Chapter 209

Beautiful!

The ball went in!

A sudden, powerful arc shot!

It's completely unexpected!

Two French players couldn't stop him; after trapping the ball, he flicked his leg in place—who says his passing and shooting aren't covert?

A terrifying power showdown!

Precise judgment of the landing point!

A dominant-level stellar performance!

Not only did he finish with a strike, he played an irreplaceable core role in Spain's overall possession and advance!

In the midst of overall passing and cutting changes, a sudden halt, and a wonderfully precise long pass disrupted the French defense's temporary deployment!

Young Li Kang broke the deadlock! Spain gained the lead!

Duan Xuan and He Wei were so excited they wanted to slam the table.

Commentary in international matches should not focus on tactical details; it should be more easy to understand.

But they couldn't help it.

Such a genius midfielder, who transcends mere physical confrontation and lets the team grasp the ceiling of any tactical system, how many years will it take for the football world to produce one?

No.

Li Kang's physical confrontation is also terrifying!

Live stream room.

The big screen replayed the entire goal process:

Before Cazorla touched the ball.

Kante and Mbappe had been sprinting all the way, closing in on Li Kang.

At the moment Saul's shot hit the post, Li Kang suddenly accelerated, running toward the approximate landing spot.

Two little black eggs followed closely behind.

Mbappe, leveraging his speed advantage, overtook and tightly marked his position.

Unfortunately.

He couldn't be stopped!

He even failed to interfere with Li Kang's trap and shot.

A thorough dimensional suppression.

-【Li Mingdeng! So awesome!】

Two black guys can't hold him? Am I watching Three Handsome Guys?

-【The visual impact is too strong, fucking amazing.】

-【What if it's like Drogba vs. Sunderdross... casting a shadow on those two African kids?】

-【What's wrong with Kante? He's supposed to be the Premier League's strongest defensive midfielder, the big five leagues' steal king, why is he so useless? He couldn't stop Li Kang twice in a row?】

-【Is the pitch too slippery? Otherwise, how would he be dragged a few steps?】

In the stands.

Wenger initially wanted to applaud, but in the blink of an eye he noticed the strange looks from the surrounding fans.

Cough cough cough.

He immediately used coughing to hide his embarrassment.

On this summer night, the Arsenal manager wasn't wearing that coat that couldn't be zipped up.

Eh... I should have known to get a VIP box to watch the game.

"If Li joined Arsenal... he could bring my football philosophy to its fullest."

Indeed.

Last season in the Premier League, Arsenal faced all sorts of harsh 'misfortune,' yet still managed to rank second.

Zidane looked puzzled.

Wenger smiled and said: "1.5 billion in deposits can't be moved, but the bank indicated... if Li could join Arsenal..."

Real Madrid's coach shook his head with a smile.

He envied Ferguson and Wenger's true: Manager!

One decision determines all club affairs, with no random factors interfering, even his beloved young players could get a very good 'growth environment'.

In short:

Zidane and Enrique this kind are responsible for team training and tactical planning, their hands can at most reach the youth academy.

Transfer and other matters, Real Madrid and Barcelona won't grant too much authority.

They need to spend energy liaising with club high-ups and sports directors.

But Ferguson and Wenger are different.

Let's not talk about building the stadium.

They could even let the club create several charity foundations!

Right.

Wenger was the first to spearhead the creation of a club charity foundation.

On the sidelines.

Mininano exclaimed: "Boss, I never thought we could break through France's defense so quickly!"

Bosque muttered: "I didn't expect the goal to come so easily."

During the pre-match deployment.

The Spanish coaching staff merely planned a "seize the opening" move.

Using short-pass penetration tactics, they forced the French team to shrink defensive spacing, then used wide-area transfers on the flanks to exhaust the opposing defenders' stamina, achieving a short-term suppression and entanglement situation.

But Li Kang, how could he score with two small braised eggs hanging?

He literally turned the French team's level into that of Kenya!

On the other side.

After receiving permission from the officials, the French team's doctor rushed onto the pitch.

Deschamps hadn't recovered from the shock for half a day.

"How can we possibly stop that kid?"

"Payet, you're literally playing with fire and burning yourself!"

It's pretty much the same situation as with Zidane.

Deschamps' playing career was extremely glorious; he is a World Cup-winning legend in French football history, with outstanding achievements.

He can quickly suppress all restless elements in the national team's locker room.

But at the tactical level, he hasn't yet found a system better suited for the lads.

Deschamps isn't a novice coach; he did well when coaching Marseille, but he still needs a long time to gel.

Being the national team head coach is no easy task.

In this Euro's knockout stage, in the two matches against Ireland and Iceland, the French coaching staff still hadn't settled on the formation that best fits the team.

Stade Vélodrome.

Spanish fans sang loudly.

French fans loudly booed.

The Spanish players didn't immediately celebrate; Yinniesita ran to the referee, gesturing wildly and accusing Payet of a foul.

Poor Payet.

He lay painfully on the grass, tears about to fall, it hurt so much! His knee felt numb.

A large group of Spanish players gathered around him.

The officials quickly snuffed out the chaotic flare.

"We can see now that Payet, Mbappé, and Kanté each received a yellow card!"

"The refereeing in this match has been rather lenient."

"The referee's standard of control will affect the normal course of the match."

Payet covered his face and was carried off on a stretcher.

He is hailed as Zidane's successor.

Who would have thought that in this worldwide-watched Euro semi-final... his role would be so small!

"Less than fifteen minutes into the match, and France already has to make its first substitution—adding insult to injury!"

"The youngster from Manchester United, Martial, comes off the bench!"

Martial is annoyed.

In last season's Champions League qualifiers, whenever I ran into Li Kang's team, I just became invisible.

Moreover, that Li Kang kid seems even stronger than before.

Diego Costa is calm.

He gestured for Yinniesita not to act impulsively.

Spain isn't Barcelona, the Euro isn't the Champions League, and mobbing the referee with trash talk will get you booked.

It's not worth it.

Chelsea's striker immediately grabbed Li Kang's shoulder and wildly waved his hands toward the stands.

The Stade Vélodrome was instantly engulfed by a tsunami-like roar.

"Lee!!!"

"Lee!!!"

"Lee!!!"

This is what the Spanish team should be doing now!

Use enthusiastic celebrations to wear down the enemy's morale!

In the distance.

Lloris looked lost in thought.

Pogba fumed and stamped his foot:

"Payet is really an idiot!"

"Are you playing like crap? That kid isn't even as good as me—how could you fail to stop him?"

"Do you want me to mark that kid?"

Nobody replied.

Big brother Evra hauled Kanté and Mbappé to their feet and brushed off the grass clippings.

Kanté apologized: "Sorry, I should have let others provide cover... I'm still not clear on Mbappé's defensive habits."

Matuidi explained: "It's my fault."

Mbappé said nothing, displaying a composure unbecoming of a 17-year-old.

He silently returned to the front line.

Defensive habits?

What a damn defensive habit — attacking is what best suits his duty.

Match centre circle restarted.

Giroud kicked the ball back to Matuidi.

France's formation surged forward quickly, meeting little resistance.

After several smooth passes,

The ball reached the 40-meter zone in Spain's half.

Pogba steadily trapped the ball.

Facing the double-team of Yinniesita and Cazorla.

Pink boots and a pink mohawk under the spotlight, like cherry blossoms blown by a cold wind!

"Dazzling footwork!"

"Oh no!"

"Can't fool those two midfield masters!"

"Nice!"

"Still powered through with his body!"

"Is the skill not enough?"

"Then use the body!"

The French midfield shielded the ball between his legs, breaking out of the encirclement from Yinniesita's direction!

France's fans cheered excitedly.

Pogba is their hope!

Even before Li Kang appeared in the newspapers, Pogba had made a name at Juventus, being hailed as the 'most perfect' midfielder in football history.

Purely physical, the aging Barcelona youngster is no match for the French black guy.

Pogba's explosive speed is equally terrifying.

He pushed the ball forward.

He took long strides.

The feet behind balanced — Cazorla can only eat dust!

"A showdown between two types of midfielders!"

"Perhaps it's a clash of midfield geniuses from two eras."

"Pogba won a complete victory!"

"France's advancing speed is very fast!"

At the same time.

Sane and Mbappe surged forward to support.

Spain immediately reacted, as Juanfran and San Jose read Pogba's run and surged forward.

By normal logic, the flank is about to see a small-scale '3v2 team fight!'

A local attack-defense that could influence the ensuing play.

No pass!

Pogba turned and charged toward Martial's side!

France's elder Evra also surged forward into position.

Plus the arriving Matuidi!

In a short time, a four-man local advance unit formed!

"An attacking routine centered on Pogba!"

"Spain is under great pressure now!"

"Oh no!"

"Nice wall-pass combination!"

"Saurel was beaten!"

"Carvajal is isolated and helpless — oh no, he can't defend against four alone, where are his teammates!"

"Spain's team is in danger!"

In the stands.

Wenger couldn't help but exclaim: 'Everything about Pogba is too perfect, whether it's his physical condition, speed... or control of attacking direction, it's just too expensive, Juventus' offer over there exceeds one hundred million.'

Zidane nodded seriously, indicating agreement.

Last summer transfer window, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, and the Premier League giants all made offers to Juventus.

Only the Serie A champions said they needed a season to complete the rebuilding transition before extending the transfer talks.

Otherwise.

Pogba would definitely outshine De Bruyne and become the transfer king of that time.

By the pitch.

Miniano was nervous, chattering nonstop.

Bosque remained calm, stroking his little mustache, smiling and saying:

"Don't panic, our defense shows no signs of chaos."

"Look, Sane has withdrawn, but France is still very pragmatic."

Pogba-led attacking group charged all the way to the edge of Spain's penalty area.

Li Kang slowly retreated.

He gestured to communicate with Ramos and De Gea while observing Pogba's step frequency.

In God's perspective.

After observing Juanfran and San Jose retreat to their positions.

He stomped the turf, made a sharp cut, and immediately charged toward the French black player!

Seal the inside line!

In his vision, Nesta's phantom was extremely frenzied, fiercely pointing toward the outer line!

Don't listen to him!

Li Kang had long familiarized himself with Pogba's traits from match footage of Juventus versus the France team!

"A showdown between two genius midfielders!"

"Huh? Why did Li Kang voluntarily give up the outer line?"

"Oh! Ramos sealed off the outer line!"

"What great chemistry!"

"Samuel and Carvajal's timely recovery also cut off Evra and Matuidi's supporting play!"

"A one-on-one situation formed locally!"

Pogba wore a look of arrogance.

Martial, who had cut inside to midfield, was reaching out asking for the ball.

He wasn't going to pass it.

That white centre-back of Real Madrid could at any moment cut off the outer line's passing link!

What I need to do now is: devour Li Kang!

Come on!

The clueless black-haired kid!

Let's see who is the strongest midfielder!

He nudged the ball with the outside of his left foot!

Likewise, he stomped the turf!

Pogba instantly exploded with terrifying acceleration.

Devour!

Devour Li Kang!

The crowd erupted in an uproar!

All the spectators couldn't help but hold their breath, their eyes showing fervent anticipation.

Velodrome Stadium.

It seemed as if all the spotlights shone only on the two genius midfielders!

Thud!

The ball slowly rolled into the penalty area!

In an instant, no one could control the ball.

Pogba's overtake was unsuccessful.

In the process of "devouring," he suddenly discovered that Li Kang did not immediately close in, but there was a change in defensive rhythm!

This kid blocked the forward running route....

It's his damn arcing trajectory!

It's just tricking himself into accelerating!

Devour?

It's like opening his mouth wide; at the instant of biting down, the expected food didn't come straight to his mouth but instead swooped in at an angle!

Not only did his teeth hurt,

but he also got a mouthful of food!

On the edge of the penalty area.

The two midfield cores collided heavily!

Next.

An extremely shocking scene occurred.

The tall and mighty black midfielder flew out!

Everyone was stunned!

He vaguely recalled a scene that had once occurred on the Premier League pitch years ago.

What kind of physicality is this!

"France team players were raising their hands to signal a foul!"

"The referee paid no attention!"

"It was a normal and reasonable physical confrontation!"

"De Gea securely held onto the ball!"

"Oh dear!"

"Pogba wanted to devour Li Kang!"

"Is De Gea not keeping a steady rhythm?"

"A direct kick is too dangerous! Too risky!"

"Watch out for the French team's frontcourt counterpress!"

Oh! He passed the ball to Li Kang!

In the field of view.

Nesta's phantom, content, dissipated in the wind.

Pogba lay on the grass, questioning life.