Chapter 405: Daily Transition

"Russian domestic players are strong, so why don't they choose to play in Europe's top five leagues?"

"The reason may be: the salaries of domestic players in the Russian Premier League far exceed those of mid-to-low tier teams in Europe's top five leagues, and the two powerhouses, Moscow Central Army and Zenit, also give core players a share of commercial revenue."

"Going to a mid-to-low tier team doesn't guarantee Champions League play."

"Several Russian Premier League powerhouses also showed respectable competitiveness on the Champions League stage."

"The pace of this match is too fast; Russia isn't being suppressed by Spain!"

"Russian head coach Cherchesov calmly directed the team."

"The outside world calls him a 'philosopher'."

"Because this bald uncle always says something nonsensical whenever he answers reporters' questions."

"On the pitch, Spain's attack was once again neutralized."

"Mininio tried to shift the team into a 4-4-2 formation during the defensive phase."

"Too late."

"Four Russian players occupied the space between the lines."

"Golovin!"

"A diamond from Siberia!"

"The 21-year-old Russian wonderkid, with exquisite dribbling, shook off Fabregas!"

"Attempt a breakthrough on the right flank!"

"That was close!"

"Pique's tackle was clean!"

"Golovin was knocked to the ground, immediately got up and tried to win the ball back."

"Pike didn't lose focus and sent a through ball a step ahead!"

"The ball rolled quickly along the grass toward the front."

"Pedro made a cutting run, using his astonishing burst of speed to get past the Russian defenders, received the ball and charged straight into the opponent's penalty area."

"The crowd erupted in applause."

"The timing of the Blue Army's demon blade activation was perfect."

"He didn't pass to the better-placed Morata!"

"He chose to do it himself!"

"Oh no, the demon blade has rusted!"

"Smack!"

"Russian goalkeeper Akinfeev came out successfully! He firmly caught the ball."

"This guy became the starting goalkeeper for Moscow Central Army at age 17."

"At 18 he won the Europa League."

"At 20 he led a Russian Premier League powerhouse to a draw against peak Arsenal, setting a 362-minute Champions League clean-sheet record."

"At 24 he guided a Russian Premier League powerhouse to the Champions League quarterfinals, losing 1-2 on aggregate to that season's Champions League winners, Inter Milan."

"At the 2008 European Championship, he was still the goalkeeper with the highest save‑rate of the tournament, attracting olive branches from countless European giants."

"Pedro fell to the grass, frustrated enough to pound his head on the ground."

"Morata didn't blame his teammates: everyone knows Pedro is only 'selfless' when playing for Barça; at Chelsea and with the national team he's a 'lone wolf'."

"Mininio angrily waved his hand, signaling the players not to be silly: the Russian goalkeeper has a long‑pass technique!"

"Sure enough."

"Thud!"

"Akinfeev launched an ultra‑long pass!"

"The ball plummeted straight to the right flank of Spain's back line!"

"Smolov, back‑to‑back Russian Premier League Golden Boot winner!"

"He got Alba!"

"Wow! He completely used his body to overpower the skinny, short Alba!"

"Quickly give the ball to the middle!"

"Poloz, the hero who helped Rotoshuf beat Bayern Munich in this season's Champions League group stage!"

"Pique and Ramos didn't expect to go together!"

"Danger!"

"De Gea!"

"The ball skimmed the grass and shot toward the lower left corner of the goal."

"De Gea dived sideways to make a desperate save, narrowly averting danger."

"Shengbidebao Stadium, Russian fans spared no applause and cheers."

"The fighting nation swore to win the opening match."

"The livestream."

"Filled with doubtful voices."

"-【What the hell? The European champions are having a back‑and‑forth with Russia?】"

"-【Aren't you looking at the lineup?】"

"-【If Spain keeps playing like this, if they meet Russia in next year's World Cup knockout stage they will definitely be eliminated!】"

"-【Impossible, even if Spain shaved off a Li Mingdeng, they wouldn't be knocked out by Russia in the World Cup... Spain really has hardly any shooting chances.】"

"-【The Russian girls in the stands are really cute.】"

-【Don't forget this is Shengbidebao, a cannon blast from the Aurora cruiser! European teams are doomed to falter!】

-【The Defense of Leningrad!】

-【Free sunlight shines on us through the blizzard!】

Time passed minute by minute, second by second.

Russia was no longer aggressive; they fielded a center forward nearly two meters tall, Zubak, adopting a low defensive stance.

Spain controlled possession.

The ball rolled around outside Russia's penalty area, failing to create a threat, and was repeatedly countered by the opposition.

"The super center forward from Russian powerhouse Zenit, Zubak! His impact as a focal point after coming on is too strong!"

"A terrifying physique."

"A height of two meters."

"Outstanding hang time and ability to receive the ball with his back to goal."

"Agile footwork!"

"This Russian team can be said to be his one-man squad!"

Why is Zubak so strong for the national team yet unable to break into a European powerhouse?

Because his wages at Zenit are too high.

Because it's 2017, clubs rarely give traditional center forwards a starting spot.

Giroud, with stronger focal-point ability, became a workhorse at the club.

Mandžukić, of a higher caliber, was trained into a "wide focal point" and "false wide midfielder."

On the top stage of Europe's five major leagues, the likes of Lewandowski, Suárez, Benzema, and Kane—modern center forwards with more all‑around ability and greater tactical flexibility—belong.

Beep! Beep-beep~

Finally.

The head referee blew the whistle signaling the end of the match.

Russia 0:0 Spain.

The hosts felt as if they had won a defensive battle; the European champions could not strut their stuff in Leningrad.

At the Shengbidebao stadium, stirring slogans echoed to the heavens.

All Russian fans were looking forward to the 2018 World Cup!

The Spanish players left the field in dejection.

In the tunnel.

Minniano summarized the team's problems, his tone anxious:

"Changing tempo and accelerating—we failed badly on both points."

"Our passing tendency is too obvious!"

"We're too slow; the opponent has ample time to adjust their defensive spacing..."

Bosque stroked his little beard and interrupted: "These problems have existed ever since Xavi left and before Li appeared, haven't they?"

Minniano nodded, without saying more.

"Our next opponent is the tougher Mexico."

Li Kang, however, was not anxious.

He thought Russia played quite well, with a simple, brutal yet pragmatic tactic, and their fighting spirit was through the roof.

A bunch of top-tier enforcers from Russian powerhouses could easily overturn ordinary European contenders.

Before even entering the locker room, he heard someone calling his name.

Infantino and Pelé led a group of staff members, enthusiastically walking over.

"Take good care of your injury; we look forward to your performance in the Confederations Cup and the World Cup."

Pelé grabbed Li Kang's left hand and laughed: "I hope to see you healthy at next year's World Cup; Spain has a chance to reach the summit again, and I'm optimistic about Spain."

The Spanish players' faces instantly darkened.

Since 1990, the teams Pelé has tipped for success in each World Cup have, without exception, been eliminated early; thus Pelé earned the nicknames "jinx" and "World Cup curse."

The original football king released his hand, then lightly embraced Li Kang.

Since FIFA began calling Pelé "TheKingoffootball", the world first had the concept of a "football king."

Infantino and Pelé didn't linger long chatting with the Spanish players, then turned and headed toward the Russian locker room.

"You have a chance to make history at next year's World Cup; I'm optimistic about Russia."

"Golovin, your talent on the pitch is simply overflowing."

That night.

Sochi Fist Stadium.

The German team defeated African champions Cameroon 5-0.

Leverkusen's twin stars made their debut.

Dortmund's little rocket shone in Russia.

Bayern's stars excelled both offensively and defensively.

Real Madrid's midfield delivered precise guidance.

Having completed the old‑new shift, the German war machine ravaged the Black Sea coast.

Löw was gracious; after winning, he proactively shook hands and embraced the opposing coaches and players.

At the same time.

War reports spread like wildfire across the internet.

Possession-based play is dead; Russia forced a draw with Spain!

Is possession-based play dead? The German team put on a pleasing, smooth passing display, slaughtering the African Lions.

Is possession-based play actually dead or not?

Pele: I think Spain will win the championship.

The number of comments surged.

-【I think Germany will win the championship, Spain is done, a bunch of superfluous accessories, lacking a core and midfield soul.】

-【These lines, I heard them till my ears grew calluses in the 2014 World Cup; what if Li Mingdeng makes a comeback?】

-【The Confederations Cup jinx; this year's Confederations Cup champion is destined not to win next year's World Cup.】

-【Spain's next opponent is Mexico, the continental champion of North America and the Caribbean; the Bullfighters fleet is likely to capsize!】

-【These days, even the team Li Mingdeng is on can't win a game; it's getting harder and harder to play.】

The next morning.

Kazan training base.

The players are conducting a group scrimmage.

Li Kang and Bosque sat on the sidelines basking in the sun.

Mininyuo tried various formations, but without Yinniesita, David Silva, Cazorla, Li Kang, etc., it was impossible to fully solve the problems of rhythm variation and speed increase.

"Aren't they all from La Masia? How can the speed-up methods be so monotonous? The tendency of rhythm variation is too obvious!"

"This group of players' styles are fundamentally incompatible."

"The attacking thinking is too chaotic."

The Spanish assistant coach paced back and forth anxiously.

Bosque leisurely peeled an apple, his thoughts drifting: next year's World Cup record... might even be worse than the 2014 World Cup.

New and old alternating.

Li Kang's World Cup journey might be harder than that of several national team predecessors.

"Li, eat an apple."