Chapter 529: Dog Person and Patient (Daily Transition)

Catalonia TV.

Enrique, as a special guest, expressed his prediction for the 'West A showdown'.

Spain's tactical system has undergone a complete overhaul; Bosque no longer clings to possession play, and Li can guarantee the execution of different tactical styles on the field.

On the contrary, Argentina's head coach Sampaoli is even more obsessed with possession play.

Both teams' attacking chains are highly threatening, but their defenses suffer from serious problems.

In the knockout stage, if the coaching staff continues to use Li as a holding midfielder, Spain's attacking chain will become extremely redundant and hypnotic, passing the ball around outside the opponent's penalty area, resulting in no goals!

Smack!

Enrique flicked a magnetic flag and shoved it forward hard.

This is the position of the savior.

I think this match will end in a draw in regular time and extra time, and Li Kang and Messi will decide the winner via a penalty shootout.

This is an internal conflict of La Masia.

Li and Messi are both gems of Barcelona's youth academy, and I have been very optimistic about them for many years.

His face didn't flush, his heart didn't race.

Enrique put on a self-righteous expression.

The host's mouth twitched involuntarily: This guy once benched Messi and teamed up with Roberto to sell Li Kang to Leverkusen.

Kelasinuo Da'er.

Li Kang sat in front of the computer, watching the footage of Argentina's group stage matches.

Unlike other conservative national team coaches,

Sampaoli is a true 'tactical genius'.

Early in his coaching career, he won three consecutive Chilean league titles and the South American championship.

In 2015, he led the Chilean team to defeat Argentina and win the Copa América, was selected as a top-three finalist for the FIFA Coach of the Year award, and was named the best national team coach by IFFHS.

In the 2016-17 season, he coached Sevilla, consecutively defeating Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, once ranking second in La Liga; La Liga fans jokingly called him 'Sampaoli Violence' because his football philosophy is simply: attack, attack, and attack again! High-pressure pressing and frantic running.

At the end of the season, Sevilla finished with points ranking fourth in La Liga.

His tactical style isn't very stable, and he likes to experiment, causing the teams he coaches to have a 'strong against strong, weak against weak' Morata-like quality.

Argentina's three group-stage matches in this World Cup were practically his experimental pit.

Busquets wore a relaxed expression: 'Sampaoli's positional swaps in attack and defense look pretty and perfect, but they leave a huge gap in the ribs when retreating defensively.'

Fabregas frowned, adding: 'This guy is like a combination of Klopp and Wenger; the key is to see how he will use Messi in the knockout stage.'

The showdown is imminent.

Fans worldwide have been brainwashed by the promotional page for 'Li Kang vs. Messi'.

The pre-war vocabulary basically consists of phrases like 'peak showdown', 'fate clash', 'strongest vs strongest', 'god-sealing battle', 'cosmic war'.

The previous Mengniu 'I Am Messi' series parody posters have vanished without a trace.

June 30.

He Wei had already led the film crew to arrive early in Kazan, conducting routine pre-match street interviews.

Good evening, friends! The magnificent building behind me is Kazan Stadium!

It and Wembley, Chieftain Stadium were designed by the same design company!

Under the sunset, Kazan Stadium resembles a golden lotus flower!

Over there, a group of female fans—hurry over!

The red Spanish national team bus was driving through Kazan's old town.

Li Kang gazed at the scenery outside the window, chewing on Green Tangerine Fizzy Candy.

The teammates were in a relaxed mood, chattering about Kazan's history.

There are still plenty of 'academic tyrants' in the lineup.

The city's architectural style is too chaotic: European churches, Asian lama temples, Arab **temples.

In the early 13th century, the Mongols conquered this place; I mean they conquered the Bulgar Principality.

It was annihilation!

It's the Whip of God!

Isn't the Whip of God Attila?

The Whip of God is the Goth Alaric.

Think carefully about the match!

Pre-match press conference.

Bosque wore a warm smile, chatting and laughing with the reporters.

Will Li start? You didn't see the lineup an hour ago; asking this question, when you return to the TV station you'll be scolded by the leadership!

I don't want to discuss who's better; football isn't a combat sport, it's an eleven-person endeavor!

Forget the group stage results; no matter when, Argentina is always a formidable opponent.

On the other side.

Sampaoli and the reporters were tense and confrontational.

Possession rate?

Yes, I was quite insistent on possession in the three group-stage matches, but that was because the opponents gave up the ball.

It's different from the match against Spain!

As for possession rate, damn it, I don't want to explain with too much jargon; let me just tell you a story!

Thirty years ago, I met a fiery‑figured woman at the 'Sleeping Rose' bar in Buenos Aires.

We chatted happily that night until about 1 a. m., when she discovered I couldn't pay, so she went off to make love with another man.

It's fine, I was just as happy; although I couldn't **, I occupied most of the woman's chatting time that night.

Damn, this is just the advantage of possession rate on the football pitch!

Kazan Arena

A sea of people, every seat filled; red and blue‑white split the stands in half.

Various languages intertwined in the air.

CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!

Now broadcasting live is the 2018 Russia World Cup round of 16!

Spain versus Argentina!

The global focus showdown!

Li Kang and Messi, facing each other for the first time on the World Cup stage!

Let's witness together tonight the clash of two superstars!

Player tunnel.

Players from both sides warmly greeted each other.

Many were former teammates who had fought side by side at their clubs.

Especially the Barcelona contingent.

Alba, Iniesta, Fabregas, and Busquets enthusiastically took turns hugging Messi.

And Piqué, this guy's gaze toward Messi was especially 'deep‑emotion'.

As Messi walked past Li Kang, he hesitated a moment, then smiled shyly and extended his hand.

Li Kang also smiled and shook hands with Messi.

Suddenly.

The achievement panel in the system flashed with a blinding light.

【"The Great Number Nine and a Half" achievement is about to be fully unlocked.】

【Baggio's "Golden Left Foot" module (acquired).】

【Platini's "French Heavenly Pride" module (acquired).】

【Piero's "Zone" module (acquired).】

【Maradona's "King" module (not acquired).】

"Li?"

"Li!"

De Gea stared at the dazed Li Kang, patted his shoulder, and stammered, "Don't, don't be nervous."

Li Kang felt the Manchester United goalkeeper's hand, which seemed to tremble a little, perhaps due to lack of confidence from the Morocco match.

He nodded and patted his own chest.

"Next, let me introduce both teams' starting lineups."

"The red‑clad Spain lines up in a 4‑1‑4‑1 formation!"

"Goalkeeper: De Gea."

"Defenders: Carvajal, Piqué, Ramos, Alba."

"Single defensive midfielder: Busquets."

"Central midfielders: Saúl, Li Kang, Iniesta, Koke."

"Forward: Morata!"

Broadcast room.

【This lineup is pretty perfect, just a bit costly, Saúl and Koke will have to exhaust themselves in this match.】

【Busquets putting Li Kang forward likely aims to seize the early lead; the first half over/under 11.5 looks very solid!】

【Alba's position might get blown apart.】

【After the Morocco match, Spain's high defensive line gives no sense of security at all.】

"The blue‑white‑clad Argentina lined up in a 4‑3‑3 formation."

"Goalkeeper: Caballero."

"Defenders: Tagliafico, Rojo, Otamendi, Mercado."

"Midfielders: Banega, Mascherano, Lo Celso."

"Forwards: Di María, Iguain, Messi."

Broadcast room.

【What about the promised midfield Mei?】

【Don't worry, San Violence's initial formation is basically nonexistent; he demands high positional rotation from players, giving Messi great freedom in the front line, allowing him to switch among multiple attacking patterns.】

【Hope Little Ma Ge doesn't strain himself to the point of anal tearing tonight, and after the World Cup returns happily to the Chinese Super League.】

【Both sides have many players I like, but football is just that cruel; tonight it's certain one team will be eliminated.】

【I trust Enrique; 90 minutes of regular time, a draw!】

The guessing segment ends.

Li Kang takes his position.

A system prompt sound softly chimes.

【Ding, mission triggered: a canine person, a patient.】

Mission Briefing: I listen to the tranquility of the Kazan Kazan River amidst the hustle and bustle of the mortal world, enjoy a showdown that will be remembered in the long river of history, make a joke. Come on, this match will be easy to win.

Mission Reward: World Cup·Legendary Treasure Chest.