Chapter 236 Saint Petersburg

Li Kang and his teammates arrived in Saint Petersburg ahead of schedule.

The coaching staff rented a conference room in the hotel, and everyone watched France's advancement match together.

Not thinking too much.

If they couldn't get past Croatia, all the research on the French team would be in vain.

Even less in the mood to empathize with the post-match joys and sorrows of France and Brazil.

Because tomorrow, he could become one of those sides himself.

Minyano said, "Everyone, go back and rest early!"

With the big battle imminent, the coaching staff hadn't scheduled any high-intensity training for the past two days.

Everyone stood up and went to their respective rooms.

Isco looked at Morata and suddenly asked, "Do you think playing Belgium was harder, or is Croatia more difficult to deal with?"

Morata didn't hesitate: "We've already beaten Belgium. In terms of individual matchups, it's definitely Belgium, but winning against Croatia will be much harder."

De Gea, a manga fan, thought for a moment and said, "It's strange, I think Croatia is a bit like the main character in a shonen anime..."

Li Kang sat in his chair.

The 'Tactical Palace' from his God's-eye view emitted a faint white light.

Classic World Cup moments flashed through his mind.

Cruyff and Beckenbauer's duel of the century.

Maradona's journey to coronation.

Baggio's solitary legend.

Zidane's strategic brilliance.

Finally, all the legendary phantoms gradually dissipated.

They couldn't give Li Kang any substantial improvement, not even in terms of ideas.

On the other side.

The Croatian team's hotel.

Modrić organized all the draft papers and stuffed them into his suitcase.

With the big battle imminent, coach Dalić surprisingly allowed the players to use their phones.

Rakitić called his father.

Lovren called his football mentor from his time in Germany.

The coaching staff didn't say any encouraging words.

Most of them had experienced the deep-seated pain brought about by war.

Football was a small country's calling card to the world after rebirth.

July 12th.

The Saint Petersburg Stadium on the shore of the Gulf of Finland was resplendent with dazzling lights.

It was the final work of the island country architect Kisho Kurokawa.

The embodiment of the ultimate meaning of the "metabolism" school, but it was too expensive, costing 1.4 billion euros, four times the amount of the Emirates Stadium.

Sixty-eight thousand fans from all over the world filled the stands.

Their fanatical eyes were full of anticipation.

Hoping to witness a wonderful showdown tonight.

"Ctv5! Ctv5! Good evening, audience."

"We are now broadcasting the 2018 Russia World Cup semi-final!"

"Spain versus Croatia!"

"Li Kang and Modrić, two generations of talented midfielders, are about to stage a head-to-head battle on the World Cup stage!"

"Will the Invincible Armada triumph? Or will the Checkered Legion create a miracle? Let's wait and see!"

Pre-match press conference.

Del Bosque was still smiling kindly, making it impossible for reporters to judge his pre-battle mood.

"Croatia is a great team."

"A month ago, few people believed they could reach the World Cup semi-finals!"

"I see a resilient and tenacious spirit in many of their players."

"We will do our best and respect our opponents."

The old coach was suffering inwardly.

Only hating that the Three Lions were disappointing.

Even if Spain won against Croatia, they would be shedding a layer of skin. What would they use to play against France in the final?

Shaking his head.

Del Bosque dispelled his messy emotions. The match in front of him was more important, and winning against Croatia was not an easy task.

As long as Li Kang wasn't injured, he was still very confident.

On the other side.

Dalić looked "more" calm.

He took advice readily and patiently answered reporters' questions.

Without using any cliché motivational phrases.

Seeming not to be proud of his team's achievements.

If it were Enrique, that guy would definitely turn the pre-match press conference into a "success" lecture.

"Tonight's match will be difficult, but we are well prepared."

Players' tunnel.

The two sides warmly shook hands and hugged briefly.

Many of them played for the same club: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid.

Koke and Vrsaljko encouraged each other.

Ramos, Carvajal, and Modrić chatted intimately.

Rakitić exchanged greetings with the Barcelona group.

Enthusiasm couldn't hide the tension and excitement in their hearts.

After a moment, the two sides stopped talking.

The spacious tunnel formed two queues.

One side hoped to return to the top of the world, and the other hoped to break the 20-year-old record of reaching the World Cup semi-finals.

The referee team led the players out of the tunnel.

Under the blowing of the night wind, the Russian World Cup flag on the green field, like a graceful dancer twisting her waist, echoed the earth-shattering cheers.

"Now, let me introduce the starting lineups for both sides."

"Spain's lineup is a 4-1-4-1."

"Goalkeeper: De Gea."

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

"Single defensive midfielder: Busquets."

"Central midfielders: Cazorla, Li Kang, Iniesta, David Silva."

"Forward: Morata."

Livestream.

-
[Old players returning.]
-
[If this group of technical midfielders were together in a game, they would be amazing... It's a pity that the age difference is too great in reality.]
-
[The strongest midfield configuration within 60 minutes?]
-
[It depends on the intensity of the match. Facing the desperate Croatia... this Spanish midfield combination can only last for 45 minutes at most.]
-
[Del Bosque wants to solve the defensive flaws, and first stabilize the first half!]
-
[Carvajal hasn't suffered against "Robbery," but he will be countered by Mandžukić. It can be said that he is his nemesis.]
-
[Don't panic, you have to believe in the odds. I am optimistic that this game will be a one-sided thrashing!]
-
"Croatia's lineup is a 4-2-3-1."

"Goalkeeper: Subašić."

"Defenders: Strinić, Vida, Lovren, Vrsaljko."

"Double defensive midfielders: Brozović, Rakitić."

"Central midfielders: Perišić, Modrić, Rebić."

"Forward: Mandžukić."

Livestream.

-
[So many 'ić's!]
-
[How can you say this lineup is not weak? Why is Croatia called a dark horse?]
-
[Don't be an armchair strategist. You have to see who they are comparing with. Being able to reach the semi-finals is a miracle for Croatia.]
-
[Croatia has played two consecutive extra-time matches. This group of veterans still looks energetic, it's really scary.]
-
[A group of war refugees, they grew up in the flames of war, their childhoods were shrouded in gunfire and the separation of life and death, naturally forging a fighting spirit of living to die and being indomitable.]
-
[Li Kang vs. Modrić, a destroyer midfielder vs. a builder midfielder.]
-
The coin toss is over.

Li Kang stood in position.

A system prompt sounded quietly.

[Ding! Mission triggered: Beat of Miracles.]

[Mission Description: When the sun kisses his fertile soil, when the wind blows through his oak trees, when heaven calls away his loved ones...]

[Mission Reward: World Cup Mystery Treasure Chest.]

(End of this chapter)