his head: "Huh? How could Diego Costa possibly be Morata's substitute!"

Cheers came one after another from the training field.

Diego Costa headed and kicked, scoring two goals in a row.

De Gea complained with his hands spread:

"Pique, you zoned out again!"

"I didn't zone out, it's just that Ramos and I didn't think alike on our defensive approach!"

Li Kang sat in the tactical room, watching the morning news.

He wasn't tired at all, but the coaching staff feared he would be.

On the screen, fan riot incidents occupied a large portion of the report.

At the bottom, the news ticker scrolled the results of Portugal vs Iceland: 1:1.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest star of this European Cup.

But he was upstaged in this match; the Icelandic fans' "Viking war cry" was extremely shocking!

Cazorla and Yinniesita gathered together, chatting casually about the upcoming match.

"What are the characteristics of Turkish players?"

"Does poor character count?"

"..."

"They are not good at low-position dense defense; they are very likely to seize the opening and launch a full-scale attack."

"As long as we restrict Calhanoglu and Turan, it will be very simple."

"No, we need to coordinate with Li..."

In the following days.

Li Kang trained with his teammates every day.

The little assistant lived in a small town outside the base, occasionally running to the training field to show concern.

"Li, Juventus only offered a 3 million euro signing fee, but their image rights share is relatively low, and their Champions League competitiveness next season is very strong."

"Manchester City is willing to offer a 12 million euro signing fee, but it's currently unclear what position you'll have in their new tactical system, though they can guarantee starting time... What on earth is Guardiola thinking?"

"And Chelsea! Lady Scarlett said she would rebuild the team around you, and she even revealed several candidates for the new head coach... unfortunately, they don't have Champions League qualification next season."

"I suggest we wait until after the European Cup to talk about this!"

Rest time.

The little assistant leaned against the fence, chattering nonstop about the progress of communications with various clubs.

During this period, he had figured out all the dogs in the small town near the base, but he couldn't offer any practical advice on transfers.

Perhaps even the world's top agents couldn't give Li Kang any advice: where the money is, go there and it's settled.

Li Kang wiped his sweat with a dry towel, rested for a moment, then didn't continue thinking about transfer issues, waved goodbye to the little assistant, and returned to the training field.

June 18.

Li Kang and his teammates arrived in southeastern France, the largest city of the Alpes-Maritimes department—Nice.

This is a holiday paradise in Europe.

The azure Mediterranean Sea.

The long coastline.

The towering Alps.

The sacred remnants of ancient Roman history and culture.

The romantic fragrance released by Provence lavender fields.

All the beauty was shattered the moment the national team bus entered the city streets.

Crowded, dense honking, chaotic traffic, narrow streets—none failed to wear down the patience of the coaching staff and players.

Riviera Stadium.

The organizers adopted an isolated entry method.

Security personnel stood ready.

Fans from both sides leaned against the police line, slowly entering.

Two hours earlier, they had still been fighting at Nice's municipal center.

The grudge between Spain and Turkey is too complicated.

Shortly after.

Many fans took their seats.

The stands on all four sides gradually began to echo with both sides' cheering slogans.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"

"Welcome to watching the second round of Group D matches in the 2016 European Cup!"

"Spain versus Turkey!"

"This is a crucial match for qualification!"

"If the Bullfighters' Army can win, they will gain the initiative for qualification!"

I am the commentator for this match, Duan Xuan!

I am He Wei!

Player tunnel.

Turan's gaze swept across the Spanish lineup, his brow furrowed tightly.

I didn't see any Barcelona teammates!

What's going on?

Has Bosque's "de-Barcelonization" concept been executed so thoroughly already in the second round?

However, the Spanish team without the "Barcelona contingent" is not to be feared.

Saul and Coke had expressionless faces; Turan and they were good teammates during their Atletico days.

But after this guy transferred to Barcelona and publicly criticized his "mentor" Simeone in the media, everyone's relationship underwent a subtle change.

Calhanoglu held back for a long time, only squeezing out a smile at Li Kang when he felt the camera wasn't on him.

Now let me introduce the starting lineups for both sides!

Spain's formation is 4-2-3-1! There have been significant changes to the player list.

Goalkeeper: De Gea!

Defenders: Carvajal, Ramos, San Jose, Juanfran!

Double pivot: Li Kang, Saul!

Attacking midfielders: David Silva, Coke, Cazorla!

Forward: Diego Costa!

Live stream room.

The number of viewers keeps increasing.

-【What is Bosque doing? Letting the starters rotate and rest? Not even using a single Barcelona player.】

-【No, it's a targeted deployment; the Turkish midfield's individual striking power is strong, especially Turan's explosive point, so Spain's midfield and defense must be harder!】

-【No need to mention tactics or no tactics; Spain will win by at least three goals!】

Turkey has deployed a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Babacan!

Defenders: Topal, Ergün, Günok, Baltacı!

Midfielders: Tufan, Özuz, Yin Nan!

Forwards: Turan, Yilmaz, Calhanoglu!

-【What's the situation? Turan and the Ball King have been moved to the front line?】

-【Quite normal; they both can play wing positions, and in actual matches they mostly stay active in midfield.】

-【Among a group of powerhouse starters, a strange Chinese Super League foreigner has mixed in...】

Bosque sat calmly on the coach's bench, composed and tranquil.

Turkish head coach Trim, meanwhile, paced back and forth in the technical area.

The referee team led both teams' players out of the tunnel.

Immediately, deafening cheers erupted from the stands.

The Turkish fans' voices quickly drowned out the opposition.

The name of Barcelona midfielder Turan echoed throughout the entire Riviera Stadium.

Catalan TV.

Enrique once again became a guest commentator.

He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his tone heavy:

"The national team coaching staff may be acting out of strategic intent, wanting to give Barcelona stars sufficient rest!"

"Turan's attacking ability is terrifying; he is an important member of Barcelona."

"Calhanoglu being moved to the front line is a very wise change, covering up his weakness of receiving the ball with his back to goal; I believe Yin Nan is Turkey's true midfield core."

"This match is far more difficult than facing Croatia; Turkey's overall strength is very balanced."

"Spain's situation is perilous; if the opponent limits Li, we may very well lose the initiative to advance."

"We only appear strong; we must not become overconfident from our first-round victory."

To be honest, Barcelona's head coach's analysis still has some merit.

Fans in front of the TV couldn't help but start worrying.

If we lose this match, Bosque senior will have to endure another wave of online backlash on the Yin Biliya Peninsula.

Only two minutes after kickoff.

Li Kang received a diagonal pass from Saul in the thirty-meter zone.

He kicked a long pass under interference from two Turkish players.

A beautiful arc sliced through the night sky.

Diego Costa broke through the encirclement and fired a volley.

Thud!

The football blasted through Turkey's goal!

1:0!!!