Chapter 410: On the Eve of the Confederations Cup Final (Everyday Transition)

Another semifinal.

Germany 5:0 Mexico.

Schalke 04 youngster Goretzka opened the scoring, Bei lai yin's twin stars Havertz and Brandt dominated the match, and Werner ended his goal drought.

Löw, however, was not overly pleased. He saw several problems:

During the pre-match photo, Goretzka tried to urge his teammates to make a 'political' gesture.

During the match, Goretzka constantly complained about his teammates.

When a teammate scored, he swore.

Because of his positional error, Mexico launched a threatening attack, but he instead blamed Kimmich.

The German team doctor believed: long-term dieting and lack of high-protein intake would cause an outstanding youth to become irritable; Goretzka needed to gain muscle and weight.

After the match, when facing reporters, Goretzka took all the credit for himself.

Only after the assistant coach reminded him did he begin to praise his teammates.

"Scoring is a matter of course for me; Li Shuli set a benchmark: even as a midfielder, you can score many goals."

"My playing style at Schalke 04 is almost identical to Li's."

"After this match, my value will at least rise... the assists my teammates gave me were excellent; I broke the opponent's goal without much effort."

"I won't go to Bayern; Schalke 04 is my forever home."

"Even if I leave, I will leave a large sum of money for Schalke 04."

Live stream.

-【I bet he won't leave Schalke 04 a single penny; he still refuses to renew his contract, and he'll definitely leave on a free transfer later. Schalke 04 has lost big, driving away so many stars and making him the core.】

-【It's fine; at least he won't sue his mother club a second time.】

-【I heard Boateng and Müller really want to beat up Goretzka... he's too big‑headed, full of negative energy, and even when the team wins he's not happy.】

-【That's how Schalke 04 spoiled him.】

-【The new generation Ballack, the future soul of the German midfield, a piece of the puzzle for the next World Cup title—what's wrong with being a bit of a big shot?】

-【Goretzka wasn't like this before; his chronic gastroenteritis means he can't eat pork or nuts, which affects his endocrine system and makes him irritable. Once he returns to a normal diet, his personality will surely normalize.】

The German team internally will not develop discord over these minor matters.

Löw and Goretzka exchanged a few words.

The latter left the changing room glumly and angrily kicked over a small chair in the aisle.

Goretzka is quite arrogant.

Whether at Bochum or Schalke 04, he enjoys the star‑struck central treatment.

Kimmich and Brandt hurried forward to comfort him.

"Come on, don't be angry; even if you don't play, we still win anyway."

"You originally didn't have many playing opportunities, and your level isn't yet enough to be a core national‑team player."

"When Li was at Leverkusen, even in the toughest situations he never made gestures complaining about teammates."

The two slapped the face of the Schalke midfielder.

Goretzka gradually calmed down; after a moment... he finally nodded sensibly.

The German team has always been good at handling ball hogs: unless you're Beckenbauer.

Kazan training base.

The Spanish team held their final internal meeting.

The Confederations Cup schedule is tight; in three days they will head to Shengbidebao to face the German team in the showdown.

"The German team is very likely to continue with a 3-4-2-1 formation."

"Due to roster changes, their flank speed is much weaker than during the Euro, so they will more often attack our middle."

"In the defensive phase they will switch to a 5-4-1 formation, with a very high success rate for anticipatory interceptions."

"In the buildup phase they don't like to break through with small‑scale wall‑pass combos; they prefer to draw the defense, then give the ball back to Kroos and launch a wide‑side attack via a large‑scale shift."

"This German team, due to the integration issues of new and old players, still essentially relies on the performances of Kroos and a few other veterans."

"..."

Mininiano's progress was rapid; in two years he went from a fitness coach to a master of review.

The players listened attentively, occasionally taking notes.

In fact, Spain's approach is very similar to that of Wenger, Kruijff, and other schools: no matter how the opponent plays, as long as we execute a complete passing‑control chain or passing‑cutting chain, coordinated with rhythmic bursts, we have a chance to take them down.

The meeting was brief, not cutting into the players' rest time.

Li Kang returned to the dormitory, opened his computer, briefly watched several club managers' 'philosophy' lectures, and refreshed the teaching columns of Kroos and Maguire once more.

Next season will not see the frenzy of tactical upheaval like last season.

The overall tactics of Europe's powerhouses are trending toward stability, a process of continually fixing weaknesses and plugging gaps.

Li Kang reckons he won't need to rack his brain to break open games in matches.

Suddenly.

Morata sneaked into the room.

This guy had a towel tied around his waist, looking anxious.

"Li, Enrique messaged me, saying I have no place in Arsenal's tactical system next season."

"Arsenal signed Lacazette and Aubameyang, believing their finishing is stronger than mine."

"Real Madrid might let me return."

"But my agent and Chelsea have made contact... you know, my childhood dream was to join Chelsea."

"Diego, why are you standing outside the window scaring people?"

The final day has arrived.

Fans from all over the world gathered in Shengbidebao.

The classic West Germany showdown never lacks attendance and viewership in football history.

The wind by the Neva River flutters the Confederations Cup's team flag.

On the pitch, a grand and solemn closing ceremony performance is being held.

The turf was laid with a Volga-style carpet.

A huge wooden robot twisted its waist to the music's beat.

"Shengbidebao let Russians realize their dream of the ocean."

"Zabivaka leads the honor guard onto the field."

"..."

"The Confederations Cup is about to end; will the World Cup still be far away?"

"Accompanied by Bolina's song, Maradona and Ronaldo enter bearing the Confederations Cup championship trophy!"

Player tunnel.

There was not the slightest tense atmosphere.

Li Kang briefly embraced Brandt and Havertz, and every little detail of Bei lai yin instantly occupied his thoughts.

Neuer and Boateng also exchanged a brief greeting.

Too familiar.

Since his debut, Li Kang has faced Bayern Munich at least twice every season.

"Next season in the Champions League, we won't easily encounter Li."

"This sounds like a curse."

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"

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

"Spain versus Germany."

"The 'preview' of the Russia World Cup is about to come to an end."

"I don't know if the team that wins tonight can break the Confederations Cup curse next year."

The referee team led the players of both sides onto the field.

Shengbidebao Stadium was instantly engulfed in cheers.

The guessing segment ended.

Li Kang took his position on the pitch.

No system prompt sounded.

In the task panel, only a main task of winning the Confederations Cup lit up.

"Spain's formation is 3-5-2!"

"Goalkeeper: De Gea."

"Defenders: Azpilicueta, Piqué, Ramos."

"Midfielders: Saúl, Busquets, Li Kang, Fabregas, Coke."

"Forwards: Diego Costa, Morata!"

"On the other side, Germany's formation is 3-4-3!"

"Goalkeeper: Neuer."

"Defenders: Hummels, Boateng, Rüdiger."

"Midfielders: Kimmich, Kroos, Luoyinsi, Havertz."

"Forwards: Brandt, Werner, Draxler."