Approaching the Confederations Cup semi-finals.

The Spanish coaching staff went to Krasnodar to inspect the training location for next year's World Cup in advance.

Miniano and the players stayed in Kazan for normal training.

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

Dewdrops dampened the players' hair.

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

"Especially that guy Medel!"

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

"Pizzi? He doesn't really count as a legend."

"Li, someone's looking for you!"

In the distance.

A large production crew walked over enthusiastically.

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

The Ctv5 program team had prepared a program called "2018 World Cup Tour" in advance.

For teams like Spain, Germany, Chile, Mexico, and Russia that had already qualified, the production team decided to take advantage of the Confederations Cup to collect 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, can you put together your dream current best starting eleven?"

"Current!"

Li Kang took the pen and, without hesitation, drew eleven small circles in a 4-3-3 formation.

When it came to filling in the names, he couldn't help but fall into thought.

"Goalkeeper: Neuer."

De Gea looked aggrieved.

"Full-back: Alaba."

"Center-back:..."

"Midfield: You've written your own name twice here."

The production team patiently "corrected" him.

The teammates laughed.

The sign language interpreter also gestured kindly.

Li Kang smiled. He had been thinking so intently that he accidentally wrote his own name twice.

The assistant quickly leaned in and whispered a reminder: Don't be too serious, and be mindful of the recording time.

Immediately afterward.

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

Duan Xuan asked questions methodically.

"We all know that La Masia is where your dream began, but wait, wasn't it Leverkusen?"

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

"Your favorite clubs are: Leverkusen and Arsenal."

"Your favorite players are: There are too many, can you just name a few?"

"Your outlook on the 2018 World Cup..."

"..."

More than an hour later.

The production team finished the interview with satisfaction.

The staff also gave each of the players a mascot toy for the 2018 World Cup.

The lighthearted and cheerful recording briefly dispelled the tense atmosphere before the match.

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

Sochi Fisht Olympic Stadium.

The Chilean fans cheered loudly, inspiring the red-shirted team 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 are 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 dear! Isco has been brought down!"

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

"The referee is under a lot of pressure. It's a difficult decision whether or not to show a card!"

Li Kang and Saúl sat in the stands.

The latter applauded 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 that something might go wrong, so they dared not include him in the squad.

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

In the command area.

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

His tactical style is: attack! Keep attacking.

The 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 anticipation could not make up for the gap in physical confrontation.

The bull-like Bayern midfielder squeezed past the Barcelona midfielder.

Pa!

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

The referee blew his whistle, indicating a foul by the Chilean team.

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

"Looking at the slow-motion replay."

"Vidal's arm did make contact with 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 to his feet.

The 20th minute of the match.

Carvajal received a pass from Koke.

Breaking through from the right to near the baseline.

He crossed the ball.

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

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

Bravo stretched out and easily caught the ball!

"Normal performance."

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

The 33rd minute of the match.

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

After creating space, he shot angrily!

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

De Gea dived to the side and resolved the danger.

"Whoever defends is a grandson."

"Both sides are gradually no longer fixated on transitioning through the midfield."

"I believe a goal will be scored soon!"

The 42nd minute of the match.

Piqué launched a long pass from the backcourt.

Koke quickly rushed towards the landing point.

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

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

The entire stadium erupted.

Boos instantly drowned out the Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi.

"A tough judgment call."

"The team doctor has entered the field."

"Red card!"

"An undisputed red card!"

"Medel has paid the price for his impulsiveness! He doesn't seem capable of fulfilling the duties of a center-back. The Chilean coaching staff should consider moving him back to the midfield."

"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 opponent."

A few minutes later.

The chaos subsided.

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

Some attribute points were moved from skill to defense!

In the following match.

Eleven Spaniards versus ten Chileans.

Livestream room.

-

[Okay, Spain is about to tear 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 intense.

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

Ramos repeatedly cut into the penalty area from the left side.

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

Bravo made save after save, repeatedly resolving dangerous situations.

The 83rd minute.

Ramos unleashed a perfect header!

Bravo fumbled!

Isco scored 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 exhausted by the tenacious Chilean team, panting and lying on the grass.

(End of chapter)