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

"The reason may be that the salaries of local players in the Russian Premier League far exceed those of the mid-to-lower teams in the top five leagues. CSKA Moscow and Zenit will also give core players commercial dividends."

"Going to a mid-to-lower team may not guarantee Champions League football."

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

"The pace of this game is too fast. Russia hasn't been suppressed by Spain!"

Russian coach Cherchesov calmly directed the team.

He's known as "the Philosopher" by the outside world.

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

On the pitch, Spain's attack was once again neutralized.

Miniano tried to change the team's formation to 4-4-2 during the retreat.

Too late.

Four Russian players occupied the space between the lines.

"Golovin!"

"The diamond from Siberia!"

"The 21-year-old Russian super nova, 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 and immediately got up to try to counter-attack.

Pique didn't lose focus and sent a through ball in advance!

The ball rolled quickly towards the front field along the turf.

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

The crowd burst into applause.

The timing of the Blue Army's (Chelsea)妖刀 (yao dao, demon blade, referring to a player with incredible skill) start was perfect.

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

"He chose to do it himself!"

"Alas, the demon blade is rusty!"

Pa!

Russian goalkeeper Akinfeev attacked successfully! He held the ball firmly.

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

He won the UEFA Cup at the age of 18.

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

At the age of 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 champion of that year.

In the 2008 European Cup, he was also the goalkeeper with the highest save success rate in the tournament, attracting countless offers from European giants.

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

Morata didn't blame his teammate: Everyone knows that Pedro is only "selfless" when he plays for Barcelona, and he is a "lone wolf" in Chelsea and the national team.

Miniano angrily raised his hand, signaling the players not to be distracted: The Russian goalkeeper has a long pass!

Sure enough.

Bang!

Akinfeev sent a super long pass!

The ball fell straight into the right side of the Spanish backfield!

"Smolov, the Golden Boot winner of the Russian Premier League for two consecutive seasons!"

"He's pulled to the side!"

"Wow! He completely suppressed the thin and short Alba with his body!"

"Quickly pass the ball to the center!"

"Poloz, a hero of Rostov's victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage this season!"

"Pique and Ramos didn't think of the same thing!"

"Danger!"

"De Gea!"

The ball slammed towards the lower left corner of the goal along the turf.

De Gea dived and made a save, narrowly resolving the danger.

At the Saint Petersburg Stadium, Russian fans were generous with their applause and cheers.

The fighting nation is determined to win the opening game.

Livestream room.

Filled with doubts.

-

[What the hell? The European Cup champion is playing back and forth with Russia?]

-

[Aren't you looking at the lineup?]

-

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

-

[Impossible, even if Spain removes a Li Mingdeng (reference to a Chinese player), 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 that this is Saint Petersburg, the sound of the cruiser Aurora's cannon! European teams are destined to fail!]

-

[The Siege of Leningrad!]

-

[Freedom's sunshine shines through the blizzard on us!]

Time passed minute by minute.

Russia was no longer aggressive. They replaced with a tall center forward, Dzyuba, who was close to two meters tall, and adopted a low defensive posture.

Spain controlled the ball.

The ball rolled around outside the Russian penalty area, but it couldn't form a threat, and they were repeatedly countered!

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

"Terrifying body."

"Two meters tall."

"Super strong air presence and ability to receive the ball with his back to the goal."

"Flexible footwork!"

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

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

Mandzukic, who is at a higher level, has been trained into a "wing pivot" and a "pseudo-attacking midfielder."

The top stage of the top five European leagues belongs to modern center forwards like Lewandowski, Suarez, Benzema, and Kane, who are more comprehensive and tactically compatible.

Beep! Beep beep~

Finally.

The referee blew the whistle to end the game.

Russia 0:0 Spain.

The host seemed to have won a war of defense, and the European Cup champion could not show off in Leningrad.

Saint Petersburg Stadium, passionate 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.

Miniano summarized the team's problems in an anxious tone:

"We failed too badly in changing the pace and speeding up."

"The tendency of passing is too obvious!"

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

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

Miniano nodded and didn't continue.

"Our next opponent is the more tricky Mexico."

Li Kang was not anxious.

He felt that Russia played very well, with simple, rough, and pragmatic tactics, and a burst of fighting belief.

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

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

Infantino and Pele 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."

Pele grabbed Li Kang's left hand and smiled, "I hope to see you healthy at next year's World Cup. Spain has a chance to climb to the top of the world again. I'm very optimistic about Spain."

The Spanish players suddenly looked gloomy.

Since 1990, the teams that Pele, the King of Football, has been optimistic about in each World Cup have invariably been eliminated early. Therefore, Pele is known as the "Raven's Mouth" 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 Pele "thekingoffootball," the concept of "King of Football" existed for the first time in this world.

Infantino and Pele didn't talk to the Spanish players for too long, turned around and walked towards the Russian locker room.

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

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

That night.

Sochi Fisht Olympic Stadium.

Germany defeated African champion Cameroon 5-0.

The Leverkusen Gemini made their debut.

The Dortmund little rocket shone in Russia.

Bayern's stars are both offensive and defensive.

Real Madrid's midfield precisely guided.

The German chariot, which has completed the changing of the guard, ravaged the Black Sea coast.

Low was very graceful. After winning the game, he took the initiative to shake hands and hug the opposing coach and players.

At the same time.

Overwhelming war reports spread rapidly on the Internet.

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

"Tiki-taka is dead? Germany played a pleasing smooth pass and slaughtered the African Lions."

"Is Tiki-taka dead or not?"

"Pele: I'm optimistic about Spain winning the championship."

The number of comments soared.

-

[I'm optimistic about Germany winning the championship. Spain is no longer good. A bunch of super accessories lack a backbone and midfield soul.]

-

[I've heard these lines until my ears are calloused in the 14 World Cup. What if Li Mingdeng comes back?]

-

[Confederations Cup curse, this year's Confederations Cup champion is destined not to win the 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 where Li Mingdeng is can't win the ball. It's getting harder and harder to play.]

The next morning.

Kazan training base.

The players are engaged in a group scrimmage.

Li Kang and Bosque sat by the side of the field, basking in the sun.

Miniano tried a variety of formation configurations. Unfortunately, without Iniesta, David Silva, Cazorla, Li Kang and others, he simply couldn't completely solve the problems of rhythm changes and speeding up.

"Aren't they all from La Masia? Why are the speed-up methods so simple? The tendency of rhythm changes is too obvious!"

"The styles of this group of players are not compatible at all."

"The offensive ideas are too chaotic."

The Spanish assistant coach paced back and forth anxiously.

Bosque slowly peeled an apple, his thoughts flying far away: The results of next year's World Cup may not be as good as the 14 World Cup.

Changing of the guard.

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

"Li, have an apple."

(End of this chapter)