Chapter 409: Chile Team (Daily Transition)

Approaching the Confederations Cup semifinal.

The Spanish coaching staff went to Krasnodar to scout the training base for next year's World Cup in advance.

Minamino and the players stayed in Kazan to conduct normal training.

The morning sun spread a golden gauze over the grass.

Dew dampened the players' hair tips.

"The Chilean team's play is very fierce, and their fouls are big."

"Especially that guy Medel!"

"Isn't the opposing head coach a Barcelona legend? He'll make his players restrain a bit..."

"Piqué? He doesn't count as a legend."

"Li, someone is looking for you!"

In the distance.

A mighty film crew enthusiastically walked over.

Duan Xuan excitedly reached out his hand: "Li, I finally have the chance to meet you!"

The CTV5 program team prepared in advance a show titled 《2018 World Cup Tour》.

Like the teams of Spain, Germany, Chile, Mexico, and Russia that had already qualified, the film crew decided to take advantage of the Confederations Cup opportunity to gather material in advance.

There was no specially prepared studio.

Everyone sat on the ground.

Duan Xuan picked up a small whiteboard and said expectantly: "Li, piece together your ideal current best lineup."

"Current!"

Li Kang took the pen and without hesitation drew eleven small circles in the 4-3-3 formation.

When it came time to fill in the names, he couldn't help but fall into thought.

"Goalkeeper: Neuer."

De Gea beside him wore a wistful expression.

"Left-back: Alaba."

"Center-back:..."

"Midfield: You've written a duplicate here—how come both positions are your own name."

The program crew patiently "corrected".

The teammates burst out laughing.

The accompanying sign-language teacher also made friendly gestures.

Li Kang smiled, having thought too deeply, and accidentally wrote his own name twice.

The little assistant hurried over and whispered a reminder: don't take it too seriously, pay attention to the recording time.

Immediately after.

Li Kang filled the remaining blanks with the names of teammates he had worked with.

Duan Xuan proceeded with his questions in order.

"We all know La Masia is where your dream began... huh? Actually it's Leverkusen."

"My favorite coaches are: Tuop, Wenger, and Bosque."

"My favorite clubs are: Leverkusen and Arsenal."

"My favorite players are too many to list—could you just name a few?"

"What's your outlook for the 2018 World Cup..."

"..."

After more than an hour.

The program crew satisfactorily concluded the interview.

The staff also gave each player a small mascot figurine of the 2018 World Cup.

The relaxed and enjoyable program recording briefly dispelled the pre-match solemn atmosphere.

A few days later, the Confederations Cup semifinal arrived.

Sochi Fisht Stadium.

Chilean fans were mighty, cheering on the red-clad team on the field.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers."

"Now broadcasting live is the 2017 Confederations Cup semifinal."

"Chile versus Spain."

"The match has begun!"

"Wearing red jerseys, attacking from left to right is the Chilean team."

"Goalkeeper: Bravo."

"Defenders: Beausejour, Jara, Medel, Silva."

"Midfielders: Aranguiz, Marcelo Díaz, Vidal."

"Forwards: Sanchez, Vargas, Salah."

"Wearing white jerseys, from the right... oh no! Yin Si Ke was taken down!"

"At the start of the match, Medel gave the Spanish midfield a warning!"

"The referee is under great pressure—whether to show a card or not is a difficult choice!"

Li Kang and Saúl sat in the stands.

The latter, seeing the referee pull out a yellow card, couldn't help but applaud loudly.

The coaching staff were half‑believing, half‑doubting the team doctor's medical report, and moreover they were reluctant to let their own core face the rugged Chilean side, fearing any mishap, so they dared not include him in the roster.

As for Saul? The main reason is that this kid's kidneys have recently developed a minor problem again.

The command area.

Chile's head coach‑Pizzi, vigorously raising his hand to signal the team to step up the attack.

His tactical style is: attack! Or attack.

15th minute of the match.

Spain's half‑field thirty‑meter zone.

Busquets and Vidal launched a head‑on clash.

Unfortunately.

Even a more precise defensive anticipation cannot make up for the gap in physical confrontation.

Like a bull, the Bayern midfield forcibly shoved open the Barcelona midfield.

Smack!

Busquets fell to the ground, painfully covering his face.

The head referee blew the whistle, indicating a foul by the Chilean team.

Vidal spread his hands in dejection, explaining aggrievedly that he hadn't done anything.

"Looking at the slow‑motion replay."

"Vidal's arm made contact with Busquets' chest."

"But why is he covering his face?"

Busquets, peeking through his fingers, kept an eye on the situation on the pitch.

Seeing that the referee had not shown a card, he had no choice but to scramble to his feet quickly.

20th minute of the match.

Carvajal received Koke's pass.

He broke through down the right flank to near the byline.

He crossed the ball.

The ball left the ground, arcing upward, and dropped straight into the penalty area.

Morata, under Medel's interference, barely managed a header!

Bravo stretched out his body and easily saved the ball!

"Normal performance."

"Chile's national team keeper Bravo is a super‑god of goalkeeping!"

33rd minute of the match.

Sánchez weaved left of the edge of the penalty area.

After creating space, he unleashed a furious shot!

The ball skimmed the grass, heading toward the near post.

De Gea dived sideways to deflect the danger.

"Whoever defends is the grandson."

"Both sides gradually stopped sticking to midfield transitions."

"Believe a goal will come soon!"

42nd minute of the match.

Piqué launched a long pass from the back.

Koke rushed quickly to the landing spot.

As the ball descended, Chilean center‑back Medel, after a run‑up, leapt high and drove his knee hard into Koke's back!

The Atlético youngster let out a painful cry and collapsed.

The stadium erupted in an uproar.

Boos instantly drowned the Sochi Fisht Stadium.

"A tough refereeing test."

"The team doctor enters the pitch."

"Red card!"

"An undisputed red card!"

"Medel paid the price for his recklessness! He seems unable to fulfill the duties of a center‑back, so the Chilean coaching staff should consider moving him back to midfield."

"I think Medel during his Sevilla days was the best defensive midfielder."

"Once he can't gain a positional advantage, it's hard to avoid resorting to fouls to stop the opponent."

A few minutes later.

The chaos subsided.

Koke was fine; over recent years, under Simeone's guidance he has steadily gained weight, going from "Xavi's successor" to "Koke the Fat".

Part of his attribute points shifted from skill to defensive power!

The upcoming match.

Eleven‑man Spain versus ten‑man Chile.

The livestream room.

-【All right, Spain is about to tear through Chile!】

-【Ruby War God Card！】

-【Hard to say, Chile's goalkeeper is the national team version of Bravo, a true god outside the penalty area！】

The match became increasingly intense.

The Spanish team no longer insisted on possession play.

Ramos repeatedly made forward runs from the left flank into the penalty area.

Carvajal and Alba launched a Mismatch Bombardment on the wings targeting the penalty area.

Bravo made high saves, repeatedly defusing danger.

83rd minute.

Ramos unleashed a perfect header!

Bravo fumbled!

Yin Si Ke scored on the rebound!

Chile 0:1 Spain.

Finally.

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

Spain advanced to the Confederations Cup final.

The players were worn down by the tenacious Chilean team, lying panting on the turf.