Hey everyone!
There's currently a campaign running for this fanfic here on Webnovel!
If you're enjoying the story, please take a moment to leave a review. Just scroll down to the review section and share your thoughts—it really helps the novel gain more visibility.
For every review received, I'll release 1 extra chapter as a reward.
Let's push this together! 🚀
...
"From the way both teams have played since kickoff, Italy are sticking to what they do best—Defensive Counter."
"Spain have the ball, working it around with tight short passes, trying to prise open Italy's defense."
"Since the start, Leo Lin hasn't pushed high into attack. He's positioned slightly to the right in front of Busquets, helping Spain control the rhythm in midfield."
"David Silva, meanwhile, is tasked with carrying the ball forward and initiating attacks."
As a master of tactical analysis, Jim Beglin quickly identified the key intentions on both sides.
"Without question, Lopetegui's setup shows his concern about Italy's Counterattacks. Insigne's acceleration and dribbling are simply too dangerous."
"Add to that Verratti's distribution, and it's clear Lopetegui wants Leo Lin to limit Verratti's ability to dictate play in midfield."
"With Leo Lin's current physique, strength, and physical presence, he's certainly capable of doing it. But if that's all you use him for, isn't that a bit of a waste?"
The implication was obvious. Leo Lin was an all-around Midfielder, not a purely defensive one.
If the role was simply to break up play, any number of defensive specialists could have done it. There was no real need to deploy Leo Lin for that alone.
17th minute!
Leo Lin continued to expand his range in midfield, constantly increasing his movement. He knew his job was to carry out the manager's tactical plan. As a professional player, that was non-negotiable.
"Spain continue with Ball Control. The live possession stats are heavily in their favor—nearly 70 percent—but they still haven't carved out a truly clear shooting opportunity."
"Italy's defense is like a steel wall. That's what they're famous for. When people talk about Italy, they think of that iron-blooded back line."
"Busquets turns on the ball—lovely feint!"
"He wriggles free and plays it short to David Silva."
"David Silva lays it off to Leo Lin, who immediately angles it back. A sharp diagonal one-two through the center!"
David Silva drove forward at once, his dribbling delicate, his rhythm effortless—fully deserving of the nickname "Spain's magician."
His advance forced Candreva to tuck inside from the flank to help defensively.
That was exactly what David Silva had been waiting for. The moment Candreva vacated the wide area, Silva slipped a diagonal pass into the space behind him.
But Italy's back line showed no panic.
De Rossi covered at just the right moment, and one of the center backs stepped up sharply, catching Asensio offside.
Even Isco had to retreat a few steps. A subtle but intelligent defensive adjustment instantly shut down Spain's promising attack.
"Wonderful—absolutely wonderful!"
"These two sides are a joy to watch. Italy's defensive quality really is exceptional."
"They're so well-drilled, so in sync. Every subtle shift in their defensive positioning turns into a successful stop."
Gradually, after repeatedly completing their defensive duties, Italy began to look for attacking space. Their forward movement became noticeably more fluid.
Immobile in the center grew increasingly active, constantly swapping positions and trying to unsettle Spain's back line.
22nd minute.
"Spain on the attack again! Asensio tries to power down the flank—he's dispossessed!"
"Candreva threads a through ball—Insigne pulls wide to receive!"
"Alba's defending. Insigne spins brilliantly and cuts inside!"
"Alba's beaten!"
"Insigne squares it to Verratti."
After cutting inside, Insigne didn't shoot. Instead, he rolled it toward the top of the penalty arc for the onrushing Verratti.
Verratti had options—he could shoot himself, or slide a pass through for Immobile, who was preparing to beat the offside trap.
But—
Bang!
Leo Lin flew in with a sliding tackle, blocking Verratti's long-range effort!
He sprang back to his feet in one explosive motion, turned his back into Verratti to shield the ball, and calmly played it out to Carvajal.
Spain immediately built down the left. David Silva made a quick forward run to support, and Carvajal's pass found him perfectly.
Silva turned, ready to drive at the defense, but De Rossi instantly grabbed him from behind.
"A tactical foul. It's far from goal, so the referee only gives a verbal warning."
"Beautiful transition from Spain!"
"All sparked by Leo Lin's excellent interception at the edge of the holding midfield area—and the composure of his distribution."
De Rossi exchanged a look with Verratti. Both locked their eyes on Leo Lin.
They understood something clearly—if Italy wanted to counter effectively, they had to solve the Leo Lin problem.
Busquets might be a composed, all-around holding midfielder, but in terms of direct challenges and dealing with quick, agile opponents, he could no longer match Leo Lin's current physical condition. Busquets was aging; his physical attributes were declining.
Across Spain, countless fans were glued to their screens.
Leo Lin's classmates from his language program were watching. Even his teachers and the university principal had tuned in. His presence alone had drawn enormous attention throughout Europe.
De Rossi and Verratti began tightening their pressure on him. De Rossi in particular added frequent subtle pulls and hidden nudges, trying to disrupt Leo Lin's rhythm and wear him down.
But Leo Lin quickly gave them—and the entire Italian side—his answer through performance.
Make me submit?
Not happening.
27th minute.
Candreva drifted inward from the flank. De Rossi charged in to press Leo Lin.
Just as Leo Lin flicked the ball with the outside of his foot toward David Silva, De Rossi didn't hold back—he even tried to barge into him.
Leo Lin shifted his body cleverly, slipping the contact, and immediately surged forward.
It was his first forward run of the match.
David Silva received and laid it back. Leo Lin arrived in stride, carrying it forward.
Facing Candreva, he dipped his shoulder, cut inside with a sudden burst to create space, and slid a sharp through ball ahead.
At the same time, he leaned into Candreva to maintain his balance.
David Silva attempted to drag the ball and turn, but Verratti read it perfectly, stretching out a foot to intercept and instantly launching a Counterattack.
Leo Lin dropped his center of gravity and exploded sideways, driving his shoulder cleanly into Verratti!
The ball spilled loose.
De Rossi came charging in, throwing himself into the challenge with near-desperation.
There was no way he could allow Leo Lin to win the ball back while being double-teamed by both him and Verratti.
That would be humiliating.
It became a pure fifty-fifty challenge.
Leo Lin accelerated just as hard. The two men smashed into each other as they attacked the ball.
De Rossi seemed to bounce off like a spring, sent sprawling to the ground.
Leo Lin, after the collision, steadied himself with composure.
The ball had ricocheted out of play off De Rossi. The referee signaled Spain's throw.
The stadium erupted.
On the touchline, Lopetegui applauded wildly. This—this was exactly the kind of midfielder Spain had been missing.
Leo Lin, however, remained calm. He turned smoothly, expression steady.
Iron-blooded Italy?
You think you can make me bow?
In your dreams.
As long as I stand on this ground, I am the pillar strong enough to hold up the world.
On this pitch, no one can move me.
...Â
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (60 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.