Chapter 203: He lacks the ability to accelerate a second time

Catalonia Television.

Enrique gazed at the screen, his expression grave, and said:

"Even if the German team lacks a striker to act as a focal point, the explosive players on the wings can still pose a great threat."

"This match is very tough."

"Unlike the Italian team, the German team's overall strength is more balanced, and the Spanish team must face the true test of this European Cup."

"Fortunately, Bosque started using Busquets."

"Barcelona's defensive midfielder can easily stifle the German team's attack."

"Yes, Busquets is the world's number one defensive midfielder in my mind."

The match resumed.

Koke stood in front of the ball, blocking Germany's quick kickoff, while observing the defensive positioning of his teammates in the back.

Hummels complained to the referee while gesturing with his hand for teammates to move forward.

Smack!

The football darted swiftly across the grass.

It rolled into the thirty-meter area.

Götze made no adjustment, controlling and passing in one motion to send the ball to Draxler on the left.

Injuries had taken everything from him, but had not yet completely erased his sense of the ball.

At this moment, the Spanish team's left and right defensive flanks resembled two ominous covers.

The German midfield of Kroos, Khedira, Boateng, and Hummels formed a ferocious "face", waving their "hands" intending to ruthlessly tear off the opponent's fig leaf!

Draxler, is the "left hand".

"It's over!"

"Draxler has shaken off Juanfran this time."

"Ah! Hector is still there to provide support."

"Germany has opened up the play on the left."

"Busquets, his anticipation is spot on, his defensive positioning is excellent."

Although Busquets lacks athleticism, his explosive speed and turning are slow, but his defensive anticipation and positioning are excellent.

He did not rush forward immediately, but maintained distance to block Draxler's path, while also waiting for his teammates' support.

When facing weaker opponents, his tackles are precise, clean, and decisive.

In clashes of strong teams...

System players.

Many people say Busquets is a "ball-blind filter."

Actually, that's not correct.

At most it can be called a "filter derived from the All-out attack-defense-based La Masia possession system."

Most fans aren't interested in him; whatever filter or not, it doesn't matter.

The German team really likes this aspect of him.

Draxler had long learned from his Bayern teammates how to completely crush this "world's number one defensive midfielder."

Hector continued to stretch the sideline.

Götze moved in to provide support.

The two disrupted the short-term defensive coordination judgments of Spain's other defenders.

Then after that.

Draxler, in close combat, devoured Busquets!

"No pass!"

"He's getting past!"

"Wow!"

Busquets seemed to recall the painful moment when Bayern lost 7-0 to Barcelona.

Ah, no.

Also missed two or three handballs that weren't called.

Otherwise it would have been 9-0 or 10-0.

He decisively stuck out his foot, attempting a tackle.

It was useless.

Draxler's subtle technique is superb; he lightly flicked the ball with his right foot.

At the same time, he put slight pressure with his shoulder.

Busquets' whole body was about to lose balance, about to watch helplessly as the German wide midfielder completed his escape.

In the flash of lightning.

In the instant he fell to the ground, he secretly grabbed the hem of Draxler's jersey, the right foot about to step into empty air, and heavily tripped Draxler's left foot as he prepared to lift it!

It's fine.

It won't be noticed.

Learning to observe is a required course for every La Masia student.

Some clever students are even better at observing the referee's position and field of vision.

"Oh no! Two people fell to the ground at the same time!"

"Busquets is writhing in pain! He covered his eyes with both hands!"

The referee, Kao Shaoyin, seemed to be pulling out a... yellow card from his shorts, huh? He signaled for the match to continue, Germany's attack had the advantage! Could it be that Busquets committed a foul? We couldn't see what just happened; at a moment like this, instant replay isn't possible.

He didn't blow the whistle to stop the match!

Schweinsteiger's forward run was spot on; he timely intercepted the ball.

Germany's attack continued!

The whole stadium erupted in an uproar.

Boos rained down from all sides.

All the German midfield and forward players helped Schweinsteiger create space.

Although he's slow and lacks dribbling ability, the Iron Little Pig's two legs... can both fire off a heavy cannon!

Yes.

Still that kind of close‑range cannon that needs no run‑up!

Ramos reacted quickly, immediately throwing himself to block it; Real Madrid's defense against Bayern is very experienced.

Smack!

It wasn't a whistling cannon shot.

A fake shot, a real pass.

When the Spanish team's formation fell into chaos.

Schweinsteiger passed the ball to the better‑positioned Kroos!

"Set up the cannon! Danger!"

"An opening has appeared."

"A chance for a long shot!"

"Not a butcher‑ox‑like passing and controlling penetration... they still have German football's hot blood flowing in their veins!"

"Kroos Football Academy: From Zero to Teaching You How to Become a Ceremonial Midfielder – Long‑Shot Chapter"

Kroos sprinted forward, pointed his toes at the ground, and was about to strike the oncoming ball.

His extremely suave demeanor made De Gea's pupils contract slightly.

The Spain goalkeeper's brain instantly judged: this upper‑body lean... must be a lofted shot!

Come on!

I will tell the whole world...

The new‑generation goalkeeper god of the Yin Biliya Peninsula will shine across Europe tonight!

At the edge of the pitch.

Minamino's face was filled with terror.

Bosch remained calm and composed.

Their gazes seemed not to be focused on the same spot.

On the other side.

Löw had his hands in his pockets, scratching his thigh through the suit fabric.

The red jersey once again blocked De Gea's view!

Critical moment.

Li Kang miraculously appeared in the crucial position.

A sliding tackle, and he stopped the ball!

Not a clearance!

The ball clung peacefully to his foot.

Kroos's long‑shot motion was interrupted, the hesitation in his eyes vanishing in an instant: at this moment Germany's high defensive line was pressed too deep, not allowing this kid to complete the attack‑to‑defense transition, even if it meant fouling!

Li Kang hadn't yet risen to his feet.

Real Madrid's midfield and Khedira both lunged at him.

In the chaos, the ball bounced out over the touchline.

From all sides of the stands, the boos rose and fell.

Beep!

The referee blew his whistle and gave Khedira a verbal warning.

Li Kang got up, the phantom of the red‑black spirit unusually calm.

The phantom of the Portugal number‑7 jersey kept struggling, raging like thunder, poised to burst forth.

After these two defenses, he roughly understood how to coordinate with the "disconnected" defenders.

He was a step slower than Busquets.

He was a step faster than San Jose and Carvajal.

Dead‑ball period.

The big screen replayed the entire attacking process.

Rather than saying the German midfield was pulling at Spain's defensive line,

it's more accurate to say they were mutually restraining each other.

Carvajal, San Jose, plus the recovering Koke and Cazorla—these few defenders' positioning was excellent, leaving Germany with very few passing options.

"Germany tried two attacking approaches, both came to nothing."

"Spain's back line has such strong individual ability that they helped Li Kang create the best clearing opportunity."

"If it weren't for Li Kang, Germany's successive attacks inside and outside the box would very likely have changed the score."

"Spain's possession."

See how they are again devising an offensive.

The off-field ball boy hurriedly threw the ball onto the field.

The match did not resume immediately.

The referee turned and walked over to Busquets, pulling out a yellow card!

The stadium erupted.

Busquets explained, feeling aggrieved.

The large screen hanging high overhead promptly replayed the small details of his fall.

Awkward.

The boos grew louder.

There were also boos from the home fans.

Catalonia TV.

Enrique's face darkened as he stammered.

In the replay, the 'world's number one defensive midfielder', while painfully covering his face, subtly shifted his palm, revealing a fleeting glimpse.

"Everyone makes mistakes sometimes."

"We should show understanding."

"Busquets was targeted by the German team."

"Spain's situation is perilous; the German team already had two excellent chances that almost threatened the goal."

"Objectively speaking, I think this match will go into extra time."

"That's right; Ter Stegen is in great form, and Spain will struggle to break through his goal."

VIP box.

"Spain's situation is very dangerous."

Beckenbauer's smile deepened as he praised: "Li has already defused German attacks twice at crucial moments; have you noticed his early movement?"

Ke Lu Yin Fu's face flushed red as he angrily clenched his fists: "La Masia has never taught children to profit by feigning injury."

Beckenbauer continued: "Li's Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid teammates are equally excellent, greatly reducing his defensive duties... He only needs to fully use his brain and body to end the opponent's offense... I am increasingly looking forward to his offensive performance in this match."

Ke Lu Yin Fu earnestly explained: "Busquets spent four years away from La Masia as a child; he must have picked up bad habits elsewhere."

The staff were dumbfounded.

Are these two old guys having a conversation?

CTV5 live stream.

-【Ha! La Masia Audiovisual Institute—Professor Bu.】

-【Kao Shao Yin is a Real Madrid fan; Barcelona's movie emperor can't fool him; the match's refereeing is fairly fair, but I still hope he doesn't officiate the Champions League next season...】

-【What the heck, Spain's possession is too low, right? Being pressed by the German team!】

-【After all, they're the 2014 world champions; it's not that easy.】

-【I think this is the strongest opponent Li Kang has faced in the Euro so far; the situation looks grim.】

-【The Spanish national team lacks a Messi; even if Li Mingdeng controls the midfield, the slow, patient passing and tapping makes it hard to threaten the German goal.】

-【Well, every national team lacks a Messi, including Argentina also lacking the 'false nine' and 'left wing' Messi...】

-【Guardiola's Bayern and Löw's German team really differ a lot.】

-【I predict the 90‑minute regular time will end 0‑0.】

The match resumed.

Spain's formation pushed forward as a whole.

De Gea waved, indicating that San Jose should pass the ball back to him.

Carvajal and Juanfran spread out on the flanks.

Busquets withdrew to receive the ball, preparing to become the starting point of the attack.

The German front line immediately prepared to apply pressure.

Smack!

The ball rolled swiftly along the turf toward the middle.

"So De Gea was actually looking for Li Kang!"

"This pass wasn't bad."

In recent times, the German coaching staff rigorously and meticulously analyzed Li Kang's technical traits.

They are very rigorous, just as they analyzed Messi before the 2014 World Cup final.

In the dense match footage, they compiled statistics and pinpointed the crux of the problem:

Li Kang's ability to receive the ball with his back to goal is top‑notch, but his dynamic forward reception is super weak.

The motion before passing is too large, lacking concealment.

He lacks a second burst of speed, dislikes using small techniques to link up dribbling, and mostly prefers to rely on his body.

During progression he especially likes to place the ball outside his body's center of gravity, has too many bad ball‑shielding habits; the Marseille turn he used against Croatia, judging by frequency, is merely a flash of inspiration.

Also, a bad habit left over from La Masia's youth academy: he likes to strike the ball with the outside and instep of his left foot.

When these non‑attribute traits are laid out, they amount to basically the weakest link among the young generation of genius midfielders.

To contain him, just target those bad habits—it's incredibly easy.

But... what happened next on the pitch left everyone's jaws dropping.

Li Kang, with his back to goal, trapped the ball.

Just as he completed his turn, preparing to advance or pass.

Schweinsteiger came galloping!

He had mastered the timing of close play to perfection, just like interfering with Messi in the World Cup final; a single leg movement blocked the passing line.

It's really dangerous.

Huh?

Li Kang was somewhat caught off guard.

He saw the steel little pig ruthlessly thrusting toward himself.

In his vision, the phantom of Portugal's number 7 finally struggled into view.

Figo!

It seemed to carry endless anger toward the Germans.

The phantom suddenly turned into a swath of pitch-black mist, enveloping the True Eye.

Immediately after.

Li Kang's waist... suddenly bent sharply.

The sudden drop in his center of gravity made Schweinsteiger hesitate slightly.

Wasn't it agreed that this kid's forward ball-receiving ability is weak?

Is he going to chop the ball?

Isn't that right?

It's fake, don't fall for it.

Damn, it's actually real.

What a perverse rhythm change!

Accompanied by gasps from the stands all around.

Li Kang "slowly" shook off the dazed Schweinsteiger standing still...

He did not pass immediately.

But instead he leaned toward the flank, charging into Germany's half!

Did he just speed up directly?

The Spanish team isn't using tiki-taka to sort out the midfield!

Li Kang sounded the attack's horn, leading the team to assault Germany's position!

Germany's midfield players were hesitating between pressing forward and dropping back.

Kroos quickly signaled: keep good spacing in the middle, watch the other Spanish players' runs!

Their formation remained intact, like a big cover.

Kimmich moved.

As a full-back, he bore the responsibility of intercepting Li Kang.

Come on.

Fated showdown.

At the moment of close contact, Kimmich was a bit dazed.

Li Kang suddenly stopped the ball, leaning his upper body inward.

The German full-back quickly shifted his weight to block.

The ball moved quickly back and forth between his feet.

With a slap.

It skimmed past the touchline.

Li Kang completely went around Kimmich and continued advancing!

He... he broke through!

So scary!

Li Kang obviously had no extra flashy moves, yet relying on unfathomable rhythm changes, he shook off two German defenders!

Teammates surged forward, stretching the width of the pitch!

Yinniesita and David Silva got into position to support, maintaining a subtle distance from Li Kang.

But... the absolute speed of those few is a bit slow, and the overall impact simply can't compare with Germany's team.

Atlantic Stadium.

Cheers rang incessantly in the ears.

Spanish fans never expected their own team to launch such a splendid attack.

Did he just speed up directly?

No pointless back-heel shuffling?

No passing back and forth dozens of times to slowly advance?

Spanish bench.

Diego Costa spread his hands and said: "If I'd known we wouldn't play tiki-taki penetration, I should have been put on!"

Yin Si Ke clenched his fists: "So handsome."

Mininiano looked bewildered: "Boss, we hadn't deployed anything like this before..."

Bosque quickly interrupted: "We must adjust according to the actual situation on the field and cooperate well with Li!"

On the other side.

Germany's coaching staff panicked.

Löw loudly cursed: "Wasn't it said this kid's forward ball-receiving ability is weak? What the hell is this?"

Le Fu gradually began to tense, unconsciously reaching his hand into...

The German team's base.

Nuoyiner, lying on the bed, pounded the mattress helplessly and shouted:

"Teershitegen, fall back quickly! That kid is about to break through the defense!"

"Hmm... Li Kang's absolute speed is too slow, unable to complete a second burst of speed, Boateng and Hedila can..."

The thirty-meter area.

Boateng and Hedila quickly double-teamed.

Their movement was extremely clever, also cutting off the passing link between Li Kang, Yinniesita, and Daweixierwa.

Keluosi closely followed in midfield, attempting to make a forward run, Keke.

The German team maintained its usual rigor.

Overall tactical discipline was very high.

"Li Kang's dribbling advance absolute speed is still not fast enough."

"Relying solely on changes in rhythm, one cannot get past the Boateng and Hedila-formed..."

In God's perspective.

Li Kang sensed Kawaher's incoming support from behind.

He was planning to choose a pass back, because from the currently grasped dynamic information, even if Feige were resurrected... pah pah pah, even if Feige regained youth and returned to his peak, he might not be able to break through Boateng and Hedila's double-team with 100% certainty.

These two guys are not pushovers.

World-class center-back pairing with a top-tier defensive midfielder.

Playing against the German team, one cannot rely on probability; once possession is lost in this position... the consequences are unimaginable.

Suddenly.

A soft, muffled hiss came from the ear.

In the field of vision, the illusory silhouette of a young colt suddenly appeared.

Boateng faintly felt an ominous premonition.

He suddenly realized: in order to cut off Li Kang's passing links to both sides, he and Hedila had inadvertently widened their gap.

Hmm?

It should be fine.

That Li kid also lacks the ability for a second burst of speed.

Immediately after.

The German black center-back slightly opened his mouth, seeing an unbelievable sight.

The ball slid past his side.

What else lifted the hem of the white jersey?

Is it the wind?

Hedila had no time to cover and block, instinctively reaching out, but could not touch anything.

The German team's defensive line collapsed with a boom.

Atlantic Stadium, tens of thousands of spectators involuntarily held their breath.

The camera suddenly paused, then began to move.

The Xibanya number 6 jersey in the wind resembled a ball of flame.

The German team's white wall was instantly melted.

"He is the wind!"

"He is fire!"

"Wow!"

Li Kang broke through the German team's defense.

Only Teershitegen remained in front, coming out.

Xiaoshizi had made full preparations.

I not only want to clear the German team's name, but also clear Basa's name!

Come on!

Lamaxiya discard!

Bei lai yin, the prodigy!

Peng!

The response was an unstoppable heavy cannon!

Teershitegen, maintaining a blocking stance, stared wide-eyed, dumbfounded.

1:0!!!

Atlantic Stadium, instantly fell silent.

What happened to the promised offensive-defensive duel?

What happened to the promised strong-strong showdown?

How could someone score with such unreasonable, domineering method?