Chapter 210: Despicable and Shameless Wounding Butcher

Giroud was so anxious he wanted to pull down his pants.

Before the match, he was still rehearsing in the locker room with Pogba... the celebration after scoring a goal.

How are we supposed to play now?

Although Arsenal's striker was jokingly called a 'big flop' at this time, his mind worked well and his thinking was clear.

While running back on defense, he kept waving his hands at Pogba, gesturing toward the left half of the field.

Don't think about competing with Li!

The left half is where you're best at attacking!

On the sidelines.

Deschamps angrily crushed the water bottle in his hand, wishing he could rush onto the pitch and grab Pogba by the collar.

Get back on defense!

The French team isn't Juventus!

No one is going to share your defensive duties!

After the France head coach slightly calmed his emotions, he also felt quite regretful:

The whole team was adjusted to accommodate Pogba, with the coaching staff having the two veteran full‑backs Sagna and Evra constantly swap positions to join the attack, and after Payet went off they brought on Martial to play the right flank.

Positions were completely reversed.

Fortunately, the defensive impact won't be too great.

Stay calm.

It's only one goal behind.

We still need to hold our defensive position and wait for a counter‑attack opportunity.

The other side.

Mignanó asked doubtfully, 'Boss, Pogba and Li... are midfielders that no one in all of Europe knows how to use, right?'

Bosque sat upright on the coach's bench, holding a small tactical board and gently moving the little magnetic flags:

'It would take a long time to explain; let's start with that Real Madrid midfielder.'

'Li and Modrić are the interplay between the overall match situation and the tactical framework; if you want to decide the outcome, it's not just about individual ability differences, but more about the whole.'

'The two of them are like chess players, constantly building or breaking down.'

'Li and Pogba, however, are different; they are a direct clash in a localized area.'

'Pogba is very good at creating space in a localized attacking area.'

'Li is equally good at destroying space in a localized defensive area.'

Mignanó took a deep breath, reviewing the recent attack‑defend details, the players' runs in the localized zone, the creation and blocking of passing lanes... finally forming a one‑on‑one, and he suddenly realized.

'Teammates of a lower tier really can't keep up with their pace.'

'But I still think Li is smarter than Pogba!'

In the stands.

The French team's entourage was in utter chaos.

After Pogba's brother complained a few words, he was immediately rebutted by the wives of Evra and Matuidi.

Gradually.

The relatives of other players also joined the shouting match one after another.

Only a woman of refined bearing and fair skin clenched her hands, anxiously gazing at the scene on the pitch.

The years have left marks on her face, and her once proud figure has become somewhat bulky.

She still looks as beautiful as a painting.

That's right.

She is Sagna's wife, Ludwin!

The two of them together are a 'beauty and the beast' pairing.

Black and white match.

Their wedding back then left a deep impression on Arsenal fans.

The camera cut back to the field.

Under Spain's control, the ball passed a few times and then crossed the midfield line.

There was no continuation of the opening pass‑and‑cut fast break.

Carvajal and Juanfran didn't have time to split to the wings for forward support, so the width of the counter‑attack couldn't be opened temporarily.

Li Kang appropriately slowed his pace a bit.

Spain's front line didn't have many young, strong little loaches.

The French team played very pragmatically, with extremely fast transitions between attack and defense.

The timely retreats of Sagna, Kanté, Umtiti, and Koscielny prevented Diego Costa from finding a chance for a while.

'At this point we realized the French team hadn't thrown everything forward in their recent attack.'

'Evra and Matuidi also weren't dragging out the fight; they didn't stay up front to join the press.'

'Giroud's defensive tracking was also diligent, with a proper attitude.'

Although Kanté's interceptions and tackles at this stage were near perfect, his passing, dribbling, and shooting abilities had not yet been developed; his several duties in the French team mainly consisted of sweeping, hindering the opponent's advance, acting as a shield for the two central defenders, and helping Pogba clean up.

However, the little black egg had no complaints and worked diligently.

For example, it's like a paladin in a game who has maxed out his defense talent: he not only bears the boss's frontal damage, but also occasionally heals his teammates with two sips.

However, the current situation is a bit difficult.

He already had a yellow card, so he dared not make a big tackling move; even if he had no intention to foul, just touching Li Kang could easily turn him into a 'benchwarmer'.

Koscielny was observing the ball's advancing route while directing the positioning of the back line.

Seeing the Spanish team gradually press into the thirty-meter zone.

The French team faced a formidable foe.

Whoa! Li Kang upped the tempo!

This time he's looking for David Silva!

Carvajal has also pushed forward; this time we'll attack the French team's flank.

Dazzling short-pass penetration.

Yinniesita's forward run!

A nimble lofted pass!

Wow! That was close!

Koscielny cleared the ball with a big kick!

Diego Costa turned his head, gave a thumbs-up to the midfield maestros, then traced an arc in the air with his index finger, signaling not to overcomplicate things—he couldn't pull off the Arsenal, Barcelona, Manchester City style.

Although it doesn't fully fit the possession-based system.

But once he appears in the penalty area, he becomes a huge threat!

Carvajal picked up the ball, observed for a moment, and ignored his teammates' gestures for the ball inside the box.

He heaved the ball to Li Kang.

As soon as the ball left his hand, the Real Madrid full-back regretted it: he saw Pogba suddenly accelerate!

Danger!

Li Kang trapped the ball on his chest, flicked it lightly with his left foot, and turned smoothly.

Pogba, who had come from behind to ambush, lunged at nothing and fell clumsily on the grass.

The French black player angrily pounded the turf.

Does this kid have eyes on his back?

"When did Pogba's defensive attitude become so proactive? It's rare!"

"No worries, get up quickly—your teammates need your support."

"I think he especially misses his Juventus teammates right now—Chiellini, Barzagli, Buffon—and Pirlo too!"

"This young French team still needs more matches to grow."

Match time ticked by second by second.

Spain pinned the French team in front of the big penalty area and launched a siege.

Li Kang grasped the bullfighter's blade.

In his vision, the phantom of Germany's number 18 slowly lifted a finger.

Kroos!

As Cazorla, Yinniesita, and David Silva moved and passed in the front line.

The attacking space was exploited to the fullest.

The alternating fast and slow rhythm left the French defenders miserable.

Not just Barcelona's 'boiling frog' approach.

A sudden burst of speed in the counterattack resembled Arsenal's pass-and-move.

After slowing down to widen the play, the broad left-right distribution closely resembled Pep's Manchester City 'flank-halfspace' attack.

Not to mention the 'Li-Costa connection'—Li Kang's long pass to Diego Costa in the box—isn't that just Chelsea's trick? Can it even be used in positional play?

Spain's number six is practically the master of positional play!

The Invincible Armada aimed its cannons at France and bombarded relentlessly.

An all-dimensional reduction strike.

A multi-layered three-dimensional attack.

The French team is about to be knocked senseless.

The spectators were also stunned.

This Spain, their positional play ability is terrifying!

Fortunately, Kanté and Matuidi always manage to fill in at the most critical moments, repeatedly defusing danger.

Even Giroud dropped back into the defensive line to guard against Spain's aerial balls...

But the French coaching staff knows... this defensive approach won't hold for long.

That Li Kang kid—how does he always so easily spot the gaps in the defense?

Too domineering!

Watching him play is practically a visual treat!

By the pitch.

Minamino exclaimed, 'Boss, it's unbelievable—our coaching staff didn't even know we could play like this...'

Bosque nodded, sighing:

Just watch closely.

This might be the last flourish of the bullfighter dynasty.

The next European Cup... no, the World Cup in two years—Cazorla, Yinniesita, and David Silva might not be able to stay by Li's side.

On the other side.

Deschamps was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

No.

If this continues.

There's no chance for a counterattack.

It won't be long before the defenders' stamina is drained by Spain's perverse attacking rhythm.

Not fighting means death!

Fighting also means death!

Fight!

39th minute of the match.

Evra signals a tactical change to the midfielders.

The France team's defensive formation shifts subtly.

After a few quick passes, the ball slides to the left of the penalty area line and is once again delivered to Li Kang's feet.

"When did he get forward?"

"Perfect timing!"

"Oh! The France team was careless... uh-oh, he's surrounded!"

"The Gallic rooster's prison trap!"

In his vision.

Kroos's silhouette grows clearer.

As his finger rises, he can't bring it down.

Li Kang's view is blocked by a heavy shadow!

Kante and Matuidi move in to cut off the ball.

Sane, Pogba, and Umtiti close in from the wings and the back line.

A five-man blockade!

Five black, hard encirclements!

The nearest Cazorla hesitates: where should I run? What's the safest way to support?

Samuel, lagging behind, looks confused: does this look like we're about to brawl?

Meanwhile.

Martial, left up front, is raring to go.

He silently excited: if the teammates behind can win the ball and luck is on their side, they can play it out and he'll break through Spain's high press.

On the sidelines.

Miniano frowns.

Bosque sits on the bench, his face grim with worry.

Deschamps holds back his excitement.

Indeed.

In positional defense, a local numerical edge is enough to keep Li Kang in check.

I've already figured out how to neutralize Spain's possession game.

The rest of the match will be easy.

The France team has the key to victory!

Velodrome Stadium.

The crowd couldn't help but shout.

Fans instinctively felt the France team was about to win the ball.

Can Spain's number six get past two defenders, let alone five?

Too bad.

The next moment's scene warped everyone's perception.

God's perspective shows no passing lane.

Only option: force a cheat.

Li Kang bursts forward, two steps into the France penalty area.

True Eye flares, belching black smoke.

The shadow in his mind spreads to its limit.

Close in first!

Then strike back!

Kante, leg half outstretched, looks terrified.

Umtiti stands frozen in front.

Matuidi and Sane slide in from either side.

Pogba, slow to react, angrily kicks out from behind to knock the ball loose.

The ball is gone...

Wow!

The tens of thousands of spectators present widened their eyes involuntarily, afraid to miss any detail on the green field!

Accompanying it, the close-range audio equipment emitted bursts of terrifying sounds.

Kante, standing on one leg, was the first to be knocked flying!

Immediately after, Barcelona's heavyweight signing Umtiti, like a wooden post, was knocked back repeatedly!

Martinez was luckier, he cleared it.

Sania's just doomed.

He missed the tackle, and Li Kang, surging forward, hooked his left foot!

Heart-rending, lung-splitting agony!

Pogba?

His foot stretched out halfway, caught on Li Kang's right leg, then was jerked by a terrifying force.

Immediately his whole body came crashing down heavily onto Sania.

Chaos ensued.

The French team's entire defensive line was thrown into disarray.

The spectators gasped and covered their mouths.

Too brutal!

Too terrifying!

Too shocking!

What kind of physical condition is this!

Unbelievable impact force!

Even through the screen, I can hear the French back line wailing!

He's in!

Left side of the penalty box!

Is he going to shoot?

Koscielny is still jostling with Diego Costa, utterly unable to believe what's happening before his eyes.

Five people... and they still can't stop him alone?

Deschamps' hoarse roar rang in his ears: 'Cover! Cover!'

Cover?

How the hell am I supposed to cover!

Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris, suppressing his inner fear, made a professional save attempt.

It must be the far corner.

It must be a left-footed blast to the far corner.

Smack!

No violent shot as expected!

Li Kang pushed with the arch of his right foot!

A suave, elegant shooting motion, as if completely different from the rampaging midfield enforcer.

Contrast!

Strong visual contrast left all spectators momentarily stunned.

Only when they saw the net lift did they come to their senses.

2-0!!!

Beautiful!

This goal went in!

The ball skimmed past Lloris's armpit, hugged the near post, and lifted France's net.

The scorer is Li Kang again! A brace!

A perfect individual show!

He single-handedly broke through France's defensive cage!

Spain extended their lead!

They have one foot in the European Cup final!

Hey! Did the referee blow the whistle?

Oh oh oh! The goal is fine! No problem at all!

Pogba and Sania each received a yellow card!

From the slow-motion replay, the call was quite reasonable!

The referee gestured toward the sidelines, indicating the team doctor should come on quickly.

At that moment, inside France's penalty area, there was a chorus of wails.

Deschamps looked dazed.

He never imagined... Li Kang could simply use his body to break through five defenders...

We lost the battle.

We guessed wrong.

As the first half neared its end, we were two goals behind.

Why do France's talented youngsters all turn into useless lumps before him!

The French team's stands were filled with boos.

A small portion of fans angrily accused the referee of unfair officiating!

On what grounds?

The one who caused injury is Spain's number six!

Why do our defenders still get two yellow cards!

What kind of football match lets one person cause five people to get cards!

Too despicable!

Despicable and shameless wounding butcher!