August 2, 9:00 p.m.
"Croatia's lineup has undergone a major overhaul."
"Goalkeeper: Livaković."
"Defenders: Gvardiol, Ćaleta, Vida, and Juranović."
"Midfielders: Kovačić, Brozović, and Modrić."
"Forwards: Rebić and Petković."
"Everyone must have heard that Gvardiol is close to joining Liverpool, but just how close is the deal? We don't know."
"Plenty of other clubs are competing for Gvardiol as well, including Manchester City, Inter Milan, Leicester City, and Chelsea. Reports claim that after Liverpool submitted their contract offer, more than twenty clubs from Europe's top five leagues made final approaches for him."
"If I were Leipzig, I'd take this opportunity to demand a higher transfer fee from Liverpool."
"If I were Gvardiol, I'd also use it to ask Liverpool for a higher weekly wage."
Stam did not care for Gullit's remark and immediately added,
"If I were Gvardiol, I'd take this opportunity to make it clear that Gullit and I are nothing alike."
Gullit did not take offense. Stam was only joking, and what Gullit had suggested was something any player might do. After all, players had to look after their own interests.
"Spain's eagerly anticipated forward line has been changed once again."
"Spain have played four matches at this European Championship, and they've started with a different front line in every one."
"Sarabia starts on the left wing tonight, Ferran Torres on the right, and Morata at center-forward. Morata scored a hat-trick against Slovakia in the previous match."
"He may be Spain's most heavily criticized player right now, but he is also their leading scorer. He has four goals, level with Lin at the top of the team's scoring chart!"
"There are no changes in midfield. Gayà starts at left-back, Azpilicueta at right-back, while Laporte and Eric García form the center-back partnership."
"Like Ferran Torres, Eric García is a young player at Manchester City. Barcelona are very interested in him, and he is also highly rated by many coaches!"
"Let's see how Eric García performs on his European Championship debut!"
Gullit hoped Spain and the Netherlands would meet in the European Championship final.
Once the round-of-16 match began, Croatia did exactly what everyone expected, relying on Modrić and Kovačić to launch counterattacks.
However, Croatia were using Modrić differently from the way they had in the group stage. Tonight, he was playing as though this might be the final match of his career.
To help Croatia defeat Spain, Modrić was prepared to expend every last ounce of strength he had.
The 6th minute!
"Even though he is Spain's main defensive target, Modrić is still actively demanding the ball."
"He turns in possession and gives it to Kovačić. There's that trademark low, driving dribble!"
The instant Kovačić received the ball, he drove forward. He used his explosive acceleration to beat Pedri, then charged toward Rodri before abruptly changing direction.
His close control was not exceptional, but Kovačić combined his speed and dribbling so effectively that he managed to get past Rodri as well.
Rodri immediately leaned across and tripped Kovačić, earning the first yellow card of the match.
"Rodri has been booked. Kovačić's ability to carry the ball forward will be crucial in helping Modrić influence the game."
"Once Kovačić advances the ball, Modrić will be able to find space in Spain's defensive third."
"With Brozović supporting them as well, Croatia have a remarkably balanced midfield!"
Modrić was naturally going to take the attacking free kick. He even used the outside of his boot to pick out a teammate.
Rebić rose above Croatia's other attackers and reached the ball first, but just as he prepared to head it, Eric García appeared.
Eric García could not jump as high as Rebić, but he still managed to get his forehead to the ball and prevent the header.
"This is probably why so many coaches rate Eric García so highly."
"He isn't especially strong, particularly for a center-back, but his defensive instincts are excellent. We often talk about a striker's instinct for goal, but defensive instinct is just as important for a defender."
"Those instincts allow Eric García to anticipate attacks and stop opposing forwards at exactly the right moment!"
After Eric García denied Rebić, Spain attacked in a completely different manner from their previous match against Poland. It was also nothing like the way they had played against Sweden.
Spain did not use Liverpool's herding press again. Instead, the movement of Rodri and the wingers allowed Leo Lin and Morata to take up positions almost alongside one another.
That was right. When Spain attacked, center-forward Morata and midfielder Leo Lin stood side by side.
No one could tell what Spain were planning.
Morata initially dropped deeper, while Pedri collected Eric García's clearance.
Pedri passed to Rodri with his right foot, and Rodri immediately played a quick ball into Morata.
Morata controlled it with his back to goal, held off Brozović, and turned. The physical mismatch between the two was immediately obvious.
That disparity existed because Morata was a center-forward while Brozović was a midfielder. Brozović simply did not have the build to mark a striker like him.
Spain intended to exploit that mismatch and allow Morata to make better use of his abilities between midfield and attack.
Leo Lin began his forward run, but Morata did not turn to pass to him. Instead, he played the ball left to Sarabia.
Sarabia controlled it, looked up, and used his precise technique to send the ball toward the far post.
His smooth footwork made the delivery look effortless.
On the right, Ferran Torres used his superior speed and agility to break away from Gvardiol before heading the ball into the penalty area.
Xavi had started Ferran Torres so that he could use his mobility to escape Gvardiol, not so that he would have to take the final shot himself.
Ferran Torres was still perfectly capable of completing a simple task like directing the ball into the middle.
Leo Lin was already sprinting forward. Ferran Torres's header dropped in front of Vida, but before the defender could raise his foot, Leo Lin stretched out a leg and reached it first.
A midair toe poke!
...
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