Chapter 353: A Worry‑Free Preselection Match (Everyday Transition)

Gijon is a coastal city in Spain, located west of Bordeaux on the southern shore of the Bay of Biscay.

In the last century, Gijon was known for steel casting and naval industry; with industrial reform, it gradually transformed into a city focused on tourism, education, and commerce.

This tiny patch of land actually boasts a very "individualistic" La Liga team—Sporting Gijon!

In the 15–16 season, they fought their way into La Liga and escaped the relegation zone by a one‑point margin.

Numerous Happy Beans players are this team's "die‑hard" fans.

Because Sporting Gijon is the team that concedes the most goals, for example, they let in 50 goals over 20 matches, averaging 2.5 goals per game.

Putting it nicely, you could call them "Don Quixotes"—no matter who the opponent, they never park the bus; they play pure attack‑vs‑attack, earning them the La Liga nickname "Flathead Brother".

In contrast to Serie A's Luo Xiaoping, Sporting Gijon refuses draws: either you beat me up, or I crush you.

Whenever the team wins, seafood products sell out completely.

This city is not just about football culture; the Gijon Coffee House Novel Award is one of Spain's most important literary prizes, although it originated from a century‑old café in Madrid, but the annual prize money is sponsored by the Gijon municipal government.

Excellent works such as "The Spring of That Painful Glance," "Nighttime Creatures," and "Bath Resort" have all won this award.

Diego Costa does not like drinking coffee.

He was riding a small electric scooter, carrying Li Kang and Koke through the ancient streets.

The sea breeze fluttered three pairs of shorts of different colors.

The sunlight was warm, the tree shadows dappled.

The three applied to the coaching staff for this outing: to purchase local specialties.

"That's the Pelayo Statue, and opposite is the Villahermosa Palace! Baroque‑style architecture…"

"It's Baroque!"

"Li, why are we buying souvenirs at the museum? Gijon's specialty is dried fish—bringing that for your friends is the most practical!"

The Chelsea striker chattered on, and just looking at the inscription on the stone tablet gave him a headache.

Li Kang jumped off the electric scooter, ran to the shop at the museum entrance, and bought a roll of recording tape and two copies of ancient books.

He had no interest in Asturian art whatsoever and couldn't make sense of it.

Koke, meanwhile, bought a fake painting titled "Clothed Mahha" and, from a nearby stall, acquired a DVD of the Flamenco dance trilogy… He wasn't interested in art either; he was just drawn by the nude star on the cover.

"Don't look at me like that—I'm buying this for Saul; that kid likes this kind of stuff…"

As the World Cup qualifiers approach, the number of tourists arriving in Gijon City is also growing.

Many people recognized the Spanish stars, and delighted, they whipped out their phones to take pictures.

Diego Costa urged his teammates to hurry into the car, as he still needed to go buy dried fish.

Before the fans had fully reacted, the electric scooter kicked up dust and vanished down the narrow street.

Several paparazzi reporters put away their cameras, having already drafted their stories in their heads.

"Ideological opposition—the Jewish holy warriors will sink the enemy's decadent warship."

"Experiencing the charm of Gijon culture, the unique aesthetic of the 200‑million‑yuan man."

"Bosque's ability—overindulgence in superheroes!"

That night.

Molinos Stadium, bustling extraordinarily.

A stadium that can hold only thirty thousand people has not hosted an international match for a long time.

At the 1982 Spain World Cup, this place gave birth to the most infamous coordinated play in football history: the "Gijon Incident".

Because of this incident, FIFA amended the match rules: in all major tournaments, the final round of group play must kick off simultaneously, and goalkeepers may not handle back‑passes.

"ESPN! ESPN! Good evening, viewers!"

"Welcome to the sixth round of the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers, Group G!"

"Spain versus Israel!"

"The camera pans to the stands—famous Israeli star Gal Gadot is also here on site!"

"A few months later, the film she stars in, Wonder Woman, will also hit the big screen."

"The prodigy youngster—Li Kang is on the bench! Everyone's expectations are sky‑high; the whole stadium is chanting his name!"

"Recently, the public and media have been fiercely criticizing the Spain coaching staff, asking why Li Kang wasn't called up for the qualifiers!"

Morata sat on the bench.

Beside him, Yin Si Ke handed over a bottle of mineral water, saying he couldn't unscrew it.

Saul snatched it away, tapped the bottom, and twisted it open with a click.

Bosque had Li Kang sit beside the coaching bench.

"This match won't involve too much pressure."

"To avoid injury, your playing time won't be long—just soak in the national team's fervent atmosphere!"

Li Kang nodded seriously.

Over these two days of training matches, he and his teammates have been gelling.

Without Yinniesita, David Silva, and Cazorla, the Bullfighters Legion's passing‑control magic has greatly diminished.

The Spain coaching staff attempted to complete a generational turnover before the 2018 World Cup… but aside from Li Kang, no young player could replace those three midfield maestros.

What about Fabregas? This guy got injured again right before an international match day.

Muniain is bewildered by online opinion; he doesn't understand:

After the Euro ended, netizens keep demanding that Li Kang be called up for the qualifiers, but the opponents are just a bunch of minnows!

Li is only 19 this year; club‑level Premier League and Champions League high‑pressure battles have already left him exhausted.

Professional players shouldn't be overused in their youth, because many injuries are irreversible.

The foul standards in international matches are no worse than those of the top five leagues.

Below is the introduction of both sides' starting lineups.

Spain's formation is 4-3-3!

Goalkeeper: De Gea.

Defenders: Carvajal, Piqué, Ramos, Alba!

Midfielders: Busquets, Saul, Koke!

Forwards: Vitolo, Diego Costa, Aspas.

Spain's coaching staff's forward trial!

Aspas is a little excited; as Celta's main striker, he finally has the chance to step onto the international stage.

He once wore Liverpool's No. 9 jersey... and only scored one goal.

After returning to La Liga, he switched to playing right wing, getting more cunning with age, but the team needs to build its attack around him as the core.

Israel's formation is 4-3-3!

Goalkeeper: Masiiano.

Defenders:...

The biggest star in Israel's lineup is Zahavi.

He once won the Israeli Premier League top scorer title for three consecutive seasons.

Top scorer in the Champions League qualifiers.

Under his wife's persuasion, he joined a Chinese Super League club in the summer transfer window of 2016 for a fee of 6.3 million euros.

Compared to other top foreign aids, this price can only be described as dirt cheap, and it's far lower than the valuation of national team players.

But in the CSL, he put on the most entertaining performance.

In terms of creativity and flair, even multi-million-euro big-name foreign aids cannot compare to him.

During this period, many strong teams from the five major leagues extended an olive branch to him.

Unfortunately, this guy is afraid of his wife, and his wife has fallen in love with everything about the Eastern country.

No problem; maybe after a few years in the CSL he'll still have a chance to play for a European powerhouse.

The match had little suspense.

The gap in strength between the two sides is too large.

13th minute.

Alba kicked from the left flank, delivering a low, driven cross with immense threat.

Diego Costa stood tall in the box, stopped the ball, turned and fired a shot!

The ball went through the legs of goalkeeper Masiiano, stirring up the white net.

1-0!

!

Too simple.

Diego Costa wasn't overly excited; after a low-key celebration, he returned to the center circle.

The match was too easy; even Chelsea's dirty forward turned into a 'refined and elegant gentleman'.

18th minute.

Koke delivered a lofted pass from the edge of the box; Vitolo missed the open goal.

22nd minute.

Busquets played a deadly through ball; Aspas missed on the break.

45th minute.

Ramos made a forward run, received Carvajal's quick pass, and headed it in!

2-0!

!

51st minute.

Koke took a corner kick; Diego Costa shoved aside the opponent's weak center-back and headed it down!

3-0!

!

The home fans were immersed in great joy.

King of the qualifiers.

Spain's home ground has gone 58 matches unbeaten.

The last time they lost, you have to go back to 1993!

80th minute of the match.

Amid much anticipation, the moment fans had been waiting for occurred.

Li Kang substituted Saul.

Morata substituted Aspas.

The enemy fleet set sail!

The Jewish Saint Warrior was pressed to the ground and rubbed wildly...

When rubbed to a certain extent, it generates heat.

The blood‑red‑eyed Israeli players frenziedly fouled Spain's midfield maestro.

Gradually, boos rose from the stands.

Major media outlets have prepared their headlines: 'Bosque is burying the enemy fleet's future.'

Transition consumption! Even the fish-belly team wants to recruit superheroes?

Beep! Beep-beep~

Finally, the head referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the match.

High-spirited and persisting in attack, Israel conceded seven goals...

Spain led the Group G standings by a wide margin.

Although fouled many times, Li Kang wasn't injured at all, hardly broke a sweat, just got his jersey a little dirty; as for match intensity? He felt it was no better than the team's training scrimmage.

The Israeli players were miserable; they knew Spain's number six had a terrifying physique, but they never expected that after a few fierce physical clashes, the one more seriously injured would be themselves!

Even two people couldn't 'log' Li Kang.

Although the bullfighters' squad undergoing renewal certainly has many problems.

But their terrifying record in the qualifiers almost locked them a spot in the 2018 World Cup finals!

Some media believe: in the qualifiers, it's all about who can bully the weakest.

The night wind was chilly.

The staff hurriedly put a coat on De Gea...

At the tunnel.

Mininano asked doubtfully: "Boss, do we still need to call up Li for the upcoming qualifiers?"

Bosque stroked his little mustache, smiling: "Gibraltar Strait? Macedonia? Tonight's match, letting Li play, is already enough to shut the fans and media up!"

"He still has more important things to do right now."

"League champion."

"Champions League!"