Chapter 280: Bayern Bullfighter? Madrid Munich?

Two days later.

Madrid, Las Rosas Training Base.

Li Kang punctually met with the Spanish national team.

Compared to the shining lineup that won the European Cup a few months ago, Spain's call-up for this international match day looks rather dim.

Diego Costa's stomach is upset.

Fabregas sprained his foot.

Yinniesita is nursing multiple injuries.

Busquets slipped on the slick grass, twisting his knee.

David Silva injured his finger.

Saúl's kidney condition flared up again...

The national team's injury wave will not trigger the 'Turning the Tide' module.

On the pitch, many unfamiliar faces stood.

De Gea excitedly ran over: 'Li, we can fight side by side again!'

While speaking, he untied his glove and gave a strong hug.

His attitude isn't exaggerated.

He's been suffering lately at Manchester United, as defenders keep getting injured, leading to a loss in the Manchester derby.

Repeated godlike saves couldn't prevent the tragedy from happening.

By comparison, the national team is still easy.

Not far away.

Two Bayern tigers also warmly raised their hands in greeting.

Thiago and Martinez.

The two often appear in online literary works, respectively as the male and female protagonists.

Last season in the Bundesliga, they had no chance to represent Bayern and compete against Li Kang due to injuries.

"Li, long time no see."

Asensio's smile is a bit stiff.

Back then at the European U-19 Championship, he was the hope of the Spanish national team's future.

Times have changed.

Their experiences haven't diverged too much.

Asensio returned to Real Madrid, his performance this season is outstanding, winning Zidane's favor.

The awkward atmosphere didn't last long.

Yin Si Ke shoved aside his club teammates, excitedly scratching Li Kang's hair.

Morata couldn't help frowning: 'Why does the locker room vibe feel weird?'

Bosque exchanged pleasantries, then sat back on the bench... his expression a little glum.

The midfield system painstakingly forged during the European Cup, due to the absence of veterans, had to be re-honed.

Spain has abundant midfield talent.

But finding a suitable partner for Li is not easy.

In two years' World Cup, Li's responsibility will be too great...

No.

The new lineup must tighten its cohesion!

So, Bosque picked a semi-hard, semi-soft eggplant to knead for this friendly: the full-strength Japanese team!

Hmm... definitely not because the Japanese FA gave more money!

On the training field.

Miniano blew a whistle.

The group scrimmage officially began.

Li Kang was assigned to Team A.

The midfield partners are: Martinez, Thiago, Yin Si Ke.

30 minutes later.

The match ended.

Team A 2:0 Team B.

Bosque's expression grew more conflicted: How did the Spanish national team turn into Bayern Munich!

Ancelotti's fat smiling face keeps popping up in my mind!

"Martinez, you don't need to drop that deep, don't encroach on Ramos and Pique's defensive space!"

"Thiago, we have Li... we don't need such frequent vertical passes, slightly slow the advance, pay attention to ball control!"

"Li... you played great!"

Martinez and Thiago's ideas differ from the coaching staff's.

Li Kang's performance can be described with the two words 'genius'!

No need for any integration; plug-and-play, applicable to any framework!

Even at the end of the training match, his runs, awareness, passing lines, and receiving tendencies basically seamless with Bayern's tactical system!

"Li, have you watched Bayern's match recordings this season?"

"Kahn often mentions you..."

Li Kang nodded.

No one knows why, but the Arsenal coaching staff occasionally analyzes the match replays of "An's Bayern"...

He felt that the two teammates from Bayern were also strong, but their style didn't quite fit the front and back fields.

For example, Thiago, although coming from La Masia youth training, his playing style gradually became "Bayern-like".

The next day.

The Spanish players arrived at Tokyo International Airport.

At the arrival gate, a sea of people.

Li Kang's posters surged like waves in the crowd.

The LED screens of nearby buildings were all filled with his photos.

"Li San!"

"Lee!

"!"

"Lee!

"!"

Security personnel formed a long human wall.

Flashing lights flickered wildly.

Media reporters went berserk, jostling to stick out their heads, chattering and spitting.

Unfortunately, they failed to secure an interview chance.

Li Kang, surrounded by teammates, boarded the national team bus.

The Japan FA spared no expense, turning a perfectly good international friendly into a commercial spectacle, even paying Li Kang according to the highest exhibition match standards!

Li Kang's fierce tiger shot... initially gave them a huge shock,

After purchasing the youth training plan from Mininianuo, in recent years the direction for training young players has been entirely modeled after Li Kang's template,

Morata saw the fans lining the streets running after the bus like locusts, and exclaimed:

"Li, are they crazy?"

"When Xavi came to Japan, he never caused such a frenzy..."

Mininianuo pressed his hands down, signaling the players to quiet down.

"Listen, this isn't an exhibition match; the full-strength Japan team isn't weak, they've called up overseas players from the top five leagues, and we must show our true strength..."

"Don't hold back; give them the utmost respect."

The Spanish assistant coach also got along swimmingly with the Japan FA; just that youth training plan he picked up from a Segunda División club earned Japan a lot of money, and they gratefully invited him to join their island nation's youth training setup.

Mininianuo certainly wouldn't go.

Perhaps in two years' time at the World Cup, I could become a champion's assistant coach!

At this point in history, the Japan team's strength is not bad.

AC Milan's Honda Keisuke, Dortmund's Kagawa Shinji, Leicester City's Okazaki Shinji, Inter Milan's Nagato Yuto, Southampton's Yoshida Maya... and so on.

Ajinomoto Stadium.

Halilhodžić, wearing training gear, loudly encouraged the players.

"This isn't a friendly match."

"But rather a crucial battle bearing the people's hopes!"

"The opponent are European champions! But with major injuries to their starters, they've become a toothless tiger!"

"Our lineup is stronger than theirs!"

"Defeat them, defeat Li!"

"Hi!"

The Japan players, hands behind their backs, responded to the coach's encouragement with a resolute tone.

Full of confidence.

Fearless.

Last time, Li San encountered only a domestic J. League lineup.

This time we can't let him leave Tokyo unscathed.

Asian online media also were hyping up this match.

Comments flew across the screen.

-【What is the Japan FA thinking? Spending money to manufacture a disaster?】

-【Only a few months after the Euro ended, how did the Spain national team roster become so weak?】

-【Not weak? Martinez and Thiago are Bayern starters, and Asensio is Real Madrid's hotshot!】

-【You should read the news: those two Bayern starters have only just recovered, their form is a mystery; as for Asensio, don't hype him—he's just cashing in on peak Real Madrid's benefits.】

-【The Japan squad is quite luxurious, all overseas starters.】

-【Football is a team sport; it's hard to say how this match will go.】