Chapter 407: A Diluted Wall of Despair? (Everyday Transition)

Spanish team members simply exchanged high-fives and hugs.

The goalkeeper De Gea in the backfield was unusually excited, raising his arms and shouting, celebrating passionately.

A sense of security.

Just like falling in love, the continuity and stability of midfield passing gave the defenders a great sense of security.

Busquets suddenly said, "Li, which plan should we execute next? Double chain..."

The Barcelona midfield increasingly felt: partnering with Li, they needed to think less and less.

Deciding attack direction, anticipating the opponent's attack, controlling tempo, switching between offense and defense... these tasks were much easier than at the club.

I practically felt like I was playing alongside peak Xavi... a shame there's no peak Yinniesita.

Of course.

He also kept reminding himself: VAR technology has become widespread... I must restrain it, lest I become the male lead in football blooper reels again.

Li Kang made several gestures to his teammates.

Everyone understood instantly, confidence soaring... especially the two youngsters Saul and Koke.

These past two days weren't just mindless training; with Yinniesita, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, and others absent, the coaching staff devised several "second-best" tactical adjustment plans.

The Mexican players didn't lose morale.

Head coach Osorio called a few starters to his side, quickly explaining the upcoming tactical adjustments.

As the match resumed, far away in Madrid, Simeone and Burgos sat in front of the TV, enjoying the performance of the Atletico players.

"I regret it."

"Only Li in midfield can interpret football's classical romanticism."

"Precise mechanical conveyance, imaginative ball distribution!"

"In midfield, he can see everything, perceive everything, control everything."

"Not the kind of possession play that puts you to sleep... Damn, why is it getting slower and slower?"

Kazan Arena.

The Mexican team hadn't yet launched a quicksilver-like rapid advance.

The ball was intercepted by Koke in the forty-meter zone.

It wasn't passed forward.

Instead, it was given to Li Kang behind him.

The style suddenly shifted.

The ball shuttled back and forth in Spain's backfield... its trajectory sometimes backward, sometimes parallel.

Mexican forwards desperately pressed, constantly shuttling back and sprinting, yet failed to win the ball.

"The control is too strong."

"The distance between Spain's two lines isn't short, but the defenders and midfielders always maintain just the right spacing."

"When you're ahead, possession play is the optimal defensive solution."

"Li Kang always finds the ideal receiving position; he is the true midfield core, his vision, game reading, passing rationality, etc., being the most crucial link in the passing chain."

"Saul and Koke's sprinting speed on the flanks is very fast, allowing the team to locally form multiple passing-point advantages."

"It's understandable that, with Yinniesita and other attacking mids absent, Spain wants to win in the easiest way possible."

"Playing like this drains the Mexican players' stamina greatly."

Time passed second by second.

The cheers from the stands all around grew weaker and weaker.

Not only were the fans drowsy, but Bosque, seated on the coaching bench, also narrowed his eyes...

Muniain, standing in the command area, was very excited.

The Mexico head coach was anxious: if they increased the number of pressers up front, they'd be torn apart in minutes by that No. 4 from La Masia... what could they do? Under the premise of Cthulhu philosophy being ahead, it's just like water flow.

Minute 38 of the match.

Piqué made a mistake, sending the ball out of bounds.

The tens of thousands of spectators in the venue all shuddered: Mexico had finally obtained another scarce attacking opportunity!

"Piqué has been busy lately; he's set up several companies, developing mobile games, acquiring esports teams, and preparing to sign a $3 billion contract with the International Tennis Federation, hoping to reform the Davis Cup into a tennis version of the World Cup."

"Hope he doesn't get distracted during the knockout stage."

"Returning to the match, Mexico's throw-in wasn't thrown forward; instead, they wanted to reorganize attack from the back line—a reasonable choice, cannot easily lose possession!"

The ball was being passed quickly.

Mexican players crossed and rotated their runs, their footwork extraordinarily skillful.

Exactly like a green-clad Arsenal team.

Spain's midfield and forward players didn't press aggressively; instead, they built a four-man parallel defensive line in front of the backline.

Saul, Busquets, Li Kang, Koke.

Madrid.

Simeone furrowed his brow: How does this feel so familiar?

Immediately afterward.

He really saw the scene he knew best.

Hernandez dribbled down the right flank, about to break into the thirty-meter zone.

Spain's midfield barrier underwent a change.

Li Kang, Koke, and including the advancing Alba, the three quickly formed a trapping circle.

Press but do not tackle.

Force the opponent toward the narrow-vision flank.

Also cut off his forward short-pass receiving point at close range.

Intentionally leave one side's passing lane open.

Smack!

Xiao Wandou struggled to lay the ball off to Guarda.

Fabregas and Busquets quickly closed in, completing the steal!

"Nice!"

"Ma... Spain's exquisite deep double-team."

"Li Kang's tactical adaptability is too strong; he can make the team shift into different formations."

"After regaining possession, they failed to control the tempo."

"Next up, it's Chelsea's Fabregas-Costa connection!"

Busquets then used his positioning to block Guarda, who was trying to win the ball back.

Fabregas has already delivered a flawless ultra-long pass!

Mexico's previously calm-as-a-lake backline was instantly blasted through!

Diego Costa made a direct run.

This guy seems to have a special ability: three years ago his top sprint speed was 25 km/h, but this season he can actually reach 33 km/h.

"The 29-year-old Mexican centre-back Moreno is not an unknown."

"He currently plays for Eindhoven and is set to transfer to Serie A powerhouse Roma next season."

"Fans' deepest impression of him might be: he once tackled Luke Shaw's right leg."

"Can he contain Diego Costa?"

"He's got some little tricks... oh dear, can't stop him!"

"One-on-one!"

Diego Costa drove the ball to the top of the penalty arc, then eased his speed.

A slight leg swing!

Thud!

The ball screamed and blasted open Ochoa's goal!

0:2!

!

"He scored again!"

"It's Diego Costa again!"

"A brace!"

"The beast is unleashed!"

"Spain has extended their lead!"

Live broadcast room.

-【How is he so much more reliable than Morata?】

-【His footwork, linking play after dropping back, assisting ability, and tactical adaptability are inferior to Morata's.】

-【But Diego Costa can't put together a six-minute highlight reel of missed open chances.】

-【I dare to predict: Diego Costa is Chelsea's last reliable striker.】

-【Next season he'll return to Atletico Madrid.】

-【The way the midfield presses is a bit unconventional; some details resemble Atletico Madrid's deep defensive shape.】

-【Is Li Mingdeng's injury not fully healed yet? Spain played too conservatively tonight, not letting him do any of the gritty work.】

On the sidelines.

Bosque yawned and gave a light clap.

Miniano was overjoyed, arms wide open: "Back! Everything's back!"

On the other side.

Osorio felt a bit down.

This Spain team made the opponents feel what helplessness is.

The upcoming match.

Spain, leading by two goals, continued their "conservative" style of play.

The slow and steady tempo left the fans drowsy.

The Mexican players gave their all, growing more desperate... even if they gained possession, their attacks would be stifled by Li Kang's midfield wall of despair.

Even the commentator ran out of words.

The match didn't showcase many exciting scenes.

"Possession play is one of the best defensive methods."

"We seem to have returned to the 2010 South Africa World Cup, that bullfighter team that strictly adhered to the 'possession 1:0' principle."

"Reasonable passing."

"Reasonable positioning."

"Precise anticipation."

"Leave the Aztec eagle in disarray, unable to threaten the bullfighter team's sword-wielder."

De Gea almost couldn't resist wanting to pick up the sports drink by the goalpost and take a sip...

The end of happiness is emptiness.

When one has nothing to do, the mind wanders.

Finally.

In the Happy Beans players' ghosts' wails and wolves' howls.

Mexico 0:2 Spain.