Chapter 208: The Unspeakable Man-Eating Demon King!

This year's International Tournament club winners were not just Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

And Arsenal!

Sanchez, Copa América champion.

Cazorla, Giroud, Koscielny, and Ramsey each represented their national teams and reached the European Championship semi-finals.

This indirectly proves Wenger's eye for talent... and how terrifying Arsenal players can be when injury-free.

However, European sports media seem not to have noticed this.

Instead, they wildly hype the pre-match atmosphere.

The mainstream view is that Spain, after fierce battles with Italy and Germany, is likely to fall at the feet of host France.

Stade Vélodrome Stadium, viewed from above by aerial cameras, looks like a giant white cotton candy.

Wenger and Zidane appeared together.

Media reporters packed the passage tightly.

Security staff, as if in battle, struggled to escort the two out of the encirclement.

"Mr. Wenger, which team do you think is more likely to reach the final?"

French fans and media have long liked Wenger, hoping years ago that he would take charge of the national team.

Wenger thought for a moment, then did not answer immediately.

In this European Championship he has made several blunders, for example cleverly using Desailly as a shield to avoid the water cannon, and mistaking Croatia's team doctor for Paris Saint-Germain's new coach Emery.

"This will be an interesting match; Deschamps must take measures to contain Li, but Spain's other attackers are equally excellent—one slip and Cazorla, David Silva, and Yinniesita will deal a deadly blow to France."

"Our French players are young and energetic; I believe they are top contenders to win the 2018 World Cup."

The reporters did not get the answer they wanted.

They then turned their microphones toward the Real Madrid manager.

"Who do you think is better, Pogba or Li?"

Zidane, without thinking, interrupted: "Li!"

Marseille is France's third-largest city and its largest trade gateway.

This ancient city with a 2,500-year history is surrounded by hills on three sides, boasting beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate.

Two red buses slowly entered Stade Vélodrome Stadium.

Along the road, Spanish fans ran while shouting the names of the stars.

Morata and Yin Si Ke opened the curtains, warmly waving to the supporters.

Yinniesita said concerned: "Li, this French team is different from before; their defensive moves are larger, and they are skilled at provoking opponents—no matter what happens, you must stay calm."

"Especially Payet, who comes from West Ham United and shone in the Premier League last season, but his methods are a bit…"

Cazorla added: "We're facing not just a pure tactical battle; they have the home advantage, but don't worry—we'll help relieve the pressure."

Li Kang nodded.

So far in this European Championship, judging purely by fouls and cards, Italy is the "dirtiest," followed by Hungary, but these stats don't tell the whole story—just like Diego Costa, who is skilled at avoiding the referee's sight in La Liga and the Premier League and always manages to get the opposing defenders booked.

Half an hour later.

Pre-match press conference.

Bosque and Deschamps looked more like a pair of close old friends.

Two years ago in the qualifiers.

Deschamps led the French team to break the eight-year winless streak against Spain.

"We are not only witnessing Spain's resurgence, but also France's."

"The French team has gone far too long without a championship trophy."

The venue erupted in applause.

Looking back at past major tournaments, France's lineup on paper has been extremely luxurious, yet it always self-destructs from internal conflict.

Players and coaching staff insult each other, teammates fight over bus seats, collectively boycott training, the locker room suffers racial discrimination, and there are video tape incidents...

After Deschamps took charge, the locker room became "slightly" less chaotic.

Right now the biggest hassle is the players' families: Rabiot's mother, Pogba's brother, and Mbappé's father.

The French coaching staff wishes these talented players were all orphans.

Player tunnel.

After Giroud and Cazorla shook hands and embraced, they warmly greeted Li Kang.

In the Champions League Round of 16 match, this Arsenal striker was made to look foolish by Li Kang's spin move.

Umtiti looked on contemptuously.

He had the chance to be loaned to Leverkusen in the winter window last season, but felt no regret, as he was about to join Barcelona.

A powerhouse like Barcelona, with deep roots, is exactly the dream I pursue.

Suddenly.

He saw Busquets and Yinniesita, immediately put on a polite smile, and warmly greeted them.

At the rear of the formation.

Koscielny patted Mbappé's shoulder: "Don't be nervous, cherish the chance to start; your main task is to feel the tournament atmosphere, don't cling too much to the ball."

Mbappé said nothing, gazing somewhat excitedly at the back of Spain's number six.

Today Pogba dyed his mohawk pink and wore a pair of pink boots.

"Keep an eye on that kid."

"Kante, you just need to pass the ball to me."

Kante nodded shyly.

CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers and friends!

We are now broadcasting live the semi-final of the 2016 European Cup held in France!

Spain versus the host nation France!

The final showdown of the death half!

Can the French continue the great law that hosting a tournament at home guarantees victory?

Will Spain's Invincible Armada sing a triumphant song in the Marseille sea battle?

I am the commentator for this match, Duan Xuan!

I am He Wei!

The referee team leads the players from both sides out of the tunnel.

The Velodrome stadium instantly erupts with a cheer like a landslide and tsunami.

The mascot 'Super Victor' excitedly shook hands with Li Kang.

The system notification sound blares wildly.

【This edition's European Cup performance index has been achieved; the event mascot can be bound!】

【Attempting to bind...】

【Ding, this totem is too powerful to bind.】

【Ding, this totem is too powerful to bind.】

【Ding, this totem is too powerful to bind.】

Li Kang: '...'

Victor's setting is: a flying superhero...

【Mission triggered: Fear of France!】

【Mission brief: You haven't played without thinking in a long time; enjoy this match!】

【Mission reward: European Tourney·Dark Gold Treasure Chest!】

Diego Costa patted the mascot doll's butt and laughed, 'Damn, you look just like Hull City's Maguire!'

Next, let me introduce the starting lineups for both sides.

Spain's formation here is 4-3-3!

Goalkeeper: De Gea!

Defenders: Carvajal, Ramos, San Jose, Juanfran!

Midfielders: Li Kang, Saul, Yinniesita!

Forwards: David Silva, Diego Costa, Cazorla!

The live broadcast room.

The number of viewers keeps increasing.

- 【In actual play, the formation will become 4-5-1.】

- 【What's the situation? Spain isn't using the 'brainless filter' Busquets?】

- 【Saul is strong, his defensive clearing is awesome, and his attack is also explosive.】

- 【I don't understand Bosque's thinking, how to use Diego Costa? He doesn't fit the possession system.】

France's formation here is 4-2-3-1!

Goalkeeper: Lloris.

Defenders: Sagna, Umtiti, Koscielny, Evra.

Double defensive midfielders: Matuidi, Kanté!

Attacking midfielders: Payet, Pogba, Mbappé!

Forward: Giroud!

- 【France? Are you sure? This looks like some African national team.】

- 【Three farm owners bringing eight black...】

- 【France's whole lineup is awesome, young and energetic!】

- 【Evra is still playing? He's 35, I'm a Manchester United legend!】

- 【Haha, that kid looks like a Ninja Turtle!】

- 【Don't judge them by their strange looks; the French team is really strong this year, and the bench still has a bunch of monsters. I predict Li Mingdeng will have a very tough time in this match.】

- 【Kanté and Matuidi's interceptions and clearances are insane; Spain will play it safe, following the Barca style... slowly passing back to look for opportunities.】

- 【Hearing you say that, I'm scared; I bet Spain 3-0 France.】

- 【You're done for; just consider it one less foot wash. In a crucial battle, they won't attack fiercely; playing it safe is the way to go.】

The guessing segment ends.

Players from both sides take their positions on the field.

Payet gazes at Li Kang's silhouette, takes a deep breath, as if making an important decision.

Accompanied by the referee's whistle!

The match officially begins!

Spain has possession.

Diego Costa kicks off and passes back to Li Kang.

Cazorla and David Silva surge forward quickly.

Including Carvajal and Juanfran.

The French team's forward press hasn't unfolded yet...

As Li Kang's foot touched the ball.

Spain instantly unleashed an extremely terrifying pass-and-cut fast break!

"Li Kang's one-foot touch, a long pass like a cruise missile! Found Juanfran who had surged into the French half!"

"Spain's front line now has four attacking points, no, five... no, six! Seven! Eight!"

"Too crazy!"

"Wow! A pass-and-cut combination like mercury spilling across the ground!"

Juanfran effortlessly stopped and passed, easily crushing the little black egg trying to block him—what's his name again... Mbappe, right? His interception ability is too immature!

Just like in training, when Atlético Madrid's fullback carried the ball into the 40-meter zone.

Juanfran ignored the charging Sania, calmly laying the ball off to the arriving Cazorla.

In an instant.

The Arsenal midfield magician then unleashed a magnificent pass-and-cut storm!

All the Spanish midfield and forward players ran out dazzling trajectories.

The ball danced lightly among the red shirts.

It seemed as if all of Europe's most exquisite passers had gathered in Spain's lineup, able to find the perfect outlet with their eyes closed.

"The ball seemed to have been endowed with magic!"

"So nimble and airy!"

"Like a butcher carving an ox!"

"The French team didn't have time to shorten their defensive gaps; for them, the situation was too chaotic!"

Carvajal made a diagonal run into the central channel.

David Silva lingered at the rear of the attacking formation; though slow, his ball reception and touch left the French midfield helpless.

Saúl surged from the double pivot into the front line!

Diego Costa was chatting heatedly with his "old friend" Koscielny.

The ball, like a mischievous Maguire, taunted the French back line!

At times a short pass pierced through; at times it soared into the sky!

Not the slightest hindrance!

One-touch!

Wall-pass combination!

Countless passing lanes intertwined, as if countless blades were cutting!

The sword-wielder, again Li Kang!

Despite interference from several French players, he still managed to keep his balance, delivering time and again a crucial transitional pass with his exquisite touch.

In his vision, Bergkamp's phantom lingered.

The French defensive line wavered on the brink of collapse!

"Oh dear!"

"Giroud, Payet, and Mbappé... three people can't affect Li Kang!"

"Pogba, hurry back to defend!"

The spectators were dumbfounded!

In the stands.

Nearby fans turned to look at Wenger, not daring to linger, then turned their gaze back to the pitch.

Wenger bewilderedly raised his hand: "Li is very suited for Arsenal... I don't know what's going on."

Zidane laughed and shook his head.

Matuidi remained calm.

He dared not lose his position to challenge, nor dare in open play to try to cut Spain's passing link.

No matter how fast he ran, he couldn't match the speed of this group of magicians' passes.

Dropping back to protect the defensive line is the correct approach; stop thinking about tightly marking Li Kang!

Kante, however, was different.

At this point in history he hadn't yet had his breakthrough; he roughly anticipated Spain's passing lanes and rushed toward Li Kang!

"Oh dear, the French double pivot's defensive thinking didn't click!"

"A gap has opened!"

"Eh? Spain's attack has slowed down!"

Li Kang had just received Saúl's return pass.

A small black shadow darted out.

It really was a black shadow.

Kante's tackling timing was extremely precise.

Shy off the pitch, confident on it—this is the five-league tackle king who forged the Leicester City legend!

At the same time.

Payet surged forward from behind, charging at Spain's number six!

The focus of attention was not on the ball, but on Li Kang's shin!

You know, how much effort I've put in to stand on the Euro stage?

At 15, I was kicked out of youth training.

At 29, I finally came into my own.

From a clothing store sales assistant to a French hero.

All the hardships I've been through, you La Masia monster, will never know!

No one can stop my dream!

The scene that follows.

It left Kante a bit dazed.

His own right foot actually poked through empty air!

He watched helplessly as Li Kang's left foot nudged the ball... and Payet's knee slammed down on the Spanish genius's supporting leg.

He couldn't help but vaguely recall the tactical meeting a few days ago, the words Payet had said to himself...

Pa-la!

A miserable cry rang out nearby.

Yet Li Kang, right before his eyes, casually delivered an exquisite long pass!

Eh?

Turns out it was Payet howling!

No time to be stunned, Kante quickly called Mbappe, who had come back to defend, and together they continued to restrict Li Kang!

"Ah! Payet fell to the ground."

"Li Kang didn't do anything at all!"

"It's impossible to whistle the game to a stop at this moment!"

"Beautiful!"

"The pass-and-cut suddenly turned into a long pass and chip!"

Inside the French penalty area!

Diego Costa took a few steps to adjust, then shoved Koscielny aside.

As the "dirty forward" most hated by Arsenal fans, he didn't resort to any tricks this time!

The ball plummeted down.

Chelsea's striker flicked the ball with a header!

Pa!

Peng!

Two ball-contact sounds!

The director's close-up shot almost couldn't keep up with the pace!

The ball had already rolled into the left side of the French team's small penalty area!

Cazorla bent low, weaving like a tiny loach into a perilous zone hard to describe.

He slightly lifted his left foot, making as if to shoot.

Lloris remained calm; as Tottenham Hotspur's starting goalkeeper, he had to have the experience to deal with Arsenal's pass-and-cut.

He wasn't so easily...

Pa!

The ball didn't fly straight toward the French team's goal, but was swept to the right!

Samuel launched a sliding shot from the ground!

Peng!

The goal frame shook violently!

"Oh no! The post!"

"The Atletico Madrid youngster's luck is terrible!"

"It's harder for this ball not to go in than to go in!"

"Two o'clock!"

"Li Kang!"

The director's camera almost couldn't keep up with the rhythm of Spain's fast attack!

Quickly switch the camera.

The spectators couldn't help but hold their breath... and saw an extraordinarily strange scene.

Li Kang surged forward, with two small black eggs hanging from his waist!

The ball landed outside the big penalty area, exactly where the three of them were standing!

In his vision, Ronaldinho's phantom suddenly appeared!

Peng!

The ball lifted off the ground, spinning violently.

In the air above the penalty area, it traced an extremely bizarre arc!

Like the claws of a devil!

1-0!!!

Lloris stood there like a wooden chicken.

Monster...

Devil...

The unspeakable man-eating demon king.