"Why don't strong Russian players choose to play in Europe's top five leagues?"

"The reason might be: Local players' salaries in the Russian Premier League far exceed those of mid-to-lower tier teams in the top five leagues. CSKA Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg even offer core players commercial dividends."

"Going to a mid-to-lower tier team doesn't guarantee Champions League football."

"Several Russian Premier League powerhouses have shown impressive competitiveness in the Champions League."

"The pace of this match is too fast! Russia isn't being suppressed by Spain!"

Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov calmly directed the team.

He is known as "the Philosopher" by the outside world.

Because this bald uncle always comes up with some incomprehensible answers when answering reporters' questions.

On the pitch, Spain's attack was thwarted again.

Minaño tried to switch the team to a 4-4-2 formation during the retreat.

Too late.

Four Russian players occupied positions between the lines.

"Golovin!"

"The diamond from Siberia!"

"The 21-year-old Russian supernova, with exquisite dribbling, gets rid of Fabregas!"

"Trying to break through on the right flank!"

"That was close!"

"Pique's tackle was clean!"

Golovin was knocked to the ground, immediately getting up to try and win the ball back.

Pique didn't lose focus, sending a through ball in advance!

The ball rolled quickly towards the front court along the grass.

Pedro made a turn, using his amazing explosive speed to overtake the Russian defender, and charged directly towards the opponent's penalty area after receiving the ball.

The stadium erupted in applause.

The timing of the Chelsea winger's start was perfect.

"Didn't pass to Morata, who was in a better position!"

"Choosing to do it himself!"

"Oh no, the winger is rusty!"

Pa!

Russian goalkeeper Akinfeev made a successful save! Steadily holding the ball.

This guy was the main goalkeeper for CSKA Moscow at the age of 17.

He won the Europa League at 18.

At 20, he led the Russian Premier League powerhouse to a draw against Arsenal at their peak, creating a 362-minute Champions League clean sheet record.

At 24, he led the Russian Premier League powerhouse into the Champions League quarter-finals, losing 1-2 on aggregate to Inter Milan, the Champions League champions of that year.

In the 2008 European Championship, he was also the goalkeeper with the highest save success rate, attracting countless offers from European powerhouses.

Pedro fell on the grass, frustrated, and pounded the ground with his head.

Morata didn't blame his teammate: Everyone knew that Pedro was only "selfless" when playing for Barcelona, and a "lone wolf" at Chelsea and in the national team.

Minaño raised his hand angrily, signaling the players not to be dazed: The Russian goalkeeper has a long passing skill!

Sure enough.

Bang!

Akinfeev sent a super long pass!

The ball fell straight to the right side of Spain's backcourt!

"Smolov, the Russian Premier League's top scorer for two consecutive seasons!"

"He's pulling wide!"

"Wow! Completely suppressing the thin and short Alba with his body!"

"Quickly pass the ball to the center!"

"Poloz, who contributed to Rostov's victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage this season!"

"Pique and Ramos didn't expect it!"

"Danger!"

"De Gea!"

The ball flew along the grass towards the lower left corner of the goal.

De Gea made a diving save, narrowly averting the danger.

At the Saint Petersburg Stadium, Russian fans generously applauded and cheered.

The fighting nation was determined to win the opening game.

In the livestream.

It was filled with doubts.

-

[What the hell? The European champions are playing back and forth with Russia?]

-

[Are you not looking at the lineup?]

-

[If Spain continues to play like this, they will definitely be eliminated if they meet Russia in the knockout stage of next year's World Cup!]

-

[Impossible, even if Spain loses one Li Mingdeng, they won't be eliminated by Russia in the World Cup. Spain really doesn't have many shooting opportunities.]

-

[The Russian girls in the stands are so cute.]

-

[Don't forget this is Saint Petersburg, the sound of the Aurora cruiser's cannon! European teams are destined to fail here!]

-

[Siege of Leningrad!]

-

[Freedom and sunlight shine upon us through the blizzard!]

Time passed by.

Russia became less aggressive, replacing their players with Artem Dzyuba, a center forward nearly two meters tall, adopting a low defensive posture.

Spain controlled possession.

The ball rolled around outside the Russian penalty area, but couldn't create any threat, and was repeatedly countered by the opponent!

"Dzyuba, the super center forward from the Russian Premier League powerhouse Zenit! His pivot role after coming on is too strong!"

"Terrifying body."

"Two meters tall."

"Superb aerial ability, back-to-goal ball control ability."

"Flexible footwork!"

"This Russia team can be said to be his team alone!"

Why is Dzyuba so strong in the national team, but unable to land in a European powerhouse?

Because his salary at Zenit is too high.

Because it is now 2017, and clubs rarely leave the main position for traditional center forwards.

Olivier Giroud, who has a stronger pivot ability, has become an old ox at the club.

Mario Mandžukić, who is a level higher, has been trained as a "wing pivot" and "pseudo attacking midfielder."

The top stage of Europe's top five leagues belongs to modern center forwards with more comprehensive abilities and tactical compatibility, such as Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suárez, Karim Benzema, and Harry Kane.

Bee! Bee bee~

Finally.

The referee blew the whistle to end the match.

Russia 0:0 Spain.

The host seemed to have won a defense war, and the European champions could not flaunt their power in Leningrad.

At the Saint Petersburg Stadium, impassioned slogans resounded through the sky.

All Russian fans are looking forward to the 2018 World Cup!

The Spanish players left the field in frustration.

In the tunnel.

Minaño summarized the team's problems, with an anxious tone:

"Our changes in pace and acceleration were too unsuccessful."

"The tendency of passing is too obvious!"

"We are too slow, the opponent has enough time to adjust the defensive distance..."

Vicente del Bosque stroked his mustache and interrupted, "Haven't these problems always existed since Xavi left and before Li appeared?"

Minaño nodded and didn't continue.

"Our next opponent is the even more difficult Mexico."

Li Kang wasn't anxious.

He thought Russia played very well, with simple, rough, and pragmatic tactics, and an explosive fighting belief.

A group of top thugs from Russian Premier League powerhouses are enough to overturn ordinary European powerhouses.

Before entering the locker room, he heard someone calling his name.

Gianni Infantino and Pelé led a group of staff and walked over enthusiastically.

"Take good care of your injury, we look forward to your performance in the Confederations Cup and the World Cup."

Pelé shook Li Kang's left hand and smiled, "I hope to see you healthy at next year's World Cup. The Spanish team has a chance to reach the top of the world again. I am very optimistic about Spain."

The Spanish players' faces suddenly sank.

Since 1990, the teams that Pelé has been optimistic about in each World Cup have invariably been eliminated early, so Pelé is called "the jinx" and "the World Cup curse."

The first-generation King of Football let go of his hand and then gently hugged Li Kang.

Since FIFA called Pelé "the king of football," this world has had the concept of "King of Football" for the first time.

Infantino and Pelé didn't chat with the Spanish players for too long, and turned to the Russian locker room.

"You have a chance to make history at next year's World Cup, I am very optimistic about Russia."

"Golovin, your talent on the pitch is simply overflowing."

That night.

Sochi Fisht Olympic Stadium.

The German team defeated African champion Cameroon 5-0.

Bayer Leverkusen's twin stars made their debut.

Borussia Dortmund's little rocket shone in Russia.

Bayern's stars were both offensive and defensive.

Real Madrid's midfielder was precisely guided.

The German chariot, which completed the transition between the old and the new, wreaked havoc on the Black Sea coast.

Joachim Löw was very graceful, and took the initiative to shake hands and hug the opposing coach and players after winning the game.

At the same time.

Overwhelming battle reports spread rapidly on the Internet.

"Tiki-taka is dead, Russia draws with Spain!"

"Tiki-taka is dead? The German team played an enjoyable and smooth passing game, slaughtering the African Lions."

"Is Tiki-taka dead or not?"

"Pelé: I am optimistic about Spain winning the championship."

The number of comments soared.

-

[I am optimistic about the German team winning the championship. Spain is no longer good. A bunch of super pendants lack a backbone and midfield soul.]

-

[I heard these lines until my ears are calloused in the 2014 World Cup. What if Li Mingdeng comes back?]

-

[The Confederations Cup curse, this year's Confederations Cup champion is destined not to win next year's World Cup champion.]

-

[Spain's next opponent is Mexico, the intercontinental champion of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The Matador fleet is estimated to capsize!]

-

[These days, even the team that Li Mingdeng is on can't win the ball. It's getting harder and harder to play.]

The next morning.

Kazan training base.

The players were conducting group scrimmage.

Li Kang and Del Bosque sat on the sidelines basking in the sun.

Minaño tried various formation configurations, but without Andrés Iniesta, David Silva, Santi Cazorla, Li Kang and others, he couldn't completely solve the problem of pace changes and acceleration.

"Aren't these guys all from La Masia? Why are their acceleration methods so monotonous? The tendency of pace changes is too obvious!"

"The styles of these players are not compatible at all."

"The offensive ideas are too chaotic."

The Spanish assistant coach paced back and forth anxiously.

Del Bosque slowly peeled the apple peel, his thoughts flying far away: The results of next year's World Cup may not be as good as the 2014 World Cup.

The transition between the old and the new.

Li Kang's World Cup journey may be more difficult than those of several national team seniors.

"Li, have an apple."