Croatia reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the second time in its history, which has a strong emotional impact on the entire Croatian domestic football team.

It can be said that since the victory over Germany, Croatia has not stopped at home.

As a key player in the game, Suker put on wonderful performances at critical moments several times, and even helped Croatia reach the semi-finals firmly on the last penalty.

After equalizing the World Cup results of Croatia's golden generation, Suker's place in history will also become Croatia's premier existence.

In active action, Suker is already the most famous and popular player in Croatia.

It can even be said that even if Suker retires on the spot, he is still the top 1 player in Croatia's history.

However, Suke's ambitions don't stop there.

The quarter-finals of the World Cup are over, and there is a three-day break before the start of the World Cup semi-finals.

During this time, they can prepare for battle.

Croatia's opponent in the World Cup semi-finals is Spain.

Compared with Croatia, which has lost key defensive players such as Srna and Kovac one after another, Spain's loss ratio is much smaller.

So far, Torres' condition has not been able to adjust due to the impact of the surgery.

But it also boosted Villa's ability to take the T9 spot.

However, the rest of the positions, such as the midfield and the backline, are almost all in the lineup, which makes Croatia feel a lot of pressure.

Vansteak stood in the middle of the training ground, staring at it with a frown.

Since the last conversation, Bilic has taken the initiative to hand over the rights, and it can be said that the current Croatian national team, Vansteyak has a very strong voice.

This also made his tactics extremely quick.

It's just that Vansted Ark is also very anxious.

Although it didn't show itself, this Spain team was much stronger than it was during Euro 2008.

I thought that Raul's return would affect this Matador army to a certain extent.

But who would have thought that Bosque would be able to make Raul willingly sit on the bench and leave the spot to the youngsters.

As a result, Spain's overall performance so far has been exceptionally strong.

Even with the progress of the World Cup, their performance is getting better and better.

Defensive or offensive?

Vansted had two options in front of him.

According to previous experience, defensive counterattack + high pressing is the best way.

But now Croatia have lost Srna at the back and Kovac has been suspended for a red card.

Simunic is a bulky high school defender, as is the other substitute, even with Lovren, but the guy is too young and inexperienced.

He can't replace Kovacs.

Even if Croatia plays a defensive counterattack in front of them, there is a large risk of being infiltrated by Spain's direct tactics.

Rather than this, why not attack?

Vansteak shook his head.

He rubbed his eyebrows, and the old mistakes began to be made again.

In fact, he didn't know whether he was motivated by his own offensive desire to find a reason to attack, or whether his own defense was the same.

The existence of the coaching staff is to a certain extent to brainstorm and determine the most appropriate tactical system in the discussion.

But in Croatia's coaching team, Van Sturjak has only one idea.

As a result, he couldn't find anyone to consult.

It's time to eat at noon.

In the hotel cafeteria, Vansted Ark suddenly sat across from Suke.

"Boss?"

Suke was a little surprised.

Vansteak waved his hand, and he turned his head to look at Srner.

Srna nodded, then clapped his hands and said, "Let's go!" Let's go! Let's go eat over there! ”

After clearing the people away, Vansteak spoke up:

"I want to ask your opinion!"

"What's the opinion?" Suke asked.

Van Sturjak: "The next game against Spain is not too favourable for us at the moment."

Despite the tactfulness of what Vansteak said, Suke understood what it meant.

Suke put down his knife and fork and asked; "What do you want to know?"

"What you think!"

Vansteak asked, "Defend or attack?" ”

"I haven't been able to make a decision, the defense is certainly more secure, and it looks steady, but once the defense can't withstand the penetration of Spain's attack, then we will fall into a huge passive situation, and we may even be kicked out by Spain."

'It would be a very risky decision to attack, but the advantage of this tactic compared to defending is that we can have a certain advantage and be able to compete with the Spanish midfield, even if we concede a goal, we have the ability to counter-attack."

Speaking of which, Vansteak looked at Suke: "So, I want to know what you guys think?" Or rather, I like your intuition! ”

During Euro 2008, Suker and Vansted had an idea together.

In the end, they overcame Bilic and completed a legendary victory.

And this time, he also wanted to get some affirmative answers from Suke's side.

Suke looked at Vansteyak.

He was well aware that there was a lot of pressure on Vansterjak, especially with Bilic almost in charge, and he was in charge of Croatian tactical development alone.

Someone else is a team!

He's a man!

The pressure can be imagined!

And from the conversation just now, Suke understood that, in fact, Vansteak had already made a decision.

It's just that he needs some affirmative response.

Plainly!

He didn't come to Suk to really discuss, even if Suk said anything, he would make that choice.

It's just that he wants others to recognize his tactics and give him some confidence on a psychological level!

Thinking of this, Su Ke said directly:

"I think it's time to attack!"

Fanstyak's eyes lit up.

Sure enough, Suke was just as he thought.

"What do you think?"

Vansteak asked hurriedly.

Suker: "Like you said before, if we choose to defend, once the defense collapses, we have almost no chance of winning. And Srna and Kovac won't be able to play in the semi-finals, to be honest, I don't have a lot of confidence in our backline! ”

Vansteak nodded.

That's what he's concerned about.

"Secondly, the reason for choosing to attack, in addition to what you said before, is that I don't want to play so passively.

"Even if we can lose, we need to have some initiative to turn the tables or turn around, and not be played by Spain all the time!"

"Remember the Australian game? Obviously they have been eliminated, but they still took out a defensive formation in the last game, it doesn't matter if they defend or not, they have been eliminated anyway, why don't they play a hearty attack at this time? ”

'It was a dull game, the Australian players weren't playing well and it was even more difficult against the other side.

"I don't think it's necessary to do this, since it's a crucial game, I should play with confidence and determination, rather than hesitation!"

Suke stretched out his fist slightly.

"When it's time to exert force, we can't have the slightest hesitation!"

Vansteak nodded: "I see, let's have lunch first!" ”

After eating, it's time for a lunch break.

Suker gathered with Modric and the others, and instead of running to the room, they sat around in a corner of the cafeteria.

"The next race is the toughest!"

Mandzukic grinned.

So far, Spain's performance has been too consistent.

Except for a slight absence in the group stage, the next is almost a flat push all the way.

Compared to two years ago, the entire lineup and tactics are more stable.

"Simunich, can you do a good job of robbing?"

Rakitic asked, somewhat hopefully.

Simunic rolled his eyes directly.

Let him, a bulky defender, go up and grab it, and once he goes up, he can't come back.

Once there was a gap behind him, with a turning speed comparable to that of an aircraft carrier turning around, he was directly slammed by Spain.

Croatia's centre-back pairs are both Simunic and Kovac.

Simunic has the advantage of heading, physical strength and excellent anticipation of landing.

Kovac, on the other hand, was agile at his feet and could make a tackle at crucial moments, while Simunic was behind.

With the cooperation of the two of them, Croatia's backline is also very stable.

But now Kovac is suspended with a red card, and Lovren has not been able to grow again.

"It feels like Pranic is going to play as a central defender!" Vukojevich said.

Luka Modric: "It would be nice if Simic was there, he could also be a centre-back and help us a lot to a certain extent. ”

The crowd sighed too.

There is no way.

Simic was not selected in the squad for this World Cup!

"Leave these questions to the coaching staff, we just need to keep it in good shape!"

Su Ke clapped his hands and immediately signaled that it was time for everyone to go to the afternoon training.

At the same time, Spain is also preparing for the war.

Bosque looked at the training ground and suddenly called Busquets over.

"Sir!"

Busquets crossed his back and looked at Bosque.

Bosque nodded slightly, and said in a loud voice; "I've watched your games against Real Madrid, every time you play against Real Madrid, not against Suker, you are very restrained, is there any reason?"

Busquets began to stumble.

What was he going to say?

Say that Suke was born to restrain himself?

Or is it that he can't restrain Su Ke at all?

He still wants to play.

Seeing Busquets' expression, Bosque said: "I didn't mean to let you limit Suke alone!" ”

Hearing this, Busquets breathed a sigh of relief.

In the Spanish national team and at the club, he is the only one who plays as a midfielder.

However, when it comes to facing Suke, he alone is definitely not enough.

"There will be some lineup changes in the next game, so hopefully you don't have too much pressure!"

Bosque said casually.

Busquets' eyes darkened slightly.

Clearly, Bosque is also concerned about his previous performance against Real Madrid.

In fact, Busquets couldn't figure out why his performances would turn bad when he touched Suker.

As a single midfielder, Busquets' job is to control the ball at the back, control the tempo and move between the flanks, while assisting Xavi in controlling the team's transition between attack and defence.

But the problem is that when he touches Suker, Busquets can't even get out of possession, let alone possession.

"Croatia has lost a lot of their squad and I think we can win the game more easily!"

Said the assistant coach.

He believed that after the war with Germany, Croatia's attrition was too severe.

As a result, Spain can win more easily.

In this regard, Bosque said lightly: "A lot of people have the same idea as you, but they all failed against Croatia. ”

"You can't think of Croatia as a normal team, we also saw their resilience against Germany, so to speak, once Croatia dragged the game out, then the longer the game dragged on, the more disadvantageous we became!"

"We need to end the fight in regular time, not drag the game into extra time or a penalty shootout!"

Bosque was very jealous of Croatia.

Having watched that World Cup semi-final, Croatia's resilience astounded all teams.

This is especially true of Suke's play at key moments.

They put themselves in their shoes and thought that if they were to replace the German team and be equalized twice by Croatia, they would not be able to stand it, and eventually led to low morale.

Therefore, the game against Croatia is bound to be a quick one.

You can't drag the game into stoppage time!

Three days flew by.

Entering the semi-finals of the World Cup, the overall atmosphere has become more hot.

Nearly a month of big battles, combined with the fatigue accumulated last season, are constantly testing the teams in the last four of the World Cup.

But they can only grit their teeth at this time.

This is the World Cup, under the brutal physical attrition, but also with strong pressure and psychological burden.

On July 7, the semi-finals of the first half of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa began.

Netherlands VS England!

The teams that reached the World Cup final were all European teams.

They are the Netherlands, England, Croatia and Spain.

In the Netherlands match against England, the situation was very stable at the beginning of the game.

Both sides are cautiously probing.

After all, when it comes to the semifinals of the World Cup, no one dares to be careless.

But soon, the Netherlands were the first to attack.

Through Sneijder's sudden change of tempo, he split the ball wide and Robben dribbled inside for a trademark in-cut that blasted England open in the 13th minute.

Faced with the sudden loss of the goal, England became extremely manic.

On 15 minutes, Steven Gerrard tackled Robin van Persie to the ground and received a yellow card.

The Dutch players, who felt that they had suffered a loss, immediately retaliated five minutes later, causing a fierce clash.

In the end, Sneijder and Terry both got their cards.

But at this time, England was more passive.

Because John Terry, the centre-back, has a card.

Sure enough, the Netherlands next attacked Terry's side, forcing him to make constant moves, and even verbal provocations.

The anger between the two sides is getting bigger and bigger, and the confrontation is becoming more and more intense.

"The dog's brain is going to be punched out!"

Dujmovich grinned and shook his head.

The Croatian players watched the TV, and compared to the Netherlands, who were in form and had a complete squad, England was still a lot worse.

A big part of their reach to the semi-finals was due to luck and the draw.

And this game, it was quickly revealed.

The problem between Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard led to another rigidity in England's midfield, and Sneijder used this gap to continue to feed the Dutch team with attacking shells.

In the 41st minute, he played a one-two with Robben in the penalty area and assisted Van Persie to score.

In the second half, in the 71st minute, Sneijder scored again with a supplementary goal to usher in the fourth goal of the World Cup.

"Tsk!"

Mandzukic grinned and shook his head: "This guy's state can't be stopped!" ”

Since the start of the knockout round, Sneijder has scored every game, and it can be said that the Dutch team can reach the semi-finals of the World Cup, and Sneijder is indispensable.

And now, this guy will lead the Netherlands to the World Cup final.

Su Ke also nodded.

Sneijder was outstanding last season.

At Inter, under Jose Mourinho, he played brilliantly.

It is a great achievement to win the triple crown.

Sneijder, who was also based on this factor, became the biggest favorite for the Golden Globe winner.

It's just that the situation at that time was complicated.

Then there is the lack of Inter Milan's ability in public relations and momentum, and Sneijder's previous coffee position is not enough.

In addition, it happened to usher in the period of the merger of the Ballon d'Or and the World Footballer of the Year, and the media voted for Sneijder, but the captain of the national team and the head coach voted for Messi more and finally missed the Ballon d'Or.

But it has to be said that that year was indeed Sneijder's most glorious year.

Champions League winners, Serie A winners, Coppa Italia winners, World Cup runners-up, World Cup Golden Boot.

Combined, these accolades have resulted in Sneijder's best season yet.

On 87 minutes, Frank Lampard scored a face-saving penalty, but England lost hope of a comeback.

Eventually, the 90-minute game was over.

The Netherlands beat England 3-1 to become the first team to reach the World Cup final.

At this moment, the Orange Jersey became the focus of the world.

This is the third time the Netherlands have reached the World Cup final, but they have failed to win even one World Cup.

But because of this, they are also known as the 'Uncrowned King'!

And this time, whether the Netherlands can realize its dream is something that the whole world and Dutch fans are looking forward to!

At the same time, the semi-finals of the upper half of the region came to an end.

The next day, the semi-finals of the lower half will also begin.

A more intense and watched game than the first half!

Spain vs Croatia!

The two teams have played each other in the European Championships, when Croatia beat Spain in the semi-finals.

And this time, will Spain be able to complete its revenge?

Or will they follow Germany's path and be beaten by Croatia and see them reach the final again?

Plaid Legion from Eastern Europe, a brave, tenacious and tough team.

The Matador Army from Western Europe, a team with a flowing style, agility and a smooth style of play that is pleasing to the eye.

Who of these two teams will get a ticket to the World Cup final?

(End of chapter)