Chapter 352: The Fish‑Belly Opponent in the World Preliminaries? (Daily Transition)

Munich is Germany's third-largest city and was once the capital of the Kingdom of Bavaria.

Here the "Backstab Legend" arose, it also experienced the "Beer Hall Incident", and the Munich Agreement was signed.

Over the past century it has endured much hardship.

During the war most buildings were razed, but a portion of ancient architecture remains.

The street outside the hotel window is quiet, with only a dilapidated sculpture beneath a dim yellow streetlamp.

Li Kang held his phone, browsing a few messages:

Buffon sent an investment plan for hotel supplies, and specially noted: Balotelli also invested.

Van Gaal dissected the tactical battle between Juventus and Monaco.

Yinniesita concisely outlined Barcelona's reconstruction blueprint for next season.

Yin Si Ke posted a few abdominal selfies.

Brandt shared photos of his newly renovated home, and incidentally complained that he and Havertz were again called softies by the home fans...

After Li Kang earnestly replied to his old friends' messages, he took out his laptop from his backpack, preparing to make some match notes.

He couldn't guess what formation Ancelotti would field in the second leg.

Will Ribery and Lahm make a comeback?

If the two of them play, could they resolve the integration problems between Müller and Ancelotti's Bayern system?

One hour later.

Li Kang stuffed his laptop back into the backpack.

The backpack's quality is still decent; since he left La Masia's youth academy, he has gone through Leverkusen and arrived at Arsenal.

The two clubs he previously played for had no rule requiring the backpack to bear the club crest.

It's not that he doesn't change it.

Nor is it due to thriftiness.

It's just that in daily life nobody notices this.

It's absolutely not because there's something special inside the backpack.

Li Kang's social media has only posted two photos: the Leverkusen team holding up the Bundesliga salad plate; and the Emirates Stadium signing ceremony.

He hopes that by season's end he can post a few more updates representing Arsenal.

The next night.

Atlético Madrid vs. Leicester City.

Before the match it sparked considerable unrest, with many Leicester City fans covered in bruises and even arrested by security personnel.

Vicente Calderón Stadium.

The crowd roared.

This massive building on the banks of the Manzanares River is about to conclude its fifty‑year glorious mission.

Perhaps never again will we see the scene: thousands of Atlético Madrid fans at night holding lighters, encircling the stadium to pray for blessings.

Atlético Madrid fans like to carry lighters, but their conduct in this match was very "civilized".

Including the Atlético Madrid players on the pitch.

Whether in tactical acumen or squad depth, last season's UEFA Champions League runners‑up crushed Leicester City.

Simeone remained composed, even not standing in the technical area.

26th minute of the match.

Lippi delivered a diagonal pass.

Saul leapt on the spot and headed the ball!

The ball bounced off the turf, just avoiding Schmeichel's save, and finally rolled into the net.

1‑0!

Atlético Madrid's 100th goal in UEFA Champions League history was scored by a home‑grown youth prospect.

Vicente Calderón erupted completely.

The curse struck again: in the 2016/17 season, whenever Saul scored, Atlético Madrid remained unbeaten!

The ensuing match lost its suspense.

Atlético Madrid adhered to a 1‑0 doctrine, playing "back‑heel" in their own half.

Leicester City players were exhausted from running about but couldn't win the ball.

Who would have thought a side good at counter‑attacking in La Liga... could play possession football so smoothly?

Finally.

The referee blew the whistle for full‑time.

Saul rushed toward the tunnel impatiently; his kidney condition flared up severely, and a drainage tube was reinserted into his body.

Simeone did not rush to the stands to make an "unseemly" celebration; instead he told his assistant coach Burgos nearby: "I have a feeling we'll draw Arsenal in the semifinals..."

Burgos stroked his beard and retorted: "We haven't qualified yet! Arsenal hasn't qualified either!"

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Real Madrid vs. Napoli.

The Little Donkey Army ran into a half‑strength Galacticos' "technical dismantling".

Zidane did nothing.

Sarri was flustered.

The highly touted future‑star midfielder Jorginho was completely smothered by Casemiro...

Marcelo easily tore apart the opponent's defense.

Yin Si Ke darted and weaved.

Nacho became a forward-defender.

Cristiano Ronaldo performed outstandingly; in this match he displayed a phase change in his transitional career, actively switching to the right flank during buildup, and through various running patterns and feigned tendencies, he temporarily disrupted Napoli's diamond defense.

Finally.

The Galacticos suffered no injuries and easily defeated a strong Serie A side.

The bench.

Modrić asked, 'Did you watch Arsenal's match last night? Li...'

Kroos shook his head: 'Li often likes my instructional videos; I've followed his social media account.'

Two days later, all matches of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals ended.

No upsets.

Atlético Madrid, Juventus, and Real Madrid all gained an advantage for qualification.

If Arsenal can reach the Champions League semi-finals, their opponent is likely to come from among these three clubs.

This weekend coincided with an international match day, giving all teams a chance to catch their breath.

Especially the Spanish players.

In the World Cup qualifiers, Spain's points far ahead, the outlook for qualification is very promising.

"The King of Qualifiers" title is not just for show.

As for their opponents, Israel... they felt great pressure.

In the European zone, 54 teams are divided into nine groups of six each; the group winners advance, the worst-performing group's second place is directly eliminated, and the second-place teams from the other eight groups face off in draws to determine the final four qualifiers, making a total of thirteen qualifiers.

Currently, only five matches remain in the World Cup qualifiers.

Spain, which dominates the standings, naturally need not worry about qualification.

But Italy, the 'minnows' of the group, felt a bit uneasy... Macedonia, regarded as a 'minnow', nearly knocked them senseless!

Their relatively weak midfield left the defensive heaven of Buffon and the Xuanming Two Elders constantly under attack.

Pirlo, far away in the United States, couldn't help but say: 'I can accept a national team call-up at any time.'

Serie A legends couldn't sit still, all expressing worry that Italy might fail to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The new coach of the Blue Shirts, Ventura, nobody understands his tactics; the attack always relies on 'wing crosses', no matter which striker is used.

Who would have thought at this historical juncture that Macedonia could match Italy evenly on the field?

Spain, Gijón, Molinón Stadium.

Li Kang and Morata arrived at the national team training camp.

On the training field, many familiar faces were missing—Yinniesita, Juanfran, David Silva, Cazorla, San José, etc., had not been called up.

"Li, I keep dreaming of our national team reunion!"

De Gea, who was warming up, waved and shouted!

The Manchester United goalkeeper felt bitter; he almost monthly makes the Premier League Best XI... his save count leads the Premier League, he must not only stop opponents but also his own defenders, and even his own midfielders—Lai Ni and Mata.

Even in such harsh conditions, De Gea still has a chance to win the Premier League Golden Glove.

On the sidelines.

Assistant coach Minianuo temporarily felt the players' joy: 'The opponent in this World Cup qualifier is Israel...'

Boss, Li still has to play the second leg of the Champions League next midweek! We can't let him get too tired.