It's another semi-final stage.

Croatia as a whole is a national concern.

After one big battle after another, Croatia is very tired.

Public opinion from the outside world is also beginning to take shape.

The influence of the Croatian media is too small, and even if they are dissatisfied and questionable about the schedule, they still can't form a big scale.

But soon, Italy began to help.

Compared to the Croatian media, the Italian media is clearly more influential.

"Milan Team Newspaper" took the lead in opening a group of FIFA, saying that there are many irrationalities in the schedule arrangement.

Croatia fears the killer of the FIFA schedule.

This was followed by the English media.

This is surprising.

After all, no one expected that the English media would actually speak for Croatia.

But combined with the ingredients of their fun and chasing heat, it is understandable.

After the two major European media began to form public opinion, it began to spread to the whole world.

Soon an invisible storm of public opinion was formed.

FIFA also urgently refuted the rumors, saying that there was no manipulation in the schedule.

It's just that they are still vague about the sudden increase in the knockout draw, and obviously they haven't found a suitable reason.

The media is holding on to this, and FIFA is racking its brains to think of a countermeasure.

At the moment, Croatia is still playing the World Cup, so there won't be much of a problem.

But once Croatia loses, this public opinion will form a big storm.

After all, after experiencing this World Cup, especially the match between Croatia and Germany, Croatia's terrifying ability to attract fans has been shown.

Suker, Luka Modric and others have also begun to attract fans around the world.

With individual fans and team fans, plus the fanning of the media, this force cannot be ignored.

The German and Spanish media also wanted to join in the fun.

It's just that they are the one who benefits, so it is not easy to come forward directly, so they can only reprint the content of other media for the entertainment of fans.

Durban Stadium, 8 July.

"Spain! Spain! Spain! ”

"We are the Matador Legion!! ——”

Fans in Spain flocked to the stadium from the streets on the left.

On the right, there are a large number of Croatian fans.

"Victory belongs to Croatia!"

"Victory belongs to Croatia!"

"Victory belongs to Croatia!"

Violent cheers, neat slogans.

Croatian fans welcomed their second ever World Cup semi-final in the most passionate way.

The buses of the players from both sides also arrived at the stadium under the lens of a group of media and the eyes of fans.

The arrival of the two buses at almost the same time was a feast for the eyes of the fans standing on the periphery of the stadium.

Fans on both sides were shouting the names of the players.

This makes the already scorching weather even hotter.

All the Croatian fans in South Africa have come to Durban, which also makes the atmosphere even more lively.

Just a short walk from the bus into the stadium, the Croatian players felt the fierce cheering of the fans.

"A semi-final is a semi-final!" Dujmović picked at his ears and sighed: "I'm going to burst my eardrums!" ”

The others nodded in agreement.

The atmosphere in the semi-finals is completely different from the previous games.

The enthusiasm of the Croatian fans has also grown exponentially.

After all, they equalized their all-time record and reached the semi-finals of the World Cup.

This is especially true for young players like Perisic and Lovren.

Lovren, in particular, has not been a regular in this World Cup, and although he has played a few games, he is almost a water cooler manager.

His current quality does not allow him to be a regular starter.

But with this experience, Lovren and the other young Croatian players have a strong desire to grow.

They weren't willing to sit on the bench and played.

They want to be part of this team.

One of the starting eleven!

They wanted to stand in the stadium with these Croatian heroes and receive the cheers of the fans.

It can be said that for these young players, this World Cup has not only felt the atmosphere of the World Cup and accumulated valuable experience, but also helped them forge a heart that is eager to grow.

In the Croatian dressing room, Van Sted Jak directly announced the starting lineup.

Perisic was given the chance to start, which was the envy of youngsters such as Lovren.

They are all the same age, but Perisic has started a number of times at the World Cup and has scored.

Watch as the starters start to change their jerseys and walk out of the locker room in shorts to warm up.

And the substitutes immediately followed.

In the stadium, the cheers were still deafening.

On both sides of the pitch, Croatian and Spanish players were warming up.

Suker and other starters warmed up in shorts, and there were special coaches to take them to warm up fully.

As for the substitutes, they all warmed up on their own.

But even so, they didn't dare to be careless.

After all, anything can happen in a game, so they need to be ready to be available at all times.

During the warm-up, the players on both sides also frequently looked at the opposite half, and there was no lack of fear in their eyes.

In the commentary table in Croatia, the host looked at the TV and said:

'It's a crucial game for Croatia and unfortunately Kovac can't play because of the red card and Srna is also injured, so the absence of these two players could have an impact on us, what do you think about that?'

As a guest commentator, Besic's expression was a little dazed.

His eyes were straight ahead, but in his head was Davao. Suke and Boban called him.

I hope I can be the head coach of the Croatian national team.

Besic had previously been the head coach of Dinamo Zagreb and had a keen eye for selection.

Suker, Luka Modric, Mandzukic and many more.

These Croatian players were almost single-handedly brought up by him.

It can be said that, aside from Bilic, he is indeed the most suitable candidate to be the coach of the Croatian national team.

After all, he can do it seamlessly.

But he doesn't see himself as a qualified candidate.

Becic knows himself well and is not the type of manager who can carve out territory for Croatia.

It's okay for him to stabilize his results, but he doesn't think he can do it if he leads these young people to win the championship.

Therefore, he politely declined the request.

But with Davao. Su Ke's character shouldn't give up so easily.

Becic felt a bit of a headache.

"Sir? Mr? ”

Seeing Besic stunned, the host shouted several times in a row, which brought Besic's attention back.

"Yes, yes!" Besic coughed dryly, and then said; 'The absence of Kovac and Srna has put a certain amount of danger at the back, plus the fact that Vukojevic has not recovered from injury in the last game, has been a bit hesitant to handle the ball and has made a bit more mistakes than before, which is a potential factor!'

After a pause, Besic continued; 'Of course, we didn't have chances, I think we have a better forward line than Spain, Sooker is still very efficient and in hot form, and once the midfielder can help Suker open the way in attack, he can help us score.

"So I think it's the midfield that counts!"

Besic's words made the host nod in approval, and at the same time once again conducted a deep analysis.

At the same time, in the stadium, the players of both sides also completed the warm-up and returned to the locker room.

'It's the last game before we get to the final, so to get a ticket to the final and go back to Johannesburg, everything depends on this game.'

"I want to tell you, don't put yourself too much burden, play a game that you won't regret!"

Vansteak exclaimed; "Come on! Guys, show your fighting spirit! ”

The Croatian players yelled and walked out of the dressing room.

When they came to the players' tunnel, the Spanish players were already standing here.

Suker glanced at it briefly, and he didn't see Busquets.

Really!

Bosque is afraid of his own pertinence towards Sergio Busquets in club games.

After all, in last season's two Spanish national derby, Busquets' performances were almost negative.

Therefore, this game directly put Busquets on the bench.

The starting line-ups for both sides are as follows:

Spain (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Casillas.

Defenders: Capdevilla, Pique, Puyol, Ramos.

Midfielders: Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi. Alonso, Pedro.

Forward: Villa.

Croatia (4-4-2):

Goalkeeper: Pleticosa.

Defenders: Jorluka, Simunic, Pranic, Konezevic.

Midfielders: Rakitic, Vukojevic, Modric, Kranica.

Forwards: Mandzukic, Suker.

The national anthem is being played throughout.

Dujmovic looked at Spain's midfield line-up, the corners of his mouth shaking wildly.

"Fuck! Four top midfielders, the Spanish lineup is hell! ”

The combination of Xavi + Iniesta is undoubtedly the strongest midfield combination in the entire football world at the moment.

Cesc Fabregas is also in his prime.

Harvey. Alonso's performances at Real Madrid have also been impressive, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey last season.

It can be said that this set is the combination of champion midfielders.

Most crucially, Spain also put Sergio Busquets on the bench.

Obviously, they are also worried about the side effects of Sergio Busquets' interference with Suker during the league period.

Spain is trying to avoid risks as much as possible while expanding its advantages.

Suker stood on the pitch and watched Sergio Busquets on the Spanish bench.

'These guys just don't want to give them a chance!' ’

Suke also had a bit of a headache.

Aren't you all inflated?

The outside world is bragging about the Matador Army, can't you float for a while?

It's just that Bosque's personality is too steady and low-key, and he can't float anymore.

Players from both sides shake hands.

During this period, Suker also hugged Ramos, Casillas, Alonso and other club teammates one by one.

After all, it's a national team event, and they can't show how familiar they are.

Even if the relationship with the club is good, according to Ramos's character, this guy will never be ambiguous when he should put the tackle.

The captains of both sides guessed the side.

Croatia won the kick-off.

Players from both sides come to their respective halves.

Croatia wore a red and white home checkered shirt.

Spain wore a black away shirt.

Suker and Mandzukic stood in the center circle waiting for kick-off.

"Opening rush?"

Mandzukic twisted his waist and said.

Suke nodded vigorously; "Give these Spanish guys eye medicine!"

Immediately, Suke turned his head and said; "Rush!"

The other Croatian players nodded their heads.

Now that they've decided to attack, they can't play so conservatively.

The shortcomings of the backline have been made up for as much as possible, and it is unknown how effective it will be, after all, Pranic has hardly played at central defender, and this time he is a strong man who has been temporarily pulled over.

On the halfway line, Vukojevic and Luka Modric were behind.

Su Ke is still very confident in the physical fitness of these two.

Even if the state is unstable, you can run.

Spain's biggest fear is to be entangled, and Croatia will be pestering Spain like a dog's skin plaster.

Don't let them hold the ball comfortably, and don't let them play the ball comfortably.

Beep!

With the whistle blowing, the full game begins.

"It's game on! It's game on! Here is the 2010 World Cup semi-finals in South Africa, Spain vs Croatia! ”

"After rounds of knockout rounds, the two teams gathered on the stage of the semi-finals to compete for the only remaining ticket to the final."

"Will Croatia win, or will Spain get their revenge?"

Amid the boiling cheers of the audience, Suker and Mandzukic rushed forward.

Suker stuck directly into the position of the opposition backline.

On the other hand, after Mandzukic ran forward, he began to retreat again.

Normally it was Suker who retraced, but this time it was Mandzukic.

Seeing this scene, Harvey. Alonso frowned slightly.

Instead of raising his position, he made a downward gesture towards Puyol, telling him to stay at the back to restrain Suker and Alonso to get close to Mandzukic.

Bang!

Modric kicked straight forward.

Croatia opened the scoring and passed the ball straight to the front.

Suker stepped sideways, ready to put Puyol behind him, but at this moment, Puyol actually stretched out his legs, squeezed Suke behind him, and at the same time hit the lion's head mallet and directly pushed the ball out.

Roar!!!!!!!! ——

Puyol yelled, venting his frustration.

Damn it!

Do you still have this trick?

When Lao Tzu doesn't eat lessons?

Against Real Madrid, Suker used this trick on several occasions after the opening kick.

But this time, Puyol learned enough lessons, and after the opening, his attention was very focused and he grabbed the first landing point of the ball.

Croatia conceded a goal.

However, this also officially kicked off the wave of this offensive feast.

"Go up!"

"Rob !!"

"Surround it! Fence it out! ”

"him!"

One by one, the Croatian players screamed and rushed forward.

Despite the hard fighting, his physical fitness has also decreased.

But they're 'kidney fighters'!

Have you ever seen a Croatian player who can't run?

"The lads started to press fiercely, which also forced Spain to have a continuous touch of the ball.

The Spanish players used a succession of touches to pass the ball through gaps.

The Croatian players, on the other hand, did not slow down.

Now it's about toughness!

Is it because of the pressure that you make the mistake first, or do we not run first?

Mandzukic kept running, and even when the opponent transferred the ball away, he still chased it to the death.

"Rush! Rush! Keep rushing! ”

"Pressurize! Pressure! ”

"Let them make mistakes! Let them miss! ”

"Keep pressing!"

The Croatian players are running like crazy.

It's not just Mandzukic, but Suker, Kranica, Rakitic, Modric and others are constantly running and pressing.

"Control the position! Keep your distance away and make the most of the width of the field! ”

Xavi kept yelling as he reminded his players to keep their passes accurate.

But at the same time, sweat began to ooze from Harvey's forehead.

These Croatian guys are biting their mouths!

"Danger! Take it out! Take it out! ”

Harvey yelled.

Bang!

Cesc Fabregas's pass to Iniesta was a little bit stronger.

As a result, Andres Iniesta's ball was picked up in the air when he stopped the ball.

Seeing this scene, Su Ke's eyes lit up.

"him!"

Shouting, the Croatian players rushed over.

Seeing such an imposing Croatian player, Rao is Iniesta also felt a little flustered.

He barely flicked the ball that landed on the ground with the outside of his instep and intended to pass it to Xavi.

But the strength of the ball is smaller.

Xavi scrambled to catch the ball, but at that moment, Suker slammed in and stabbed the ball to Rakitic on the side before Xavi.

Rakitic passed straight back to safety, and Croatia used fierce pressing to get the ball back again after conceding the goal.

Whew! Whew! Whew!

Mandzukic gasped several times before he cleared his breath.

The Spanish guys are too stable on their feet.

If it were another person or team, it would have been washed away by Croatia a long time ago.

But they have persevered until now.

It's so hanging, they can't rush first.

Fortunately, Spain still made a mistake and Croatia snatched the ball back.

"Beautiful! Very intense pressing, after the opening kick-off, our lads used the intense pressing to force Spain to make mistakes, which is a very rare thing, even though Spain have a lot of good midfielders, but they still concede goals! ”

Vansteak clenched his fists the sidelines.

That's right!

That's it!

For Croatia, with such a fierce pressing rhythm, they could not keep the full time of the game.

So the attack has to be compressed in the first half, and they have to score in the first half.

This can be regarded as Vansturyak's tactic.

On the other side, in the Spanish coach's box, Bosque touched his chin and suddenly raised an eyebrow.

"That's what I was going to do!"

Bosque suddenly realized.

Thinking of this, he walked to the sidelines and said loudly; "Harvey! Control the pace and try to procrastinate as much as possible. ”

Since Croatia put the win on the first half, Spain stalled for time, and their passing was the best weapon to delay time anyway.

Without attacking the offense, Spain wants to stall for time, it's all too easy!

(End of chapter)