Buffon patted the back of the club's little brother's head.

　　He didn't rush to serve the ball.

　　His first priority was observing the number of pressing players Spain had committed to the frontcourt.

　　Morata clapped and gave Li Kang a thumbs up in the backfield before quickly retreating.

　　On the other side of the goal.

　　De Gea felt he needed to maintain his professionalism, waving his hands to swat away the fluttering moths.

　　Almost across the entire soccer field, he silently observed Buffon's serving style while directing San José to keep an eye on Pellè.

　　Only then would it not be so cold.

　　"Buffon didn't kick it long directly but passed the ball to Chiellini near the touchline."

　　"The goalkeeper's serving style also influences the tactical tendencies of the entire team to some extent."

　　"They can't go long at this time; they don't have the numerical advantage to compete for the second ball near the center circle."

　　"Huh? Why is Spain conceding the second ball? Only Diego Costa is pressing in the frontcourt!"

　　....

　　Diego Costa's nickname is the "shit-stirring" center forward, having deeply inherited the true teachings of Simeone and Mourinho.

　　In terms of close-quarters entanglement, he's worth two people.

　　Chiellini was annoyed by this kind of forward with psychological deficiencies, and he quickly passed the ball diagonally to Candreva on the wing.

　　The soccer ball nearly slid out of bounds due to the water accumulation, but it still didn't encounter any pressing from other Spanish players.

　　Conte took a deep breath and rubbed his temples:

　　The game was a bit difficult; Spain didn't commit a large number of troops to increase the frontcourt pressing like Belgium in the group stage.

　　According to Italy's original pre-match targeted arrangements:

　　Spain's midfield interception is weak.

　　If they launch a frontcourt press.

　　Italy would let Bonucci, who is stable on the ball, directly transition the midfield to find Pellè, and then Pellè would complete the distribution to the wings, which would break through Spain's half in one fell swoop.

　　This is a killer move against Barcelona's passing and control system.

　　But...

　　Who would have thought that "the world's number one defensive midfielder" Busquets would be reduced to a substitute in the Spanish national team? Concealing his skills in the group stage was one thing, but not letting him play in the knockout stage life-and-death battle!

　　....

　　Minaño handed over the coaching staff's suggestion report in a fluster.

　　Del Bosque glanced at it roughly, ran out of the coaching area, in the pouring rain, and vigorously waved his chubby hand at his disciples on the field.

　　Li Kang understood and quickly made gestures to his teammates.

　　Everyone understood.

　　It was a tactical change that the coaching staff had arranged before the game.

　　The internationally common gesture contained two of the simplest elements: Mourinho's Real Madrid's tactical idea of "conceding the second ball" and Atlético Madrid's tactical form of "cutting the battlefield."

　　Very wonderful.

　　Under the premise of having a lead in the score and conceding large areas, the two elements are not contradictory.

　　The content displayed on the field dumbfounded the Italians!

　　....

　　Candreva dribbled hard on the wing, and when he reached near the center circle, he chipped the ball to Pellè in the middle.

　　Pellè stopped the ball with his chest, feeling a bit unaccustomed.

　　No one was closely marking him, and no one was competing with him.

　　The middle was empty.

　　He subconsciously wanted to pass the ball to Florenzi, who was surging forward, but found it meaningless...

　　Looking at the opponent's half.

　　Li Kang led the Spanish players, starting from the forty-meter area, and set up a defensive formation.

　　Not zonal defense, not a double-line interception.

　　But...

　　Forget it, Pellè couldn't understand it either.

　　Italy's weakest number nine still passed the ball to Florenzi.

　　At the same time.

　　Accompanied by Conte's roar.

　　Other Italian teammates also desperately surged forward, pressing forward in a big way, widening the attack, increasing the depth of the support points, determined to break through the invincible fleet!

　　....

　　Time passed by second by second.

　　The rain eroded their physical strength, but it didn't extinguish the fighting spirit of the players on both sides.

　　The Italian teammates were a little anxious.

　　Once the soccer ball entered the forty-meter area, no matter which attacking direction it was in, the Spanish team could always piece together a local numerical advantage under the large-scale running of Li Kang and Saúl, Cazorla.

　　The battlefield seemed to be cut into countless pieces.

　　The panicked second-rate Italian attackers lost contact with their teammates and could no longer play their roles well.

　　Fortunately, Bonucci and Barzagli's support was timely, and they were always able to defuse Spain's counterattacks in an extremely thrilling manner.

　　"The Spanish team has conceded the second ball within the range from the center circle to the forty-meter area..."

　　"It's not a simple zonal defense; Carvajal and Juanfran's positions are more like two wing forwards!"

　　"They are using numerical advantages to cut the field."

　　"Diego Costa, lurking on the opponent's defensive line, is keeping the Italians on their toes."

　　"Li Kang's vision doesn't seem to be affected by the rain at all; his prediction of the Italian team's overall attacking direction is too accurate."

　　"Unexpectedly, Spain in the rain is playing very Madrid-like."

　　"Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are both able to control the initiative of the game in an environment without ball possession! They have stifled the Italian team's changes in attacking rhythm."

　　The clamor in the Stade de France gradually subsided.

　　The Italian fans felt bewildered.

　　The Spanish fans were also confused: their own team's playing style... had never been so unfamiliar.

　　The relationship between the two teams seemed to be reversed.

　　The shield was attacking, and the blade was parrying.

　　...

　　Li Kang was playing very easily.

　　He gradually tried to reduce his running range, and even without his own command, his teammates from Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Arsenal were still able to easily hinder the opponent's advance.

　　High-end ingredients...

　　Often, high-end superstars can exert a power that transcends the era by simply adopting the most advanced tactical system.

　　The strength of Italy's midfield and forward players was completely at a disadvantage in one-on-one confrontations.

　　However, Spain's counterattacks after抢夺ball possession, even if they could easily break through the Italian's high defensive line, could not threaten the goal under the opponent's three-center-back system defense.

　　With his God's perspective, he was also observing Conte's gestures while running to补防.

　　He still couldn't fully understand the "Conte's three-center-back system."

　　Perhaps if the Italian team had a 2012 Balotelli and Pirlo at this time, the situation would have been different.

　　Ramos and San José felt very relaxed; they were walls, and it seemed like there was an extra moving wall in front of them.

　　'Li is much tougher than that Busquets.'

　　'Casemiro, taken out separately, is not as good as Li either.'

　　The most relaxed person was of course De Gea.

　　To adjust his position, he calmed down and reached into his crotch several times.

　　He even couldn't help but want to touch the water bottle next to the goalpost or change to a different color of gloves.

　　...

　　40th minute of the match.

　　Pellè rushed into the thirty-meter area and stopped Bonucci's long pass with his back to the goal.

　　He was about to pass the ball to Giaccherini, who was surging forward.

　　Suddenly, he realized that the little dwarf being leaned on could still... poke his foot out from under his crotch like a loach.

　　Cazorla.

　　The Arsenal midfield maestro not only possesses delicate footwork but also has top-notch bilateral balance.

　　In close-quarters combat, his control over his own center of gravity has reached a superb level.

　　The key is that he's short and has a solid lower body.

　　Combined with a clever mind and rich experience, in a healthy state, unless he encounters a monster like Drogba... otherwise, ordinary players simply cannot completely crush him with their bodies.

　　Pa!

　　Cazorla poked his toe.

　　The soccer ball instantly escaped Pellè's control range.

　　Isco, who had策应 forward, passed the ball horizontally to Li Kang on the left half of the field with one touch.

　　"Beautiful!"

　　"Spain's counterattack!"

　　"The speed of the ball is a bit slow due to the rain."

　　"But he still stopped the ball."

　　"Wow! A through ball that pierced through the rain!"

　　Li Kang's movement from stopping the ball to sending out the through ball was done in one go.

　　Parolo, who was trying to win back the ball, hadn't even seen what had happened.

　　The soccer ball swept past the center circle, like a sharp blade, and fiercely pierced into Italy's half.

　　Diego Costa, that heavy bulldozer, started up!

　　"This ball was passed too well!"

　　"Li-Costa connection!"

　　"When did Juanfran and Carvajal surge forward?"

　　"Both wings taking flight!"

　　Juventus's three center backs quickly returned to defend.

　　They didn't choose to shorten the distance and包夹 forward but instead widened the distance, forming a one-on-one defense, and steadily retreated.

　　It was a method that went against traditional defensive thinking, but it effectively stifled Spain's width attack.

　　In front of the penalty area.

　　The distance between the three center backs suddenly shortened.

　　Buffon had plenty of time to choose his position to save.

　　The shooting angle was restricted to an extremely limited degree.

　　呯!

　　Diego Costa's explosive shot was once again steadily摘下 by the Italian goalkeeper.

　　He angrily slapped the grass, splashing water on his face.

　　Juanfran and Carvajal, who had slowed down, were helpless; if their own center forward passed the ball to them, they would also fall into a dead cycle because Chiellini and Barzagli's positioning was too perfect, and if they slightly delayed the battle opportunity, the defense of other Italian players would also be in place.

　　It can only be said that... Juventus's defensive line will not make the same mistake twice.

　　"They failed to expand the lead."

　　"The Italian team's back four is also at the peak of Europe."

　　....

　　On the bench.

　　David Silva and Iniesta applauded and cheered from time to time.

　　Busquets suddenly said, "If the three of us play, the team will lose its midfield interception ability, and it's very likely that Italy will be like Belgium..."

　　David Silva quickly waved his hand and retorted, "It's the two of you, it has nothing to do with me."

　　Iniesta looked up at the night sky: "In a rain battle, even if Xavi were on the field, we wouldn't be able to maintain passing and control."

　　He was too embarrassed to say anything more excessive.

　　Spain, without midfield interception, might be broken through by Conte's "grassroots" Italy.

　　...

　　Del Bosque sat back in the coaching area and took the dry towel to wipe his face.

　　Minaño raised his fist and said excitedly, "Boss, we can save energy to the greatest extent and win the game easily again!"

　　The Spanish coach nodded: "Yes, as long as we don't give the Italians a chance for set pieces."

　　On the other side.

　　Conte was anxious.

　　He couldn't think of a way to threaten Spain's goal for a while.

　　....

　　Beep! Beep beep~

　　The referee blew the whistle to end the first half.

　　The LED screen hanging in mid-air still maintained the score of 1:0.

　　"Rain battles are more about a competition of physical strength and willpower."

　　"But the Spanish team used the easiest way to resist the Italian's wave after wave of attacks."

　　"Viewers, take a short break, and we will now enter fifteen minutes of commercial time..."

　　In the live broadcast room.

　　The number of viewers dropped sharply.

　　-[I'm going to get a takeaway, be back in two minutes.]

　　-[Rain battles are so boring, the soccer ball spends most of the time flying in the air, and it can't fly to Spain's danger zone, neither side even has a chance to shoot.]

　　-[Li Mingdeng has evolved again. With Saúl, a工兵little brother, working beside him, and Cazorla, a super all-rounder, Spain's midfield interception ability has been improved by several levels! It's almost the strongest midfield barrier combination in Europe, only France's Pogba + Matuidi + Sissoko can compete with it.]

　　-[If it hadn't rained, Del Bosque and Li Mingdeng would have had more cards in their hands and could have locked in the victory early.]

　　-[Spain can't threaten Italy's goal either. Juventus's defensive line is very tough. I don't think it's stable enough for them to be leading by one goal.]

　　-[Cup matches are like this. The further you get, the more you rely on the inspiration of the stars.]

　　-[Leverkusen is a broken boat. Little Li's data is particularly high. Spain is an invincible battleship, and his ineffective passes and ineffective runs have been greatly reduced.]

　　-[Conte is still awesome, playing such a bad hand to this point, it's also difficult for Spain to break the goal again.]

　　-[The rain has lessened.]

　　.....

　　In the Spanish locker room.

　　Isco was trying hard to wipe Li Kang's hair with a dry towel.

　　Del Bosque moved the flags on the tactics board.

　　"We need to be careful of the Italians' set pieces."

　　"Similarly, due to the harsh environment, it's difficult for our offensive in open play to break through the opponent's defensive line, and the opportunity to extend the score is also very likely to come from set pieces."

　　It's a pity.

　　The set-piece tactics that the Spanish team has been working on during this period are taken from Enrique of Barcelona and Valverde of Bilbao.

　　Although this Enrique is known as "dog with a championship," he has a deep knowledge of set-piece tactics.

　　Valverde's use of set-piece high points is also very thoroughly researched.

　　Minaño looked at the players and murmured in his heart: 1, 2, 3, 4... Who dares to say that we Spanish are a bunch of little dwarves?

　　On the other side.

　　In the Italian locker room.

　　Conte's roar could be heard even through the heavy wooden door.

　　....

　　The rain stopped.

　　The players from both sides returned to the field.

　　Li Kang changed into a brand-new jersey under the urging of the coaching staff.

　　Saúl was still wearing the jersey covered in dirt, which looked like it had only undergone simple cleaning and a short drying.

　　The Atlético Madrid youngster reluctantly said: "They said I'd get dirty again in the second half, and the remaining three jerseys were to prevent accidental tearing."

　　This concern of the coaching staff is normal.

　　Not long ago, in the match between Switzerland and France, the jerseys were torn 5 times, and the soccer ball was also kicked and exploded by the cleats.

　　...

　　The drainage system of the Stade de France was good. With the efforts of the staff, most of the accumulated water on the green field disappeared without a trace.

　　"Good evening, viewers, welcome back!"

　　"We are now broadcasting the 2016 European Cup 1/8 knockout match."

　　"The second half of Spain vs. Italy!"

　　"Spain is leading by one goal thanks to the young player Li Kang's long-range shot in the first half!"

　　"Let's see what changes will happen in the second half!"

　　"Oh! Conte has made the first substitution!"

　　"Insigne replaces Candreva!"

　　"An excellent left winger from Naples, only one meter sixty-three tall! He scored 13 goals in all competitions last season."

　　"Italy's formation should change to 3-4-3!"

　　....

　　When Conte reappeared in the camera, the haze on his face was swept away, and he was radiant.

　　His confident posture looked like he had found the key to defeating Spain.

　　Beep!

　　With the referee's whistle.

　　The second half of the match officially began.

　　Italy had possession.

　　Pellè kicked off and passed the ball back to Parolo.

　　The midfield and forward lines of the two formations immediately overlapped at the center circle.

　　The stability of the soccer ball's passing on the grass was much higher than in the first half.

　　Bonucci once again kicked a long pass.

　t this time, he wasn't looking for Pellè.

　　He was looking for Insigne!

　　The left winger from Naples had a dribbling ability that was one level higher than all his teammates!

　　Before receiving the ball.

　　Almost all of the forward teammates rushed towards the area where he was located.

　　"Insigne's strategic role is more obvious! He is the depth point of Italy's left-wing attack."

　　"Look at Conte's change of tactics!"

　　"He wants to start a bloody battle on the left!"

　　"He wants to grab a good start to the second half!"

　　...

　　Li Kang was slightly shocked.

　　He didn't quite understand Conte's crazy style of play that took a different approach.

　　But now, his teammates didn't have time to react!

　　Insigne received the ball, turned around, and started to rush forward.

　　His defensive ability was very poor, which didn't meet Conte's tactical requirements.

　　But after all, he was the most powerful dribbling master in the Apennine Peninsula.

　　The left winger of Naples was the best breakthrough point for a last-ditch battle!

　　"Juanfran failed to intercept the ball!"

　　"Saúl is補位!"

　　"Oh no, there are too many attacking players on Italy's left!"

　　"Beautiful one-two!"

　　"Giaccherini!"

　　"The soccer ball is back at Insigne's feet!"

　　"The speed is too fast!"

　　"He's wiping into the penalty area!"

　　"Italy caught Spain off guard!"

　　"Insigne, worthy of being one of the death dwarves of Naples... worthy of being Higuaín's best partner!"

　　......

　　The little dwarf in the blue jersey dribbled the ball into the Spanish team's penalty area!

　　Minaño was very nervous.

　　Del Bosque's expression was still calm because he saw Li Kang's figure.

　　As long as we defuse the opponent's attack this time, Italy will not be able to threaten our penalty area in the same way again!

　　Suddenly.

　　He widened his eyes in panic.

　　....

　　Inside the Spanish penalty area.

　　De Gea was on full alert.

　　Ramos blocked Insigne's path forward.

　　San José, after observing that Li Kang and Cazorla had retreated to the vicinity, quickly协防 and搶上.

　　Unfortunately.

　　At the moment of close-quarters contact.

　　His foot slipped, he couldn't control his center of gravity, and at the moment he fell to the ground... his right foot kicked the hopping Insigne!

　　The Naples left winger fell to the ground.

　　The referee's whistle sounded in time.

　　In the Stade de France, a landslide and tsunami-like cheer erupted!

　　"Penalty!"

　　"Insigne helped the team win a penalty!"

　　"A good opportunity for Italy to equalize!"

　　"Conte's adjustment had a miraculous effect in less than three minutes of the second half!"

　　"Suspense!"

　　"This Spain-Italy battle is still full of suspense!"

　　"Hey! Substitution? Conte has made another substitution at this time!"

　　"We see Zaza standing on the sidelines!"

　　"The former Apennine genius, known as a combination of Dino Baggio and Christian Vieri!"

　　"If there are no accidents, he is the Italian team's secret weapon!"

　　....

　　Éder walked straight towards the nearest touchline when he saw the number on the LED substitution board outside the center circle.

　　Zaza quickly rotated his fingers towards his teammates.

　　Conte clenched his fists and lowered them, the night wind blowing the wet black suit.

　　Hope.

　　The hope of equalizing!

　　As long as they equalize, the balance of victory will shift back to Italy!

　　On the other side.

　　Minaño was flustered and anxiously said, "Boss, Zaza had very few opportunities to play for Juventus last season, and the coaching staff lacks key information about him."

　　Del Bosque pressed his hands down and said in a deep voice, "Calm down, Conte sent him on the field, he must be here to take the penalty, we have to trust De Gea."

　　.....

　　Insigne high-fived his teammates to celebrate.

　　He was Italy's hero!

　　As he was about to pick up the ball and walk towards the twelve-yard spot, he saw Zaza's gesture.

　　After a slight disappointment, he threw the ball to the nearest teammate.

　　Li Kang touched San José's hair.

　　The Spanish teammates quickly comforted the Basque central defender.

　　There was no way to blame him.

　　Morata comforted him: "No time to be sad, the grass was really too slippery this time."

　　....

　　Zaza stood in front of the twelve-yard penalty spot.

　　He started to retreat.

　　De Gea took a deep breath and didn't make any exaggerated movements.

　t, Zaza is Conte's secret weapon!"

　　"Italy's best chance to equalize!"

　　"Spain is pinning its hopes on De Gea!"

　　In the four stands, Italian fans sang loudly, and many elderly fans closed their eyes and prayed.

　　....

　　Italian Broadcasting Corporation.

　　Maldini was concentrating.

　　Baggio painfully looked away.

　　The shadows of the past seemed to linger in his mind.

　　...

　　With the referee's whistle.

　　Zaza stepped on the penalty area line and began to run up.

　　Taking strange small steps, with a strange pace rhythm.

　　De Gea frowned, his pupils contracted... In his career, he had never seen anyone take a penalty like this!

　　In a short run-up distance of 6 yards.

　　Like a string puppet, Zaza took a full 18 steps.

　　His movements were so ridiculous.

　　But at this moment, no one laughed.

　　The Stade de France was silent.

　　That was the penalty that would determine the direction of the match!

　　...

　　Del Bosque closed his eyes.

　　Conte's face was cold.

　　呯!

　　After a long 4 seconds, Zaza's left foot fiercely抽!

　　The soccer ball kicked up the remaining water and howled towards the stands!

　　De Gea stood still, dumbfounded.

　　The whole stadium was in an uproar!

　　"Oh no! He missed the ball!"

　　"Italy's best chance to equalize!"

　　"Zaza painfully knelt on the grass, hoping that this shadow will not erode his life!"

　　"De Gea has made a contribution!"

　　....

　　Del Bosque breathed a sigh of relief.

　　Conte knelt on the ground, angrily pounding the grass.

　　The secret weapon... the secret weapon he prepared to deal with the Germans had misfired!

　　Having substituted Candreva and Éder.

　　The Italian team had already lost the ability to对抗 Spain in open play or even positional warfare...

　　The attacking routines surrounding Insigne could no longer fool Spain a second time!

　　Desperate tactics, a last-ditch battle... made the hope of victory for the Azzurri even more slim!

　　....

　　De Gea released the goal kick.

　　He didn't consider the overall tactics like Buffon did.

　　He just needed to pass the ball to Li Kang.

　　The next game.

　　Became exceptionally simple for Spain.

　　Insigne's defensive interception ability was far inferior to Candreva's.

　　Zaza, who had been away from the battlefield for a long time, had almost no presence.

　　Li Kang controlled the game.

　　The passing of the soccer ball on the grass became more and more stable.

　　The combination of long and short passes easily tore apart Italy's weak midfield.

　　Saúl and the two full-backs also moved further and further forward.

　　Soon.

　　Spain pressed the Italian team in front of the penalty area and围攻!

　　....

　　Barzagli, Bonucci, and Chiellini used all their skills to try to defuse the opponent's attack.

　　They were very tired.

　　Buffon was also very tired.

　　It wasn't until the rain stopped that they truly felt how terrifying the invincible fleet commanded by Li Kang was.

　　Not just the fatal pass.

　　But also the change in the acceleration of the overall attacking rhythm.

　　Unless Verratti and Marchisio were on the field, they simply could not stop this Spain.

　　...

　　70th minute of the match.

　　Buffon once again struggled to block Diego Costa's header!

　　The soccer ball bounced off the baseline.

　　"A corner kick opportunity!"

　　"Li Kang... Oh! It's Cazorla taking it."

　　"It should be a tactical corner kick."

　　"No, Spain has many high points."

　　Cazorla raised his right hand.

　　They had worked out several sets of set-piece tactics.

　　He wasn't going to shoot.

　　Two-step run-up.

　　At the moment of touching the ball, his supporting foot suddenly slipped.

　　Pa!

　　The soccer ball fell weakly towards the penalty area!

　　At the near post.

　　...

　　Del Bosque held down the shouting Minaño.

　　Conte's expression relaxed slightly.

　　He would not give up easily.

　　As long as they争抢 the first point of the ball, Italy would get a chance to counterattack.

　　...

　　"Oh no, after the rain, the grass is too wet, even a midfield maestro like Cazorla will slip!"

　　"At the near post!"

　　"Li Kang's judgment of the soccer ball's landing point is too accurate."

　　Li Kang walked a few steps to the landing point.

　　He slightly raised his head and looked at the soccer ball falling rapidly.

　　No spin.

　　Moderate strength.

　　In God's perspective, he had already observed the positions of Isco, Saúl, and others.

　　There were many lines for passing...

　　Suddenly.

　　In his vision, a bald phantom reappeared!

　　....

　　Insigne was the first to react, taking small steps and冲 towards Li Kang.

　　Although he was short, he must interfere with the Spanish number 6's passing!

　　Well, that kid must stop the ball and adjust it again!

　　He hadn't taken a few steps.