Chapter 28 Approaching the Semifinals

The Confederations Cup semi-finals were approaching.

The Spanish coaching staff went to Krasnodar to scout potential training locations for next year's World Cup.

Miñano and the players stayed in Kazan for regular training.

The morning sun cast a layer of golden gauze over the grass.

Dewdrops dampened the players' hair.

"Chile's playing style is very fierce, with a lot of fouls."

"Especially that guy Medel!"

"Isn't their coach a Barcelona legend? He should tell his players to restrain themselves a bit."

"Pizzi? He's hardly a legend."

"Li, someone's looking for you!"

In the distance.

A large film crew walked over enthusiastically.

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

Ctv5's program team had been preparing a program called "2018 World Cup Tour."

For teams that had already qualified, such as Spain, Germany, Chile, Mexico, and Russia, the film crew decided to take advantage of the Confederations Cup 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, put together your dream team of active players."

"Active!"

Li Kang took the pen and, without hesitation, drew eleven small circles in a 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 looked resentful.

"Full-back: Alaba."

"Center-back:..."

"Midfield: You've repeated yourself here. How can both positions be your own name?"

The program team patiently "corrected" him.

The teammates laughed.

The accompanying sign language interpreter was also gesturing kindly.

Li Kang smiled, having been so engrossed in thought that he had accidentally written his name twice.

The little assistant quickly leaned in and whispered a reminder: Don't be too serious, pay attention to the recording time.

Immediately afterwards.

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

Duan Xuan asked questions in a methodical manner.

"We all know that La Masia is where your dreams began. Wait, it was Leverkusen?"

"Your favorite coaches are: Toppmöller and Wenger, Del Bosque."

"Your favorite clubs are: Leverkusen and Arsenal."

"Your favorite players are: There are too many. Can you just say a few names?"

"Your expectations for the 2018 World Cup..."

"..."

More than an hour later.

The program team finished the interview with satisfaction.

The staff also gave the players small mascot dolls of the 2018 World Cup.

The relaxed and enjoyable program recording briefly dispelled the heavy atmosphere before the match.

A few days later, the Confederations Cup semi-finals arrived.

Sochi Fisht Olympic Stadium.

Chilean fans roared, encouraging the Red Army on the field.

"Ctv5! Ctv5! Good evening, viewers."

"We are now broadcasting the 2017 Confederations Cup semi-final."

"Chile versus Spain."

"The match has begun!"

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

"Goalkeeper: Bravo."

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

"Midfielders: Aránguiz, Marcelo Díaz, Vidal."

"Forwards: Sánchez, Vargas, Sagal."

"Wearing white jerseys and attacking from the right—Oh! Isco has been tackled!"

"Right from the start of the match, Medel has given the Spanish midfielder a warning shot!"

"The referee is under a lot of pressure. Whether to give a card is a difficult decision!"

Li Kang and Saúl were sitting in the stands.

The latter clapped loudly when he saw the referee pull out a yellow card.

The coaching staff was skeptical of the team doctor's medical report, and even more reluctant to let their core player face the fierce Chilean team, fearing something might happen, so they didn't dare include him in the squad list.

As for Saúl? The main reason was that the kid's kidneys had recently developed minor problems again.

In the command area.

Chile's coach, Pizzi, waved his hand vigorously, signaling the team to strengthen their attack.

His tactical style was: Attack! Keep attacking.

15th minute of the match.

Thirty meters from the Spanish half.

Busquets and Vidal engaged in a head-on confrontation.

Unfortunately.

Even the most accurate defensive prediction cannot make up for the gap in physical confrontation.

The bull-like Bayern midfielder forcibly squeezed away the Barcelona midfielder.

Bang!

Busquets fell to the ground, covering his face in pain.

The referee blew his whistle, signaling a foul by Chile.

Vidal spread his hands in frustration, explaining aggrievedly that he had done nothing.

"Looking at the slow-motion replay."

"Vidal's arm did hit Busquets' chest."

"But why is he covering his face?"

Busquets watched the situation through his fingers.

Seeing that the referee didn't give a card, he quickly got up.

20th minute of the match.

Carvajal received a pass from Koke.

He broke through from the right wing to near the baseline.

Crossing.

The ball lifted off the ground, creating an arc. It plunged straight into the penalty area.

Morata struggled to complete a header under Medel's interference!

Bravo stretched out his body and easily caught the ball!

"Normal performance."

"Bravo of the Chilean national team is a super goalkeeper!"

33rd minute of the match.

Sánchez darted and weaved on the left side of the edge of the penalty area.

After shaking off space, he shot angrily!

The ball skimmed the grass and hurtled towards the near post.

De Gea dived to the side, resolving the danger.

"Whoever defends is a grandson."

"Both sides are gradually no longer sticking to midfield transitions."

"Believe that a goal will be produced soon!"

42nd minute of the match.

Piqué launched a long pass from the backfield.

Koke quickly rushed towards the landing point.

As the ball descended, Chilean center-back Medel took a running start and leaped high, his knee slamming heavily into Koke's back!

The Atlético Madrid youngster screamed and fell to the ground in pain.

The whole stadium erupted.

Boos instantly drowned out the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.

"A difficult judgment test."

"The team doctor enters the field."

"Red card!"

"An undisputed red card!"

"Medel has paid the price for his impulsiveness! He doesn't seem to be able to handle the duties of a center-back. The Chilean coaching staff should consider letting him return to the midfield position."

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

"Once he can't gain a positional advantage, it's hard to avoid using fouls to stop his opponents."

A few minutes later.

The chaos subsided.

Koke was fine. He had been gaining weight in recent years under Simeone's guidance, turning from "Xavi's successor" into "Fat Koke."

Some attribute points were moved from technique to defense!

In the following match.

Eleven Spaniards against ten Chileans.

Livestream.

-



[Alright, Spain is about to break through the Chilean team!]

-



[Ruby God of War card!]

-



[Hard to say, the Chilean goalkeeper is the national team version of Bravo, a true god outside the penalty area!]

The match became increasingly fierce.

The Spanish team no longer insisted on passing and controlling the ball.

Ramos repeatedly advanced into the penalty area from the left half-space.

Carvajal and Alba launched a staggered bombardment of the penalty area on both wings.

Bravo made brilliant saves, repeatedly resolving dangerous situations.

83rd minute.

Ramos unleashed a perfect header!

Bravo fumbled!

Isco scored with a follow-up shot!

Chile 0:1 Spain.

Finally.

The referee blew the whistle to end the match.

Spain advanced to the Confederations Cup final.

The players were stripped of a layer of skin by the tenacious Chilean team, and lay panting on the grass.

(End of this chapter)