Chapter 394: Meaningless Foul (Daily Transition)

Time passes.

The match situation gradually eased.

After the Galactic Battleship familiarized themselves with Arsenal's attacking rhythm, they gradually steadied the situation.

Modric was everywhere: tracking back to help defend, organizing distribution, pulling the front line...

Within the framework of the diamond midfield rotating positions, he was practically an all-powerful super midfielder as seen in films and TV.

He is the one who plays the piano.

Casemiro is the one who lifts the piano.

Kroos is the pedal.

"The wealth left by Real Madrid's past head coaches for the Galactic Battleship is very abundant."

"The players currently active on the pitch have mostly undergone different systems' baptism."

"Mourinho's counter-attack storm."

"Ancelotti's diamond midfield."

Pellegrini's three-dimensional attack built around Cristiano Ronaldo as the core.

"Benitez's balancing and completing of the ceremonial midfield."

"Zidane kneaded all the above tactical characteristics together, perfectly fusing them!"

The sidelines.

Zidane crossed his arms in front of his chest, his expression solemn, his thoughts a bit hazy.

28th minute of the match.

Cristiano Ronaldo worked hard to track back, assisting Marcelo in the thirty-meter zone of his own half, hindering Bellerin's advance.

When trailing in the score, his defensive attitude was very proper; spectators often saw him drop his position, sprinting in his own half during the defensive phase, pressing the opposing attackers together with his midfield teammates.

He refuses to lose, striving to make a contribution for the Galactic Battleship.

"Nice, Real Madrid has regained possession!"

Cristiano Ronaldo's defensive contribution cannot be measured by statistics; his tracking back has deep significance for the linked defensive movement of Real Madrid's entire formation.

"After Marcelo won the ball, he didn't hesitate, slanting a pass forward to Modric!"

"Arsenal's defensive line didn't push up too far; they were prepared to welcome Real Madrid's counterattack."

Modric received the ball with his back to goal in the left half.

Walcott quickly closed in.

Xhaka didn't dare press too tightly; he has been gaining strength quickly in the Premier League over the past season, gradually leaving his juvenile stage behind.

The Swiss midfielder's brain raced: not to mention two people, even three might not be able to shut down Modric in his back-to-goal state; we must not let a large gap appear in the midfield shield, and we need to cut off his connection with Kroos!

It's not only the forwards who emphasize playing with their back to goal.

When Busquets burst onto the scene, the football world realized: if a midfielder possesses a 'god-level' ability to handle the ball with his back to goal, it can enable the team's transition between attack and defense to evolve into a super form in both speed and style!

This is also one of the reasons Guardiola drove away the 'world's number one waist' Yaya Toure.

In today's football world, there are still four midfielders who can reach Busquets' level of back-to-goal ball handling: Modric, Calhanoglu, Pogba, and Li Kang.

The latter two possess powerful physiques, domineeringly switching combat forms with their turns to mow down opponents.

Calhanoglu is prone to falling, skilled at causing opponents to foul... creating fouls with his back to goal is also a technical skill.

Modric, meanwhile, has undergone baptism in different leagues, and with his naturally gifted outside-of-the-foot ability, his repertoire of handling the ball in a static back-to-goal state is the richest, leaving pressing players extremely passive.

What's more,

Moreover, in the right half there is Kroos, invincible at handling the ball statically while facing forward.

If Modric were to fuse with Kroos like wearing earrings in Dragon Ball... what would that equal?

"An outside-of-the-foot pass?"

"Modric completed a simple step-over move, elegantly evading!"

If he passed back to Casemiro or switched to Kroos, would that be better... No! Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo are about to make forward runs into position!

"Real Madrid has built a combat unit in the left half!"

"The familiar small-group style advance... is here!"

Arsenal's defensive line quickly leaned.

It's very uncomfortable.

In the new century, many masters of the outside-of-the-foot have emerged in football: Rosicki, Quaresma, Bale, Carlos, Di Maria...

They can use the outside of the foot to produce shots and assists that astonish all four sides.

However, only Modric and little Luo can integrate the outside of the foot into the 'deciding attack direction' stage.

Their outside-of-the-foot ability can perform various forms of evasion and space seizure under any high-pressure environment, delivering long, medium, and short passes within the limit of time.

Football often deviates from the individual's center of gravity, making it hard for opponents to grasp the overall attacking direction.

VIP box.

Beckenbauer raised his glasses.

His eyes showed appreciation.

"Modric is very much like Cruyff... I forgot, his nickname back then was 'Young Cruyff'."

"His seemingly slender frame contains great energy."

"He is a Cruyff with greater stamina, more focus on the game, stronger defense, stronger will, weaker forward drive, and poorer jumping."

"A simple back-to-goal reception, step-over, and evade... can give Real Madrid's left flank a local advantage!"

"If he passes to Kroos, Real Madrid will build an advantage in the right half capable of crushing a high defensive line."

"If he passes back to the rear Casemiro, although the passing options would be richer, Real Madrid would lose a good advancing opportunity."

"Look, he's playing like a winger now... ten minutes ago he was still like a defender."

"A midfielder who can adjust frequency and intensity according to different game situations, switch roles, adapt to system changes, and has switching ability."

"A playmaking midfielder."

"Yes, he's like Kroos, and Li is more like me."

Qiannian Qiuchang

Real Madrid fans were overjoyed.

Slogans, team flags, and scarves waved wildly, forming wave after wave of white.

Arsenal's defense leaned heavily to the left.

Smack!

The ball suddenly flew toward the right half!

"An extremely concealed transfer pass!"

"Kroos!"

The ball plummeted at high speed, yet it gently kissed Kroos's white shoe.

Cazorla decisively challenged for the ball.

Smack!

The white shoe pushed.

The ball thus avoided the direction of Arsenal's master's challenge.

It then quickly rolled toward the right flank.

Carvajal controlled and drove, diagonally charging into the penalty area!

The speed of the two passes was too fast.

The originally leaning Arsenal defense... now had no time to adjust the number of players in zone defense.

Li Kang ignored the cursing phantom of Nesta, instead letting Cech block the near post, while he himself took a position near the far post.

Real Madrid had already executed a complete attacking chain, with many possible finishing points.

Unless Arsenal's lineup includes a Samuel, Li Kang can only stand behind the defensive line to block the final assault.

"Monreal is very calm; he won't let Real Madrid's full-back get past easily!"

"Carvajal's triangular back-pass!"

"The advancing Casemiro!"

"Just kick it!"

Casemiro's progress this season is very obvious; under Zidane's patient coaching, his physical and technical advantages have perfectly combined, and his long-range shooting has greatly improved.

Boom!

His right foot struck the oncoming rolling ball!

The crowd gasped!

Qiannian Qiuchang suddenly revealed a Samba curve!

The ball precisely curled toward the far post of Arsenal's goal.

Real Madrid fans eagerly anticipated: the Galactic battleship was about to level the score.

Smack!

The close-range audio pickup equipment for this Champions League final is synchronized with that of the Russian World Cup, both using the most advanced technology.

The tens of thousands of spectators on site felt as if the ball had hit them in the face.

The ball bounced off the baseline...

Li Kang plunged headfirst into the turf.

Teammates rushed over, and the nearest Yin Si Ke anxiously inquired about his injury.

The head referee blew to stop the match and gestured for the team doctor to enter.

Zaka reacted the fastest, immediately clutching his leg and collapsing on the turf: according to the rules, if Li Kang alone is injured, he will be taken off for treatment, leaving Arsenal short-handed for a while, but if two players are injured, the match will be paused.

"Real Madrid had an excellent scoring chance! Li Kang blocked it with his face."

"What a pity."

"Li Kang, once again a hero of Arsenal!"

Casemiro sulked with arms crossed: "It was clearly a sure goal."

On the sidelines.

Wenger worried anxiously, urgently urging the team doctor.

Zidane rubbed his bald head, his expression complex.

【Injury Immunity Module activated...】

【Under repair...】

【Repair completed.】

The No. 5 phantom in Li Kang's vision flashed and vanished.

Only because Casemiro's long-range shot pursued too much arc and angle, the blast was not a super heavy cannon.

Such a minor injury, under the effect of the Injury Immunity Module, recovered too quickly to long maintain Beckenbauer's "indomitable spirit".

"Nothing serious!"

"The Arsenal team doctor took out a small bottle and placed it at Li Kang's nostrils."

"Inside is a special gel that helps stop nosebleeds quickly; the team doctor held up several fingers in front of Li Kang, no problem! His thinking is clear, with no potential concussion risk!"

"Hope this Champions League final does not repeat the 2014 amnesia incident of Kramer."

He wiped his face; no blood got on the jersey, no need to change!

Arsenal's number 10 got to his feet again.

Qiannian Qiuchang, applause surged like a tide.

Fans from around the world shouted words like "tenacious" and "iron-blooded".

Li Kang didn't enjoy the praise; using his face to stop the ball was just a matter of probability:

If Carvajal's final pass had reached Yin Si Ke cutting into the penalty area, this wouldn't have happened.

Time ticked by second by second.

The Galactic Battleship's midfield gradually took control of the game, repeatedly creating threats.

Casemiro, too, under Zidane's instructions, kept shifting positions, his forward runs becoming a fulcrum on the flank.

Kroos and Modric on the wings served as continuation points for second-phase attacks.

Benzema drifted between Arsenal's two centre-backs, heading and kicking, repeatedly delivering deadly passes.

The Galactic Battleship's attacking chain in positional play was extremely complete.

Either it goes out of bounds.

Or it leads to a second-phase attack.

Each player's competitive condition kept improving over time.

Arsenal fans' hearts clenched involuntarily.

It seemed the next moment they would be equalized.

The 43rd minute of the match.

The positional play phase.

"Real Madrid want to level the score in the first half!"

"Relying on adversity... Ramos also pushed up!"

"There are too many finishing points!"

"Kroos this time sent a long ball to Marcelo... an incredible trap! Did he coat his soles with super glue?"

The shadow in Li Kang's mind spread wildly.

"Bullet Time" activated.

Time seemed to slow down countlessfold.

In God's perspective, several possible Real Madrid passing lanes were automatically simulated.

Several loopholes appeared on the timeline.

The precious legacy Pellegrini left for the Galactic Battleship doesn't fit Ancelotti's midfield framework.

The river of time flowed again.

The ball left Marcelo's right foot, rolled into the penalty area, Cristiano Ronaldo feinted a cutback to fool Maguire, then surged forward from the left flank gap!

Smack!

In everyone's sight.

Arsenal's number 10 brutally cut off that perfect passing lane.

"Cristiano Ronaldo's step adjustment is perfect, his acceleration not slow, but Li Kang seemed to have anticipated Marcelo's thought."

"The Galactic Battleship's attacking chain was crushed."

"Arsenal's counterattack!"

Walcott and Bellerin, two super-fast players, sprinted madly.

Sanchez launched at high speed from the left.

What about Giroud?

He had been involved in defense for the past ten minutes; because he was too slow, in counterattacks he couldn't outrun the Real Madrid players tracking back.

Li Kang passed the ball to Maguire, then immediately sprinted forward.

A hiss came from his ear.

The phantom of Mönchengladbach's little colt struggled out.

Maguire made Casemiro and Kroos, who tried to win the ball back, feel very troubled.

It's hard to tell the ball's direction from his plant foot and body lean.

Why is his ball-release motion so slow?

Even if slow, you can't win it.

He's still several body lengths away.

Thud!

Amid the cheers of tens of thousands of Arsenal fans.

Maradona's big-footed long pass finally didn't get stuck in an opponent's face.

"Master-level long pass!"

"The power is too ample!"

"The lead is given plenty!"

"Bellerin surged forward, Real Madrid's high defensive line barely holding on!"

"Arsenal's three frontline points..."

"Wow, Li Kang also pushed up! He's too fast!"

Bellerin's dribbling amplitude is large, that's how he maintains speed.

After all, not everyone can have the person-ball synergy of Bale and Kaká in high-speed dashes.

But it was enough.

At this time, only Pepe and Carvajal remained in Real Madrid's back line.

When they reached the thirty-meter area.

Walcott had already cut into the middle.

Arsenal's attack was fully spread out, and Li Kang was still about to get into position at the back.

"Real Madrid is very dangerous!"

"Bellerin passed the ball to Walcott."

"Pepe was out of position and rushed forward... that decision was a bit over the top."

"The ball came to Sanchez's feet."

"Huh?"

"How could the out-of-position Pepe go block Li Kang!"

Sanchez dribbled to the front line of the right side of the penalty box, stopped suddenly, changed direction, and shook off Carvajal!

Thud!

A lofted shot!

Navas reacted lightning-fast, his body stretched to the limit, and his purple gloves altered the trajectory of the deadly arc!

The ball ultimately struck the junction of the left post and crossbar... and bounced out over the baseline.

"What a pity."

"Arsenal's corner kick... huh? How did Li Kang end up on the ground again?"

"Pepe..."

Qiannian Qiuchang.

Noise rose everywhere.

Spectators from all over the world cursed what had just happened on the field in different languages.

Pepe looked utterly innocent.

Bending over and shrinking back, he pleadingly explained to the head referee.

The livestream.

The big screen replayed the recent foul:

Pepe, who had rushed forward out of position, failed to interfere with Walcott's pass, still surged forward, raised his arm, and elbowed... Li Kang, who was in a high-speed charging state.

After Li Kang fell to the ground.

The back of his hand was also stepped on by Pepe.

The barrage of comments instantly exploded.

-【Damn, that's so dirty, not giving a red card is intolerable!】

-【Hard to say, last time Messi got done like that by Pepe, and the result was Pepe only got a yellow card!】

-【Last time Koke got done like that, Pepe also only got a yellow card.】

-【A meaningless foul.】

-【The referee and assistant referees' attention was surely focused on Sanchez receiving the ball and shooting; look at the overhead view, Pepe had pinned the referee's blind spot.】

-【Is this guy playing football or fighting?】

-【It's over, if Li Mingdeng can't continue the match...】

The pain on Li Kang's face and the back of his hand quickly faded.

He opened his eyes again.

The phantom of the white No. 5 jersey flickered with a faint white glow.

Beckenbauer.

Indomitable spirit.